Camp+Page

Welcome to our camp page.

We survived camp. All of the Year 4 children attended a three day camp

at Lake Whakamaru Camp. The children were exposed to many new skills

and gave everything a go. Their confidence grew over the three days at

camp. Children used the school Kayaks and life jackets to practise skills

they were taught, sped around the camps Go Cart track, climbed over,

under and through the confidence course and rode over a bumpy BMX

track.

Sleeping in dormitories was a new experience for many children. They

learnt about being tidy campers, being mindful and respectful of others

in their sleeping area and taking responsibility for their belongings.

We were fortunate to have the most outstanding and supportive parents

helping and supporting the children. Most of the parents also tried things

they had never experienced before. The motto on camp was 'Give

everything a go'.. The camp people organised a games time where the

children played a game called 'Shark Attack'. As the children lifted the

parachute up and down a shark (child) would sneakily pull them under

the shoot. The parents roared with laughter as children suddenly

disappeared under the shute.

Have a look at the range of photos in and video from camp.

The children participated in every activity to help them develop confidence, team building and group co-operative skills. The children in Room 5 thought kayaking, go carting and the confidence course were the best activities. Some got legs tangled in nets on the confidence course, some needed help on the rope swing, others crashed the co-cart and then had another go (perhaps we have some budding Hamilton 400 drivers). We took the school kayaks and the parents were encouraged to go out on the lake with their children/ group. Some of the big kids (parents) taught our campers how to saturate other kayakers, others taught them to paddle out of the lake weed or to manouvre around other kayaks. As a follow up from camp Rooms 5 and 11 shared their experiences with the whole school at their assembly. Some children created moves for the activities and showed them off, others showed camp art, we had some recounts and plenty of photos. Our junior children are now looking forward to their turn when they get to year 4.

During free time there were choices of activities. Rugby, cricket, volley ball, giant chess, swing ball, hopscotch - the competition between the children and myself was pretty tough. Old school hopscotch rules applied. The weather was fantastic so a splash and dash in the lake was well participated with the standard no deeper than your belly button rule. The lifeguards (parents) were outstanding and never (well almost never) considered throwing a teacher in (this is a first and I think definitely a tradition we would like to instil on all future camps - Not sure if it will happen though). Our early morning runs across the causeway was the best way to get **everyone** up and ready for a new and exciting day. Every child and I think every adult have come away from camp with very special memories.