Year 10 Camp is always a special time for our students as they are embracing the unknown in terms of new school, new friendships, new curriculum. QACI embraces day 1 of the school year by sending students to camp to forge the way and come together as a new cohort of students, into the amazing culture that is QACI.
Year 10 student Poppi Chambers provides us with her reflection of Camp.
At camp we engaged in a plethora of activities ranging from the meticulous art of scrapbooking to theatrical nuances of drama games; from the spirited intensity of volleyball to the renound talent show where we basked in the limelight, performing amidst a palpably supportive ambiance, marked by a resounding applause that left our palms tingling and raw. The ethos of encouragement permeating in the air forms an invaluable facet of the rich and diverse tapestry that constitutes the bare essence of QACI.
The first day served as a captivating tableau of the human condition, the emotion, the learning, the aspiration, the morality. Each participant took turns imbibing wisdom from one another. The shaken conversations and scattered compliments bore testimony to our collective nervous nature, but that is not to say we weren’t feverish to know one another, because we were. While specific moments may elude my memory, what I do remember is the image of a room abuzz with delighted faces, eager to engage in conversations, this portrait remains etched in my mind framing the unique charm that camp creates.
Camp was truly wonderful! But not just by virtue of all the ridiculously competitive games or the gratifying experiences, but because we learned to be vulnerable, and to trust in one another as a cohort and lean into that discomfort. Fostering an environment where every individual regardless of their status as a novice ‘gosling’ or a seasoned ‘goose’. The metaphorical ‘V formation’ in which we navigated challenges echoed the unity and resilience of our community.
I also believe that it wouldn’t be a complete and accurate review of the camp experience if I didn’t touch on the importance of the teachers and connect mentors that were present throughout the entirety of camp. They watered and fed our growth in such a benevolent and innate manner and aided us without hesitation in every moment of distress. They were our pillars; we may be in debt to them throughout our QACI experience for all the knowledge, skill, lore and graciousness they shared with us over the 3-day course of camp.
A comprehensive review of the camp experience wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the pivotal role played by the teachers and mentors present throughout the camp. They served as nurturing guides, tending to our intellectual and emotional growth with benevolence and innate expertise. Their unwavering support in moments of distress rendered them indispensable pillars, to whom we remain indebted for imparting knowledge, skills and graciousness during the enriching 3-day experience.
On behalf of all the goslings, we are eager to depart on a new learning journey and we can’t wait to see what the coming years bring us.
Article written by Poppi Chambers, Year 10