Year 10 Camp - Kawhatau Outdoors Camp

By Angus Chiles

Kawhatau Outdoors was my first choice of camp because there was a bit of everything. We would get to cook for ourselves, stay in tents or cabins, go rafting, play spotlight and a multitude of other activities which sounded really fun, so it is fair to say that my expectations were high. I was pleased to find that the camp life and activities easily met my expectations.

Day one was rafting day. I had never been rafting before, so it was good to try something new. On day two, a hike to Rangiwahia Hut left my legs feeling about as steady as a koala on stilts, and by the end of it everyone was beyond exhausted. Day three was group activities day. The winning team would get the first pick of the chores to be done on pack-up day. The losing team would undoubtedly be left to clean the bathrooms (which didn’t exactly smell like a bouquet of flowers), so I was feeling competitive. My team managed to win all activities by a relatively large margin which scored us five bags of lollies and an almost guaranteed first pick of the chores. On the final full day at camp, we went to a sheep farm and an asparagus farm. Unfortunately for me, I forgot to bring my bad shoes. I tried desperately not to stand in sheep poo, but failed rather miserably. At the asparagus farm, we tried a spear of raw asparagus, which I was surprised to find has a very different taste to when it is cooked (although both are absolutely disgusting). 

Overall, I had a great time at Kawhatau Outdoors camp and it was a good way to round off the year. I won’t forget my experience there any time soon and if I ever get the chance to go again I will be stoked.