When was the last time you tried something new? Something that perhaps pushed you a little outside your comfort zone? Where you had to trust someone else or at least trust the process?
Many of our Year 9’s could answer that question by saying, "last week". On Monday November 2, 78 Year 9 students headed to Bungonia National Park to spend a week in the great outdoors. Many had never camped before, and the idea of having nothing but a thin piece of material between them and the outside at night was a little daunting. One of the early challenges was working out how to cook a meal on a gas stove. It was interesting to see the variety of meals prepared as they worked together to create 'somewhat' healthy meals. There were a number of pretty impressive culinary creations.
One of the goals of the Year 9 camp is to give students the opportunity to challenge themselves and face their fears in a variety of ways. Whether it was through stepping off a cliff and trusting the professional holding the abseiling rope, or crawling in a cave deep underground and trusting that those in front of them knew the way, students found themselves needing to trust in someone else.
Orienteering taught the importance of using a map and a compass - knowing where you are and where you are going. With the rain settling in on the Tuesday we were unable to do the traditional walk down into the canyon. However, a few brave souls chose to take on the eflux hike on Thursday and were able to explore the boulders before trekking back up the steep mountainside, discovering that going up a mountain with slippery shale rocks, is sometimes a bit more difficult than going down the mountain.
Sometimes life is a little like that. We find ourselves in situations where we’re out of our comfort zone and we’re not quite sure what is going to happen next. One of my favourite Bible verses is Psalm 94:18, “The minute I said, ‘I’m slipping, I’m falling,' your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.” Sometimes we choose the adventures in life, and sometimes they hit us when we least expect them. I love this reminder that we never have to face anything alone.
Not only is God with us through His Holy Spirit, He has also given us His Word to help us understand where were are in world history and where we are headed. Just as Year 9 learned the power of resilience and courage that comes from overcoming challenges together, may we also be brave enough to try something new and remember that we are never alone when we choose to be friends with the King of the Universe.
Miss Karlie Fraser
Stage 5 Coordinator (Years 9 & 10)
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