With wobbly legs and tight grips on the handrails, the Silverdale Senior Students and accompanying parents faced their first challenge - walking across the suspension bridges. A quick look around the ruins of the old Gold Mining settlement in the Karangahake Gorge was the start of a successful camp, designed to strengthen relationships and challenge students in different environments.

Next stop was the Gold Mine where the students learnt about the life of a Gold Miner and learnt about the future plans for the mine. The students even explored the Gold Mine where they walked part of the outer rim of the 260+m deep pit and explored the old pump house.

A sunny day greeted the Silverdale Explorers on Day 2 where we enjoyed an exciting walk down to the surf club collecting shells and enjoying the waves splashing over their feet. At the Surf Club the students learnt to identify rips in the ocean, and explored the different areas of the club including the tower and first aid room. The weather soon changed but we were lucky to have the shelter of the Surf club to keep us dry. After a delicious lunch the parents entered the water first to create a protective barrier before the children were allowed to enjoy a swim in the waves - learning how to move in the waves, jump over the waves and run through the shallow water.

The day was finished off with a some free time at camp as the weather cleared, the children were able to enjoy playing volleyball, cricket, corn hole, swing ball or use the camps swings and trampoline.

Our third day started with a good breakfast then a morning spent at the beach making sandcastles, digging big holes, covering our friends in sand, playing games on the beach or jumping the waves. We then enjoyed a delicious Mootown Meats sausage sizzle. We then enjoyed a hike up Bowentown Hill to learn about the Waihi Harbour entrance, Matakana Island and to look back on Waihi Beach. The rest of the day was spent exploring ANZAC Bay, swimming, digging holes, exploring the rock pools and making sand castles.

With a few tired eyes on Friday morning we packed up camp and left for our final hike, exploring the 1 km tunnel in the Karangahake Gorge.

A special thanks must be made to Mootown Meats, Lions Fondations, Barnardos, Mrs Chaney for the Movie Night,  and our PTG who all made considerable donations towards our school camp.

Some generous families also contributed money to make this an incredible experience for all our learners. A special thanks to all the WONDERFUL PARENTS who came on camp , especially Katy Alexander and Anna Mills for organising all the yummy food! We really appreciate you giving up your time so the students can have these amazing learning opportunities.