Year 10 Camps

Favourite activities included Abseiling, Kayaking, negotiating the Confidence Course, Tramping, Team-building exercises and the infamous Mud Walk! Thanks to Dr Thompson and his keen team for all their work ensuring it was such an enjoyable camp.

The following account has been written by Year 10 student Mary Locker: 

Year 10 Camp in the Catlins was the time of my life.

I got to try new things and meet new people, but I also had the chance to get better acquainted with myself. I think it is important to be able to go on camp because it is such a unique experience, and for many people it is their only chance to get out in the beautiful New Zealand landscape and try things like kayaking and abseiling. I also believe that pushing past perceived boundaries and being out of your comfort zone is great for self-esteem. 

Camp isn't just about building confidence though. It also brings out qualities that you didn't know you had. I have never really considered myself a leader, but on a part of the confidence course - a part that was hard for some people - I found myself helping and guiding those less confident than myself. This helped me to realise that I am capable of being a leader. 

Through camp, I also started and continued to build positive relationships with my teachers and peers. I found myself laughing, talking and playing cards with those that I didn't really consider friends and I grew closer with people who I was already good friends with. 

And finally I have to talk about the exercise. I am the sort of person that enjoys playing sport, walking, running and just generally being active. There are lots of other people who enjoy these things as well, but there is an equal proportion who don't. Camp is a great way to make exercise fun for everyone. 

Camp is an important part of high school because it gives you the chance to push boundaries, build confidence in yourself and even sometimes instill confidence in others. For me it was a once in a lifetime experience.