Year 12 Overnight Camp
- Ashlee Rouse
- Apr 12, 2017
- 3 min read
I was part of the Year 12 Outdoor Education trip. There were 3 adults and 12 students, and it was a very cool experience. I do not teach any of the students, but I have had small encounters with most of them over my time at school, which is a good place to start.
We started the day with the small van ride to the site after being briefed on the potential ailments the students had that could effect them on the walk. We arrived to the site and set off on the adventure. It was interesting to see the kids in a totally different environment, and to see them challenge themselves. There were a few river crossings, and of course, the whole time we were carrying our packs around.
About half way through the trip, the students did a search and rescue exercise (which could have gone alot better) and then a student who could not continue on due to health issues. We stopped and let her rest, but in the end, had to leave a staff member behind to stay with her while she was trying to recover. The rest of the students were worried, and it was nice to see them as good human beings. One student commented on how different the trip was becuase of this issue, and about 5 students jumped to her defence saying "it's not her fault!." Really cool.
We continued along the route, and all the students were helping one another, and one of the students offered to take my bag. When we arrived to the site, the other staff member had to leave to go and check on the student and staff member who were waiting behind. While he was gone, the students got to work and created a fire (displaying great teamwork) and then began to get their tents ready. About 2 hours after the other staff member had doubled back to check on the student, my students at camp were getting worried. It was hard because I was getting worried too, but logic told me that he had to at least be 3 hours long.
Students were asking, "What happens if he doesn't come back Miss?", "What if something happened to them?" "What happens if we are stuck here with you all night?"
I realised they were worried because during this trip, the two other teachers (the ones who were not at camp) had been leading us, making all the decisions, and were also in charge of the trip overall so of course they were worried. I reassured them that if they did not come back tonight, they would come back in the morning. And if they did not come back in the morning, we would stay the night, cook dinner, light the fire and walk out safely in the morning. This for me, was the hardest part of the trip, reassuring them when I was a little nervous myself. I also had to try and gather them up, and talk to them as a team, to try an bring them back together.
Just before dark, the other staff member returned, and there was a definite sense of relief. Everyone chilled out a bit, and at this stage, I was able to have good conversations with the students and get to know them a bit better during the evening. I feel like after this trip, I can communicate better with the kids at school when I see them, and just begin that relationship building with a new bunch of lovely students.
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