It was so lovely to be able to go on camp this year with the 2021 year 7 students, especially after not being able to take students on camp last year. Due to increased tourism in the area, along with several of our usual places we visited being out of action, we changed our venue for camp. Rather than going to Charters Towers for two days, it was decided to go further afield and head out to Hughenden for three days.
What a great three days it was. After a leisurely departure at 8:00am, Miss Fritsch appreciated her sleep in, we had a leg-stretch in Charters Towers and our morning tea. As we couldn't access our accommodation until late afternoon, we dropped off our bags and found an awesome park, not far from our home base, equipped with the most amazing climbing and adventure structures. No videos of Mrs Young falling over in the “hamster wheel" were allowed to be taken, however, there is a fabulous video of Miss Fritsch!
The first afternoon, we explored the dry riverbed for fossils and fun finds. Students were challenged to find unique discoveries to share with the group. Although we didn't find many fossils, we did find a range of things, from cool rocks, to melted glass and many other discoveries. Mr Hung was chief “Rock Breaker", helping eager students look inside their rocks for fossils and surprises.
Dinner was a barbeque of hamburgers as the sun set over the manmade lake in Hughenden.
The evening kicked off with setting up our sleeping bags and hot showers, ready to be challenged by an epic trivia contest run by Miss Fritsch. Students were broken into teacher designated groups, ready for any challenge put before them. They were quizzed in a variety of categories, from sport, to general knowledge, to capital cities and even the Olympics. In the end, it all came down to one question worth a whopping seven points… name the seven dwarfs! The answers were hilarious, however, Landon, Leo and Oliver got them all, passing the team who had been winning all night, to take the trophies and be the first ever Home Hill High School Year 7 Camp Trivia night champions. Well done boys!
Thursday morning began bright and early, with 11 students joining Mrs Young and Mr Hung on a walk to the local bakery to gather our bread for the day. It was a chilly morning and jumpers, jackets and everything warm was needed. After breakfast, we packed our lunches – wraps or sandwiches with salad or spreads and fruit, and with our water bottles filled, we were ready to head to Porcupine Gorge.
Porcupine Gorge was stunning. We were fortunate to visit while the scenery was still greenish after last Summer's rain and water was still flowing through the Gorge. The walk down into the Gorge was torture to old and young legs, but well worth the views. The students walking with Mrs Young received a science lesson, learning about how the Gorge would have formed many thousands of years ago and how freezing temperatures and water can break rocks apart over time. Walking up, everyone needed breaks, as it was over one kilometre up a steep incline, but the sense of achievement and the support and encouragement given to each other was lovely to see and just one of the ways the group became more tight-knit over the camp.
Before heading back to camp home base, we stopped in Hughenden and visited “Sweet N Shady" (for sweet treats) and the Hughenden Information Centre Museum.
The afternoon was very relaxing. Students could choose their activities, indoor games for those who were tired and sore after the hike, or outdoor games for those who still had energy to burn. Handball was a popular choice, as were the cool games Mrs Bugeja had bought with her to share.
Thursday evening was our Letters of Affirmation night. This is where the students had opportunity write positive notes to each other, such a fabulous way to tell each other how much they are appreciated. It was a time to sit and reflect on friendships new and old and let each other know how much they are appreciated by their friends.
Friday morning was pack up, clean up and get ready to head home. After a breakfast of bacon and eggs and cereal, we headed for Prairie, with a visit to a hobby farmer. There were goats to feed, guinea fowl and other birds to see. Students asked our wonderful host questions and had a great time. Then it was back onto the bus and off to Charters Towers for a delicious lunch, a presentation to our wonderful bus driver who helped out all the time and then off to school. Everyone had a great time and were ready for their own beds when we got home.