The Amazing Race

“HURRY UP, HURRY UP!” said my classmates all around me, well even I’m yelling that! We are in the middle of the “Amazing Race” at camp Kaitawa, I’m in my camp group “Titans”, we open the 1st clue, it says go to the netball court & spell someones animal name out of sticks & twigs. My group & Anthony (Olivia’s dad) (we each get a parent to help & guide us) decides to do my animal name; lion. We reach the netball court & grab some sticks & twigs, we make the word lion. 

We get our next clue, it says to have to go to the kitchen & make fudge.We reach the kitchen & start making the fudge, there was nothing to mix with so I said; “use our hands!” I said. Josh & Marcus do the mixing. We make the fudge & put it in the fridge. 

We earn the next clue. It says we have a choice to do either do Mr. Moriarty’s boot camp or a thinking challenge. A team decision; we all decide to do the physical challenge. There at the netball court, is Mr. Moriarty. He tells us to do 20 press-ups! only 2 of us have to do it, Josh & Marcus do the press-ups. Now me & Marcus have to do 20 star jumps.  

“Alright we’re done” says Josh. Now we have to go to the confidence course & conquer the big wall. Marcus goes first, has a little help from Josh & Hemani. I go next, Josh & Hemani help me  over. It was a challenge but we didn’t give up. “How about Anthony helps us” says Marcus. “”No, ‘cause we might need his help later & he can only help us once.” replies Emma. Josh & Hemani help me over & believe me we so far my team have been encouraging so much. I get over. Then Emma, then Hemani, then Josh. We open the next clue; it says to go to the hallway at camp & put together a puzzle. 


I help Josh open the envelope & get the pieces to the puzzle out. We start making it, Hemani was the one who found the most places to put the puzzle in. “Finally we are finished” said Emma. “You guys have been so encouraging to each other” said Anthony.

The next clue said to make 2 people in our camp group to get in the kayak & rechreave the next clue. Josh said he would do it, “I wanna do it except I’m not a fast kayaker”. I said. “neither am I” replied Emma. “Hemani’s probably a faster kayaker than me” said Marcus. “alright I’ll do it” replied Hemani. We try pushing the kayak into the water but we just can’t. “Anthony can you help us” said Marcus. “No you have to just keep on trying.” Anthony replied. “Find, we can do this” said Marcus.

“FOR TITANS!” I yelled, we pushed the kayak into the water,

“Alright, now that’s what I’m talking about” I said. I start a chant on the deck,

“LET’S GO TITANS, LET’S GO! *clap clap clap*, LET’S GO TITANS LET’S GO! *clap clap clap*” I chant. Marcus & Emma join me.

Josh & Hemani are back with the clue.

“great work guys” said Marcus. We open the clue with intense minds. It says; unscramble these words to find the final destination: awkl hte rwie rbigde.

“The first one must be lake” said Josh.

“No it can’t, there’s no “e”” replied Marcus.

“Marcus is right, & there’s a “w” in it” I replied.

Maybe it’s walk?” said Emma.

“It must be” replied Hemani.

We figure out what it says, “cross the wire bridge”. We run to the confidence course. We approach “the wire bridge”. We have gotten half way across. My foot slips. I fall. I was so close, but I collapsed just at the end. We make it across, & we find out that, WE CAME 3RD IN THE AMAZING RACE! We took a photo To bad I had my eyes closed! & walked back to camp; PROUDLY

Well today was the last day, but it was also the most FUN day at camp. We may have come in 3rd, but we don’t care, at least we had FUN! And there’s still the "Burma-Trail" coming tonight!            

Camp Reflection

Reflection for Camp

My goal for camp was: To complete every challenge that came my way.

I achieved this because: I did not give up or  think I couldn’t do it.

Something I was pleased with was: Not missing out on anything & completing every challenge.

                            

Because: I have barely done the stuff I did at camp, & there was never 1 moment where I didn’t have fun.

I really enjoyed learning: How to have a great time in the outdoors.

                

Because: I have never done what I did at camp before, except for a few events.

