Year 7 Coolendel Camp 2022

Try the songs “YMCA” and “Bread & Butter” at home. The students were so very gracious and fun with staff as they came through the service line throughout the camp. Students were oriented into 10 groups before an afternoon bushwalk along the river and over an escarpment gave us great views of the swollen Shoalhaven River. Tuesday night’s Treasure Hunt was a sea of torches in The Meadow and lots of fun, and was won by Cool Waters giving them a good start in the point score toward the coveted Coolendel Shield. Wednesday and Thursday saw students challenged and deeply engaged in five outdoor education activities each day from 8am to 5.30pm. Big days! Optimum Experience had fantastic ropes courses rigged up including the Transporter, Crate Climb, Dangle & Aerial, and a Zipline.

The weather was mild and cloudy with good patches of sun especially Thursday and Friday. A few showers Wednesday afternoon saw the spray jackets come out but weren’t used much. A few unfortunate campers didn’t heed advice and got wet sleeping bags through open tent flaps. Lucky for them we had the extra kits. Dean and Peta from Mission Australia Youth Centre came out for a visit, bearing gifts of Zooper Doopers. They were in awe of our students in action and are keen to be involved in the future. Wednesday night’s Bingo was a hit and certainly a competitive call for the sought-after prizes. There was some confusion at times in the excitement between vertical and horizontal lines.  In the end one lucky winner took away the foot long Toblerone main prize. Thursday night’s Slideshow was a delightful recap of the preceding days followed by a slumber party movie until supper.

Friday breaking camp was smooth sailing with many helpful hands making light work of it. This allowed plenty of time for our Big Breakfast and War Cry/Sound-off competition before loading the buses and leaving for home. Our students were impressive throughout the camp and showed a personal growth mindset in truly challenging activities and in connecting with camp peers in an inclusive and supportive manner. Coolendel Camp and Ulladulla HS staff were impressed by the respect shown to the camp facilities, the environment and wildlife. Well done Year 7 whether you were a part of Mann’s Mongrels, Skinner’s Winners, Wilson’s Wombats, Williams Wolfpack, Whitford’s Wanderers, Waser’s Lasers, Malmo’s Marvels, Hayley’s Hustlers, Davies’ Dingoes or Cool Waters.