Outdoor Environmental Studies Camp 

The Outdoor and Environmental studies camp to Wilsons Promontory was an unforgettable experience, filled with adventure, relaxation and personal growth. We started the camp with surfing, which was both challenging and exciting. It felt amazing learning a new skill and encouraging each other to ride the waves. The highlight of surfing was being able to stand up fully and ride in all the way to shore.

The next day, we headed on a hike up Mt Oberon. We were able to connect with the flora and fauna and take in the natural beauty as we made the hike up the mountain. The view from the top was fabulous, and my highlight from the camp. It was a beautiful and peaceful view of ocean, Squeaky Beach and the nature that surrounds Wilson Prom. It was a physical challenge, but the view made it worthwhile.

Setting up the tents and cooking on the trangias to prepare our meals was a great way to work together as a team. Chilling around camp provided a nice break from the physical activities of the day. It was great to relax, bond with friends, play games and tell funny stories. The beach and river walks were incredibly refreshing and the night sky was filled with many stars, which added to the calming vibe of the camp. 

Overall, the OES camp to Wilsons Promontory was a perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. It was a nice reminder that it is fun to get out of your comfort zone and enjoy the world around you. 

OES Wilsons Prom reflection

We got the opportunity to go to Wilsons Prom for the Year 12 OES class, which allowed us to build on friendships and connect with nature. As we arrived at Tidal River, we headed straight over to the beach to start our surf lessons. It was a very mixed group with some having plenty of previous experience standing up straight away and others, their first time, taking a few goes but eventually standing up towards the end.

We went for a nice walk along the beach, throwing a frisbee and kicking a footy along the way. We were able to build strong connections through shared experiences. We cooked up dinner on Trangia’s which was another first for many. We then embarked on a beautiful night walk, identifying constellations in the bright night sky and even spotting a wombat on the way back. As we returned, we discovered that wombats had eaten through a tent and food container, reminding everyone of the importance of storing food in the metal trailer.

We had a pleasant Hike up to the top of Mt Oberon enjoying panoramic views of the whole peninsula. After climbing back down and enjoying lunch we headed over to the river to cool down and play more games. We had another fantastic Hike to Squeaky Beach where the sand is in fact squeaky. Packing up and leaving early on Thursday, we used the bus ride to reflect on all the memories made and skills learned.

All the activities were highly enjoyable. On behalf of the group I’d like to extend my appreciation to everyone, especially Mrs Chatley who made the camp possible.