Account 1

“Out of the twenty-nine year 11 boys who sent off to Colo last Sunday, I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to go back down for three days on the YR11 Outdoor Education Leadership program. Most of the boys did not know what to expect and thought we would be walking into a nice couple of days canoeing, rock climbing and mountain biking but like many we were wrong. We had a jam-packed three days of learning what it is to truly be a leader and what qualities and attributes are needed to gain that status. From Mr Bryant’s lengthy explanation of not to lead like the drill sergeant from “Full Metal Jacket” too Mr. Walkers great performance in a first aid scenario, we all got a clear and precise ideology of how to be a great leader for the younger years when we head off as Colo leaders thought the year. We all had an amazing time and grew a greater bond with each other through teambuilding activities and general laughs. Our time there was wonderful and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Account 2

“Myself and 28 other year 11 boys were selected to partake in the annual Joeys year 11 Outdoor leadership camp, running from the 3^rd of February to the 5^th. We arrived on Sunday morning and began with a quick debrief on what we were going to be doing for the next couple of days, before our canoeing trip along the Colo river. We learnt how to help someone who had flipped their canoe and other safety measures which would enable us to help out the younger boys in the future. We then began our rock-climbing course, which involved learning how to belay other boys and climbing up the sheer rock face’s ourselves. The next day was followed by mountain bike safety talks and recaps on how to ride safely/ correctly. We would then go out riding as a group along some different tracks and paths around located around the property. The next activity was the high ropes course which again we were debriefed on how to belay properly before being allowed to partake in the climbing ourselves. The next day was more about how to work as a team and the different leadership qualities we need to show and display when helping the younger kids in the future. This was in fact what the main aspect of the camp was, how we in year 11 could go along with the year 7’s or 8’s in their school camps and provide assistance and expertise in all aspects of the camp, along with being good role models and leaders for these students. So overall, we went along and learnt all about leadership qualities and prepared for our trip up with the younger years in the coming weeks”.