Year 9 Outdoor Education students took part in the orienteering course at Mt Lofty State Park in Warrandyte on Friday 31 August, in preparation for a three-day hike early next term to Wilson's Promontory.
Here are some student reflections of the experience:
The class undertook a 3km trek, along the way finding 10 different markers with hole punchers hanging off them. Each team was required to find all 10 of the markers using only a map, the knowledge gained in class and their own wits. The class did this course to make their navigation and orienteering skills better, and to ensure that the class is in peak condition for their three-day hike. The class got a lot better at understanding hiking and how to use a map, with no other resources other than the environment around them. — Daniel Ryan (Year 9 Silver)
On Friday 31 August, our Outdoor Education class travelled to Mt Lofty State Park for an orienteering activity. We were given a map and a recording card. In groups we were challenged to get around the course in the fastest time as a team. There were 10 orienteering markers scattered around the park with hole punchers attached. Each hole puncher had a corresponding pattern for the scorecard. If a team returned all together, as well as recording each marker correctly, in the fastest time they won. We were given this opportunity to enhance our navigation skills while preparing for the three-day hike to Wilson’s Promontory. I was able to try new ways of making my way around an unfamiliar area with a map, while working as a team to complete the course in the fastest time possible. — Andre Parlas (Year 9 Blue)
