In spite of the unfavourable weather conditions, Year 5 students still managed to enjoy themselves at Camp Adair. The following is an account from one of the students about what transpired that day.

" On the first of May 2023, the year five students from Point View School, including me, went to a camp called ‘Camp Adair’, located in South Auckland, Hunua. The teachers organised this breathtaking trip to test our teamwork, push us to our limits, build up our confidence and finally have lots of fun! For example, you might be a nervous, neutral or confident person. The teachers need us to be at a confident level so we can try new things and have an excited attitude.

My group’s first activity was called ‘Visual Orientation’. At first, we thought it was going to be easy as pie. We began walking around Camp Adair and trying to find what looks like a ladder on top of a bunch of pebbles. After walking for about five minutes we found it. False alarm! It was just something else that looked like it. We started to lose hope, but when we went into the grassy fields we found it! Although we found it, the clue wasn't there, it wasn't there! Full of confusion, my group walked off and skipped that clue. Slowly, my group ran towards the deep, dark, black and weird forest. Me and my friends had confusing theories about this forest because if you ask me this forest was kinda sketchy. There was a wobbly bridge, a big sledgehammer and a river around the camp, except the entrance. It was like it was trapping us inside!

After lunch, we went out to play a game called ‘Kickball’. First, the fielders had to go to the field and spread out. Secondly, the kickers had to go line up. Lastly, the first kicker had to kick the ball and try to run to one of the home bases. Meanwhile, the fielders had to try to catch it and aim at the person running to one of the home bases. Sweating, we headed out to the next game called ‘Shoe Game’. Basically, there were nine shoes and nine seats and every group was given numbers and that's when you have to grab a shoe and try to knock down the cone in the middle. My friend called Alan, he grabbed a shoe and started throwing it. He kept getting closer and closer and then it was the third time he quickly got a shoe and threw it. My group had faith in this throw and it… hits! He successfully hits it! Pleased, we were proud of ourselves. Afterwards, we headed back to the main hall and ate our afternoon tea.

Eventually, it was the next game and it was one of the high obstacle courses! I was so excited but my mood changed when I saw how tall that thing is! It was bigger than my school’s playground! So I wanted to go second to last. My friend Shivansh was going first and I knew he would do it, he climbed up the big pole and went onto the two-wired bridge. After most of my friends had gone it was my turn. I climbed up and I thought in my head “Holy moly, I sure am high!” but thankfully I got to the end and went to the middle and landed safely.

It was now time to make a chariot. The instructors taught us how to do knots and we were off! There was one barrel for each of the groups, a stack of dried bamboo and some ropes too. My group were on a roll because Alan made up a knot and we started calling that the ‘Alan Knot’. I also pointed out that “We are just a bunch of random ten-year-olds making a car!” and also… “We are the next Einsteins!” My whole group laughed.

I enjoyed doing the two-wire bridge because it pushed my limits, I had never tried any obstacles that high before and it was very fun! Overall it was very fun and adventurous. I liked this spectacular trip, 10/10 recommended. "

By Isaac Zhou, Room 22