Student Voice

Camp Coonawarra was more fun than I thought it would be there was so many fun activities but here are my top two 1 Zipline I liked the zipline a lot because of the breathtaking view and just being that high up and the feeling that this a onetime experience and you might not do this again later in your life. You could also hear nothing but the line going brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr every now and then and you also had to drop a rope too the ladder crew who moved the ladder in place so I could stand up top on it to safely get down. My second favorite activity was the giant swing because it was so exhilarating but scary at the same time as when you are being pulled up by the rope that’s the exhilarating part but when you pull the rope well that’s the scary part. And when you are swinging through the air it's kind of cool but not for me because I was holding the rope for dear life. Camp coonawarra was one of the most fun things I'd ever done except playing video games which I seem to do a lot of now.

Camp Coonawarra was a great experience, and something that I, without hesitation, would do again. I especially enjoyed the Horse Riding and arriving in my cabin. Both these moments brought me joy and excitement, and when you read this, you will no doubt want to visit Camp Coonawarra.

We strode towards the russet fences, behind them a dozen horses. Our eyes widened at the magnificent creatures. Each one different to other. “Get a pair of boots and a helmet.” One of the instructors informed us. “The helmet must fit.” We were told repeatedly, after all, neither an agonizing headache nor no head at all would not be a pleasurable experience. Once we were set to go, they educated us in the basics of riding a horse. Kick to make it go faster, pull the reins to stop it, pet it on the neck to show affection, simple. As we were experts now, we were ready to face any challenge, even a 180cm one. The first horse, ebony with a white patch, trotted towards the haystack. A bit too big for my liking. Phoebe, a member of the group, didn’t hesitate. She scrambled upon the huge horse, and they scuttled away. They came and went, until one horse caught my eye. I shot my hand in the air. Grinning from ear to ear, I mounted upon the small horse. It was a dark shade of brown, with a messy mane covering its eyes. I looked down to find a label scribbled across its reins. Alby.

“Cabin 13. Chloe, Emily, Adithi, Natasha, Aria, Ellie, Eva and Charlie.” The teacher declared. “Collect your bags and make your way towards your cabin.” I excitedly grasped a big blue bag, following the other members of Cabin 13. I launched my bag onto a single bed. “Do you mind if I have this one?” I asked politely. No one seemed to notice my question, so I presumed it was okay. Buzzing with pleasure and excitement, we sat down on the carpet, deciding on a cabin name. Some ideas were perfect, others, not so much. We decided just to name ourselves Cabin 13, simple, but nice. “What about our poster?” Ellie questioned. We decided to draw anything we wanted, possibly not the greatest idea we had. We ended up with a well dodgy Peppa pig and some random shapes we didn’t know existed. We laughed away at our poster, the sight of it disturbing to the human eye. So, perhaps everything wasn’t perfect, but it was enjoyable, and that’s all that really matters.

Hello camp Coonawarra staff!

All the staff had different personalities.

 You guys had creative ideas which made it fun to hang out with you guys.

I loved chef Gary's food (and when you guys helped)

Ben was fearless!

Hayley was kind and calm!

Camp Coonawarra was one of the most fun things I've ever done. Now, I’m here to tell you about my top 2 favorite activities at camp. My all-time favorite activity had to ‘archery’. With huge targets, meters away it was the right amount of difficulty. It was the meaning of fun! I’m recommending this to all of you! My second favorite activity was the ‘GIANT swing’. Having harnesses tied up to your waist, combined with a death-defying drop (This activity is not for the faint hearted). Making you feel very frightened. Also, before each person’s turn you had to pull them up, so you could have fun and stay strong. This is another recommendation. That’s all I must share but when you go to camp Coonawarra remember to... HAVE FUN!

Camp Coonawarra was amazing. All of the activities were so much fun! But I’m going to tell you 3 of my favourite things to do.

I really liked horse riding. You get to choose which horse you ride then when everyone Is ready you ride Into the hills and walk near a beautiful lake.You get to do this for a hole hour and a half!

