It feels like an eternity ago when I was a small Year 9 on my way to my first school camp, so nervous I could hardly think. Everything seemed so large, confusing, and frightening at camp back in Year 9 – the abseiling felt like I was on Mt Everest, the kayaking felt like whitewater rafting, and even the rooms felt like mini-castles.
Now many years later, when I was lucky to return to camp, everything seemed way less scary and big than it once did. This time I wasn’t one of those terrified Year 9 students, I was the person in charge of looking after them. I remember back in Year 9 looking up at my Peer Support Leaders (literally and figuratively), and thinking I could never be able to do what they do, inspire others the way they inspired me, get everyone involved and participate the way they did to all of us Year 9s.
And yet at Mataī Camp 2024, I actually was one of those Peer Support Leaders and I had the time of my life! The feeling of responsibility over the Year 9s and watching them overcome the same fears I once had felt so much better than even doing the activities all those many years ago. As I looked into the eyes of the nervous Year 9s at the bottom of the abseiling wall, I saw reflections of myself at their age and that feeling was one of the best things.
I am so grateful that I got to return to Tōtara Springs for Mataī Camp 2024 as a mentor this time and I hope that in four years time, the Year 9 students that were on camp with me this year end up writing their own version of this as House Leaders and Peer Supporter Leaders.
Jaden Klopper, Year 13
Whānau Student Leader – Mataī
Camp will always be about new opportunities in either connections or experiences for Year 9s. Whereas for the Peer Support team and teachers, it’s about the opportunity to be a person that can influence the Year 9s in a way that better builds their confidence in the moment or in the long run.
This year was my third and final time I would return to Tōtara Springs for school camp. The last time I would be making ‘bets’ with the Year 9s just to help get them to try an activity that they aren’t too keen on. “I’ll do it, if you do it” was the game changer and was essentially that push for the Year 9s to try scary yet exciting new experiences. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be that influence and encourage them to just get out of their comfort zone. It definitely helped them come out of their shell and generally improve the atmosphere of camp for everyone.
It’s bittersweet to say that this was my final time visiting Tōtara Springs for school camp. I still remember the encouragement from my Peer Supporter Leaders when I was a Year 9 and without them, I would’ve never enjoyed camp the way I did and would have definitely been more on the introverted side compared to now. I only wish that the Year 9s of this year will continue being the great people I saw during their time at camp. I hope that when their time comes, they’ll give the same encouragement and push to whoever needs it so that they too, can also make memories that will last a lifetime.
Jasmine Langit, Year 13
Mataī Whānau Captain
