During Week 6 of Term 3, the Grade 4 students had a fantastic experience attending Camp Weekaway in Benloch. After a short bus trip up the highway, students settled into their cabins and then were organised into the activity groups for the duration of the camp.
There was a buzz of excited energy as the students eagerly awaited the first of many activities. Over the next two days, many students stepped outside of their comfort zones and demonstrated their courage and team-work skills by participating in many new experiences. These included canoeing, the initiatives course, damper making, orienteering, the low ropes course, hut building and the flying fox.
There was also plenty to do at night time. After expending so much energy during the day’s activities, the hungry children enjoyed hearty meals of delicious lasagna and roast beef. After the duty groups had cleared the tables and washed the dishes, it was time to rug up and enjoy the outdoors at night. Children had an opportunity to roast marshmallows by the campfire before going on a bush walk. On the bush walk students searched for animals, went stargazing and learnt about the importance of bushfire to the regeneration of the Australian bush. The second night was much more relaxing with the Grade 4’s enjoying the movie Flubber before heading to bed.
Over the 3 days, the Grade 4’s spent a lot of time walking around the camp grounds. We saw many native animals around the campsite including kangaroos with joeys, rosellas, kookaburras and the resident echidna named Spike. When they walked quietly they could also hear frogs croaking in the small creek.
After packing our bags, cleaning the cabins and going on our final bush walk, the children climbed back on the bus. On the way home, we stopped at Hanging Rock but unfortunately we were unable to hike up Hanging Rock due to strong winds. We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch at the base and learnt about the history of Hanging Rock in the Discovery Center. Even though we couldn’t climb the rock we ventured out onto the Hanging Rock racecourse to see the top of Hanging Rock. The bus trip back to school was very quiet, with students quietly talking about their experiences from camp.
Thank-you to the parent helpers and teachers who volunteered their time to assist with camp.
Below are some photos from our time at Camp Weekaway. There are more photos displayed in each classroom. If you are at school at the end of the day, please come in and look at the photos. The children have also written about their time at camp and we have also included some of these for you to read.
Kind regards,
The Grade 4 Team
Strathmore Primary School 