Camp Willochra – Day One

 After packing the bus the day before, we were (mostly) ready to head for camp on Monday morning.  However, the bus suddenly seemed very full once food, eskys, and other bits and pieces were added, so we made the decision to take our little car along as well.  Bravely, we placed ‘L’ plates on both vehicles, and our learner drivers took their respective places to drive to camp – with Carpenter driving our bus, and Daniel the car.

All went well, and we arrived at the campsite around 10:30 am.  Instantly, the games were brought out, and a round of Yahtzee started the week.  One by one the families began to arrive – old friends and new – some had been before, but for several of our campers, this was their first visit to the Willochra camp site.  The games continued in the dining hall – including a round of poker and more Twister entertainment.

Once everyone had unpacked, we proceeded to cook and eat dinner, and then it was time for the ‘official welcome’, where I took care of all the ‘necessary but boring bits’, such as reading out the rules and so forth.  Afterwards, we celebrated some birthdays.  One camper had turned 17 the day before, another had their 17^th on the 1^st day of camp, and a third would celebrate their 17^th in just over two weeks – so, we gathered them together for a cake and a round of ‘Happy Birthday’. 

Games night was then on the list.  I would describe the whole affair as being ‘semi-organised’.  I’d listed games night, and I’d brought along several board games, but as to what would actually happen on the night would be up to the campers.  Carpenter had a wonderful idea of beginning the evening by building a human pyramid, and many of the teens, children and even the adults plunged in, and they did quite well! Over the course of half an hour or so, several pyramids were attempted, including one just for the younger children.

Later, the games continued with many other activity-type games including ‘Tangled’, ‘Mafia’ and ‘Electric Shock’, where the ‘message’ to grab the towel was sent down the line by each person in the team squeezing the hand of the next one along.  And of course, these were followed up with even more ‘Twister’ hilarity.

All in all, it was a successful night, and a great start to the week!

Linda.