Year 9 Camp |
At McKinnon Secondary College, it is a very well known fact that the Year 9 camp to Bacchus Marsh is one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences that the school offers. On their return, the only complaint that the students sound is that the camp was not long enough! Two different form groups arrive and stay the night at the 'All Fit Training Camp.' Each and every student already knew much about the camp- either from older brothers or sisters, friends or even teachers- and they were all still completely unprepared for what would face them over the next two days. For everybody the journey started at about 7:30 am when the bus departed McKinnon Secondary, with a bus full of excited students.The journey to Bacchus Marsh took about an hour and a half and took people on a scenic tour through Melbourne . On arrival at the Camp, the look on each students face told the same story: "Is this It?", "What a Dump!" or "Keep driving bus driver!" Indeed it must be said that the accommodation at this camp made that of last years Surf Camp look 5-star! For most, the first day entailed quite a lot of different activities: The Low Ropes Course included many different hurdles and challenges for the students (and teachers) to overcome. Swinging Tarzan style from one platform to another, crossing from one tree to another balancing on a narrow rope while holding another and even the much talked of 'Leap of Faith' - a vertical drop from one platform to another were just some of the obstacles facing the students. The Obstacle Course was the next activity facing the by now not only happy but tires campers. A three meter high cargo net, cliff climb, tyre run and a rope crossing over a pit filled with two feet deep black, dirty mud are just some examples of challenges included on this very tricky course. Next up was the High ropes course which would test not only the ability. but also the nerves of many students. Situated about 5 meters from the ground, the course featured a walk across a very insecure looking rope bridge, a tight rope walk and a flying fox to finish off and return to earth. Literally. The canoeing was held in a near-by lake and as well as paddle around in the lake, get wet and very muddy, students had to design, build and test a raft built out of various materials. None was successful. There were various night activities- including a kind of commando style search and destroy mission in which students had to find, and 'eliminate' a teacher who was hidden some where in the surrounding hills without being 'immobilised' by the killer torch light!But for most the high-light was simply the fun of it all. Getting Muddy. Getting other people very muddy. But they had to be careful: The instructors were watching their every move, and one negative word or action towards anyone or anything resulted in Push-ups. Well, it was meant to be known as a 'Training Camp!' |