10G Aspiring camp report

By Richard Roe | Posted: Tuesday April 5, 2022

Timing, as they say, is everything. One or two weeks earlier and 60% of 10G would have been unable to attend camp due to the far reaching effects of Covid. A week later and the incredible weather would have gone.

As it happens, we got lucky. 29 healthy Year 10 boys accompanied by 4 Year 13’s and the staff team of Dadley, Reussenzehn, Roe1 and Roe2, departed for a week at Mt Aspiring on Sunday, 27th March.

As we approached Central Otago the season rolled from Autumn back to Summer, and the first thing we did once we had the Lodge set up was head down to the river for a swim. That night the seniors organised an outdoor game for the boys which was all going well until disaster struck for Ben. It turned out he had fractured his foot and went home in plaster the next day.

After a delayed start the rest of us packed up and headed off for an overnight camp in the East Branch. The sun had gone by the time we were setting up the tents but there was still plenty of time to cook dinner and enjoy the campfires into the evening. Next day, following a leisurely breakfast and dip in the icy river, we headed off to explore the area. Fantastic views of the Avalanche Glacier, waterfalls, native bush and river scenery made the hike up the valley worthwhile. We returned to the Lodge that afternoon and appreciated even more the comfort of mattresses and texture of food without river sand through it.

Wednesday morning started off with the excitement of a helicopter delivering our new water tank into position behind the Lodge. A rotation of games and activities followed, including an opportunity for each group to identify their top frisbee golf player for a tournament against the staff later in the day. It was a calm, mild evening, conditions were perfect for competitors and the capacity crowd of onlookers who followed the action around the 9 hole course. While the end result is not as important as the participation (apparently), records must show that the student team crumbled under the pressure and were convincingly thrashed by the staff team. A visit to our local glow worm grotto rounded out another great day.

Thursday was kayaking day. Even though the river was very low in volume there were still some exciting rapids to negotiate. While the river claimed its usual share of victims, all came away happy and for many this activity was the highlight of their trip. Activities like orienteering and dam building and more eating filled the rest of the gaps that day, and culminated in the Matukituki Quiz run by the Year 13’s that evening.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable camp. My thanks must go to our great bunch of Year 13 helpers, a top group of staff, but most importantly, the Year 10 boys who committed to everything with a positive spirit - not to mention the best home baking for suppers I can recall!

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