School Camp Draws Near
The 2016 Riverside Education Support Centre’s School Camp is happening this September and the excitement is building. All students other than our little ones have been encouraged to attend and the response has been overwhelming – everyone is going!
The camp will be held at the Bridgetown Camp School, set on 10 acres in the town boundary, and is renowned as WA’s most established working example of Permaculture Education in action. With a local network of supporting businesses and activity providers, there is opportunity to feed chickens, ducks, geese; collect eggs; tend the worm farm; and pick fruit, nuts, berries and herbs (depending on seasonal availability). And lots of room for supervised fun and games. We will return to Mandurah with weary but very happy little campers.
While the Camp School will be ‘home base’ and a variety of on-site activities have been planned, there will also be break-the-journey visits to Donnybrook Apple Fun Park and ten-pin bowling in Bunbury, one on the way to Bridgetown and the other on the way home.
Of course, it is not all just fun and games. Camp discipline will require students to help with cleaning up and doing dishes, maintaining tidy rooms, and more. Cooperation in completing tasks, learning to follow instructions, working together and tolerating difference are all part of the camp experience. Additionally, the School Camp provides a wonderful opportunity for staff and students to interact together outside of school and it promises to be a great camp.
"Camp is a great opportunity for all of our students to explore an environment outside of the classroom," said Principal Jim Douglas. "Whilst there will be an educational focus on activities, staff will also be supporting students to build their social capacity and friendships. I acknowledge the hard work and effort that staff put into camp - a place to create memories that leave a lasting impression on all involved. I am sure it will be an enjoyable (but exhausting!) experience."
(Images courtesy of Bridgetown Camp School)