Student Experience of the Year 11 Hiking Camp

Last week, students studying VCE Unit 2 Outdoor and Environmental Studies embarked on their ‘Independent Participation’ hike at Kooyoora State Park. This camp was connected to their studies, where they needed to prepare for anything the environment could throw at them, including risks, weather, transportation, food, equipment, and navigation. While on camp, students monitored individual and group impacts on the environment. Thank you to my fellow staff member, Isabella Miller, who attended the camp, and to all the students who attended. You demonstrated resilience, determination, leadership and flexibility in some pretty challenging situations. My highlight of the camp was the expert navigation skills demonstrated by students who led us through the bush, with just a map and compass for over an hour, which missed their bearing by only 20 metres. Well done 11OES!

“A highlight of our camp was reaching the top of the mountain and taking in the stunning views. We had a lot of freedom, which was great, but the teacher didn’t offer any help with directions or other tasks. This made the experience more exciting, though it also made the group a bit nervous since we had to be extra careful with navigation to avoid getting lost. Another highlight was climbing between the rocks. It was very challenging but a lot of fun. Almost everyone completed it, and although it left us with some cuts, it gave us even more memories to cherish.”

Tiago

“The hiking camp to Kooyora State Park was both an adventure and a test of endurance. The hikes through the rugged terrain were demanding, with steep ascents that seemed to stretch endlessly. Each step up the mountain challenged both my body and mind, but the reward at the summit was well worth the effort. The views were nothing short of stunning, a sweeping panorama of the park that made me feel like I was on top of the world. The nights were just as memorable. Despite the biting cold and strong winds, we managed to set up camp at the mountain's peak, where the sense of accomplishment was amplified by the surrounding wilderness. Gathering around the campfire, we shared stories and cooked meals on Trangias, the warmth of the flames offering comfort against the chill. There was something incredibly grounding about cooking in such a rugged environment, the simple act of preparing food reminded me of how much we take for granted in daily life. The wind howled through the night, and the cold seeped into every layer, but it all added to the experience - raw, challenging, and incredibly real.

Kooyoora’s beauty lies not just in its stunning views, but in its ability to push you to your limits and remind you of the power and resilience you possess. It was tiring, it was challenging, but it left me with a deep sense of accomplishment and a renewed appreciation for nature’s untamed beauty.”

Tenzin

“Overall the camp was great. A great experience to hike the mountain camping on the top looking at the view. The first day was a calm day and we didn't do much walking but on the second day, we went for a 4 hour hike with our bags full of stuff which weighed a lot. Overall it was a good experience and fun to do and I'll definitely do it again.”

Hyugo

“The camp through Kooyoora State Park was great, with minimal bad weather, great experiences, and great practical learning. Some highlights would have to be a nighttime game of hide and seek and chatter around the campfire. The views from the top of Mount Kooyoora and then the next morning navigating through the wilderness much faster than Mr. Richardson expected, knowing how to orient myself on a map feels so rewarding and can be a great skill to have for the future.”

Lachy (Year 10)

“This camp was my first experience of Year 11 Outdoor Education camp, being as I just transferred into the subject. We travelled for about 3 hours North-West of Melbourne to Kooyoora State Park for our hiking camp. The first night we got there, we set up camp and started a campfire to warm us up. The sun set really early, and as there was no light pollution, the nights were super dark. Thankfully, the sky was pretty clear, and we were able to see the Southern Cross and other constellations. At around 8pm we played hide and seek in the bush, with the teacher being the only one with a flashlight. On the second day, we started our massive hike up to Mount Kooyoora. This hike took a total of 4 hours to the summit. We followed the roads for about an hour until we stopped for lunch at a lookout spot. At this point, there was a spot called The Squeeze. It was a tight canyon with a width of about 20-25cm. The point of The Squeeze was to manoeuvre your way through it and up to the exit. You had to use your arms and legs to get yourself up and out. 

We then had to use a map and compass to navigate ourselves through the bush with no paths to the valley that would eventually lead us up the mountain. The second night was incredibly windy and we got a bit of rain, but the view from the summit allowed us to see some Wedge-Tailed-Eagles. Overall the camp was a nice getaway from the city and school. It was really cool to be able to see the stars without light pollution, as well as challenging ourselves to navigate without paths.”

Sara