Taranaki Hardcore - Year 10 Camp

Monday:

On our way to New Plymouth, we stopped at Waingongoro River to go dam dropping on boogie boards. The water was very cold and took the boys’ breath away. Everyone went in the water and most of us went down the dam at least once. Once we arrived at Fitzroy Beach campground, we put up our tents and settled in. After that, we had free time to go and explore the campground or do some physical activities. Later that night, we went to climb Paritutu Rock followed by team races up and down the sand dunes. We also were split into groups of 8 people and those would be our duty groups for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Tuesday:

On day two, it was raining all day, but we started it off with surfing at Fitzroy Beach. All of the teachers got into the water and gave the surfing ago, along with the students. After a few hours of surfing, we packed up and not long after we went to the pools. We ended the night with a league game on the beach where most of us joined in, including Mr. Bryant, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Meehan. Mr. Meehan also caught 4 Kahawai at the river mouth.

Wednesday:

On day three, we went surfing again in the morning. In the afternoon, we hired bikes to go up and down the waterfront. We biked a few kilometers until we came across a velodrome and a pump track. Everyone had a go on both tracks and once everyone had gone a couple of times, we headed back to the wind wand which was the meeting point. We finished the night with beach flag races and the winner was Benji McKerras.

Thursday:

On day four, we woke up and did our final morning of surfing before we had to return the wetsuits and surfboards that we had hired. At midday, we went for a walk around Lake Mangamahoe which took a couple of hours. Following this, everyone cooled off at a river nearby, which had jump spots and rapids to go down with a boogie board. That evening, we were fortunate to have been given a generous discount by Boys’ High old boy Mr. Peter Tennent to dine at the Marbles buffet which is inside the Devon Hotel. This was a great meal, and the group was very appreciative that Mr. Tennent allowed us to do this.

Friday:

On our last day, we had breakfast and got straight into packing up our tents and gear. Before we left, the teachers had prizes to give to people who had won challenges, or to people who got stuck in to all the activities. Prizewinners were Thomas Kelly, Benji McKerras, Wills Madden, Saul Mason, Sam Rowe, and Eric Miller. Following this, we departed New Plymouth, stopping for an Anderson’s pie and doughnut in Hawera, before heading back to Palmerston North.

Overall, the camp was very enjoyable for everyone involved. There was a good range of activities to keep everyone interested throughout the week. The meals were filling, and food that everyone enjoyed, which usually meant there were no leftovers. The teachers on camp were all helpful and also did most of the activities that were provided on camp. Thanks to Mr. Davidson, Mr. McFarlane, Mr. Bryant, Mr. Kensington, Mr. Braddock and Mr. Meehan for organising and attending this camp.

Report by James Savage