On Friday the 15th of May with pillows tucked under their arms and teddy bears in hand, our Year 2 Carramar students arrived ready for camp and for some it would be their very first night away from home.
At St Stephen’s School, camp experiences form an important part of each student’s journey, beginning in Year 1 and continuing through to the Year 12 retreat, each camp is thoughtfully designed to build confidence, resilience and independence in age-appropriate ways. In Year 1, students participate in a day camp before returning home in the evening then in Year 2 they take the exciting next step with a sleepover.
The adventures began with an exciting bus trip to Caversham Wildlife Park. For Mrs Blight, Caversham Wildlife Park was one of her highlights “seeing the children’s excitement as they discovered so many unique Australian animals. Their amazed faces during the farm show were truly unforgettable, and it was wonderful to watch their curiosity and joy grow throughout the experience.” Students spent the day exploring in small groups led by parent volunteers, feeding kangaroos, patting koalas, holding a snake, milking a cow and some even bottle feeding baby lambs!
Millie said “My favourite part was seeing the reptiles, especially the Olive python’ whilst Bansi commented “I like feeding the kangaroos. There were even Joey’s”
After an adventure filled day, students returned to school to find their classrooms transformed into cosy overnight bedrooms with teddy bears lovingly tucked in, ready for their owners. Following a special pizza dinner, the Year 2 students gathered in the Forum to enjoy the movie ‘Sing’ before settling into bed, with most kids falling asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.
“Staying up with my friends late at night was my highlight” said Jhett whilst for Ariel watching the movie and having a little dance party made the camp extra special. By 7am the next morning, students were packed and ready to be collected, looking, in many cases, fresher than some of their parents!
At a time when newspapers are reporting that camp programs are being scaled back across Australia due to rising costs and staffing pressures, experiences like these feel more important than ever. Camps offer children invaluable opportunities to grow socially, emotionally and personally in ways that cannot always be replicated in the classroom as Mrs Vorster reflects “It was lovely to see the children engaging outside the classroom in a different environment and watching their personalities shine through.”
Research continues to support the profound impact of camp experiences on children’s development. The Canadian Summer Camp Research Project, a landmark study from the University of Waterloo, found that children who attend overnight camps experience measurable growth in self-confidence, emotional intelligence and social connection. Camp encourages children to step beyond familiar routines, solve problems independently, develop resilience and strengthen friendships through shared experiences.
We are deeply grateful not only for the many staff members who make these camps possible, but also for the generous parents who supported the day, prepared the sleeping spaces and stayed overnight to ensure everyone was safe and secure. Lucas said, “My dad came and he was a parent helper and I loved spending time at the Caversham with him”.
