The scenery, the silence

Q. What advice would you give to other Grades about the Enrichment Weeks programme and specifically the expedition you chose?

News from Launceston Grammar caught up with Grade 10 student, Rory Douglas (featured above) to ask him about his Grade 10 Enrichment Weeks Outdoor Education camp, which camp he chose and why. Rory has been at Grammar since Grade 7, joining fellow students in the purpose-built learning zone, the Log Cabin.

Q. Why did you choose this camp as part of the Grade 10 Enrichment Weeks programme?

A. I was very excited to go kayaking and chose the Gordon River Kayaking trip. The scenery is beautiful, and you feel like an intruder – it is such an isolated, and untouched part of the world.

Q. What was a highlight of the camp?

A. For me, the highlights were seeing a dolphin, catching a big rainbow trout and being in such a silent place.

Q. Do you believe the camps are designed to help build leadership, problem-solving and communication skills? And if so, in what way?

A. I think the camps make you realise you cannot use usual ways of relating and thinking. The camp leaders wanted us to relate in an adult manner and learn to be content with looking after each other, encouraging each other, and putting ourselves second. These new ways of thinking required leadership and communication skills.

A. What you put into it is what you get out. Try to enjoy each moment to the fullest, even if you are not enjoying yourself. I highly recommend going on the Gordon River Kayaking trip. The scenery, the silence, and beauty of rivers, mountains, and trees tens of thousands of years old is crazy. You will probably never get another opportunity like this –the Gordon River is as far away and wild as you can imagine.

Q. Did the camp help you with your team building skills? If so, in what way?

A. The camp taught me that everyone has a story behind their character. At school everyone behaves differently. But on camp, people realise they are not as tough as they think they are.

Graeme Williams (1964)