Head of Junior School
In Term 4, Week 2, the Junior School students will experience overnight camps and outdoor educational experiences across Kindergarten to Year 6.
Where do students go?
K-1 – Day excursion into nature, outdoor activities supplied by external provider and teacher-directed natural experiences with music and art experiences on campus.
Year 2 – a one day outdoor experience at Berrima Scout Camp with an external provider and then on-site teacher-directed activities
Year 3 – 3 day, 2 night outdoor adventures in Gerringong, Kiama and Dharawal Country National Park. Bushwalking, beach activities etc
Year 4 – 3 days, 2 nights at Tallong Adventure camp – low ropes, high ropes, bush setting.
Year 5 – 3 days, 2 nights at Crosslands Adventure Camp experiencing a series of adventures and bush challenges.
Year 6 -4 days, 3 nights at Mt Keira experiencing bushwalking, beach activities including SUP, snorkelling etc
Why do we offer these experiences?
1. A chance to disconnect with technology and reconnect with self and others – We don’t allow electronic devices on camp. This allows students to ‘look up’ and ‘look around’ and immerse themselves in where they are and who they are with.
It can be challenging for a student who is away from family for the first time and also hard for the parents to not be able to contact their child as easily as they normally would. But this time apart increases a student’s self-awareness and fosters independence.
2. Develop social skills – School camp is the place where social skills grow and develop. Most activities at camp involve teamwork, communication and listening. This strengthens established friendships and also develops new ones by connecting with children they don’t regularly talk with at school.
3. Build lasting relationships with other students – Being on camp creates a level playing field for everyone. We often find the quiet student is in fact, a good problem solver or the more confident student learns to listen to their classmates. Placing students in unfamiliar environments where they need to rely on each other and work collaboratively to achieve a goal.
4. Staff and Students building a connection – A shared experience creates compassion and connection. This in turn creates trust and makes people are more approachable. Move forward a few weeks back in the classroom, and students see their teachers as more approachable and trustworthy because of their shared adventures on camp.
5. Learn new activity skills /Build resilience- A student watches a classmate abseil off a cliff and says out loud “I can’t do that!”. But what they are really saying is “I’m scared and not sure I can face my fears”. All activities are offered as ‘challenge by choice’ – they do not have to participate if they don’t want to. For some students, they need time. Time to watch others climb the ropes, paddle the canoe or stand up on the surfboard, before they’ll give it a go. Other students are so eager they charge in full steam ahead. Either way, we always brief them on safety, expectations and the skills on the activity.
Another side is that when students are away from family, they’ll try something they wouldn’t normally do. They’ll give it a go and draw on their inner strength and enthusiasm to participate, without the watchful eye of a parent.
6. Improve independence – For many children school camp is their first time away from family and home. Parents are not there to remind their kids to eat their vegetables, brush their teeth, be on time for meals and so on.
Therefore, this is a great opportunity for kids to grow up by learning how take care of themselves and to do things on their own. Most kids do rise to the challenge and learn to rely on themselves when they spend time away home.
7. Expand experiences in nature – We strongly believe that an appreciation for nature and respect for the plants, the animals, is essential to guiding them through to the future and caring for our planet.
8. Teach personal organisation – The expression ‘prior preparation and planning prevent poor performance’ is relevant on school camp. Encouraging students to prepare well is essential.
As a parent, talk to your child about considering the little things, such as, what to bring for morning tea and lunch for the drive to the campsite. Check they’ve filled their water bottles before they get on the bus. Pack their bag with your child helping.
It is important students know what activities they’ll be doing, what they need to bring to the activity, be prepared with sunblock and towel or closed toed shoes or sunhat, so they feel prepared and ready.
9. Decision making skills – There can be lots of choices on school camp. Should I participate in the orienteering or sit it out? Will I try the dessert offered or because I’ve never seen it before, just pass?
Teachers can only help so many students, so it’s an opportunity for choices to be made without adult influence, allowing them to be responsible for their own decisions.
“You have to let them explore, you have to let them take a few tumbles, as long as they don’t tumble too far,’’
10. Education learning – It’s not just about the climbing, the paddling, the bushwalking on a school camp – there is much more. It’s the subtle things like the smell of the lemon scented gum after rain, watching a flock of pelicans fly over at dusk, observing the kangaroos in the afternoon lazing under the trees.
But there is also the practical learning that ties back to the school curriculum and will be facilitated by teachers / camping staff. Learning these in a setting other than a classroom brings more relevance and logic.
Happy Camping Oxley Junior School!
Miss Jane Campion
Head of Junior School