Leadership Camp

By Jim Black | Posted: Sunday December 11, 2016

This year’s camp focused on activities to raise awareness of leadership skills for use in form classes next year, as well as the traditional goals of self-awareness and development.

A new approach was for the boys to plan and carry out their duties, including cooking, almost totally unsupervised. They did magnificently.

The first few days were spent on problem solving with rotating leaders. Then we all left on a three day camp in the head of the West Branch of the Matukituki River. We left in fine weather and ended the days six hour walk in the teeth of a north westerly gale, with rain.

Next morning was fine. We left the tents at Pearl Flat. Most of the party went up to Liverpool Hut while a smaller group set off for Scott’s Rock. A passing pair of trampers assured us that it was at least another hour from where we were eating lunch at bushline, and showed us their GPS screen to prove it. We decided to stay put. They later told us it was only fifteen minutes past where we stopped. So much for the perils of technology.

Other interesting events? Keas visited the staff campsite by night and amused themselves destructively.

The boys were off like rockets next morning and got back to the Lodge in considerably less than the advertised six hours.

Tuesday, our last full day, was quietly spent relaxing and tidying up.

Wednesday saw a spectacular burst of thunder early. We left as quickly as possible, as the creek was rising rapidly, and spent an hour and a half sitting in the bus before the driver got to us.

Staff: Messrs Black, Odgers, Zani; Ms Buckingham; Mr Vlietstra as woodsman (firewood cutter).