Senior Camp

On Wednesday 19 ^th until Friday 21 ^stAugust, Stage 3 went to Milson Island for senior camp. We had to get up very early in the morning so we could be at school at 7.30 am. Once everyone got to school we put our bags on the coach and were on our way. We drove across Brooklyn Bridge over the Hawkesbury River and arrived at Deerubbun Reserve. Here we took our bags off the bus and caught a ferry across to Milson Island.

 

When we arrived on the island we met our instructors; Dan James and Amanda. It was their job to keep us safe and teach us how to do all of the activities as well as Miss Francis, Miss Coleman and Miss Buchan. Once they introduced themselves we got told all of the rules and had morning tea. After that we got to see where we were going to sleep. We stayed in lodges and the girls lodge was called Lorikeets and the boys was called Kookaburras. Each room inside the lodge had 2 bunk beds.

 

By then it was lunch time and we had a sausage sizzle. After that we moved on to the high ropes! At the high ropes we learnt how to wear our harnesses correctly and then attempted the simulator course so we could complete the high ropes course safely. The high ropes were about 10 metres of the ground. It was pretty scary for some but everyone still finished.

 

We got some free time in the afternoon and some people used this time to have showers. For dinner we had Chicken Schnitzel with vegetables and peaches and chocolate mousse for desert. We then went to the Rec Hall after dinner to play games, and then it was time for bed.

 

The next morning we got up and it was so foggy that we couldn't see the water surrounding the island. It was very eerie! The boys had to serve breakfast this morning. After we filled our stomachs we went Kayaking in the river. A few people capsized which was very very funny, but luckily the water was only knee deep so everyone was safe!

 

Because we got all wet and sandy at kayaking we then went back to our lodges and had showers and put clean clothes on. We then had a damper cook out. We had to go walking through the woods to find sticks that were the right size and shape for cooking our damper over the coals in the campfire. Once our damper was cooked we filled it with syrup and ate it. Some people didn't like it but we thought it tasted a bit like Krispy Kremes.

 

Archery was next and Yuhya, Miss Coleman, Miss Francis, Felicity, Ednen and Danny all got bullseyes! We then had free time and did some tree climbing. Dinner was make your own hamburger and we had ice cream for dessert. That night we got to have a real campfire and we all got to toast marshmallows (and they were delicious!). Before bed we watched the footy and ate our snacks that we brought with us.

Day three we woke up and packed up our stuff and then headed to breakfast. It was the girls turn to serve breakfast this time and we had pancakes with syrup, fruit yoghurt and cereal. After breakfast we got to buy some souvenirs from the shop.

 

It was then time for THE GIANT SWING!. We all put on harnesses again and then we were ready to go up. First you had to climb up the ladder and get connected to the swing with your harness. Then everyone has to help pull you up which it a bit like tug-of-war, the more you pull the higher the person goes. Then, when you are as high as you feel comfortable, you then have to pull your string which releases you and lets you swing. Osama and Jackie showed us how loud they could scream when it was their turn. Out of the teachers Only Miss Coleman was brave enough to have a try and she ended up swinging upside-down!

 

By the time everyone had their turn it was then lunch and we make our own sandwiches. However we were ambushed by bush turkeys who stole some people's food! It was then time for us to head back to school! It was Instructor Amanda's birthday so we sang her happy birthday just before we got back on the ferry.

 

We had a really awesome time at camp and hope that next year is just as fun for the people who get to go!

Check out the photos in the gallery