Something I found hard was: walking long walks.

Something that made me think was: giving up, or not? Doing this, or not? Also deciding what to do, “Lou’s look out” or the “Burma-Trail”?

Because: I had to think of my safety, or having fun? And I had to decide how to end the FINAL night of camp.   

· My top 5 favourite things about camp were:

Favourite Things	Reason Why
1. The Confidence Course.	It was really challenging but fun.
2. The Amazing Race	There was so much running & thinking & we had so much fun.
3. Rope Challenge/Caving.	I had so much fun doing it & the caves were a challenge, so that made it even more fun.
4. MasterChef.	My team won & we had so much fun.
5. Rock Hopping.	It was a awesome & fun experience.

My fave pic from camp:

Because: At this point, I had completed every single thing that had happened at camp, other than the Burma-Trail, which was going to happen later that night (& there are no photo's of the Burma-Trail). 

I hope you liked this & please comment :-).

Confidence Course

“Well that’s done” I say to myself as I cross the skipping stones or manhole like things at the confidence course. I reach to logs & monkey bars, & I complete them. I reach a wall,

“I don’t think I can do this” says Tyrone.

“I don’t think I can but I’ll give it a go anyway.” I reply. I climb the wall (it had holes in to put our feet & hands in. It REALLY helped) I push myself to the top of the wall, so does Tyrone. There, standing at the bottom was Mr. Moriarty. He asks if he can take a photo! I look at the camera & the photo is taken. After that I push myself over the wall & land hard on the ground, I continue.

I reach the next challenge it’s a triangle like wall, (It’s soo EASY!) I reach a few car tires. We have to go over, under, over, under until the tires stop. I struggle through but I make it. But now there’s something that I don’t think I can do. There, standing in front of me is a wall that has a a small side, & a BIG side.

“OH. Gooood, there’s an adult to help us over.” says Ellis. I get over the wall with some help from an adult.

Next came a log that didn’t look easy to cross. Lucky for me I play TMNT on PlayStation 2. I get across step by step. I reach a rope net wall (I don’t know what they’re called, spider web wall maybe). “It’s really challenging, but I can DO IT!” I say to myself. I get over the net wall & I start to run. I find a wire bridge. And there’s no line. I get a cross I nearly fall but I did it.

Sadly that was the end of the confidence course. When I get back to the

beginning I find out that we can go again! Liam is there & so is Richard (Cameron’s dad) I say something to them; “I wanna do that again” I tell them, & I do!

Rope Challenge At Onepoto Caves

“OK, everyone who wants to go back to camp. Stand on this side. And everyone who wants to do the rope challenge stand on this side.” Mr. Moriarty said. I couldn’t decide which side to go to. I was tired & cold. But my camp goal was to complete every challenge. EVERY SINGLE CHALLENGE. Besides the rope challenge actually sounds REALLY fun. I decide to do the rope challenge.

“Inderpreet, are you doing the rope challenge as well?” Dylan asks me.

“Definitely!” I reply.

“Everyone going back to camp follow Mrs. Hill. And everyone doing the rope challenge come with me.” Mr. Moriarty said. We walk over to the other side of the cave. Mr. Moriarty started counting & naming everyone, so we know who is going & if everyone is here when we leave.

We walk into the cave & go down a ladder. Kids & parents were nearly at the rope. Ms. Hill was talking about going up a rope & going down it. I’ve gone down a rope before, but barely up one. When we stepped inside. I kinda wished I was still at the waterfalls!

We struggle our way through the cave. A microscopic but shallow river comes. Everyone cross the shallow water & get their shoes & socks SOAKED, while Dylan & me put our back against the cave & our feet on the opposite side & climb across. “WOAHHH!”  Suddenly Dylan collapses into the water. I become really nerves.

“DYLAN, ARE YOU OK?” I ask.

“I’m find......... I THINK!” Dylan replied. I make it across the water without getting wet.

