Student Voices

During Week 7, our Year 4 and 5 students went on a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Mapleton for our Outdoor Education Camp. Some of the highlights included canoeing, bridge building and the possum glider. In fact, most of the activities could be considered a highlight! 

Canoeing was wonderful as we were taught how to properly balance the canoe, then played a game on the water which tested our newfound talent. Bridge building was a fun activity because we had to tie ropes to planks and barrels, then submerge it in the water before walking across it! 

Our whole group fell in the water because once we put the ‘bridge’ in, it completely fell apart. We ended up swimming across the freezing cold lake and although this might seem like a low light, it was actually a moment that made the camp memorable. The Possum Glider was another highlight! After being strapped safely into our harness, we were pulled up by the rest of the team who moved backwards quickly. Once we reached the top, a staggering nine metres, the team would walk slowly back so the person in the harness was slowly lowered.  

Some challenges we had to overcome were doing things in front of a big group that we haven’t done before, sharing a room with people we didn’t know so well and stepping out of our comfort zone!

Overall, the camp was a great experience that challenged us and gave us plenty of memories to look back on. Whether it was paddling across the lake, tumbling off our bridge, or going on the Possum Glider, every activity pushed us to try something new. Mapleton Camp is a memory we will not forget, reminding us that stepping outside our comfort zones can lead to the best adventures.