Abby's School Camp

New Zealand education includes outdoor education and out of classroom experiences in their curriculum. Each class goes on school camp that usually consists of 3 nights and 4 days away. I love the fact that NZ values outdoor ed and out of the classroom experiences, they really "get it" when it comes to educating children. This year Abby's class went to Dunedin and the focus was The Extremes. I was granted 2.5 days off to go along with her. This is something I find so wonderful here, that my administrators see the importance of working mothers balancing their lives. My Rector said these words to me..."Sam, how would we do it if we did not let our working mothers go on camp with their kids?" Anyway, Abby's teacher/principal Mrs. Watt planned this school camp to Dunedin around the theme of The Extremes. So the kids got to go to The Albatross Colony, The Aquarium and St. Kilda's beach while staying two nights at a boy Scout Camp. They did work at tables in the dining hall around their experiences. I arrived the second day and they kids had settled into cabins, had done a stream study at the camp and ocean safety at St. Kilda's beach. While following directions to get to the camp I was to look for the ford, then turn right into the camp. I was looking for a ford....like an old Ford truck. Instead I found what Kiwis know quite well, a ford that is two bits of concrete thrown onto treacherous fast moving water where a driver can take a high road and avoid water, or take the low road and splash through white water rapids. Feeling like a pansy, I wimpered , gripped the wheel, accelerated and opted for the dry ride! The concrete did not look safe, solid or sound. However the next morning another parent, in a 4X4 truck zoomed beside me and showed me how a ford is done Kiwi-style.
We toured around Dunedin, 5 vehicles, 16 kids, 6 parents and Mrs. Watt. The Cadbury Factory, the Botanical Gardens, a shopping mall where the kids were given $5 to go on their own, in pairs to by a souvy. The Otago Museum was were we slept the final night. After hours of playing in the Discovery Zone, the Museum provided pizza and drinks. Then we were off to see the Butterflies. The kids got right up close and butterflies even landed on them. The best part of the whole trip for Abby was that night. Jamie, the dude who was our guide told the kids to get their PJs on and ready for bed. They set up their sleeping bags in the Discovery Zone and then we went on a pitch black museum CREEP! The kids were hilarious! Some were crying out of fear, other thought it to be great! Jamie made up this story about a mix up with the alarm systems being turned on and we had to be silent, and we had to go in the complete dark. So, linked in a line we ventured out through the museum in the dark, up stairs, around corners...it was so much fun! He took us up to the Animal Attic where he told a story about the animals coming alive in the night. HILARIOUS! After a look around the animal attic and another dark creep back down to our beds the kids went to sleep. Abby and Sophie slept beside a giant floor piano, you will see in the pics. There was lots of time for the parents and Mrs. Watt to chat and partake in some refreshments.
The last day we got up and went to Moana Pool where the kids got cleaned off. There is a wave pool that we spent most of our time in as well as a lazy river. Then back to the school where parents were waiting to pick up their kiddies. I was so happy to be able to go on camp with Abby. It will be something that we both remember forever. Sammer and Dano had a great time with us away too. As an exhausted Abby snuggled into her own bed she told me that she had the best time this year at camp because I was there. She also said that she was glad to back in her own bed and all of us together again. She slept 12.5 hours that night.

Here are some pics of Abby's school camp.



Until next time,
Samantha