OES Camp

Year 11 Outdoor Environmental Studies - Camp #2 - Rubicon 5 Day Winter Program

The Year 11 Outdoor Environmental Studies class went on a 5-day camp recently, hosted by Rubicon Outdoor School. Students had a fantastic time, and Rubicon sang appraisals for the group and how well they worked with each other and the cohesion they showed throughout the camp.

Day 1: students arrived to Rubicon Nayook campus which is located on contested land where 3 Traditional custodians the Wurundjeri, Gunaikurnai Kurnai and Bunurong see the area as part of their country. Students learned about these 3 Indigenous groups and their creation stories. Students then participated in an environmental walk through the beautiful ferns and stunning mountain ash. 

Day 2: the group went caving, which had everyone on edge with nerves and excitement, the caves were an excellent challenge and every student (and teacher) rose to the challenge of squeezing through some unnaturally tight spaces. 

Day 3: the group drove to Mt Baw Baw which was teeming with bird life like the lyrebird. Here at Mt Baw Baw, the students set up camp on the snowy at the Nordic Bowl and set out on a snow-shoeing adventure to the summit. 

Students and teachers alike, suffered through wet ski boots and bone-chilling cold and survived the night to be rewarded with some cross-country skiing fun on Day 4. All of the students were incredible in their resilience and how much they improved throughout the day. Upon our return on Day 4, students were thankful for a hot meal (with many reporting that the camp food, was the best they’d ever had) and a game of werewolf in the dark, by the fire. 

On Day 5 students took to the high ropes course, which brought further challenge to the group. Throughout the whole camp students continued to rise to every challenge and participate in discussions about the environment surrounding them. Thanks to everyone involved for making the experience unforgettable.

See two fun gifs below created from the trip!