Event report: Junior summer camp

Friday 19^th - Monday 22^nd January

Ern Halliday Recreation Camp, Hillarys

The OWA Junior Summer Orienteering Camp was held at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp, Hillary's. A team of OWA coaches led activities on site and nearby sprint ‘O’ maps for three days and three nights.

Commencing on Friday afternoon, Sten had an orienteering exercise covering most of the Ern Halliday Map, recently updated by Nick. After dinner, Rachel organised indoor orienteering related activities for the juniors to test their knowledge and skills.

Early Saturday morning began with everyone enthusiastically running down to Whitford Nodes Park. This was followed by a yummy breakfast of eggs, sausages, and bacon. Next was a bus trip to ECU Joondalup, where Sharon and Riley had prepared challenging activities and the juniors could use SI air. There was one drama at this location: a huge branch on a big pine tree had snapped and was hanging precariously, right where we had runners. So, a coach had to redirect everyone from walking under it, until security arrived.

Back at camp the juniors experienced the sport of Archery, a difficult task of shooting arrows into a target with bows. The only junior to hit the very centre of the bullseye and score a massive 50 points was Max from Sweden. Then, it was off to the Hillarys MetrO Event, set by Nick. In the Metro Results, the juniors from the camp dominated the top places in all the Junior Classes and Medium Senior Male. Edmund, Imogen, Eckart, Ruby and Liam all came first in their class. The night time activity, organised by Lois, required orienteering in the dark using torches, where the pairs had to walk, locate the centre of the circle, then make up the description of the hidden feature on the map.

Come Sunday morning and, after a run and breakfast, we headed to Minim Cove, Mosman Park for more challenging orienteering exercises set up by Mark and Tom. Once again SI air was used. Back at camp the juniors had an exhilarating trip on the Flying Fox. Then everyone had a swim in the sea, in warm water, with a strong sea breeze and some choppy waves. For Max from Sweden seeing a snake on the path back to camp was a highlight. After dinner, Liam ran a well-researched and executed Camp Quiz.

Monday morning, after two very full-on days of non-stop activity, the now very tired juniors had modified runs, but some still had energy for a swim. After breakfast, everyone helped with a big clean of the dining hall and the dormitories, before being picked up by parents.

Many thanks to the coaches and parents who assisted with the camp. Rob (Camp Director/bus driver), Lois, Sten, Rachel, Craig, Mark, Tom, Sharon, Riley, John (First Aid), Nick (Lifeguard), Tim and Amanda who all contributed to the operation of another fabulous Summer Camp.

Photos: at the camp, by Rob West.