Terrific Camp at Chosen Valley

 Term 1 Week 10

Over the past few astonishing days, the Kawau Team went on an absolutely breathtaking Camp at Chosen Valley.

The night before Camp, many of us were too excited to sleep, thinking about the fun activities, scared if we're going to get homesick, or embarrass themselves.

There were all sorts of fun and entertaining activities.  The Confidence Course, Flying Fox, Gaga, Orienteering, Trolleys, Team Building, Balancing Island, Archery, Air Rifles, Building Rafts, and Kayaking.

The Trolleys were one of the activities most people looked forward to. We were given a trolley which part looked like a kart with ropes to control it.  You have to pull either right or left while leaning the same way. You ride it downhill, and at the end; you steer it into a puddle of mud. Sometimes people would either miss it or slowly ride into it without getting splashed.

When it wasn’t raining, a boy who was doing the Trolleys got his whole body (including his face ) covered in mud water and crashed into the gate. That's when the gate fell on him.  CRASH !!

The first night in the cabins was very noisy and some people in the cabins were very messy. Teachers patrolled the cabins during night-time and would usually get back to their cabins by 11 pm. Most teachers only had about four hours or more/less hours of sleep because every now and then, there would be chatter. Some people even SNORED or talked in their sleep during night time!

Despite the hard rain and even flooding, we still kept going but instead, we had a wet day programme. On Thursday, it started raining when we planned to go outside but, thanks to Mrs. Deutschmann, she made up a new programme.

On Tuesday, we had normal showers.  Then on Thursday it surprised us. The showers were blocked so we got showered with a hose and the water was cold! Everyone got changed into togs after morning tea and lined up in front of the chapel and everyone got a turn to be sprayed with the hose ( which had ice-cold water in it,) and got showered, but we only had about 15 seconds. Some people who were covered in mud   ( because of the Trolleys), were shocked.

We ate dinner at around 5:30 and usually would have awards at 8:00. But of course, you couldn’t forget the hot chocolate! The teachers would often say “Straight to sleep girls / boys” and then “Lights Out”.

Some people enjoyed the food, also, people even went for second course! But I know I definitely enjoyed the dessert! ( One of them was French Vanilla cake, covered in drizzled chocolate sauce; AND we even got at least 2 chocolate buttons hidden  inside!) So delicious, mmmm! ( But sadly there was no seconds for dessert. )

Apart from the teachers not getting enough sleep these past few days, I bet everyone had a good sleep on Friday night because it wouldn’t be too coldor hot and it would be comfortable in your own bed. Also, sleeping in a sleeping bag sometimes annoys me, and without all that chatter or the flashes of torches,  I bet most of us went straight to sleep as your head touched that pillow - I know I did because I was EXHAUSTED!

 But after all, it was one of the most thrilling experiences / adventures we’ve EVER had

without our parents.

When we came back from Camp, some of the Web Reporters had an interview with Mr. Bayly.

We asked Mr. Bayly a few camp questions: 

Why did you choose to go to that Camp out of every other camp?

I think  it’s a really good camp for Year 5 / 6’s. There’s some easy activities, hard tasks and a few very challenging tasks. Also, I like the way how the whole camp is close to each other, and we’re all together. Quite compact, and not too far to travel. ”

Did you ever get homesick?  

“ No”

What fear (s) and challenge (s) did you overcome? 

 Coping with the rainy, cold weather. ( Which included FLOODING!!!! ).”