Year 7&8 Summit Camp

Becky Davey

On the 8th of May, the Year 7s and 8s went to The Summit Camp. This camp taught us to be comfortable being uncomfortable, to have fun and to push ourselves to the best of our abilities! The Summit has taught me patience, friendship, courage and thinking outside the box and helped develop a greater measure of faith and trust in Jesus. Some challenges early on were that there was a cabin change, and I was put in an activity group with some people that I usually didn’t socialise with. This was all a big shock to me. Ending the camp, I made good friends, and had a team that used all their giftings. One of the most challenging activities I participated in was the Giant Swing. When I saw the height of it, I wanted to cry. I felt intimidated just looking at it. There were three levels, red, yellow and green. Green was the highest level, but I chose to face my fear and overcome it. I felt so happy that I went on the highest level and enjoyed the view.

Do you know what all these words have in common, Collaboration, Adaptability, Mindful and Perseverance? They stand for C.A.M.P.! I have effectively pushed my limits, and tried new things, like the Giant Swing, friendships and even just learning to make the most of what you have. God has created such a beautiful earth, with lots of beauty in it. There is a lot to learn in life, but I think this camp surely has taught me some of these values! In 2 Chronicles 15:7 it says, “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” Making the most of every opportunity at camp really proved that this scripture could be fulfilled in my life.

Joshua Nathaniel

The Year 7/8 Summit camp was an interesting experience. Since it was my first time at The Summit, I didn’t know what to expect. It turned out to be quite an enjoyable experience for me.

My favourite activity was the Giant Swing. It was exhilarating being really high up in the air, swinging around. You get a great view of the forest and farmlands surrounding the camp. You could feel the wind rushing past you as you swung around. Sadly, we only had one turn on the swing. Some other exciting moments were activities like the highwire and the summit window. I also enjoyed talking to my friends at mealtimes and just chilling in our cabins. There were times at camp where I felt unsure of what to do or nervous when I was trying something new. So, before it was my turn on the activity, I would shoot a quick prayer for help or guidance depending on the activity.

Overall, the Summit Camp was a very memorable experience for me. I can’t wait to go back next year!

Kaden Bunyon

I loved The Summit. It was a very exciting and challenging place to be for the whole camp. This was my very first time ever going to The Summit, and I didn’t know what to expect, but it was very much the best camp I have gone to.

Being at The Summit taught me to value all my friendships and enjoy a challenge. Even if I think I cannot do it, I probably can. The giant swing was very high and scary. I was scared, I must admit, but I listened to what the camp staff said and that was, “Do not go home wondering what if”. I and my friend were not very confident on the height activities or the cave activities, but Jesus was able to work a miracle and help us push through. I am grateful and felt God was with us truly and powerfully on this camp.

The Summit was an amazing and incredible camp, and I will be forever grateful to now feel closer to God thanks to camp. I can’t wait for next year’s 7/8 camp; it is something to definitely look forward to.

Nathan Faure

A highlight of my time in Heatherton that will stick with me for a while, is Year 7 and 8 camp at The Summit. It was a great experience that will leave a mark on me for a long time. I really enjoyed how the camp was designed to bring people out of their comfort zone and let them grow as a person. Most of their activities are created for the purpose of letting people face their fears and push themself to do better. For this purpose, they had the ‘target, stretch, super stretch’ system to help us see what we could accomplish. The system consisted of three goals:

1. Target (something at the edge of your comfort zone that know you can achieve)
2. Stretch (something just outside of your comfort zone that you think you can do)
3. Super Stretch (something super far out of you comfort zone that you just might be able to do on your best day).

One of my favourite parts of the camp was the Monster Course (also known as the Mud Run). It was a perfect mix of teamwork and endurance where we had to face many challenges of speed, teamwork, strength, and intelligence. The course consisted of many obstacles from throwing frisbees to wading through mud that ultimately was scored based on our will to keep going and beat our first attempt in our exhausted, muddy state.

To conclude, Summit camp was an incredible experience that help us bond and grow as a person and as a team.

Jenelle Kim

This term, the Year 7s and 8s went to camp at The Summit in Trafalgar East. The camp involved us getting out of our comfort zones, trying new things, and encouraging each other to do our best.

The activities that were held at the Summit pushed some of us to really get out of our comfort zones and to try new things even if we were scared. I know I definitely went out of my comfort zone.

One of my highlights of camp was doing the Mud Run. The Mud Run is something that’ll stick with me for the rest of my years at Heatherton. I remember how encouraging we were towards each other - always lifting each other up with positive words and never discouraging one another, even when it got a little hard. It was also nice being placed in a group with different people that I’d normally not talk to. Getting to know them and trusting them was a key part of the Mud Run, since we had to hold hands and work together to get to the finish line. Even though my group didn’t win, it was definitely something to remember.

Overall, I think that camp was an experience to remember. I’ve left camp feeling a lot more confident than I did at the start of the week.