Hello fellow readers!

I had the best week EVER at Toona! It was an amazing experience! We participated so many fun challenges and had the best time! We played games, learnt new things and made lots of new relationships.

If I could describe the camp in one word, I would say it was ‘outstanding’! The reason I would call it ‘outstanding’ is because, I got to know people better, and make stronger relationships with them, we had the amazing opportunity to sleep in tents, and just in general, having an OUTSTANDING time!

Some of my many highlights, would be going on Expo, playing the Shoe Game, and the Toona Challenge! I am very grateful that I got the chance to go on Expo, because in the past, Year 5’s didn’t go on Expo. Surprisingly, I had the best sleep that night; in the tents! I was in a tent with Tash and Laura. It was tricky at night, if you needed to go to the toilet! Playing the Shoe Game was super fun! We got our into two different teams, and then, the battle started! It was like, every time someone did something “wrong”, for example, if you weren’t cheering loud enough, a rule on the book would appear saying ‘penalty for not cheering loud enough. 5 points penalty’! It was still so fun!
The Toona Challenge! Who couldn’t have liked the Toona Challenge!? It was the best! First of all, Jas and Coco put together a little mini ‘challenge’. It had lots of different little stages within the course. First, you had to throw a bean bag into a hoop. Once it landed in the hoop, the next person would balance a ball on the top of a cone, and walk to a bunch of people, holding pipes connected to each other. They had to keep the ball in the pipes until it got to the last person, which in this case, was me! I had to catch the ball, and run to the start of the course with one flipper on! The other challenges were team challenges, like bike riding, strategic thinking and running. In the end, my team won!
There were lots of challenges in this experience, like kayaking. I found it hard to get used to, but I managed to get a consistent pace. We got to kayak to Point Turner, and then race back! Hazel and I were in a kayak together, and we got a really fantastic rhythm, but unfortunately, we didn’t go well in the race!!
Of course another challenge, was sleeping! It was tricky to get used to sleeping in beds that you weren’t familiar with. I had a fabulous group of girls in my cabin; Danica, Taylor, Hazel and Lol! The first I had A LOT of trouble sleeping, but the next two nights I was asleep in a flash!

I made some new friendships on camp! I got closer with Goldie and Jaime. We talked to each other during the day, and since we were in the same activity group, we were able to connect with each other even more! I am very grateful that we went on this camp, because I wouldn’t have been as close with them if I hadn’t.

I had many memorable parts of this camp. In fact, every second of this camp was memorable! The Outdoor – Ed Staff made my experience amazing. One of my memorable moments, was when Misty woke everyone up at 5:00 in the morning to watch the beautiful sunrise! It was an awesome experience, that I will remember for the rest of my life! I was very lucky to get to do this, because not everyone can get a wonderful view of the sunrise!

I’m sure everyone used a lot of PLA’S on camp. I have a few examples. Firstly, I know for sure that I used Connectedness on camp. If I hadn’t, then how could I have had a good time?!
I used Connectedness, whilst getting to know Mr Nichol in a different way. I found out, that our families have a lot in common! I really enjoyed spending time around him, listening and talking!
I also used Reflection. At the end of each day, at dinner time, there was a little activity. It was about Gratitude. We thought of one thing we were grateful for, or we enjoyed, or something that was a challenge! I enjoyed listening to what everybody else thought about their days. It was a nice activity to wind down after a big day!

What was your favourite part of Toona? Or if you haven’t been, what do you think your most looking forward to?

Overall, I absolutely loved our Toona experience. I am very grateful, so thank you so much to Josh, Jesse, Grace, Trish, Mr Nichol, Misty, Coco and Jaz for making it happen.
Tilly