Day 321 -326 Return to Chum Creek
Chum Creek Outdoor Education Centre, Yarra Ranges, Victoria- Sunday, November 11 to Friday, November 16
It was the return to Chum Creek for a week with my class, after a long time period away. It was, in fact, Day 52, February 15th, that we were here last. The class spends a week camping, doing challenge activities like High Ropes and hiking, and teambuilding.
We arrived Sunday just before eleven, and I was glad that Mike, the Director, stopped all of the kids as they got off the bus for a moment of silence, the date and time being 11-11. I told the kids just before we held our monet's silence that this was for the great men and women, many Australians and Canadians, who gave their time, and sometimes their lives, in the service of the military. I mentioned Dad, who was Able Seaman John Murray in the Royal Canadian Navy.
The theme for thr week was "Time Passes, World Change." The plan was to do activities that relate back to the challenges of life throghout Australian History: Abriginal Period (40,000 YA), The Explorers' Period (200 YA), the Settlers' Period (150 YA), The War Years (1914-1918), The Present, and The Future.
We began our activities with a 2 night campout to remind the students of how Aboriginals gathered, cooked and ate their food. The following day, students hiked back to the Field Centre property, to use the Low Ropes Course. They also spent time alone, contemplating the beautiful mountain forests that surround the site.
Wednesday, they were given a chance to give the Flying Fox a try (what we call a Zipline) and do some "hard yakka," just like the early settlers did. And it was a warm day too. The High Ropes Course challenged even the most confident of 13 year olds.
Thursday began with a tour of the Toolangi State Firest, wher Matheson had visited early this year with his Geography class. The 7 km hike back through the woods was just what we needed, as the warm day and walk through the tall trees was a challenge, as well as a great experience.
Collen, Matheson and Kevin visited Thursday evening for the roast beef dinner, and it was, as they agreed, worth the drive, especially for the meal!
Friday, the students headed home, tired, but having gained many new insights into themselves, their abilities and how they came face to face with their phsical and pschological limits.
This is a Wesley highlight!
It was the return to Chum Creek for a week with my class, after a long time period away. It was, in fact, Day 52, February 15th, that we were here last. The class spends a week camping, doing challenge activities like High Ropes and hiking, and teambuilding.
We arrived Sunday just before eleven, and I was glad that Mike, the Director, stopped all of the kids as they got off the bus for a moment of silence, the date and time being 11-11. I told the kids just before we held our monet's silence that this was for the great men and women, many Australians and Canadians, who gave their time, and sometimes their lives, in the service of the military. I mentioned Dad, who was Able Seaman John Murray in the Royal Canadian Navy.
The theme for thr week was "Time Passes, World Change." The plan was to do activities that relate back to the challenges of life throghout Australian History: Abriginal Period (40,000 YA), The Explorers' Period (200 YA), the Settlers' Period (150 YA), The War Years (1914-1918), The Present, and The Future.
We began our activities with a 2 night campout to remind the students of how Aboriginals gathered, cooked and ate their food. The following day, students hiked back to the Field Centre property, to use the Low Ropes Course. They also spent time alone, contemplating the beautiful mountain forests that surround the site.
Wednesday, they were given a chance to give the Flying Fox a try (what we call a Zipline) and do some "hard yakka," just like the early settlers did. And it was a warm day too. The High Ropes Course challenged even the most confident of 13 year olds.
Thursday began with a tour of the Toolangi State Firest, wher Matheson had visited early this year with his Geography class. The 7 km hike back through the woods was just what we needed, as the warm day and walk through the tall trees was a challenge, as well as a great experience.
Collen, Matheson and Kevin visited Thursday evening for the roast beef dinner, and it was, as they agreed, worth the drive, especially for the meal!
Friday, the students headed home, tired, but having gained many new insights into themselves, their abilities and how they came face to face with their phsical and pschological limits.
This is a Wesley highlight!
posted by Rod Murray | 3:19 p.m.
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