Despite difficult weather and an unexpected two-hour bus delay, the incredible Year 9 girls from St Francis Catholic College rolled through The Summit gates on a wet and wild Wednesday, ready to take on every challenge in their path.
Delays and rain couldn’t stop this crew. With quick accommodation drop-offs, speedy airport-style briefings, and camp intros run by a top-tier coaching team, the energy never dipped. The weather was no match for the St Francis spirit. After settling in, the group gathered to learn the Five Keys that would shape every moment of camp:
The Five Keys
- Have Fun
- Play All In
- Make Lots of Mistakes
- Get Uncomfortable
- Don’t Go Home Wondering ‘What If’
Coach Sam also introduced the Target, Stretch, and Super Stretch goal-setting strategy, encouraging every student to face challenges in manageable steps, pushing further than they ever thought they could go.
Day One: Straight Into Action
With harnesses fitted and helmets secured, it was straight into the first two rotations of activities:
- Abseil
- Snowy River Challenge
- Summit Window
- Bag Blitz
- High Wire
- Laser Skirmish
- Giant Swing
After an epic afternoon of action, it was time for free time, dinner, and a night of teacher-led fun, trivia, games, and a showcase of talents kept the vibes high until lights out.
Day Two: Intention, Grit & The Monster Course
After a chilly start, the day began with a powerful Intentions Session led by Coach Calarnee, introducing the STATE Triangle, a tool to influence our focus, language, and physiology to shape how we show up in the world.
Then it was time to warm up with a high-energy game of Krane, Tiger, Egg before launching into three massive rotations, followed by lunch (featuring the always-loved chicken tender wraps), and then… the main event.
The students danced it out to Cotton Eye Joe and the Nutbush, then smashed 50 Up (with an impressive 64 hits!) and gave it their all in Shoe Bowling.
Then it was time for the legendary Monster Course.
Each team powered through seven gruelling obstacles:
- Holy Buckets
- Charades
- Tarp Catch
- Sleds
- Ball Puzzle
- Brucey
- Ball Pit
Linked by a shared team tyre, they gave it everything they had… only to be told they weren’t done. The Monster Course has two laps, and the winners aren’t the fastest, but the most improved.
The message was clear: resilience isn’t just about giving your all once, it’s about finding something more when you think you’ve got nothing left.
Every group crushed it, with the smallest improvement still a whopping 4 minutes and 11 seconds. That’s how you finish strong!
Day Three: Reflection & Farewells
Friday morning, energy levels dipping, legs sore, brains fried, but hearts full. After breakfast and pack-up, Coach Spinks led a meaningful session on Gratitude. Who are we thankful for? Do we tell them enough?
The group reflected, shared, and appreciated one another before jumping into a final park game of Shadow Boxing and heading off to finish their final two activity rotations.
Then came the final moments:
- Voting for Values Winners
- Lunch & Results
- Tank Ride , where our 4 chosen legends took a hot lap in The Summit’s Army Tank, crushing a car as their peers roared with applause.
Finally, it was time for goodbyes. Coaches Sam, Cal, Spinks, Timmay, Lucy, Enis, and Christopher handed out loom bands, gave out high fives, and waved off the incredible St Francis crew, time well spent at one unforgettable camp.
And the Values Winners Are:
- Tigers , Rozlin
- Dawson’s Divas , Olivia
- Baddies , Leila
- Nonchalant-Dragons , Keeley
- Alphas , Nova
- The Lilies , Lily
- Group 7 , Chelsea
Competition Results
Snowy River Challenge:
- 21:15 , Alphas
- 21:49 , The Lilies
- 28:40 , Tigers
- 30:12 , Baddies
- 35:09 , Nonchalant-Dragons
- 39:33 , Group 7
- 43:30 , Dawson’s Divas
Monster Course Improvement Times:
- +11:42 , The Lilies
- +9:04 , Group 7
- +6:50 , Alphas
- +6:41 , Baddies
- +6:00 , Tigers
- +4:29 , Dawson’s Divas
- +4:11 , Nonchalant-Dragons
Thank You, St Francis!
To the teachers, students, and every heart and soul who helped make this camp what it was, thank you. Your positivity, resilience, and courage set the tone for an unforgettable week. We were honoured to be part of your journey.
We hope you carry the Five Keys into every challenge life throws your way, and that we see you again soon.
With gratitude,
The Summit Team
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