BY Hailey Wight
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For one student, the thought of surfing at the school’s Queenscliff camp was terrifying.
But after finally taking to the water, that fear turned into excitement.
It was a moment teacher Jaclyn Gray said captured exactly what school camps are about.
“Seeing his face light up when he finally tried it will always stay with me,” she said.
For students at the school, camps are an opportunity to try new experiences, build confidence and step outside their comfort zones.
Foundation to Grade 2 students begin with a school sleepover, before Grade 3/4 students head off to either Billabong Ranch Adventure Park or Alexandra Adventure Resort.
“This is the students’ first proper camp, which is a big deal for lots of kids,” Mrs Gray said.
“It’s great to get students out of their comfort zones and have some team-building experience.”
Students take part in a range of activities, with the giant swing a particular favourite.
At Billabong Ranch, they also get to groom and feed animals including horses, camels, cows and chickens.
For the school’s Grade 5/6 students, the camps offer an even bigger taste of independence.
Students either go on a seaside adventure in Queenscliff or an action-packed trip to Melbourne.
In Queenscliff, students take part in surfing, boogie boarding, canoeing and beach games.
“Some students may not have been to the beach before,” Mrs Gray said.
“They love being down on the water.
“It might be the only time they go surfing in their lives, or, you never know, it might start a new passion.”
Melbourne offers a different kind of adventure.
Students stay in the heart of the city on Collins St, and get to visit iconic sites like Parliament House, Old Melbourne Gaol, the Eureka Skydeck and MCG.
The group also visits the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, where they get to try the high diving board, inflatable course and wave pool.
“It’s an action-packed camp,” Mrs Gray said.
Sometimes, their time in the big smoke doesn’t always go to plan.
Mrs Gray recalled a trip when Kialla West Primary School principal Wes Teague took over the public transport directions.
“Our principal went on the wrong tram once and I trusted the boss,” Mrs Gray said.
“We ended up on the other side of the city.
“It’s part of the Melbourne experience though,” she said with a laugh.
Even getting to the city is part of the adventure.
“For a lot of them, it is their first time on a train.”
Whether it's taking on surfing or the city’s trams, Mrs Gray said it's the new challenges that make school camps so memorable.