94
Grade 7 Camp
Witzenberg Game Reserve
At Grade 7 level we never expected to
wear nappies again, but that is just what
happened on our camp during the Nappy
Run when we swung into the Brede River
like Tarzan - sometimes gently floating, at
other times being propelled through the
fast flowing water.
After the zip line, we formed our teams
and were instructed to find: one orange
sock, 3 live ants, a jumping grasshopper and
a strand of blonde hair that was 5cm long.
With this mission accomplished we piled
onto the busses on our way toWizenberg
Game Reserve.
To set the tone of the camp, each tribe
was asked to create a name, a set of values
and a war cry. International adjudicators
from Russia and India (aka Mr Shaw and
Ms Malan) were especially flown in for this
occasion!
At the crack of dawn on the second
morning, the troops filed onto the lawn
to begin the day with exercises and then
undertake the first task – the Amazing
Race! The morning was taken up by
visiting six stations with varied activities,
followed by a hearty lunch of macaroni and
cheese that was ravished by the 57 hungry
learners. After a dip in the pool and some
free time, it was time for the Treasure
Hunt where teamwork and leadership skills were
essential. A quick look into the future of what
Parklands would look like in the year 2017 and a
night walk ended the day.
After a good sleep, all enjoyed a delicious
breakfast and a few more activities to bond and
exhaust the tribes. A peaceful, sleepy trip back
home ended the camp. What a fantastic
experience!
Grade 8 Camp
Wortelgat
by
Karyn Norman
The Grade 8s ventured toWortelgat
Camp near Stanford for their camp this year and
returned exhausted, but united as a grade.
The adventure started with a stop-off in Betty’s
Bay for some dune boarding. Learners each took
turns waxing their sand boards and sliding down
the dune, with most people ending up with a face
full of sand! Many conquered their fears with the
help of their peers and much laughter was heard
throughout the whole experience.After the sand
boarding, another stop was made at Kleinmond
Lagoon where the Grade 8s went canoeing in
very windy conditions and learned a lesson or
two about teamwork and communication. Before
leaving the lagoon, everyone learnt a dance and
then made their way to the campsite.
The camp was full of team building activities
- including a tug-of-war, obstacle courses and a
creative thinking challenge where learners were
tasked with building themed structures out
of materials from around the campsite. Other
camp highlights included fantastic food, fun night
walks, the crazy hair contest, evening singsongs
and the highly entertaining talent show. Grade
8 camp 2013 was an amazing experience with
unforgettable memories to last a life time!
Grade 9 Camp
Matroosberg
The Grade 9s were privileged to enjoy the
incredibly beautiful scenery of Matroosberg from
25 to 27 March. For most, this was accentuated
while reaching new heights in rock climbing and
abseiling activities, a first for many.
Other activities included orienteering,
lifesaving and fun on the lake.A tranquil night hike
highlighted our distance from the Mother City
and her lights.
The Turquoise Turtles,White Tigers, Black
Panthers, Purple Pumas, Black Cats and other
teams bonded
through the various
activities and, ultimately, the learners spurred one
another on in new contexts, as they eagerly took
up the challenges presented by an enthusiastic
team of leaders.
Grade 10 Camp
Bonamanzi!
by Paige Orlik
81 Grade 10 learners and 6 teachers set out
on an hour and a half bus ride to Bonamanzi.
Crammed together on the bus, we were
reminded just how big our grade actually is!
From the shouting, laughing, singing and great
excitement, to the loading and unloading of the
bags (with many of them being oversized and
over-packed), it all added to the excitement of
the trip.
As soon as we walked through the gates of
Bonamanzi the fun began.We were immediately
introduced to the Camp team and instructors and
split into our individual teams. Our 3 day Camp
journey had begun.
Land activities, team building, war cries and
