At St Columba, our goal is to make school camps rewarding and enriching experiences for every student. We know that for some children, being away from their families can be challenging and perhaps daunting. However, we trust that you understand these experiences to be an important part of our curriculum, catering to your child’s social, physical and emotional development.
Year 6 students will be visiting Canberra in Term 2 2021 (Monday 17 May to Friday 21 May). This five-day camp experience will ensure our students understand the importance of democracy in our nation’s development and give them the opportunity to visit significant places such as the Australian War Memorial and the National Gallery of Australia.
Years 3, 4 and 5 will have a three-day outdoor education experience at various locations in Term 1 2021 (Monday 8 March to Wednesday 10 March). This is an essential component of our program as an opportunity to make new friends, build cohesion among the classes and have lots of fun. Year 3 and 4 will head to Great Aussie Bush Camp (www.bushcamp.com.au) and Year 5 to Somerset Outdoor Learning, Colo River (https://www.campsomerset.com.au/schools.html). These organisations are excellent providers who will work with our staff to ensure a fantastic experience for our students.
The Year 2 Sleep Out program (Friday 5 November) will aim to achieve many goals both in the educational sphere and in the areas of personal and social skill development. The camp will be an important part of preparing for the Year 3 compulsory camp program that will be off-site for two nights. Students will return to school to talk and reflect on their camp experience. Coping with personal care and hygiene, organising clothing and belongings and eating food prepared beyond the home are all sound learning opportunities. For our younger students, it is the difference in learning outside the classroom that creates excitement and challenge.
Year 1 students will have a Late Night at School in Term 4 (Friday 12 November). This fun evening is an excellent opportunity for our students to stretch their independence skills before the camp program begins in Year 2.
Our camp program is one of the many opportunities at St Columba that helps build resilient children and build great relationships between students and staff.