Year 8 Camp

During Week 2, Year 8 students all attended Camp. Year 8 Camp this year consisted of two options of which students had the choice;

Group 1 - Camp at Thomas Boyd Trackhead on the Goobarragandra River.

Group 2 - Hike in and Camp at Blue Waterholes in the Kosciuszko National Park.

Year 8 Camp is all about building relationships between students, getting to know one another outside of the four walls of the classroom and about getting students to step outside their comfort zones. In tent groups, students are required to sort all of their belongings and make sure they had all the appropriate gear to survive 24 hours in the bush. Students bring and cook their own food, build their own tents, collect their own firewood and work together to ensure everyone is having a great time. 

Camping and being in the outdoors has many health benefits. The fresh mountain air, an increase in physical activity levels, increased levels of socialisation and a reduction in students reliance on a handheld device made for a great time. Students participated in various challenging and team building activities that are designed to push students out of their comfort zones. Students explored caves, crossed the swinging suspension bridge at night, cooked their own food by the fire, swam in the cold water and explored the National Park through different bush walks. 

There were a wide range of experiences on these camps. There were some experienced campers who regularly camp with family and others for whom this was a first time camping and sleeping in a tent. This made for an exciting time for many of the students as they built their own fires and sat around roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate at night. 

Thanks to all of our Year 8 students who engaged with our activities and enjoyed their time on camp. Thanks also to the staff, who gave up their time away from their families to enrich the experience of our Year 8 students. 

Thanks in particular to Matt Ward, Pete Gaffney and Shane Measday who spent all 3 nights out camping with the students.

Ryan Price | Year 8 Camp Organiser