“Inderpreet be careful there’s a really big hole that you do NOT want to fall in.” Dylan told me

“Thanks for the advice.” I replied. Finally it is my turn. I grip the rope firmly. I lean against the wall & take a step down. Ms. Hill guided me. I did what I was told. I put my foot on a rock. The wall stopped. I think I’m falling but I’m at the bottom. The next thing that we have to do is climb through a narrow gap. I make way in. Head first, feet last. I’m almost through.

“UGH!” I yell. I think I’m stuck!

I struggle but I don’t give up.  

“I can do this. I CAN DO THIS!” I say to myself. I pull myself through the gap. I'm out, & ALIVE!

“Everyone turn off their torches.” Ms. Hill said. We turn off our torches & woahs echo the cave. Fascinated, we all stay quit. We are speechless. Glow worms, all over the roof of the cave.

“This is AMAZING!” Yelled Crighton.

“I know.” Replied Henry.

Soon we walk out of the cave.

“That was awesome, I’m SO  glad I did this.” Said Cameron.

“Everyday camp gets better & BETTER” Said Dylan.

“I know. I can’t WAIT for what’s in store for tomorrow!” I reply.

And now everyone feels like we can conquer every adventure that will challenge us, at this camp.      

MasterChef & Wednesday Reflection

“Quick someone crack the egg” shouted Josh,

“I’ll do it” I said, in about 5-6 seconds I cracked 2 eggs & put them in the pancake mix.

“Marcus you mix the pancakes I’ll find a place for us to cook them” said Josh. We were in the middle of MasterChef at camp Kaitawa, I’m in the Titans & we’re making pancakes for brunch. Earlier today a new speacailingreadiant was introduced to the teams, it was 2 dairy milk chocolates. Josh (the leader of our group) got an amazing idea, it was to grade the 2 chocolates & spread them over our pancakes when they’re finished. Marcus was finished mixing & we decided it was time to take them outside & start to cook them, I got the bowl of pancake mix, Josh got some plates, Marcus got a spoon or something like a spoon to put the pancakes into the pan. Hemani got our camp books. Emma was at our cooking area with Narrell (we got an adult with us, ours was Dylan & Tyrones mum). Marcus got to make the first pancake, but it was kinda small so we decided to make pikelets.

It was done, Narrell made the judges pancake. It was finally finished. “Hemani & Emma set up the judges plates with the pancake on it, I’ll cut some pineapple slices.” Said Josh.

“Me & Marcus will spread the chocolate on the pancakes.” I replied. We start working again. After a minute or so we’re done.

“YES! We’re done.” yelled Marcus.

“Quick get them inside” Replied Narrell. We go inside.

“Good we’re just in time”. I started eating my pikelets. I finally finish eating, the judges announced “You may eat our food now.” I was so happy that I could the food that we made for the judges. they tried it & I think they liked it so that means I’LL like them. We turned around & when we did MARCUS WAS EATING OUR FOOD! Me, Hemani, Emma, Josh & Narrell all yelled

“MARCUS!” We are mad. We are HUNGRY! Well not really ‘cause we already ate our food. I volunteered to clean our groups dishes.

“YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!” My team & the V8 Jelly Beans were happy. Suddenly Marcus ran up to me. He held my shoulders. He started jumping around. He started yelling,

“WE CAME 2ND, WE CAME 2ND, OH YEAH, WOO!” My mind blew up with excitement.

“Did we really come in 2nd?” I asked.

“YES! Take a look at the scoreboard.” Replied Marcus I took a good look. I am so happy. I started jumping around as well! I went outside into the dining room. I saw one of the V8 Jelly Beans & congratulated them on 1st place.

It’s been about 2 hours now & we are getting ready for lunch. We are making spaghetti sandwiches with mashed potatoes inside them. We waited patiently for the judges opinion. Everyone did. The judges told something to Mr. Moriarty. Mr. Moriarty wrote something on the board. Then he showed everyone. THE SCORE. We had WON. Titans had actually won. Well actually. We had TIED. In FIRST! It was Titans 17. And the Leopards. 17! I was telling my team before that “I think the Leopards should win. There presentation of their dish is AWESOME!” And I didn’t really care that we came in a tie. But I was glad that we are in FIRST place in the overall score!

