9RI & 9MA ON CAMP  

Day 1

After a short bus ride we arrived at Orton Bradley Park. Once everyone had unpacked their gear off the bus and put it over near the dining room, M. Taylor gathered everyone in and introduced us to our instructors, for the activities we were going to be doing over the next few days. With our instructors we played a little game before heading off for our three hour walk.

Our trek up the hillside was quite enjoyable as we got to see sheep jumping over barbed wire fences, which would probably take some skill, and the amazing views out over Charteris at the top. Once we did reach the top we stopped for some lunch. We were all full and had a lot more energy now so we decided to go up and see the waterfall.

At the bottom of the hill the instructors gave us fifteen minutes to build a shelter from what we could find around us. These huts were judged by Mr Taylor and the instructors to see which one would provide the best shelter. In my group there was Jake C, Nick D, Tom D, Quinn B-G, Olly R, Sam G and I. We built a tight and compacted hut with a lot of insulation, to keep you dry and warm. It was judged the best hut.

Back at the camp we slowly set up our tents and then set up our bed rolls and sleeping bags while Jo Gibbs and some helpers were preparing the delicious burgers. I'm quite certain that everyone went back for seconds and Mitchell W Tried to eat his burger in 4 Bites. Amazingly he did it and it was hilarious seeing him scoff it down. We then finished the good dinner off with an ice cream each.

Now it was almost dark and we all agreed on playing a massive game of spotlight. It was quite easy at the start when it was a bigger space but then we made it smaller and it was challenging which makes it more fun. After the big game we went to sleep on the uncomfortable ground.

Day 2

We woke up extremely early and we were all very tired at breakfast, but we knew that today was going to be fun. We had three activities today, my first one was orienteering which meant I walked around the bay, looking at a map, trying to answer questions. This was not fun but my next activity was way better, Coasteering. We got to pop Manus off the rocks and do a small bit of rock climbing and this was my favourite activity of the day. We then walked back to the carpark where Jo was serving up scrumptious sandwiches. After the feed we got kitted up again and went off to a different bay to kayak and build rafts to go floating, with us steering them in the sea. Kayaking was funny when Tama and Matthew decide to run across all the kayaks lined up together, in deep water. Tama did a staple once he had finished and Matthew fell in so they both got soaked.

Once we drove everyone back to the park we all had a shower and then I played some ball rush and handball while Jo was cooking up the Spaghetti Bolognese. Tonight’s pudding was Ambrosia which is my favourite.

We finished the night off with a dance battle that had some insane moves from Callum Jones, some more spotlight and ball rush in the dark.

Day 3

Today was an even earlier start because I was on breakfast duty which meant I had to get up at 6:30am to cook the toast and dish the eggs out to the people that wanted them. Today was April 1st and Mr Taylor pranked everyone by saying that there had been an accident at the abseiling which meant we couldn’t do it and we would return to school early and do 5th and 6th period, which of course everyone was annoyed about but then five minutes later he said "Isn't it April Fools today guys" and we all laughed because he got us good.

I will admit that I was a little nervous about abseiling but once I got up there and took a couple of steps over the edge and started walking down the slope, there were no nerves at all and it was the best part of the camp, in my opinion.

On the walk back to the high ropes arena we passed 9MA and told them how fun it was and that it’s not even that scary. At the high ropes I only did one out of the three but I was happy that I completed it. I belayed for Isaiah and Trent while they were walking or climbing along the ropes.

We said goodbye and thank you to the instructors that helped us over the three days. As we were walking back to the dining room for lunch we could all smell the beautiful smell of pizza. I got excited because pizza is my one of my favourite foods. I ate about 4 slices of pizza and an orange because I was starving.

And that was the end of our Year 9 Camp.

By Max Smail 9RI