OutdoorED Four Day Fieldtrip
Fourth Year students from the University of Wollongong have experinced four days out in the wilderness and this blog gives you the opportunity to give you a peak insight into one individuals experience during those four days.
Welcome
This Blog is based on my personal experience during a four day field trip for Outdoor Education 2 in my fourth year of study at University. Please respect my disclosure of thoughts, feeelings and attitudes.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Why Blog?????
I have found blogging to be a fantastic interactive way to reflect on experineces. I was able to capture the entirety of my trip, add in any photos and write about all the things that i was feeling and thinking. I would recommend it to any educational experience and any subject manner. It has the potential to enhance students' ability to recognise thoughts, feeelings and attitudes which can help them identify behaviour changes, learn of things that make them happy or things they need to work on as an indivdual. Once i got the hang of how to blog it was a very time efficient tool and user friendly. All things associated with blogging have been positive and enjoyable which are all aspects a teacher wants in a classroom and educational setting.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
The Final Day Caving
So the day of caving has arrived. I am worried and feeling a bit lost as i can not seem to realise or determine how i am going to feel whilst in the cave. i am willing to go in with a peace of mind that it is going to be a great experince.
Whilst in the first cave i am feelin quite comfortable yet once we got to a certain point i began to feel anxious and uncomfortable, almost at the point where i wanted to literally run out of the cave but that is impossible. the feeling of being trapped was lingering in my mind and i was really uncomfortable. I began to have an anxiety attack and had to be calmed by my group members. I didnt enjoy the aspect pf caving and i am prouf that i completed the first cave but the thought of doing it again just haunts me. Another group member was also feeling similar and we shared a great moment outside the second cave and helped one another through the healing process that was needed after the exoperience in the first cave. Ian was also a great mentor and drove me to challenge my fear and wait for my team to come out of the cave, guiding them in darkness. at first i was feeling unsure but i soon got use to it and enjoyed helping others. so thank you to everyone who made this trip possible and unforgettable.
This experince would be a great way for students to discover themselves, build courage and strengthen friendships.
Whilst in the first cave i am feelin quite comfortable yet once we got to a certain point i began to feel anxious and uncomfortable, almost at the point where i wanted to literally run out of the cave but that is impossible. the feeling of being trapped was lingering in my mind and i was really uncomfortable. I began to have an anxiety attack and had to be calmed by my group members. I didnt enjoy the aspect pf caving and i am prouf that i completed the first cave but the thought of doing it again just haunts me. Another group member was also feeling similar and we shared a great moment outside the second cave and helped one another through the healing process that was needed after the exoperience in the first cave. Ian was also a great mentor and drove me to challenge my fear and wait for my team to come out of the cave, guiding them in darkness. at first i was feeling unsure but i soon got use to it and enjoyed helping others. so thank you to everyone who made this trip possible and unforgettable.
Day 3 Orienteering through Belangalo State Forrest
We have finally arrived at the point
of the adventure that I am most looking forward to. Nicole and i have partnered up again and i am so ready for another journey. throughout the event i am so excited and full of anticipation. We are successful in the orienteering and so proud of our achievement. we got to see so many cool things along the adventure which made it so enjoyable. at this point i am feeling a bit tired but looking forward to a shower and marshmellow dessert.
a few of my favourite things along the way
the final night was a lovely way to finish off the trip before our biggest day tomorrow where we are going caving. we had a marshmellow dinner, met a little friened of the hut, watch the sunset during a night orienteerin experince and share stories amongst the group. i am feeling home sick but the bond that i share with everyone is strengthening my will power.
bring on the final day i say..!!!!!!
Day 2 Night Canoeing
Story of the ghost trees
The trees have been banished by human
nature, little did we know that we are floating through a sacred stretch of
water. Intense energy of sadness, disappointment and sorrow is apparent in the
air and I am beginning to feel all of those emotions within myself. The silence
of the night, the pure darkness, the gloomy air and the endless sky creates a
world of stillness and mourning. The trees are like a village that has been
frozen in time and each and every one of them symbolises an effect of the
event. It was as though the trees had their own face, sad, crying, disappointed,
grieving, devastated and anguished. These all describe their expressions. It is
as though they want those who visit them to remember the torment that they encountered.
As we left I gained a feeling as though they were sad that we were leaving them
but as a sign of respect pass their existence on to those who we know so that
they will never be forgotten.
such an inforgettable experince you cannot capture the entirety of the experince unless you are there, but i have shared the story with countless people.
Day 2 Canoeing to Beehive Point
It was a late start and I was feeling
a tad anxious. I had a bad canoeing incident when I was young and I have
carried the fear with me since that point in time. However I am determined to
complete this task and overcome my fear. Nicole was a great supporting partner
and instructed me and guided me through the experience. We had some great
laughs, quiet time and a few snacking moments and I thoroughly enjoyed the time
we spent in that canoe. Amazing how a supportive friend and beautiful scenic
views can hinder a fear and allow for further encountered experiences to occur.
We arrived at camp just on dark, the temperature is rapidly declining and we
are keen to set up camp and get warm. I am feeling a great sense of achievement
and frankly quite proud of myself. I am so eager for night canoeing it is
unbelievable!
ready for the adventure
This picture is my favourite from the trip. Where the moon meets the sun. I just love it
Day 2 Attempted River Crossing
The river at this point seems to be a
lot more powerful so the boys have volunteered to attempt a crossing. Unluckily
it was unsuccessful, but to see their will power and determination to help the
group out was inspirational. They gathered the canoes to take us across the
river where our next adventure will begin.
Day 2 Navigation to Tallowa Dam
I am involved in the same group as
yesterday so I am feeling confident and ready to participate in the next
challenge. Navigating our way along the rivers edge to Tollowa dam. I have
found that the strength within my group is a unconscious motivator for our
groups progression. I have made a note to utilise this in my teachging
environment and allow students to work within groups that they trust and enjoy
working with. We are again successful and are given the opportunity to see this
amazing sublime dam, it is like nothing I have ever seen before. I could not
believe what I was seeing. I have captured the true greatness of the Dam via a
video which I have attached to this blog post. I recommend this experience to
anyone who enjoys and adores the wilderness and fantastic visual structures.
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