In the afternoon on the 19th of March, the Mount Lilydale Mercy College girls arrived at The Summit to start their year 9 camp. Some of the students were hesitant to start their camp, others were excited. But before we could commence with activities the students needed to be introduced to their coaches Mim, Calarnee, Spinks, Sam (big fish), Matt, Taylor, Ant, Lucy, Elena, Milena, Enis and Chris. At The Summit we have something called the Five Keys, these keys help the students get the most out of their camp and constantly want to try new things, push themselves outside of their comfort zone, always find the fun as well and not leave camp with any regrets.
These keys are:
- Have Fun
- Play All In
- Make Lots of Mistakes
- Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
- Don’t Go Home Wondering “What If”
During that time the students were also informed on how to put on a harness and helmet, this was partnered with a goal-setting strategy called target, stretch, super stretch. Now that they were all loaded with information we could get started on our 12 activities. These activities are
- Jump Free
- Snowy River Challenge
- Abseil
- Cave
- Summit Window
- Orienteering
- Leap of Faith
- Laser Skirmish
- Giant Swing
- High Wire
- Sky Bridge
- Trust Games
By the end of the first rotation, all the groups needed to make their team names because that is what the group will be known for the rest of the camp. Before dinner, everyone participated in two activities and then they prepared for their night activity which was a belief and mindset session. This session made the students aware that we all live with limiting beliefs that hold them back and try to switch them and build them into empowering beliefs. They wrote both onto a wooden board, then got to break that wood and hopefully the belief with it.
Starting the second day Mim talked to the group about setting a morning intention and having a plan for the day so that everything out of their control doesn’t control them. After, Spinks ran a morning game of Jockeys to get everyone moving and hyped for the day. Day two was a big day as the students participated in 6 of the activities plus had another evening activity which was a Night Monster Course. The weather for the night monster was pouring rain, this increased the energy the students put into the course as they were already wet and willing to give it their all. At the time the students didn’t know that for the Monster Course, we ran two laps. So, after their first lap, we break the news to them that the winner isn’t the team with the fastest time, it’s the team that improves the most. This proves to the students that they are stronger, more resilient and have more perseverance than they thought.
Sadly, the final day was upon us and they had two rotations left on camp. But before they could do that Calarnee was the one to talk to them in the morning showing the power of gratitude and to be thankful for what we have. Once again Calarnee ran the morning game of Huckle Buckle to get everyone moving. Finally, after 2 rotations, it was the end of camp, during the last rotation the students needed to vote for someone within their group who they believed showed The Summit Five Keys the most. This person would be a Values winner and receive a medal for living camp life to the fullest. They would receive this medal when all the results were read out just before all the students got on the busses and left The Summit.
The results:
