Camp Chronicles

Back to Adventure: Year 7s Return to Three-Day Camps and Fun Inter-House Relay

After two years of holding one-day camps due to Covid restrictions, it was great to return to our traditional format of three-day camps at Chosen Valley in the Bombay Hills. For many of our students, this was their first real experience of going to a school camp, so there was a healthy mix of nervousness, anticipation, and excitement at the prospect.

The mornings were generally quieter with a Camp Search and various artistic, construction, and camp-cooking skills being taught. The afternoon was full of action-packed adventures. The students were pushed to their limits at times, with activities that included a confidence course over eel-infested waters, trolleys with no brakes and lots of bumps, a balancing course and wobbly bridge over the lake, an obstacle course, kayaking, archery, grass skiing, a rope maze, and being flung down a water slide by a rope to double the speed. The evenings consisted of testing their quiz knowledge with Mastermind, a movie night, and the talent quest Gong Show.

On Wednesday, the crossover day between the boys’ and girls’ camps when all students are present, we held the traditional inter-House relay: each House provides three teams of nine students competing in legs including kayaking, skipping, rope

Nature’s Playground: Year 8 Camps on Great Barrier Island and Tongariro

In Term 1, for the first time, our students in Year 8 embarked on a camp across two locations: one on Great Barrier Island, the other at Tongariro. These camps gave students the opportunity to gain independence and develop their personal strengths and character while bonding with their tutor groups.

Below, Year 8 student Liam Hurley gives his thoughts on the incredible time he had at Great Barrier Island:

‘Upon arrival on Great Barrier, the warm welcome of the community at Hillary Outdoors and the gracious hospitality of everyone at Orama enveloped us as we settled into camp life. With open arms, they shared their facilities, served us delectable food, and spurred us on through all the activities and challenges, continuously pushing us beyond our perceived limits and encouraging us to go the extra mile.

The camp was filled with a mix of team-building and individual activities. From the exhilarating ten-person paddleboard excursion to the adrenaline-inducing high ropes challenges, snorkelling, and coasteering, there was no shortage of adventure. However, it was abseiling and rock climbing that were the most memorable, with a valuable lesson attached: when faced with

Unforgettable Adventures and Lasting Bonds: Year 9 Camp at Tōtara Springs

The Year 9 students, some of whom are seasoned veterans of College camps, embarked on a thrilling expedition to Tōtara Springs in Matamata – a camp known for its multitude activities and exciting overnighters outdoors. With a sizable number of new students in Year 9, this camp often plays a pivotal role in forging new friendships and acquainting them with their high school journey.

Luka Purchase, a fresh face in our school community this year, wholeheartedly echoed the sentiments of many when she emphasised the remarkable camaraderie that flourished within tutor groups and Houses. From heart-pounding pursuits like rock climbing to the shared moments of laughter amidst challenges and triumphs, unbreakable bonds were woven among the students.

The action-packed itinerary was brimming with adventure, team-building activities, and exhilarating experiences that left an indelible mark on each participant. Basking in the scorching Waikato sun, students revelled in an array of thrilling water slides that offered respite from the heat. The nerve-racking prospect of spending a night in self-built shelters added an extra layer of excitement to the mix.

For Luka, the camp proved to be a gateway to forming meaningful friendships and unforgettable memories. In recounting the camaraderie with fellow classmates, she emphasised the significance