Year 5 Camp Ibis

Year 5 students are introduced to Camp Ibis, the College’s own camp, and the Gippsland Lakes.  During the camp students are actively involved in all aspects of camp community life, including cooking, cleaning and helping around the site.  Students learn independence and self-organisation in getting prepared for each activity and day.

Students will spend some time with the class, investigating the flora and fauna of the area, looking for tracks, scats and actual animals.

On site there are several fun challenge activities to promote teamwork and leadership.  Students will also learn the basics of canoeing on the protected waters of Duck arm, in front of the Ibis lodge.  On site we have a series of mountain bike trails to teach and extend students skills in mountain biking.  At Camp Ibis we have our own beautiful 40’ motor boat which will take the class over Lake Victoria to 90 Mile Beach.  Here students can explore the ocean and coastal environment.

During camp students will spend some time looking at indigenous perspectives of the Gippsland Lakes through art, music and dance.

Every class is also accompanied on camp by two Year 10 Leaders. Year 10 Leaders have been selected as enthusiastic role models for our students, with the aim of building lasting relationships with their Year 5 class.

2024 Dates:

Tuesday 19 March to Friday 22 March – classes 5V and 5Z. 

• Monday 25 March to Thursday 28 March – classes 5X and 5Y 

• Tuesday April 16 to Friday 19 April – class 5W. 

Day 1
Students arrive at school at 8.30am, meet at the South Road gates and travel by bus to Camp Ibis. Upon  arrival , students will set up their beds in the base camp tents (next to the lodge and amenities) and familiarise themselves with the site. The students then break into small groups for an orienteering challenge – exploring and navigating their way around the Banksia Peninsula.

Day 2

In the morning, students will participate in a session investigating some of the culture and history of the land they are exploring with local Gunai-Kurnai people.

At lunchtime it is all aboard the Eucumbene 2 for a boat ride to Raymond Island, to see how many koala’s we can spot in the sanctuary there. We also head over to 90-mile beach for some fun games on the sand before heading back for dinner.

After a delicious dinner, torches out for a night walk – hopefully spotting some local creatures.

Day 3

In the morning students will have a canoe session in the tranquil waters of Duck Arm, paddling out from the Camp Ibis jetty.  A quick morning tea to replenish energy levels then head off on a mountain biking adventure around Camp Ibis and the Banksia Peninsula.

We will enjoy a relaxing afternoon of some group challenges/initiative games, and an art project to wind down and reflect on our time at Ibis. Students artworks will be displayed at Camp Ibis for them to view again in the years to come.

Day 4

A quick pack up, then challenge yourself on the Ibis ‘ninja warrior’ obstacle course.  Morning tea at the lodge before getting on the bus for the journey home, stopping for a delicious salad roll enroute in Rosedale.

Note that some groups / classes may do the above activities in a different order, and that activities may be altered in accordance with weather conditions.

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