At Mount Waverley North Primary School, our school camps program provides students with opportunities to develop independence, resilience, confidence, teamwork and a sense of adventure through experiences beyond the classroom.
Our camping program begins in Year 3 and develops progressively as students move through the school. Each camp provides age-appropriate challenges and opportunities for students to spend time away from home, strengthen friendships, build positive relationships with teachers and peers, try new activities and experience success outside their usual learning environment.
We recognise that attending camp can be a significant milestone for children and their families. Our program is designed to gradually build students’ confidence and independence, beginning with a shorter overnight experience in Year 3 and progressing to three-day camps in Years 4, 5 and 6.
Camp in Years 3-6
Year 3 – The Ranch, Mornington Peninsula
One-night camp
Year 3 marks an exciting milestone at MWNPS, with students attending their first overnight school camp at The Ranch on the Mornington Peninsula.
The one-night experience provides a supportive introduction to school camping. Students have the opportunity to spend a night away from home with their classmates and teachers while participating in a range of structured activities in a safe and encouraging environment.
The focus is on building independence, confidence and positive peer relationships, while introducing students to the routines and responsibilities of being on camp.
This shorter first experience provides an important foundation for the longer camps students will experience as they progress through the school.
Year 4 – Camp Jungai
Three days, two nights
In Year 4, students progress to their first three-day, two-night camp at Camp Jungai.
Surrounded by State Forest, Camp Jungai provides students with opportunities to explore the natural environment, challenge themselves through outdoor activities and further develop their independence and teamwork.
A particularly valuable aspect of the Camp Jungai experience is its connection with Aboriginal culture and perspectives. Students have opportunities to learn about the natural environment, bush foods, plants and culture through experiences informed by local Aboriginal knowledge and connections.
Alongside these learning experiences, students participate in a range of land and water-based activities designed to encourage cooperation, resilience, problem-solving and a willingness to try new things.
Year 5 – Camp Coonawarra
Three days, two nights
Our Year 5 students travel to Camp Coonawarra in East Gippsland, set within approximately 140 hectares of bushland around Iguana Creek.
At this stage of the camping program, students are encouraged to take greater responsibility for themselves, support one another and challenge themselves through a broad range of outdoor and adventure activities.
Depending on the program, activities may include canoeing, flying fox, ropes courses, giant swing, archery, raft building, hut building, bushwalking, campfire cooking, initiative activities and team challenges.
These experiences provide plenty of fun and adventure while also requiring students to communicate, problem-solve, persevere and work effectively as part of a team.
Year 6 – The Ranch, Mornington Peninsula
Three days, two nights
Our Year 6 camp returns students to The Ranch on the Mornington Peninsula, but with a very different experience from their introductory Year 3 camp.
As our senior students, Year 6 students undertake a more challenging three-day program designed to consolidate the independence, resilience, teamwork and confidence they have developed throughout their primary school camping experiences.
Set across a large adventure property, The Ranch provides a range of outdoor challenges and group activities that encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, support their peers and take increasing responsibility for themselves.
The Year 6 camp is also an important opportunity for students to strengthen friendships and create lasting memories with their cohort during their final year of primary school.
A Progressive Camping Experience
Our camp program has been intentionally structured to grow with our students:
Year 3: First overnight experience → Year 4: Three-day camp and increased independence → Year 5: Adventure, teamwork and challenge → Year 6: Leadership, empathy, resilience and senior-school connection.
Across every camp, the emphasis is not on being the fastest, strongest or most adventurous student. Success might mean trying an unfamiliar activity, spending a first night away from home, encouraging a friend, taking responsibility for belongings, contributing to a team or having the confidence to give something a go.
These experiences are an important part of learning at MWNPS and provide students with opportunities to develop skills and memories that extend well beyond the classroom.
The program is planned and conducted in accordance with Victorian Department of Education requirements and the school’s risk-management processes.