On Thursday and Friday, the Year 7/8 Outdoor Education class tested their skills in camping. The class travelled out to Gelston Park where they set up camp for the night on a beautiful 120-acre property. Students pitched their tents and set out on a 2km orienteering course. Year 7 knocked this out of the park, starting after Year 8s, overtaking them and never taking a step wrong. It was a great chance for Year 8 to revise their compass and map work which they greatly improved.

Back at camp students had free time to relax and explore the surroundings. A great game of volleyball commenced with many teams and a great chance to just hang out and get to know each other better.

After free time, students set about starting fires and collecting wood. When the coals were hot, they cooked up potatoes, corn, sausages and steaks. After dinner, we had a bonfire before playing spotlight, which was a highlight for many. Once we returned to camp, students were eager for bed and fell asleep quickly. The next day we woke up and had a pancake breakfast, once again cooked by the students on the campfire.

Activities for the day included a low ropes course and rope maze, animal scavenger hunt, sketching, settlers hut tour and devotion. The rope course required teamwork, balance and a positive attitude; Year 8 excelled at this one. Year 7 spotted the most animals, including kites, echidnas, wallabies and kangaroos. Whilst spotting animals, students took time to draw their surroundings and sit in the quiet and enjoy all of God’s beautiful creation. After lunch on the second day, we had devotion in the shade before doing a tour of the settler's hut. Henry Angel was granted the land by Charles Sturt for all his hard labour during his explorations. The remains of his hut, well and a grave can be found on the property and it was a great chance for students to reflect on the history of the area, but also reflect on their lives and how blessed they are.

It was an amazing camp! Students were able to set up, pull down, cook and complete a number of activities with little to no help. It was a great chance to learn how to fail, problem-solve and achieve goals independently and as a cohort. Most importantly, it was a great chance for bonding, surrounded by God’s goodness.

Thank you to Mr Cunningham for organising and running the camp and to Mrs Cowley and Miss Burrows for assisting over the 2 days.

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