5/6 Camp Reflections

Zipline And Raft Building

As I put my helmet on, my heart was pounding. I had watched all the other people race down the flying fox, but now it was my time. I climbed up the ladder and the steps that were hooked onto the tree tightly. As the camp instructor hooked me up to the harness I was ready to go.

Whoosh, I zoomed over the lake with great speed. I thrashed into the tyre at the end then started drifting backwards to the steps where Mr Buttigieg was standing. After I was unhooked I raced the rope back to the other person and that was it.

Finally the activity that I was waiting for, the Build a Raft Battle. On my team was Charlie,Ethan and Nikitas.Our raft was built of four floaties,six logs and a lot of ropes that were tied together.There were four people allowed on the raft and I was one of them. I had the paddle in my hand and I was rowing through the lake, but then the raft broke. The back of it was falling off the raft and eventually it completely collapsed.

This camp at Stringybark Lodge was really fun and enjoyable and I didn’t want to leave.

By Miller Thiedeman

Camp Flying Fox

I slid my helmet on, after already having my harness on. This was not helping my nerves, but just making them worse. I did not know what was about to happen, but that was not holding me back from climbing up the tall tree.

First I had to climb a tall ladder and then the tree had very stable handles that I could hold onto. Once I was at the top my adrenaline kicked in and then I jumped off the edge of the platform and I was off to a speedy start. The air was whipping my face. I was nearing the end of the flying fox and then BANG I hit the tyre and got a fist to the face.

It was an exciting end to the camp flying fox ride.

By Giuseppe Nardo

Zipline

My heart was pumping, it was my turn to climb the tree to the flying fox. My stomach was about to explode. I could feel the adrenaline inside my body. Then the harness came down to me. Mrs Abed hooked me up and then it was time to climb the tree. When I put my foot on the step I kept on saying in my head “Don't look down, don't look down”.

When I got to the top I was relieved but then I had to stand on a stool. While I was on the stool they hooked me up with a harness. I felt like I was about to have a heart attack. When I was all harnessed up I sat on a park swing. 3, 2, 1, go I was off. While I was going, the air in my face was so nice. When I got to the end I crashed into the tyre and punched myself in the eye, it hurt.

Mr Evens got a ladder and got me off. I ran the seat back to the next person waiting for their turn, and people were saying, “Good job Nick, that was the best.” I really wanted to do that again but we only did it once. That was the best zip line I have ever been on.

This was the best camp I have been on because it was my first.

By Nicholas De La Cruz

A Birthday Like No Other

This year somehow my birthday was on the day we were going to camp!

It was my first ever camp and I felt nervously excited. I woke up super excited with all the presents I got. After I unwrapped all my presents I left to go to school so I didn’t miss the bus.

It didn’t take us long to get to the place called Stringybark Lodge. When we got there we had morning tea then the guides came and led us to our first activity called orienteering. I had Hayden and Adam in my team. In orienteering, we had to go into the forest and find hidden poles with numbers on them. After we found six poles, we went back to the guide and he gave us another map and the teacher called out “Do you want a lolly?”

When I put the lolly in my mouth I felt a hard thing in my mouth. It was my tooth and it had fallen out. It was a molar tooth that was not wobbly, so it surprised me! After I lost my tooth I went back into the building and got a tissue and wrapped my tooth with the tissue and put it in my suitcase.

After we finished orienteering we did find the right path on a chess board we played heaps of games and activities after dinner I got a surprise with a birthday cake with my friend Brody. After dessert we talked about Aboriginal culture with a person and after we did a night walk it was scary at night then we got ready for bed and I read my book.

By Jacob Parisella

6T Class Reflection

Two weeks ago, the Year 5 and 6 students enjoyed 2 nights at Stringybark Lodge in Gembrook for our school camp. After arriving at camp we met our instructors Anton and Amelie then we were told our activity groups. There were two groups, the French Fries and the Tacos.

The activities were extremely enjoyable and some of them were the Flying Fox, Archery and Bush Cooking. The meals were outstanding and included pancakes, baked potatoes, and shepherd's pie.

During our time at camp, we celebrated Brody and Jacob’s 10th Birthday, enjoying an ice-cream cake for dessert. On Wednesday night, we had an Indigenous talk about Aboriginal culture and then went on a night walk through the forest.

On Thursday night, Father Ralph came to visit and we had Ash Wednesday mass. After that we had a trivia night with lots of fun questions to answer with your group. By the time it was Friday, we were all exhausted, even though none of us wanted to leave.

Finally, we said thank you to the instructors and got on the bus and headed home.

Camp was fantastic!