According to many campers Year 5 Camp was a huge success. The sun shone and weather was amazing, the team spirit was huge and many of the camp leaders commented on the excellent behaviour of our GCC students.

Here is a collection, a kind of summary, of what a few Year 5 students wrote in their reflections of our time away together.

We all hopped on the bus and went to Currimundi Recreational Camp. It took us 30 minutes to get to the camp. When we got there we all went to our dorms to unpack and set up our beds. Our dorms and this camp is more like a resort than camping. It’s amazing.

The activities were great. Stand up paddle boarding at Currimundi Lake was fantastic. With SUP (stand up paddle boarding) we had to get used to the feel of the boards and the water then we got to have some fun pushing other people off. Our camp leaders gave us the choice of going up the stream or going in a big massive circle and having free paddling time.

After dinner we had an epic POOL PARTY! At the pool party they played music and there were disco lights and we all jumped into the pool at the same time while listening to music. It was the best. We were at the pool for one and a half hours and then we had to go and get warm and dry and into our pyjamas ready for bed. For supper we had Milo and cake with sprinkles.

After our breakfast of pancakes we went to the rock climbing center. We were told how to put on harnesses and get buckled into the equipment. Next we had to group in pairs. I went up the wall first. At the centre there were two walls and the wall that we went on was called ‘Rocktopia’ and it was moulded out of an actual cliff face. The other one was called ‘Walltopia’ and it was a smooth rock climbing wall. When we wanted to come down we had to let go of the wall and the true blue equipment would catch us and bring us down slowly. I went about halfway up and then I let go. The wall was 10 meters high and many people made it to the top. We then had a go at bouldering which is where you just scale the bottom of the wall.

Next was circus skills. It was soooooo much fun! We got to try juggling. Our leaders were really good at juggling and told us a few tips on how to do it. My favourite circus skill was the trick sticks. We also got to have a go at plate twirling and diablos.

Another great activity was the Alpine Team Rescue. In Alpine Team Rescue you had to imagine that you just crashed in the mountains and we had the two helicopter propellers (metal planks) and two cups of water. There were two teams and one team had to start at one end and the other at the other end. We had to use the metal planks to get across obstacles and also we had to not spill the water. Once we had finished the team activity we got to find out who had the most water.

Later in the afternoon we went to the archery centre. We learned how to load the bow and hold it. We all got a go at shooting at a target. I hit one down because my arrow bounced and hit it. We also got to have a go at hitting a moving target (a ball).

After dinner and dessert we went to get changed for the Night Of Talent. There were a lot of great acts and quite a few funny ones too. Some people danced, told jokes, sang, or performed origami folding. We all laughed so much. It was hilarious. Then we watched, “Meet the Robinsons” on a really big screen.

Wednesday was our last day!! After breakfast we did the high ropes course. It was so much fun. I got to climb the rope and the easy caterpillar. Your team mates had to pull you up and you had to let go and they would lower you down slowly – similar to rock climbing. After we had finished we went to the giant swing and they gave us a safety briefing on it.  I was soooo scared but I am so glad I did it. It was 20 meters high and when you got to the top you had to pull a little string and you would go sailing through the air. It was the best experience ever!

Finally we had to pack up and tidy our area and go on the bus back to school. It was the best camp I’ve ever been on. I am so exhausted but YEAR 5 CAMP RULED!

A huge thank you goes to Belinda McWilliam, Nicole Jen, Joc Carolissen, Josh Bennett and Mark Bowman for their time and amazing effort. Without them the camp would not have been possible. It truly was so heart-warming to see kids and teachers laughing together, encouraging each other, putting their arms around one another, helping and guiding their mates. New friendships were formed while other bonds were strengthened. We are so blessed to have had this experience.

Leath Ramsay, Year 5 Teacher