Grade 6 Camp Survey Summary: Reflections and Future Planning

2025 Canberra Camp Parent Feedback

Following the completion of our 2025 Canberra Camp, we surveyed families to understand their reflections and suggestions for future camps.

Key outcomes included:

• Overall Experience:
  • 100% of respondents rated the camp positively, with 88% describing it as "Excellent" or "Very Good."
• Value for Cost:
  • 97% of families agreed that the experience was worth the cost, with many describing it as "once-in-a-lifetime" and "highly valuable."
• Highlights Identified:
  • High-quality accommodation and catering.
  • Well-structured itinerary offering strong educational and social opportunities.
  • Students build independence, resilience, and friendships in a supportive environment.
• Suggestions for Improvement:
  • Early information nights or Google Meet sessions for parents.
  • More free time for students to connect informally.
  • Small adjustments to travel and rooming arrangements where possible.

2025 Canberra Camp Student Feedback

Grade 6 students also provided feedback on their experience. 

Overall, students:

• Enjoyed flying interstate and being away from home.
• Valued the variety of experiences, especially Parliament House, Questacon, the AIS, and fun night activities.
• Described the experience as exciting, memorable, and a big step toward independence.

However, some students:

• Felt the itinerary was too full and heavily focused on education.
• Wanted more free time and social opportunities in cabins.
• Found early wake-ups tiring, and some disliked the food or crowded rooms.

Many students said they were grateful for the experience, even when sharing constructive suggestions. Their feedback reinforces the importance of balancing structured learning with fun, down time, and social bonding.

2026 Parent Survey — Future Camp Planning

To assist with 2026 planning, we also surveyed the families of next year’s Grade 6 students.

Key themes included:

• Desired Learning Outcomes:
  • Strong preference for camps focusing on team building, social skills, resilience, emotional regulation, and outdoor education.
  • Many families also value the unique opportunity for Civics and Citizenship learning offered by Canberra.
• Views on Canberra and Cost:
  • Families were divided, with approximately half believing Canberra is worth the $1433 cost, while others expressed concern over affordability.
  • Some suggested a Victorian-based camp as a viable and more affordable alternative that still meets the desired learning outcomes.
• Willingness to Attend:
  • The majority would send their child to Canberra if offered.
  • A small but important number indicated they would prefer a local camp due to financial pressures.
• Additional Considerations:
  • Clear, early communication and flexible payment options are important to families.
  • Balancing educational activities with fun, memorable experiences is highly valued.
  • Building strong peer connections remains a central goal for the Grade 6 camp experience.

Conclusion

Parent and student feedback strongly affirms the value of a major Grade 6 camp experience in preparing students for secondary school.While the Canberra trip is highly regarded, it is clear that careful consideration must be given to balancing costs and ensuring accessibility for all families in 2026. Both student and parent feedback highlight the importance of ensuring a balance of fun and learning and supporting student wellbeing and social connection.

Further consultation and early communication with families will support the best possible outcome for our next cohort of students and create the most meaningful and inclusive experience possible for our 2026 Grade 6 students.