Year 8 Camp - Student Reflection

In Week 15, the Year 8 boys went on an adventure, with long hikes and even longer nights. The camp consisted of kayaking, hiking and snorkelling, or a marine biology expedition on the rock pools if there was a thunderstorm overhead. Kayaking was a gruesome venture with boys capsizing left and right. Some due to poor piloting skills but most due to the uncontrollable urge to watch your mates scream and scurry as they try to save their boat from sinking. But in the end, whether from a targeted assault or just a poor choice of rowing partner, one way or another, we all got a bit wet. 

On the second day, the boys went for a 12km hike from one beach to the other. The walk up was slow but after a quick and well deserved snack break, around about a third of the way up, the boys were re-energised and ready to power through the next two thirds double time. Once at the bottom of the hill, it was lunch time. The boys got to prepare lunch themselves, with the guidance and supervision of a camp counsellor to prevent any accidental food poisoning. Rightfully cautious, the teachers made sure to bring their own food. The boys that went snorkelling were taught how to safely dive down below for as long as possible. Some were naturals, diving down for so long you would have thought they had oxygen tanks, resurfacing with fascinating trinkets, shells and sea urchins. Others were less graceful, bobbing in and out of the water like ducks. At the end of the session, everyone had a good time, and everyone was more than happy to jump into a hot, steamy one dollar shower. Once it was time to head home, everyone said farewell to the counsellors and thanked them for making such an amazing trip possible.

Angus Cranswick
Year 8 Student