Class 8-9 have just returned from their camp on the North Coast of NSW. Over the year we have been studying water in our world and this camp was dreamt up to give an experience of water from rainforests, rivers, creeks and waterfalls to the ocean.

We visited different places to experience and observe, and have some fun and challenging times along the way. Camp at Kindlehill is a rich experience. We seek to meet young people deeply. I wanted to share some of my reflections on what this means in the context of this camp.

When we are learning experientially, connecting to a place, using our senses to draw it in, it awakens love within us, and with this a sense of responsibility toward place.

I felt this on our first morning in Dorrigo rainforest. We stood above the canopy then walked in among vines, ferns, giant trees, moss and fungi. Water was present all around us moving through the living world. We took some time to do a sit spot then share what we had seen. As we walked out, I noticed the kids were more grounded and happy. They might not have noticed it, but they were more awake. Look at this…do you think I could swing on this vine? What’s that sound? Wonder had snuck in, their hearts were open and they could feel the connectedness and aliveness of the living world around them.
I felt this too as on the Never Never. We waded in to the pristine water to look at water bugs who are signifiers of water health; everyone was completely present with the activity and their curiosity- their whole being involved!

There is a sweet spot for the teacher when your class comes together and you notice them moving as a whole. It is always the hope that everyone has a place. Something I strive for is to awaken curiosity in young folk. So that rather than judgement when they meet difference, they say, “that’s new, tell me more!”

Camp offers an opportunity to get to know others in your class better; to move beyond who you think they are and to see them shine in their strength or vulnerability.

On the third night of camp we went for a night walk. The moon was gently tangled in cloud, high in the sky and giving the world a gentle wash of grey scale. The class streamed out onto the beach, together, crisscrossing and weaving, finding each other in the shadowy night. I wondered, why do teenagers love walking at night but not in the day?

I spend a lot of time each day asking this class to make a circle, to sit together and to come in closer. Before we headed off to the beach, I sat down with Gitai to look at the moon. Before I knew it, I had a perfect circle of young folk with me, every one close and full of togetherness. Everyone was included and everyone belonged. It was delicious! I noticed it, but it took them a bit longer. Then “why are we sitting here? “ someone asked, and the moment was done, and off to bed we went.

My personal sense is that it takes a lot of will to build a healthy community and care for place. Convenience is everywhere, and it is so inviting. When young folk work together to create camp, cook for each other, check in and care for each other’s needs, clean up, pack up, carry a heavy load together, there is a sense of satisfaction that comes in. It is an achievement and experience of capacity that is important in knowing what you can do! These guys did an amazing job of carrying all our gear to walk to our camp site at Crowdy bay. It was quick, efficient and embodied the word teamwork. Maybe it was a good set up for the epic beach soccer afterwards! I felt a real sense of pride in them for their effort and ability to work together, for each other.

It is the deepest privilege to work with young folk in this way. It can be quite hard and exhausting for everyone at times; there are always bumps and challenges. But as I reflect on it; I’m excited by the richness and the way camp connects us to country, others and ourselves. I hope that these experiences settle somewhere deep within young folk and in the years to come they remember and know the value of caring for country, being curious towards others, and that they are resilient and capable of magnificent things.

Sarah