The Caples Campers enjoyed a week of sunshine and adventure trekking the Caples Valley. Our journey began on Monday morning when we departed school and made our way to Moke Lake, Queenstown. There we had the first of many dips, and enjoyed a stroll around the lake. Laughs and fun were to be had with evening games before everyone settled into their tents for the night.

We were up and off on Tuesday, a further drive, via ‘Sunny Glenorchy,’ breathtaking views, and cross-country roads, until we reached our destination: the start of the Caples Track. We walked to the Mid Caples Hut, where we set up camp for two nights.

Wednesday consisted of a day walk to the Upper Caples Hut, where along the way we enjoyed the ‘panorama view’ in the open grass plains, with breaks from the scorching heat in the forest. Logs, mud, rocks, and streams kept the path exciting - our chatter accompanied by birds of all kinds. At Upper Caples, we enjoyed our ‘cabin bread sandwiches,’ the stunning views, a dip in the river for some…and were saturated in an army of sandflies.

Thursday we walked out, enjoying the ‘forest shade,’ rocky terrain, and amazing scenery for one last time - eventually merging back into civilization and putting our feet up in Clyde.

On Friday, we gathered our things, and were packed up and on the way back to school. Van singing, laughing, sharing photos, and naps. We also stopped off at Mitchell’s Cottage, a historic stone house, where we explored the home and lifestyle of people during the gold mining era. There we reflected on all the fun we had and challenges we had overcome on camp.

Overall, it was a wonderful way to end Year 10. On behalf of the Caples Campers, a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this camp and made it such a fun and positive trip. To our camp teachers, Ms Ward, Mrs Cook, and Mr Pickard, you went above and beyond organising and preparing everything for us, and your energy and fun on camp made it a blast.