School Camp through the eyes of some of our year 6 students in room 9 (written below). Check out ALL the amazing camp photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ww6a3qPKxeUbRWVBA
Our school camp at Vertical Horizons was a really fun and memorable experience, full of challenges and excitement.
On the high ropes course, activities like the jellyfish and junior multi vines were quite scary at first, and they didn’t always go well on the first attempt. However, pushing through those fears made it feel even more rewarding to finally complete them. The zipline was another highlight—it was really high and incredibly fast, but also exciting. Some activities, like the catwalk on the high ropes, were challenging, especially with the wind making it feel even more difficult. But some people loved it and ran across! The flying kiwi was hard work for those on the ground having to run and pull the kiwi into the air. It took a lot of courage to be pulled flying into the air and spinning around with nothing to hold onto and no control.
Another exciting part of camp was racing the Fred Flintstone style grass carts down the grassy hill. There was no steering and sometimes they weren’t lined up well and sent us nearly crashing into the fence, one group was seen to bail out just before hitting it. It was funny and a little bit chaotic. It was hard work pulling the cart back up the hill for the next person’s turn. We also had a turn at rifle shooting, where it turned out the girls were more accurate, which surprised a lot of people. Archery looked easy at first, but it was actually really challenging to pull the strings back and aim properly. Even though it was tricky, it was fun to try something new and test our strength and focus.
On the first day we had a freezing swim test that felt like jumping into an ice bath, but it was worth it so we could take part in the water activities. One of the best parts was the mud run, especially for those who love getting messy, and the waterslide was fast and thrilling. Each team built a raft and then we had to race them across the lake, it did not go well at all. Many people fell into the water and the rafts fell apart. We were able to kayak on the lake and while it was a new experience for some of us and we were worried about falling out of the kayak and into the lake we all managed to get the hang of it.
The instructors were kind and supportive, helping everyone feel safe and confident to give things a go. Overall, camp was a great experience that helped us try new things and feel proud of what we achieved.
There were also fun moments at night, like the night trail in the dark, where the dads tried to scare us. Another fun activity was spotlight, where everyone had to hide in the dark while trying not to get caught in the light. Some super ninja hiders found the best hiding spots and stayed completely still, making it almost impossible to spot them. It was exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking listening for footsteps and trying not to laugh or give yourself away. The campfire, where we toasted marshmallows, sang songs, and spent time chatting with friends.
Meal times at camp meant no one went hungry. Breakfasts were simple but great, with cereal and toast to start the day. Lunches were warm and filling, with favourites like mac and cheese and hot dogs, and dinners were especially exciting. We enjoyed tasty meals such as nachos, burgers, apple crumble with ice cream, and self-saucing chocolate pudding with ice cream for dessert.
Each group also had a turn helping in the kitchen, which was a big part of camp life. We worked together to sweep the floors, wipe down the tables, and wash dishes in the very deep sink. Many people wanted a turn using the sterilizer because it felt like an important job. Helping out in the kitchen taught us responsibility and teamwork, and it made us appreciate the meals even more.
