Op die 14de Februarie het die landsdieners van Hoërskool Aliwal-Noord voor die skoolsaal saamgedrom, elkeen met ‘n onnodige groot tas, gereed vir die lang pad. Vol geesdrif was al die kampeerders in die bussies ingeprop en het hulle uiteindelik om 14:00 na ‘On–Track Adventures’ naby Hobhouse vertrek.
Nadat die kampeerders by die kampterrein tuisgeraak het, het hulle begin met spanbou-aktiwiteite en mekaar beter leer ken. Die instrukteurs was baie vriendelik en gretig om te sorg vir ‘n onvergeetlike naweek. Terwyl die son gesak het was daar heerlik aan die kerrie en rys gesmul. Dit was die ideale geleentheid vir ‘n baie bekende landsdienstradisie – lantern bekruip. Buk en bekruip, saggies loop en dan vinnig plat val, was alles deel van die taktiek om op die ou end die lantern te raak.
The next morning, the campers were rather slow to get started, but after a quick shower and breakfast they were ready to grab the day. The instructors made sure that the morning was very entertaining! Everyone got a chance to zip-line and play paintball with slingshots. After lunch, there was a big Volleyball game, where the Blue and Yellow teams battled it out to earn points for their ‘Potjiekos’ competition.
Next was the famous “Ottergat” obstacle course that required physical strength and a huge team effort! The Blue team won the obstacle course with the best time of the day and they earned a lot of points. These points were used to buy ingredients for the “potjiekos” competition. The judges were impressed by the ‘spice’ of the entertainment each group provided with their “potjiekos”. It added some flavour to the weekend. After the “Potjiekos” competition, the campers listened to the stories of a real game ranger. The campers had the opportunity to learn more about anti-rhino poaching and the crucial role nature conservation plays in South Africa.
Sunday morning started very early with a few Mind Moves activities to jumpstart the day and after Bible study the campers were treated to a delicious bacon and eggs breakfast.
The campers would like to thank ‘On–Track Adventures’, the instructors, and the teachers who ensured that the weekend was educational and enriching.
-Wium Smit