Head of Outdoor Education - Edition 18 - 2020

2021 Year 7, 8 and 9 Camps

Following on from the introduction of Year 7 in 2020, and modifications to Outdoor Education Program offerings due to COVID-19 interruptions, we are pleased to confirm the following arrangements for Term 2 2021.

Year 9

During Week 1 (Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 April) and Week 2 (Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 April) of Term 2, all Year 9 students will complete a four-day lightweight expedition from the following choices:

1. Innes National Park Bushwalk - Involving scenic coastal and beach walking and opportunities to snorkel in secluded bays.
2. Katarapko Creek Kayaking - Involving scenic kayaking on the backwaters of the Murray River between Berri and Loxton with opportunities for swimming and fishing.
3. Mawson Trail Mountain Bike touring - Involving biking on the Mawson Trail between Laura and Wirrabara and opportunities to trail ride on the famous Melrose mountain bike tracks.

All expeditions will be aimed as an introduction to the outdoor activity and expedition skills building on the experience gained on the Year 8 Camp. 9.1, 9.2 and half of 9.3 will attend in Week 1 and 9.4, 9.5 and the rest of 9.3 will attend in Week 2.

Numbers will be capped at a maximum of 20-25 students for each offering due to equipment and risk management protocols.

Year 8

During Week 5 (Monday 17 to Friday 21 May) of Term 2, all Year 8 students will complete a five-day Outdoor Education program involving staying at Mylor Baptist Adventure Centre participating in high ropes and other adventure challenges, plus an extended bushwalking expedition in the vicinity of Kuitpo Forest.

Year 7

During Week 3 (Monday 3 Friday 7 May) of Term 2, all Year 7 students will complete a three-day Outdoor Education program at Douglas Scrub and Onkaparinga Gorge near McLaren Flat. Students will participate in their class groups and involve themselves in orienteering, abseiling, high ropes and bush-dancing activities whilst camping in tents and cooking on Trangia stoves.

More details for all camps will be released in Term 1 2021.

New Zealand 2021

The 2021 Duke of Edinburgh/OED New Zealand Multi-Activity Expedition is now full with a standby list. The proposed 2020 trip was postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The Trip itinerary includes highlights such as:

• Four days of Hiking in the Classic Young/Wilkins Valley with an exciting Alpine crossing;
• Canyoning, Climbing and White-water Kayaking in World Class sites on the South Island; and
• Two days of optional adventures or leisure around Queenstown.

Bushwalking experience is recommended but can easily be developed during the 2021 school year through our Duke of Ed program.

Trip Cost – Approximately $2450
Dates – Friday 3 to Wednesday 15 December (please be flexible one day either side until flights have been booked)

Further details about the Trip can be found in the document below.

To see a video of the 2018 trip, please visit https://youtu.be/d5RsNLNwo84. If you have any queries about the Trip, then please contact me via Email.

Gordon Begg
Head of Outdoor Education