AFX Camp – Challenging and Empowering

‘During my first AFX camp I uncovered many new experiences and challenges, and I found the experience extremely rewarding. Starting camp my expectations of it were incredibly low and I was prepared to have a really bad time, but as the camp went on I found that it became more manageable and enjoyable. Each night I would forget about the hard day that I had for the hard day I have ahead, and just enjoy the amazing scenery and company around me. I think being away from the chaotic world that we’re in was really refreshing especially being able to detach from media and create more connections with our friends. Knowing in future that I have been able to accomplish this camp I feel more confident going into other challenging experiences knowing that I have the skill sets to overcome them.’
– CDT Rachael Ming (Year 9)

‘AFX camp turned out to be a surprisingly fun experience. The group I was with made even the long treks enjoyable. Every day there were new people to meet and new things to learn. One of the highlights for me was definitely the day we had kayaking and high ropes, I enjoyed it as it was a change from our trek on the previous days, we had so much fun going through the high ropes course as well as kayaking with our new friends and platoon. Although some aspects of it appeared to be daunting at first, we all learnt to go outside of our comfort zone and face them head on. Overall, it was a great experience even through the challenges.’
– CDT Megan Kuit (Year 9)

‘Cadet camp was a very fun experience. It pushed me to my limit while making us focus on teamwork and helped us care for each other. A few highlights that I have from camp were, firstly, my platoon and how much each of us cared for each other. Everyone made sure we were okay and keeping up. Another highlight was the time spent with each other during the afternoons, personally my experience of the nights at cadets were that we all had hot chocolate around the fire at night. Another highlight was when everyone worked together on puzzles given to us on the second night, with everyone helping to beat the other platoon, giving us a great sense of teamwork and team spirit. Similarly, we did an exercise at a campsite we passed during a trek, in which we did a relay against the other platoon (C22) where we went through the procedure of someone with a snakebite. This was really fun because we had to be resourceful by using our hootchies to create a stretcher and practicing radio calls. This gave us useful skills and experiences for possible future incidents, and helped us get to know the platoon, and brainstorming ways to handle it. Overall, cadet camp gave us some good experiences and great friendships that we otherwise wouldn’t have.’ 
– CDT Addison McShane (Year 9)

‘AFX this year was challenging but also one of the most fun camp experiences I’ve ever had. This year being a corporal for C/D Company brought new challenges to camp, such as helping the Year 9 cadets with their first AFX and helping out the Sergeants and CUOs with navigating treks. It was fun to bond with cadets that weren’t in my year and I’m glad I was with C/D Company so I could make these new connections. Another highlight was Promotions Camp, leading a trek by ourselves and learning how to use the radio. Overall, AFX was an amazing experience and I’m excited for next year.’
– CPL Nicola Keast (Year 10)

‘In the final week of Term 1, MLC School and Newington College cadets began our annual cadet camp. Throughout this year’s camp, platoons completed different activities, including treks, platoon exercises, kayaking and lots of other challenges. This year I had the privilege of experiencing a level of leadership within the unit, as a sergeant in my platoon in A Company. I found this to be both a challenging and rewarding experience, as I was able to grow within my own leadership skills and had the chance to help guide students of younger years through this camp and help them build skills of their own as well. A Company platoons spent a large amount of time completing challenging treks, there were long days of bush bashing and navigating, and although it was tiring, it allowed our platoons to work together and build connections. Overall, this camp was very rewarding and, although it became challenging at times, it allowed me to grow and build new skills, whilst enjoying time with my friends.’
– SGT Olivia Ebel (Year 11)

‘AFX Camp this year was both challenging and rewarding. The camp this year was different, as I am now seeing it from a leadership perspective. I loved teaching and guiding the younger cadets through their first Cadet Camp, and watching them all learn new skills, walk distances they’ve never done before, and make so many new friends. My skills grew in signals and communication, and I loved being able to use the radio out in the field. Through all the challenging treks and hard times, all the cadets persevered through, which was amazing to see. Camp came with so many highlights, such as kayaking, campfires, and the zipline which together made so many unforgettable memories. I think everyone is so excited to see what next year’s Cadet Camp has in store.’
– CPL Eve Parker, Signaller (Year 11)

