CC2001

Challenge Camp 2001 - Delhuntie Park, Gippsland

The following report was prepared by Leanne Nagel, Visiting Teacher - Eastern Region and Deb Lewis,
Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre.

The name of the camp says it all!

The fourteen great kids who came to Delhuntie Park, near Moe were all challenged by the activities provided at the camp. (And so were the staff!)
Challenge Campers at Spencer Street Station.

Challenge Campers at Spencer Street Station.

One of our first jobs was to collect fire wood.
Samuel and James carry a tree trunk for the fire.

'Tree tops' was the place to be!

We wore harnesses for almost all of the activities, and most of them involved hanging from trees or equipment, way up off the ground. This camp was not for the faint hearted!
Sam, wearing a safety harness, is hauled high into the air by the other Challenge Campers on The Rip.

Sam, wearing a safety harness, is hauled high into the air by the other Challenge Campers on The Rip.

Highlights of the Camp were:

Bungee Swing! Each of us had a turn harnessed to a bungee rope. The very spunky camp staff, Theo and Seamus pulled us down low, then let go, bouncing us high above the ground.
Flying Fox! A perilous climb way up into a tree, holding on to metal rods protruding from the tree trunk, then a narrow, metal ladder, a platform and another ladder to the top platform. The flying fox cable took us way over a huge lake.
Abseiling! Another harness, climb up two ladders, clip on, hold the rope, then guide yourself down boldly bouncing or carefully inching, with lots of encouragement from the cheerful group.
Libby jumps her way down the abseiling wall.

Libby jumps her way down the abseiling wall.

The Rip!!!!! A camper was harnessed to a rope and the rest of us pulled her way up into the treetops. Everyone called out 1, 2, 3… RIP!!! The person pushed a lever and … Freefall! The biggest swing ever!
Christina, who will just try anything, swinging free on The Rip!

Christina, who will just try anything, swinging free on The Rip!

Death Before Glory!!!!!

Another painstaking and dangerous climb up to a platform where, harnessed to a cable above for safety, we leapt out to a waiting trapeze swing.
The networking between the kids was great - everyone took every opportunity to get to know each other, chatting between activities, during the delicious meals provided by the chef, and in the comfortable, triple-bunked cabins.
Jeni decided that bought cakes cost too much money - so we made cakes and pancakes in our cabins for dessert.

Jeni decided that bought cakes cost too much money - so we made cakes and pancakes in our cabins for dessert.

Some of the activities weren't so much high, as muddy! One involved brave students walking along a log beneath which was a very muddy pit of brown and sticky mud.
Owen walks out onto the log and checks the depth and stickyness of the mud with his cane. Theo offers him a hand and worried teachers and students look on.

Owen walks out onto the log and checks the depth and stickyness of the mud with his cane. Theo offers him a hand and worried teachers and students look on.

Owen made it half way across before he slipped into the mud.
Owen sitting on the log with his legs and feet in the mud. Luckily he can see the funny side and is laughing!

Owen sitting on the log with his legs and feet in the mud. Luckily he can see the funny side and is laughing!

Lots of thanks to the staff at Delhuntie Park, accompanying VT's and especially Deb and Jeni Blake for arranging this fantastic camp.

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Web page editor Lyn Robinson. Last updated June 2001.