On a brisk Wednesday afternoon, 23rd of July, the students and teachers from Aquinas College , Mackillop rolled through The Summit gates, buzzing with energy and excitement. After being shown to their accommodations and settling in, they gathered in the Lodge to officially kick off what would become a camp to remember.
Coach Spinks (Steph) welcomed everyone with warmth and energy, introducing the rest of the amazing coaching team. Coach Calarnee then shared the Summit’s secret recipe for the best camp ever , a mindset built around the Five Keys:
The Five Keys
- Have Fun
- Play All In
- Make Lots of Mistakes
- Get Uncomfortable
- Don’t Go Home Wondering ‘What If’
With the tone set, we headed down to the Stage, where Simon and Lucy delivered a detailed safety briefing on helmets and harnesses. Matt then shared an epic goal-setting strategy that would shape the next three days, Target, Stretch, and Super Stretch , a way to break big goals into achievable steps and push beyond perceived limits.
Activities & Tribe Names
The students launched into their first two rotations, getting a taste of everything The Summit had to offer. Their activities included:
- Abseiling
- Scavenger Hunt
- Flying Fox
- Bush Challenge
- Snake & Nails
- Laser Skirmish
- Sky Bridge
- Orienteering
After a strong first session, each team created their Tribe Name, officially becoming a crew. They were also introduced to an awesome camp tradition, GMICs ( Great Moments In Camp ), a way to write down and celebrate the small victories, funny moments, and courageous breakthroughs that made camp special.
That evening, after dinner and a round of free time, students relaxed and recharged for what was to be a massive day ahead.
Day Two — Intention & Monster Energy
Thursday kicked off with a Lodge session on Morning Intention, where Coach Sam invited students to reflect on what kind of person they wanted to be that day, and to focus on what they could control, their attitude, effort, and how they show up for themselves and their tribe. A quick game of Heads or Tails followed, adding a spark of fun to decision-making.
Then it was time to get into it, three activity rotations before lunch, and one more in the afternoon. The weather may have thrown a few curveballs, but the students didn’t falter, they leaned into the challenge, played all in, and smashed through goals.
And then… it was time.
The Monster Course
After a solid afternoon tea and safety briefing, the coaches counted them in and the teams launched into the legendary Monster Course, an intense obstacle challenge designed to test grit, teamwork, and mindset.
From holy buckets, to mud pits, cargo nets, sled pulls, and more, the students worked as one to complete the first lap. But the real twist? The winner wouldn’t be the fastest, it would be the team who improved the most on their second lap.
This unexpected second lap introduced a whole new level of resilience. Everyone had a Target, a Stretch, and a Super Stretch time to beat, and they gave it everything. Mud-covered and adrenaline-fuelled, they crossed the finish line stronger than when they started.
A huge effort across the board, followed by warm showers, a hearty meal, and a well-earned rest.
Final Day — Gratitude & Goodbyes
As the final morning rolled in, the vibe was calm and reflective. Coach Calarnee led a powerful session on Gratitude, asking students to pause and consider: Who or what are you grateful for?
The room filled with reflections of love, for family, friends, health, and the rare opportunity to experience something like this. The session closed with a moving video, “I Was Here” by Beyoncé, reminding everyone of the legacy we each leave behind.
To warm up our bodies (and smiles), the coaches led the group in a silly and fun game of Jockeys, before launching into the final two activity rotations.
Tribe Reflections & Tank Time
As camp drew to a close, each team gathered for one final moment of connection, sharing their Rock, Stick, and Leaf:
- A Rock , something that rocked about camp
- A Stick , something they’ll take with them
- A Leaf , something they’re ready to let go
Students also voted for one person in their group who had best embodied the Five Keys. These Values Winners showed exceptional courage, support for their tribe, and lived out the spirit of The Summit in every moment.
As a reward, these legends were given a hot lap in The Summit’s very own World War II Army Tank, while their peers cheered them on.
And the Values Winners Are:
- Pigs Don’t Fly , Alex
- The Duos , Abby
- Mustard Mangos , Claire
- Rice Rice Navy , Ava
- Pink Sparkly Unicorns , Jack
- Flacon Nuts , Cooper
- Pork Dumplings , Jack
- Tim Sims , Lucy
Competition Results
Bush Challenge:
- 17:08 , Pigs Don’t Fly
- 22:17 , Mustard Mangos
- 22:38 , Tim Sims
- 23:42 , Rice Rice Navy
- 24:28 , Pork Dumplings
- 25:16 , Pink Sparkly Unicorns
- 32:20 , The Duos
- 36:43 , Flacon Nuts
Scavenger Hunt:
- 240 , Tim Sims
- 230 , Rice Rice Navy + The Duos
- 220 , Pigs Don’t Fly
- 210 , Pink Sparkly Unicorns
- 175 , Pork Dumplings
- 170 , Mustard Mangos + Flacon Nuts
Monster Course Improvement Times:
- +13:01 , Pork Dumplings
- +12:15 , Pigs Don’t Fly
- +10:13 , Mustard Mangos
- +7:15 , Tim Sims
- +7:08 , Pink Sparkly Unicorns
- +6:21 , Rice Rice Navy
- +5:29 , Flacon Nuts
- +2:20 , The Duos
Thank You, Aquinas!
On behalf of all your coaches, Spinks (Steph), Calarnee, Lucy, Simon, Sam, Timmay, Matt, Lawrie, and Chelsea, thank you for showing up with courage, laughter, and heart.
We’re so proud of you and wish you all the very best for the rest of your year.
Don’t go home wondering “What If.”
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