Imagine rowing a canoe in tropical rivers, surrounded by floating lily pads with intertwined banyan trees on the shore. As the oars lightly touch the still water, ripples spread out and misshape reflections. While immersed in the mediation of natural breeze, couples of kangaroos burst into sight and gaze around the bizarre creatures sitting in wooden vessels. When muscles start to sour and sweat rolls down to wet shirts, it is time to conjoin the boats for lunch. The sun moves down reluctantly and leaves the sky with burning clouds, replaced by a bright moon that emerges with stars to embellish the gradually darkened sky, signifying a right moment to berth. It might sound too perfect, but this breathtaking beauty and terrific fun were what I experienced in my first camp in Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales and many more Aussie students experienced in their camps.

Camping, an annual activity within the school curriculum, is a panic-inducing but beloved activity compulsory for all Aussie students. While we stress at the idea of hiking ten miles every day with a twenty-five-pound pack on in the bush, we ardently enjoy the fun from embracing the wildest nature and conquering authentic adventures.

We put up tents, cooked dinner in small pots, and built our bathroom; we played games around campfires, sang along with cicada, and stayed up for an all-night chat. We overcame difficulties as a group and had fun taking adventures.

As camping becomes a deeply rooted tradition in Australian adventurous culture, it is no longer a simple school excursion but a unique experience to lose ourselves in fun. Aiming to incorporate self-improvement into our life journey, this outdoor exploration challenges us to move out of our comfort zones in a positive, safe, and supportive environment. Under these circumstances, we can also develop life-long traits, such as self-esteem, confidence, tolerance, cooperation, and determination.

For teenagers like us, camping not only provides a recreational experience but also promotes our potential resilience that is never required by daily schoolwork. Before the camp, I could never imagine myself dragging a weighty canoe from the river to land, hammering huge nails to consolidate my tent against heavy wind, nor pinching an unknown insect to death before it runs into my meal. Shortly after the one-week adventure, I find myself able to lift large packages, utilise professional gear proficiently, and tolerate the coexistence with some creatures that I could not bear.

I cannot deny the challenges we suffered at first, but what will forever engrave into my memory is the friendship we’ve built and the fun we’ve had in camp. Ultimately, through stepping out from the worldly bustle and shaking off stressful hustle during camping, we discover pure fun in nature, pursue sincere communication with friends, and in doing so find our genuine selves.