Ruru Camp Recount

Ruru Camp 2023

As both the buses tumbled over the gravel, they came to a stop and a flood of kids poured out, all in one single file line. After the teachers instructions were heard, all the children trekked down the steep hill, stopping at the Diamond Harbour Community Centre for some morning tea before they began their long walk up and down all the hills in their path.

Once everyone was back into their single file lines, two tour guides from living springs directed everybody onto the paths to camp. After an hour or so, both groups stopped for lunch at a little animal ranch before once again continuing their tiring walk to camp.

Just as everyone started to lose every single ounce of their energy climbing up a massive hill, it was announced that this was finally the end of their triumphant tramp. Little did they know, more walking was in-store for them all the next day.

When the birds called out and the sun rose from above the massive hills, all the students were woken up by the volunteering parents and teachers and they were instructed to get changed. After the students had breakfast, they were all broken up into four tribes, about to rotate around certain activities such as a bushwalk, initiatives, etc.

Occasionally the groups would circle back to the meeting area, where they would have lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea.

Once the long day had been completed, the students walked back to camp, ready to practice for their camp concert performances after a well deserved dinner. Soon the camp concert came, parents and teachers gathered around the stage in the auditorium, excited for the show. The two judges, Mr. W and Mrs. Walkinshaw were especially ecstatic to judge what the students had prepared for them.

All the participating students performed very well, overcoming all difficulties and problems to present their amazing shows. There was lots of dancing, gymnastics, jokes, and there was even a special parent-student performance involved. Later the winners had been announced, followed by a long haul of cheers and claps. Some students then took a quick swim before going to bed.

On the last day of camp, the students were woken up again, but this time they had to pack up all their belongings. Before lunch, the whole class played an animal survival game that involved prey vs predator and stamping a sheet with certain numbers to act as your food. Once the game had concluded, the students were served lunch before both buses returned to take them back to school, tears welled up in some eyes as they hugged their parents, rejoiced to see them after 3 days.

By Tatiana.