Camp Information for 2021

Thank you to all of you who came to our parent meeting about Camp 2021. If you missed it, here is the information that we shared. If you have any questions, please ask your child's base group teacher.

  

Camp remains a highlight for students at Worser Bay School. It is mentioned time and time again in year 6 speeches, showing how important it is to the kids. They often hold on to the aims from the previous year, keen to do better, master that abseiling wall or whatever it might be and do it all with more confidence. Our aim is to help them achieve this and we are calling on you to support your child/ren also to make camp the positive highlight it is intended to be.

The aims of Camp are connected to The New Zealand Curriculum Key Competencies. Managing Self, Participating and Contributing, Relating to Others and Thinking (particularly goal setting and reflection) are all to the forefront as students tackle a range of challenges. Some of these are group based and some individual. There is real opportunity for deep learning in this context and a real intensity as our students grapple with the activities. There is a real sense of risk taking and achievement. Group activities provide opportunities for discussion, problem solving and collaboration. This leads to strong relationships and team building amongst kids and teachers. The individual challenges are supported with each child being given control over how far they push themselves.

All activities are well planned for and managed by YMCA staff. Safety guidelines and procedures are highlighted before all activities. Camp documentation is up to date with current practice in the sector.

One of the greatest challenges of Camp is of course, simply staying away from home overnight. Those who are nervous can choose (to a degree) who they share a cabin with, so they have the support of their close friends. Teachers encourage those who are homesick to hang on and overcome. They are really proud of themselves when they manage this. Students are expected to pack their own bags so that they are able to keep an eye on their own belongings, a practical side of managing themselves.

Overall the Camp Kaitoke experience ticks our boxes for developing and valuing the whole child. It is a great opportunity for our kids to develop resilience and amazing to see them overcoming their fears and achieving success. We need to plan carefully prior to camp to ensure that this is a positive experience for all.

So, what are some practical things which we can all do to support students who are worried or nervous?

• Practise sleeping in different places!

• Have sleepovers with friends and family.

Supporting your camper to build independence - tips from a parent:

DO NOT pack their camp bags for them! Despite how much easier it would be ☺ If they physically choose and put the items in their bag they are building vital life skills in self-care, and setting themselves up for success at camp where they are responsible for finding what they need.

Discuss with them why each item might be important as they pack. Maybe hold the checklist and help check off the items as they pack - this also keeps your hands busy so you can’t help!!

If they don’t usually use a sleeping bag, practice taking it out of the bag and repacking it. If they want to let them sleep in it before camp at home so it feels more familiar.

Get them to name their belongings themselves. Lots of kids have similar clothing or sleeping bags – pack up and cabin clean up time on the last day is CHAOS! Named items are much easier to find and if they have written their own name they know what to look for.

Help them choose to pack snacks that will give them a longer energy boost, in case they don’t like the food.

Last reminder, because this is perhaps the hardest! Do not pack for them :-)