Camps are an integral part of the Moerlina experience. Every year we organise a Whole School Camp and an Upper Primary Camp.
Whole School Camp
Whole School Camp is a unique tradition at Moerlina that began when the school was located in the Claremont Showgrounds from 1974 to 1994. Each year during the Perth Royal Show, the Moerlina community packed up the school and went away on a learning adventure.
Today the Whole School Camp is a highlight of each year, with children, parents and staff traveling, learning and bonding together over a three-day period. The cooperation and teamwork not only builds resilient children, but also a strong community.
Camp activities are dependent upon the location but include indoor and outdoor sports and games, cooperative games, art and craft, excursions, puppet shows, magic shows, discos and indigenous cultural activities.
Some of the places we’ve been include Woodman Point, Rottnest, Wattle Grove, Ern Halliday and Point Peron.
Upper Primary Camp
Each year the upper primary class has the opportunity to enjoy the rich experiential learning afforded by camp.
Activities at camp always have a strong link to the curriculum. Every year, the class visits a different site, each of which offers a different curriculum focus. Here are some examples of places we have visited:
- Kalgoorlie – culture and history of the Goldfields
- Coonana – indigenous culture
- Albany – history of the whaling industry and military importance
- Toodyay – bush and eco-studies
- Lancelin – physical education (specifically surfing)
- Dwellingup – physical challenge
- Coral Bay – marine ecosystems
Other benefits of camp for children include:
- Group bonding and social interaction
- Learning self-management skills
- Independence from parents, within a safe environment
- Facing challenges and managing fears
- Excelling in non-academic areas
- Active, experiential learning
- Fun!