As part of our Certificate III studies in the Year 10 VET Sport and Recreation class, students spent four days in Falls Creek from 2-5 August. On arriving at Falls Creek, the students were given snowshoes before hiking out to camp in the snow. This year we were treated to a near full moon and minus 5C temperatures where students demonstrated resilience, organisation and immediate consequences for not planning ahead. We then spent some time at Howman’s Gap where First Nations people used to meet many years ago and the site where many different groups still come together today.
Students had to meet a range of requirements from the course including work health and safety, organisation of personal work priorities and development, responding to emergency situations and providing equipment for activities, to name a few. This camp also provides the framework for next year when students need to plan and run a snow camp.
Below are some student reflections on their experiences:
My highlight of the camp was definitely the beautiful surroundings of the snow. I loved camping and snowboarding. The sunsets and sunrises were immaculate, and on the third day I couldn't even see three metres in front of me. Four days wasn't enough. I definitely would camp in the snow more. I recommend this camp for anyone who loves a good time with friends, being adventurous and having a passion for life.
— Amy Wicks (Year 10 Purple)
The highlights were snowboarding with my friends, going on a night walk on the first night and also making snowmen. The camp was amazing and I would definitely do it again and I’m already looking forward to going on another snow camp next year. It's so much fun just being out in the snow with all your best mates.
— Sarah Frazzetto (Year 10 Jade)
The camp was the best camp we’ve been on so far. Learning a new skill was amazing and seeing the snow for the first time was so great. It was something I’ve never experienced before and something I’ll never forget.
— Kate Wicks (Year 10 Orange)
The highlight of my camp was the first night camping out in the freezing cold while cooking some hot dinner. The camp was action packed and I loved learning to snowboard with my mates. Camp was a really different experience to what normal school camps are, as you never usually get to experience it snowing and not being able to see 10m ahead of you as the visibility was so bad. This is definitely the best experience I’ve had and I will remember this for the rest of my life.
— Christian Phillips (Year 10 Green)