My second favourite thing was the maze, you get a team of three, 2 of you will be In the maze looking for codes while the other looks where you are and directs you to them. Once you have figured out a code you yell It to your teammate then they go under the deck and type It in. Once you have found all of the codes and have gotten all the answers that will create a different code for you to type Into the exit door and escape!

My final favourite thing was the flying fox. I enjoyed gliding across the lake. Then being amused by watching my teacher galloping after trying to catch the rope.

I really loved camp and trust me If you haven’t been yet It will be amazing👍

Thank resort you, Coonawarra farm resort,

Thank you for the fun trip and fun activities. There where so many fun things to do while we were there. Thank you to all Coonawarra staff for letting us stay at the camp and play at all the activities. The bit that I enjoyed was the flying fox and giant swing. The giant swing was fun because you got to pull your team all the way to the top and once, they were at the top there was a white rope sticking out that they can pull whenever they want. When they pull the rope, it detaches the rope holding them and lets them swing fast down and it swings them like a giant swing. The flying fox was fun to because you get strapped with a harness and a bag and you run off the platform and roll down the line then there are a few people at the bottom with a Laddar and they push it over so you can get down and go again. Thank you to Garry our chef for making all our delicious food so we do not get hungry he made sure there was enough for everyone, and he made sure there where food for people with elegies or any other problems, so everyone got some food. There is so many different activities to do and all are really exiting to do some could be scary or fun for some people there's also horse-riding which is also fun, but you must be quiet, so the horses don’t get scared, but the horses are calm.

From, Cody

Camp Coonawarra was fun and exciting. You get lots of experience and learn survival skills.

 The giant swing was big and amazing. When you are on it, it almost feels like you are flying like a bird. You can feel the air beside you when you first go up into the air and when it slows down, it feels like you are on a normal swing. The scariest part was after you pulled the rope. 

Horse riding was even more fun than the Giant swing. You had to wear certain types of boots and a helmet. The horses are unpredictable and spirited. I had to ride around the camp on the horses and it was a lot of fun.

I really enjoyed Camp and it taught me lots of things.

Camp Coonawarra was the most exciting experience in my belief, all my friends were there, loads of fun activities and awesome staff! I was in cabin 13, I was with all my friends! I didn’t think that would happen! The food was really good, and the cooks were so nice! Especially Garry!

I have 2 favorite activities from there and that was the flying fox, and the giant swing. They were super fun! The giant swing was so scary when I went to the top, it was like I was flying! When I let go my heart almost stopped, I was trembling so much when I came to the floor! 

The flying fox was so fun! It was lie I was flying across the lake, it was freezing that time, and the wind just gushed at me, I really want to have that feeling again!

If I were to choose a place that I'd want to go gain, it would definitely be Camp Coonawarra.

Recently, I went on a 5-day trip with my year level. The activities were fun, they included archery, flying fox, wildlife walk, orienteering, rock climbing, high ropes course, night hike, labyrinth, and my personal favourite, the giant swing.

The giant swing is double the height of a two-storey house. When I first experienced the giant swing, I needed to put on a harness. When I was attached to the swing, the rest of my activity group had to pull me up to the top. As I was being elevated, I felt excited and scared. When I was at the top, I needed to pull a rope that detached me from the main rope. The scariest part was as soon as you pull the rope I fell, followed by serval massive swings. This is my most enchanting experience at camp. 

During grade 5 camp we slept in cabins, each cabin can sleep up to 8 people. The cabins were unpleasant as there were rats, scorpions, mosquitoes, bugs spiders and bloodstains. There was even a sock from the last occupants that stayed in our cabin! 

On day 1, we got to name and create a poster for our cabin. My cabinmates decided to name our cabin ‘The Sketchy Sock!’ On day 2, the camp staff gave us a tour and explained how everything worked.

During free time you could go to the basketball court, table tennis courts, the gaga pit, the volleyball court, or just spend time in your cabin. When my friends and I stayed in our cabin we had pillow fights and played a variety of games. 

Camp was a great learning experience because I had to be independent and organised by ensuring everything is neat and tidy. I recommend going to camp as it will teach you many important life skills!