Year 8 Outdoor Education Experience

The Year 8 Outdoor Education Experience took place recently at Mt Kiera and Killalea Regional Park in the Illawarra region. The students were exposed to new places away from Tallong for their Year 8 camp, to broaden their horizons and see other opportunities for experiencing the outdoors. A great addition to this program is for students to go rock climbing at Mt Kiera. It was many students’ first time rock climbing in the outdoors and learning the technique to climb up solid rock!

The groups explored the Killalea area by canoeing and paddling on the Minnamurra River. The students loved the stand up paddleboards and the canoeing as they played around and learnt how to paddle, fall in and just enjoy time on the water.

Over the years, the Outdoor Education program has involved mountain biking, as it is an important skill for life. The students were able to practise these skills and go on a mountain bike exploration of the Killalea Regional Park. They tried spotting whales and enjoyed the expansive open views of the Pacific Ocean. 

Overall, the students had a wonderful time building new relationships, creating memories and simply enjoying the outdoors. I wish to thank all the teachers who were involved in the program, as it was a great success with your support.

Chris Walker
Coordinator of Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning

Student Reflections

Year 8 camp was four days of fun, challenges, friendship building, and education. My Year 8 peers and I were grateful as during camp we got to come together in groups and get to know each other and also spend time in the outdoors. One of my favourite moments was stand up paddle boarding. This is because as a group we would work together to glide through the water and beat each other in a fun and competitive race. We refreshed ourselves as a collective by jumping in and splashing worry-free in the cold water. This is my favourite moment because this was a time when my peers and I could spend time together and build connections and memories we will forever recall. As a whole, this was a time I will never forget and a camp that will always be remembered as a few days of adventure, joy and gladly good weather.
Xylah 

It was amazing how quickly a group of mere acquaintances was able to become a tight net of friends, which was why camp was such an incredible experience. I enjoyed every aspect of it, and really felt as though I did things I never would have tried without the encouragement of my peers and teacher. My favourite part was the rock climbing because as I was looking at that tall wall of rock, I turned to the girl next to me, a girl I had spoken only a few sentences to before, and told her I would not make it. But then, she gave me a boost and I made it to the top of the wall. That is my favourite part of camp; everybody helps and looks after everybody. It was an unforgettable experience that I will, without a doubt, laugh about in the years to come.
Harriet