Year 5 Camp

Year 5 Lake Dewar Camp

Student Camp Reflections

I felt the smoke rise to my face, the wooden, prickly, heavy stick above the fire, slowly roasted my gooey damper. The fire crackled as I saw my damper slowly change colour and small embers and smoke cleared into the bright sky, slowly fading away. After what felt like days, my damper finished cooking. As logs of wood were thrown into the fire, glowing red charcoal rose and I slowly rotated my damper off the stick and threw the stick away. I spread jam and cream on my damper and ate the warm deliciousness. Then we started making wood huts, while smoke stained my clothes. I took a photo of the recipe, so I could make some at home after camp. We finished the activity and returned.

By Lucas 5C

It was as high as the clouds, my heart was thumping out of my chest. As I walked up with my harness on, I saw it – the biggest zip line I’ve ever seen. The instructor showed us how to put it on. Once we got our harness on, the group in front of us went first – they jumped. All I saw was joy on their faces. Next, it was my turn. While I was walking up, I was shaking. My hands were sweating, the icy cold wind making me shiver. I got on, my harness was clicked in. 3…2…1…GO! I felt the cool breeze on my face and my hair felt like birds flying. Looking back, I saw everyone waving at us. I was as happy as a shining rainbow glowing through the sky, forgetting about the wait before my turn, the massive rocks, and the dazzling waterfall below me, calling my name as I zipped past.

By Savanna C 5B 

The ledge stared at me menacingly. The world fell quiet as I gazed at the distance below. Chills ran down my spine as I took a deep breath in. With hesitation, I walked off shakily. I felt the straps tighten on my clothes, compressing my skin. Building up speed, I was greeted by a scenic view of trees, bushes and a river running through the ground, all beneath my feet. I made it to solid ground while sharing some horrific screams with my partner, who was shoved on the other line, parallel to mine. The next time, my screams of fear turned into screams of excitement. I was breathless, like I’d run a marathon. Looking back with my partner, we were speechless as we took another glimpse of the humongous distance and a spectacular view we had travelled over.

By Ethan A - 5B

The walk there was nerve-wracking. Through the trees I saw the zipline. I felt my heart racing even more now.

As we sat down to let the instructor tell us how to put the harness on, I looked down to find one side filled with trees and the other side a deep canyon. Was I ready for this?

Courage slowly left as I walked up the stairs. We were next. I reached the high platform. I knew that we were 300 metres tall. The instructor mentioned it. I saw the two people before us go. I felt better. My worried feeling left as I stepped up. I saw the ramp.

The instructors’ walkie-talkie crackled to life. “Ready,” said the other two instructors at the other end. He took off the rope. I felt a massive adrenaline rush. I became so excited. I looked over to my friend who was going with me. It was a dual flying fox.

“3, 2, 1, go!”

I ran over the ramp and leaned as high as I could. I did it! We were zipping through the sky, feeling as the freedom took us away. I looked down. The canyon didn’t seem so bad anymore.

As we landed, I walked toward the other two instructors. They hooked off my harness. We walked back to the platform. We got four goes in total. I loved that. It was so exciting. I decided to take it to the next level. I did a trust fall. I never felt more proud.

By Alessio T 5S 

As my legs shook, I saw a long stretch of rope that crossed the valley. I strapped myself in, the harness was heavy and an important piece of equipment. My head ached but I persisted and as I pushed myself up the stairs my heart raced, as the staff hooked me up I thought I can do this and I won’t be alone, I have my friend on my left.

Then I ran off the platform on 3 and a massive gush of wind blew my hair, I looked down and saw a beautiful, glistening river below and large trees of all kinds. As I neared the end I thought that was the most incredible thing ever.

The staff down the other end of the zip line threw me a rope to grab onto and pulled me and Alex up to the end. Then I thought can I do it again but then I held the heavy equipment and walked down a slippery gravel path that would take us back to the start. When I got to the end of the slippery path my arms and legs ached.

By Jasper L 5S 

As I stepped on the platform, the man started counting down from three and my stomach dropped and nerves built up. But I couldn’t let my fear and nerves stop me, so I jumped! My feet lifted in the air and it felt like I was flying. Midway, all this feeling left. I could see the beautiful view of the lake and all the nature surrounding it. It was wonderful. I could smell the fresh air and it felt like I could taste it too. I heard the air in my ears, as well as the birds and other animals in the forest. It felt amazing, but as I reached the bottom, I forgot how to land and I had all my nerves come back again. But…I did it!! And I did it another two times.

By Isabella 5C