95
competitiveness
between the different
teams were just the
start. Races on river
rafts, spider diagrams
to challenge the
mind and a 12 km
river paddle all followed.
We were either being blown away by
the wind (making the challenges virtually
impossible) or going with the flow of the
Breede River, with the sun beating down on us
without a breath of wind in the air. One day
even included surfing weirs and going down
rapids, challenging our limp arms! Moaning
and groaning due to the exhaustion, we were
reminded of how unfit we actually were.
Between the 2 exciting days of activities and
LOADS of free time, the amount of fun we all
had was indescribable.
We finished off day 1 with a night hike
around the campgrounds under the stars,
just surrounded by nature. Breathing in the
freshness of the air as we stepped away from
our daily routines, just looking up at the stars
that weren’t disrupted by light pollution (like
back home), we identified star signs and planets
light-years away.The hike also included being
spooked out by the stories of the abandoned
mental institution just across the road.Typical
teenagers!
Day 2 ended with a Talent Show organised
by the teachers and Camp team, where we
could really show off our singing and dancing.
To our surprise, we had a lot of unknown
talent too, which blew everyone away. Miss
King did an amazing tap routine, even though
she had twisted an ankle! Mr Biermann and
MrWernich performed “Kaptein” together.
Legends!
On the last night we all gathered around
a huge fire and roasted marshmallows and
jammed to music.We sang along to songs, while
others played various musical instruments for
us. BLISS!
The days and nights were all ended off by
well deserved and well needed sleep, with
the girls all bunking in dorms and the poor
boys camping in tents next to the river (that
they had to pitch themselves).There were no
struggles to get to sleep, as by “lights out” the
whole campsite was snoring.
On the last day we all packed our bags and
cleaned up, getting ready to leave for home.
We went through the normal procedures of
lost and found as well as a prize giving for the
best teams.We were all winners at the end
of the day, which was great. Before we left we
practiced the grade war cry that we will be
performing in assembly.
The spirit that our grade had for the amazing
3 days on the Bonamanzi Camp just grew
and grew.The vibe and atmosphere was just
incredible and possibly the best one yet.Thank
you to everyone who made the 3 days possible
and for making it as enjoyable as it was.
WE ARE GRADE 10s AND NO-ONE CAN
BE PROUDER!!
Grade 11 Camp
Amazing AWEsomeness
by Luke Fourie
To some, a six hour bus ride is nothing!
Unfortunately, when said bus ride starts at
06:00am, more than a few become daunted.
After several pit stops, naps and increasingly
awkward conversations with the people next
to us, we finally arrived at our destination,
Oudtshoorn.We were introduced to the
TBI team, all of whom we later found out
to be incredibly motivating, friendly and
knowledgeable people.We were split into
several groups (which we chose ourselves)
and with our newly acquired “Buffs”, set out
on our adventures, ranging from our gravity
defying expeditions in abseiling and the high
ropes, over pretty long distances I might add,
to the dark and dank spelunking in areas many
once feared to tread, and on the flip side of
the coin, there were the relaxed and calming
walks to the dam, as well as the magnificently
peaceful kayaking experience.All these activities
pushed our boundaries under the “challenge
by choice” approach, and made us more aware
of our own potential to overcome obstacles in
life.The camp also presented us with an added
natural thrill, however, as we were treated to
an epic thunder storm with lightning that lit
up the night sky as if it were day, even in the
middle of the night.This left more than a few
people shaking. It was a camp that will, without
a doubt, be remembered by all who went on it.
The Grade 12 Camp
Orange River Adventure
by Glyn Lewis
The best days of our lives...
This catered trip of excitement and
challenge, entailed our Grade 12s of 2013
taking the bus trip over the border into
Namibia, accompanied by Mr Lewis, Mr Knaggs,
Ms Hartnack and Ms Meyer. Once there, they
completed a physical canoeing trip downstream,
northwards on the
Orange River, with
an accredited river-
rafting company
(accompanied
by trained and
experienced river-
guides). Negotiating
exciting rapids,
sitting around a
communal fire under
the Richtersveldt moon, sleeping along the river
bank under the brightest stars ever seen, fishing
for Barbel in the dark in the middle of nowhere,
making new friends and sharing it all with old
ones were only some of the highlights of this
once-in-a-lifetime experience. Eventually they
returned to Cape Town, eager to tell the story,
but sad to leave the beauty of it all! The College
is very proud of, and wishes to thank, the
students who displayed maturity, perseverance,
responsibility, co-operation and respect for the
outdoors and for one another.
