Thank you to all the staff, parent volunteers and Tai Poutini Polytechnic students and tutors for making the Junior camp a memorable experience for all. One of the Junior students has written a recount of the event.

Just Year 7 & 8 Camp

We were on our way by 10:30, heading towards Lake Kaniere for year 7 & 8 camp 2021.

As soon as we got there we were greeted by the organisers from Tai Poutini Polytechnic and went on a long and tiring walk up Mount Tuhua to the look out. The sun was shining and a cool breeze rushed past us, the view of the lake looked astonishing from the look out. Swimming in the lake was cold but refreshing after the walk.

The day was almost over, but we were given the challenge to make dinner, we were all put into groups and given a box full of ingredients for spaghetti bolognese. The organisers were the judges and decided whose meal was the most delicious. In the end team 5 won The Westland High School Year 7 & 8 Camp Masterchef Competition 2021. After a nice warm hot chocolate we all went to sleep in our tents.

The early morning sun rose, we were up and going for a swim. It was freezing cold!

We had rafting, kayaking, survival and making our own damper next. Rafting was super fun, we did lots of balancing games and we all fell in the lake lots. For kayaking we seal dived off of the jetty, which is sliding off the jetty on your kayak facing forward and then paddling back to shore. We made our own tents in the bush for survival out of one tarp, six ropes and material that we could find in the forest. Making our own damper took super long, but it was delicious once it was done.

The day was over quickly and it was time to go back to school, we all thanked the organisers and went into the bus. I think that my favourite part about camp was rafting, but overall this camp was awesome, thank you Tai Poutini Polytechnic for the best camp ever.

Layla