bushwhack-a-doo!
Mark Haebich
Teacher - Bushwhacked
The 2018 Bushwhacked crew boarded the train to Warragul from Southern Cross on Tuesday the 13th of March for our first outdoor program of the year.
The focus for this journey was Character Strengths and throughout the experience students investigated and utilised their own strengths and the strengths of others. During the train journey, students had a chance to familiarise themselves with the Character Strengths workbook that would guide their learning over the next four days.
Nayook staff picked us up in Warragul and we got straight into preparing for our week base camping in tents and doing a range of activities in the local area. Students did a fantastic job organising and packing all of their food for the week in both small cooking groups and for the whole group. It was a perfect example of organised chaos and collaboration and throughout the week students managed their own cooking and catering really well.
The rest of the first afternoon was spent facing fears and supporting others in a tree challenge activity before hiking up to our two basecamps and setting up, cooking dinner and settling down for a chat around the fire. With perfect weather over the course of the program, many of the students decided to sleep out under the stars for at least one night.
For our second day the group split into two and did a canoeing and canopy quest cross over with a hike between the two activities. Students spent this day spotting strengths in another studenta and then reported on what they observed during our evening debriefs. Through this activity students became more aware of the strengths possessed by others and observed in themselves.
For the third day of the program the group travelled to Warburton and negotiated the upper reaches the Yarra River on whitewater river sleds. The focus for this day was on practising the Character Strengths of gratitude and the appreciation of beauty, and the pace of the journey down the river allowed students to explore these strengths. Students took on a range of group roles and responsibilities during this day and managed themselves on the river very well.
For our final dinner at Nayook, students worked in small groups to create gourmet pizzas, fired in the brand new pizza oven, and enjoyed a wonderful meal to celebrate a terrific few days.
On our final morning, the Bushwhacked students took the opportunity to give back to the Nayook campus by getting involved in a range of community service activities. Students not only enjoyed this experience doing some manual work but were also able to count this time towards their Duke of Edinburgh service component.
The train ride home gave students a chance to reflect on a fantastic first outdoor program for the year. Later this term we head back into the Upper Yarra Valley for a hiking and rafting program in shorter days, colder weather and higher water, and the Bushwhacked crew is very much looking forward to this next experience.
Thankyou to the students and Ms O'Brien for their excellent work throughout this program.
Vy Vu
Year 9
During the first Bushwhacked camp I learned a lot about outdoor living skills, such as how to light a fire, set up a tent, use a fuel stove, and most importantly, how to care for the environment. I also learned about character strengths and how important they are in creating the unique personality of every person. I feel grateful for having had such a great camp and am looking forward for my next Bushwhacked journey.
Max Oehlmann
Year 9
Nayook was a very good learning experience. The fact that there was a small group of us allowed us to connect and get to know each other a lot more. It also allowed for a more one on one learning experience from the staff and teachers. We learned to use river sleds and perfect cooking pasta on a Trangia.
Evie Lockhart
Year 9
At camp I learned a lot about different character strengths and how to spot them in other people and in myself. I also learned a lot about setting up and packing up the camp and how to do it with minimal impact.
Lillah Summers-Dixon
Year 9
The Nayook experience was one of the best camps I have ever been on. It was a mix of teamwork and independence and everyone grew a little closer. In addition to we learned how to use fuel stoves and set up camps.
Cindy Le
Year 9
From camp at Nayook I learned how to use a Trangias stove and other resources to help me survive in the wilderness. I learnted about my character strengths and how I can use them in my daily life. Overall I think that this camp experience was a very successful one because I learned new skills and developed more independence.
Alice Beaton
Year 9
At camp Nayook I learned new skills - like cooking on a Trangia, setting up a two man tent and using a hiking pack. I also learned more about my own (and other's) character strengths and how they help you while camping and doing the activities. I also developed new relationships with people while doing the activities.