‘During the recent AFX Cadet Camp, my peers and I had opportunity to develop new skills, build friendships experience leadership opportunities, and connect with the outdoors. As a Signals 2IC, I was based at headquarters, I had so much fun using the radio to communicate with all the different platoons and spending time with the people at base. I gained valuable hands-on experience while supporting the wider camp operations, it was very interesting to see the behind the scenes of the camp watching the talent of every Signal Specialist, Medic, CUO, Sergeant and Cadet. Evenings were spent sharing stories around the campfire and sleeping under the stars – an unforgettable experience that brought everyone closer together. Being away from screens and surrounded by nature allowed us to truly disconnect and enjoy the moment. Cadet Camp was not only a fun and adventurous break, but also a chance to be part of a strong, supportive community and create memories that will last a lifetime. This is an opportunity I would recommend to every MLC School girl as it’s such an amazing experience, you will always have a fun story to tell and very valuable memories.’
– SGT Sienna Dodd, Unit Signal 2IC (Year 11)

‘AFX was a challenging but a greatly rewarding experience, and definitely one I will not forget! As a CUO I was faced with a variety of challenges when it came to our difficult treks which were through dense vegetation up and down steep valleys. Every member of the platoon helped us to get through these, helping navigate, bush bash, and even singing songs keeping morale high. Getting through these long days brought us all closer together, and have created unforgettable memories as well as strong bonds. The nights spent around the campfire were definitely a highlight for many of us, reliving the humorous and not so humorous events of the day, before doing it all again tomorrow. These cadet camps have been a major highlight during my high school experience, and this year’s AFX ended them off on a high note!’
– CUO Ellie Girard (Year 12)

‘Going into AFX this year, I was feeling a range of emotions. On one hand, I was excited for the experience as every cadet camp becomes a highlight of my year. On the other hand, I knew that I had a large role this year as a CUO of a Year 9 platoon, so I was feeling slightly nervous. The overall experience on camp ended up being very positive, despite some moments of challenge. There were countless laughs, friendships formed, and positive memories made within the platoon in our time away. Two challenges faced were with the absolutely shocking amount of mosquitoes and the treks, but overcoming these made AFX a rewarding experience. AFX in 2025 was definitely a meaningful conclusion to my experience in cadets and it will be missed!’
– CUO Sima Tebbutt (Year 12)

‘The 2025 AFX was one of the most fun and rewarding experiences. A busy five days, filled with long hikes, valley crossings and kayaks, camp was extremely exhausting but so fun. Late nights around the campfire and meeting new people every day made the five days fly by. Each day was another challenge whether it be high ropes or dense bush but surrounded by enthusiastic cadets, eager to learn, see and have fun camp was an incredible opportunity. In a position of leadership seeing the talent and skill of the younger cadets flourish on camp, taking on new opportunities, facing their fears and setting the best example to each other was amazing to see. As my 6th and final cadet camp this AFX was incredible, to see camp from a perspective of a Year 12, working to make it as fun as possible for our younger cadets was the most valuable learning experience and now a shared favourite memory.’
– CUO Sophia Grave (Year 12)

‘Throughout Sergeants Camp, there were many times when it was challenging but the memories made will last a lifetime. The camp was a new and exciting experience for everyone whether it was planning a trek at night in the dark or just sitting around the campfire, winding down after a long day of trekking. The trek that we did on Sergeant’s Camp was a way to enhance our leadership and communication skills. Whether it was navigating the trek, sending stats through the radio, or finding out how the GPS worked, everyone was able to have a go and pick up a couple skills along the way. Overall, Sergeants Camp was a unique and exciting experience, learning skills that would be useful for the coming years.’
– CPL Ophelia Li (Year 10)

‘This year’s CUO Promotions Camp was both challenging and rewarding. On the first day, we took part in a range of activities designed to improve our drill and marching skills. That evening, we were quizzed on unit knowledge, first aid, and other critical thinking topics, which helped strengthen our understanding of the course content. The next day, the course was split into syndicates for the trek. Some groups began as early as 6am, while others departed a bit later. The trek involved four valley crossings, with the longest stretching 650 metres. The terrain was varied and often tough, but it encouraged teamwork and support as we helped each other through the bush. We also had the opportunity to use radios to stay in contact with teachers and other groups, which was a valuable learning experience. The final part of the camp was the “Think Out” exercise. Cadets were spread across the area to spend the night alone in their hootchies. We were responsible for setting up our own hootchie and preparing the meals provided to us. Despite the rough weather, everyone managed to push through and maintain a positive attitude. Personally, I found CUO Promotions Camp to be a challenging but truly rewarding experience, one that we all put a lot of effort into and can be proud of. It allowed me to build stronger connections with the other cadets and create lasting memories.’
– SGT Rhiti Bhatta (Year 11)

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