We have just gotten back from the 800-1,000 year old Rata Tree. I climbed through it! Everyone did. But the walk was REALLY long. And REALLY steep.

We are ready for the dinner part of MasterChef. Me & my team are making meatballs, roast carrots with peas, roasted mash potatoes & noodles. I couldn’t really help cook 'cause I was washing the dishes, but I made a few meatballs. We added a secret ingredient. It was peas! I washed the dishes, & I actually washed about 10-17 dishes! I think I took about half an hour ‘cause (we are in lead so we got the shelter area to cook our food) the meatballs are done! The only thing left for me to do is fry the pineapples.

“We’re done. Inderpreet can you take the pineapples?” Josh asked me. “I’ll do it” I replied. We take the pineapples & rush inside. we start setting the food. We all set our food differently & whose ever's the best. They present that plate to the judges (Only we did that ‘cause it was our idea!). Mine was picked. We start eating. Soon we present the food. Everyone waits patiently for the judges opinion.

We made our dessert & apparently lightning bolts won.

There was so much tense. Finally. The judges announced their opinion. And we came................ 2ND! We were only 1 point away from 1st but then. We all realized something. Something that was shocking to the other camp groups. And dream come true. TO US! WE WON MASTERCHEF! My team is so happy. We are high fiving each other. We are so excited. We are yelling like animals. We walk to Mrs. Hill & claim our certificates. I’m so proud, of myself. And my team. We won, together. Teamwork, is what brought us to the top. Teamwork is what gave us, VICTORY!

And hopefully teamwork helps us in the future as well.

Something I Enjoyed Was: Climbing a Rata tree, especially the fact that it’s over 800-1,000 years old!

Something I Had Fun Doing Was: Living a day of “MasterChef”. Cooking the food by our self with an adults guidance made it even better than it ALREADY WAS!

Something I Found Challenging Was: Climbing & getting to the Rata tree.

Something I Was Proud Of Was: Winning “MasterChef”, it was so fun & I was so proud of myself & my team (Titans).

Night Detective & Tuesday Reflection

“I can’t see, Marcus. Is that you? It’s so dim.”

“Then turn on your torch & yes it’s me,” replied Marcus

“Oh, right”. In one flick I turned on my torch. “Man, at first all I saw was darkness, & now all I see is trees!” I said to myself. We were all alone, the Titans (my camp group), me, Josh, Marcus, Emma, Hemani & Bridget, Bridget was our adult for “Night Detectives” at Camp Kaitawa.

“Guys look what it says” said Hemani, at once, all of us said “Michael”. It was a message. And it was actually kinda creepy because the ghost of Kaitawa’s name is Michael! We  were all standing still. Our torches flashing at the laminated paper. We are shocked & feel like we don’t want to move. They don’t tell me that but I can see it by the way they’re standing there glaring at each other. “THERE’S ANOTHER PAPER” yelled Marcus. We go back & start reading what it says. “Noonan”, once again we have been shocked, It’s “Michael Noonan” said Emma, I could tell Emma & the rest of us were getting scared, & I couldn’t blame them I was kinda freaked out as well!

“Wait a minute” said Josh “doesn’t this look like Mr. Moriarty’s writing?”

“It does” I said,

“Well we can talk a little further ‘cause here comes the next team” said Bridget,

“Bridget’s right, let’s go” Hemani added.

Every step we take we get closer to figuring out the answer to the reason we’re out here & we also get closer to wetting our pants with fright! “Well it looks like this is the mystery, Michael Noonan welcomes you to camp may return on a full moon night have fun!” I said.

“I see light, well not really but I see the exit” said Marcus with excitement,

“ Great work” said Bridget.

“YAY WE MADE IT” said Emma happily,

“alive.” I added.

Suddenly we heard a voice. “Congratulations for completing the “Night Detective” guys, how about a quick photo?” It was Mrs. Hill. We got ready for a photo, “There’s probably someone who’s gonna come out of the bush & scare us” said Emma pretty scaredly.

