Year 12 ATAR Shark Bay Outdoor Ed Camp
The expedition started with an early 5.00am wake up, with most of the first day consisting of long 10 hour drive to Shark Bay. For the majority of the group, it was our first time visiting this World Heritage listed site and everyone was very excited for the week to come.
Shark bay is home to a large number of diverse and significant flora and fauna. On our second day of paddling we were lucky enough to come across and even paddle next to Dugongs, dolphins and a sea turtle, this was a highlight for everyone. It was also a moment to reflect on the natural beauty that surrounded us and how privileged we were to be witnessing this with a group of friends. After we had a quick lunch break on Baudin Island and enjoyed a snorkel and relax with friends, we went on to complete our kayaking practical assessment, testing our basic paddling skills and capsize drills we had learnt back at school. Followed by the second leg of the paddle into Double Beach for the night.
On our final day, with the weather being near perfect, we finished our 12km paddle in fine conditions and with smiles on our faces. During our debrief on the last night we reflected on the close bond we had all built during the week. We also considered how we could implement our experiences back into everyday life, as well as the new leadership skills we had learnt.
Our Year 12 expedition was one of the most significant and rewarding camps we have been on as a class, it was also a once in a life time opportunity for all of us. We felt privileged to visit the World Heritage listed site and overall the week was a very fulfilling and enjoyable way to spend the end of a busy Term 1.