Making Connections on Camp

In March, Year 7 spent their camp week at Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp, paddling, hiking, zip lining, scrambling, building, grilling, toasting and snorkelling. Set in the Sai Kung West Country Park, camp was a time to connect, to see old friends join with new as part of the AISHK community, and to grow as a cohort of young people.

Throughout the week students participated in groups with a designated DragonFly leader and AISHK staff member. Every day was scheduled from dawn to 9:00pm with activities, reflections, indoor, outdoor and active adventures. Student reflections include words like unity, connection and friendship. There were also quite a few mentions of “uphill” and “exhausted”!

I helped another student during canyoning and we also partnered up during kayaking and I think we worked quite well together. We chatted together and that’s how I made a new friend.

At camp there were teamwork activities that we needed to be able to work with each other and help each other on.

I was extremely scared when we did canyoning because it was so high and slippery. I made it in the end, but it took encouragement and some deep breaths. I learned that you can get through scary things with some encouragement and meditation. I also learned that teamwork helps as well.

When we got back to school two days later, I saw everybody in a whole new light. Instead of being the new student, where everyone was the sameconfusing, random, maybe not that friendly - I was able to see the core values and personal uniqueness of each and every one of my cohort-mates.

Camp has helped me develop strong bonds with my cohort, and I am very pleased with everything that has happened. No regrets. Camp is something that everyone should take part in.

We developed lifelong skills from just the Dragolympics, teaching us exactly what to do in times of failure, conflict and stress.