“Probably MICHAEL NOONAN!” said Marcus trying to frighten her. We took a photo with Bridget,

"Now do one doing a scary face, so we did.

"Now do one doing a scary face", Mrs. Hill added, so we did.

And when we went to Mrs. Hill, she had a beetle kinda thing, on her CHEST! Right under her neck & she didn’t even notice, I backed away quick, I just hate cockroaches, beetles & the list just goes on! Bridget flicked it of Mrs. Hill’s chest, she said we can walk back to camp now.

And we walked away alright, FAST! We caught up to the V8 Jelly Beans. So far all we have thought about was Michael Noonan. “Maybe Michael NOONAN will come around the corner & scare us” said Marcus.

“Man if he came around the corner & scared  me I would run away from him like he’s a hungry lion!” I added

“he actually sounds scarier than a hungry lion!” moaned Marcus, “don’t be such babies” added Josh.

“GUYS WE’RE HERE!” said Emma,

“Hu, so I guess no one was gonna jump around the corner & scare, AHHHHHHHHHHH! MICHAEL NOONAN, AHHHHHHHHH! He-he, just kidding”. I replied.

“MAN, YOU NEARLY SCARED THE STUFFING OUT OF ME” yelled Marcus.

We stepped inside & walked into the kitchen, we were the 2nd group finished, Mr. M  was there, “write down what you saw on the papers in the forest” he told us. So we did. Michael Noonan welcomes you to camp may return on a full moon night have fun. He said we were wrong! He said we missed Kaitawa & he.

“Well at least we had fun.............................” I said cheerfully. Everyone was staring at me. “Well we didn’t actually......................... OK well I did”.

“I had fun” replied Josh.

“So did I”. Added Hemani.

“Who didn’t have fun” Marcus added.

“It was scary. But FUN” Emma replied.

It was over & we got ready for dinner, & tonight was a night that I will never, forget.

Tuesday Reflection                

Something I Enjoyed Was: Touching a baby Kiwi for the first time

Something I Had Fun Doing Was: Rock climbing........................ Well rock hopping.

Something I Found Challenging Was: Walking to the rock climbing area & back, because it was a really steep track.

Something I Was Proud Of Was: My bravery & never give up attitude at rock hopping.

Camp Zero Gravity, IMAGINE!

Here I am, in the “Forest Of Darkness” of “Camp Zero Gravity Electrifying”. Apparently BigFoot is after me, something about not giving him any free SubWay! What am I going to do next? I’m gonna go change my pants! OK. I’m in my cabin, I’m sweating so much that I’m eventually gonna flood the whole island with sweat! Well if that does happen, BigFoot’s coming down with me, ‘cause at least I know how to swim

Man, if this is happening ‘cause of my wish to live a day of real life zombie tag, looks like wish come true, well kinda. Now I’m in the SubWay outlet at “Camp Zero Gravity Electrifying”, I figured if I’m gonna die I’m not gonna die hungry! Now I bet if my brother was here he would be saying “Inderpreet, don’t eat SubWay you fatty! You already had enough KFC!” Well it’s a good thing he’s not here, & a great thing that I own this camp, so can eat this footlong SubWay for free. SMASH! “OH NO.................. I dropped my SubWay! YOU MONSTER” I yelled at BigFoot, wait BIGFOOT! “AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Suddenly BigFoot was after me again, & even worse... I WAS STILL HUNGRY!

Soon I had screamed & ran so much that I eventually threw up! Then I stopped & thought, “hard to believe that used to be a KFC Zinger Burger”, I had just said to myself when I turned around & BigFoot was standing right there, & There was no way I was gonna step in my own puke! I was cornered & BigFoot approached me, & just when I thought he was gonna eat me alive he showed me a piece of paper. At first I was so confused but then it made sense, BigFoot wasn’t  after me for free SubWay, he was after me to give me his money for the 10 footlong SubWays he had for breakfast. So he gave me the cash & he was of. Man that was a waste of half hour!