To mark the beginning of another school year, Sheldon College students from Years 5 to 12 attended camp venues across South East Queensland over the course of this week.

Students were delighted to participate in an array of team building, challenging and interactive activities including abseiling, archery, `bike riding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, fishing, surfing, rock climbing, camping and snorkelling.

Camp week, held at the beginning of each year, provides students with countless opportunities to form positive relationships with one another, as well as with their teachers. Each year it proves to be an invaluable experience for new students in particular. It also encourages students to step outside of their comfort zones and to challenge themselves in ways that they never have before.

Lisa Slender, Director of Student Services, highlighted the important role that camp plays in assisting children to apply new skills and strategies to real-world experiences.

“The College Camping program provides a wonderful opportunity for our students in Middle and Senior College to commence the new College year in a positive and fun-filled way,” she said. “These experiences provide children with countless opportunities to learn how to cope with adversity, utilise survival skills as well as show pride in their accomplishments.”

The Sheldon students were all very excited to experience the camps and to tackle new challenges with the support of their peers and their teachers. Many life-long friendships formed will live on beyond the gates of the campgrounds.

This year’s Camp locations were:

· Year 5 – Tallebudgera

· Year 6 – Currimundi

· Year 7 – Maranatha

· Year 8 – Elanda

· Year 9 – Noosa North Shore

· Year 10 – Camp Kokoda

· Year 11 and Year 12 – Emu Gully