Year 8 Camp

 Last week, our Year 8 students embarked on an unforgettable journey at Te Anau Downs, immersing themselves in the stunning wilderness and gaining valuable outdoor skills. The camp was brimming with excitement as students delved into various activities, creating memories to last a lifetime.

One highlight of the camp was the breathtaking day walk to the alpine Lake Marian. Nestled amidst the awe-inspiring landscape, Lake Marian left our students spellbound with its pristine beauty. The alpine surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for reflection and appreciation of nature's wonders. So many boys commented on how amazing the lake was, and how the tough walk up was worth it.

As the day transitioned into night, the boys embraced the frosty embrace of Cascade Creek while camping out. Despite the chill in the air, spirits remained high as students were challenged by completing a one hour solo in the bush.This made them very aware of their surroundings, and the challenge of how to occupy their mind. The frost and ice served as a reminder of nature's resilience and the importance of being prepared, as they rugged up for chilly sleeps in the tents.

Under the guidance of Mr. Palmer, our students also honed their bivvy-making and bushcraft skills. From crafting shelter to mastering trap making, students embraced the opportunity to connect with the land and learn essential survival skills. Mr. Palmer's expertise and enthusiasm inspired our students to discover newfound capabilities within themselves.

As we reflect on the Year 8 camp experience at Te Anau Downs, we are reminded of the transformative power of outdoor education. The challenges encountered have not only enriched our students' lives but have also instilled in them a deep appreciation for nature and the importance of teamwork and resilience. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff and amazing group of parent volunteers who made this unforgettable experience possible.

What did the boys think?

Tarn Elder - Last week year 8 went to Te Anau Downs for the week. The whole camp was very memorable and fun, and some of the best parts were the tramping, the fishing, and the camping. The tramp my group, Hollyford, went on was the Lake Marian track. It was a 6km loop track up to the top of a mountain, where you could look over beautiful Lake Marian.

Teddy Porter - We also did trap making with Mr Palmer. That was really fun. My group made a cool trap where if you stepped in the loop you got caught. Fishing was a bit of a letdown though, throughout the whole camp nobody caught anything! The best thing though was the food. How often do you wake up, and get to eat waffles and ice cream for breakfast?

Makkai Lamb - At the camp out at Cascade Creek, it was minus 4 degrees outside. Everything was frozen before 9pm! We made dinner, lunch and breakfast. They were all outstanding. We had to spend an hour in the bush by ourselves. It was good - I slept for 45 min of it! The food at camp was delicious.

Ethan Zhou - I really liked how we went outside at night and ventured down into the forest. As dawn began to break, we would stare into the night sky and admire the shiny stars. It’s something that I will never forget. I discovered new hobbies and reached new heights.

Leo Casey - My most memorable activity there was when we jumped off the jetty into the ice cold water, my fingers and toes were numb within the first twenty seconds! My memory of the camp was a beautiful lake surrounded by lots of greenery and bush.

Ollie Brown - Another reason camp was so memorable was the fact that everybody took part in the activities with willingness and a good attitude. Everybody pitched in to do their job, and listened to instructions. When whole-group activities were up, everybody took part with gusto. The first night, we took part in a whole-group sing-along. Singing our hearts out, it was great to be sitting there, with everybody joining in and singing the words loud and strong.

I am sure that all the boys had a great time at Te Anau, and like me, are grateful for the activities we took part in over our time there. The teachers and parents were also great company—and I hope that they had a fun time at camp with us, too. We greatly enjoyed ourselves, and all the boys had an incredible time. We will all cherish our memories for a long time to come.