The Road April 2018

BLAST FROM THE PAST: OUTWARD BOUND
Today’s students of Damascus College will have little knowledge of what
the Year 10s of previous generations went through each year during that
daunting rite of passage – Outward Bound.
For those unfamiliar with the experience, Year 10 students were thrown
right into the deep end with a ten day outdoor camping experience
like no other. Students spent each day walking, climbing, rafting
and abseiling and each night sleeping under a thin sheet of plastic.
Meals consisted of what they could carry and cook themselves, often
generously seasoned with dust and bugs.
Many students reported hating the camp, but curiously could not stop
talking about it afterwards. Even years later it is often one of the most
discussed topics at reunions and get-togethers. Many friendships were
born in the bush, with the shared experience bringing together students
who may otherwise have spent their entire school life walking past each
other in the corridor.
On return there were always many highlights with which to taunt the year
9s – the daunting day-long hike to the Fortress, the hike back carrying all,
yes ALL, of your waste and rubbish from the top (think about it!), carrying
everything you need for ten days in the bush on your back and let’s not
forget having to dig your own toilet every time (hands up, who wants to
carry the toilet shovel in their pack for ten days?)
Each year on returning – stinking and exhausted – from the bush,
students were asked for their opinion on the experience. The following
are a great representation of the general feelings expressed:-
“We made it!”
“I never want to see Ryvitas with tuna and cheese again”
“I have never been so dirty, smelly and disgusting in all my life, and I have
to tell you I absolutely loved it!”
And finally, overheard from one mum to another on meeting the returned
travelers off the bus “Oh my God – the smell”.
Above: Survival guide, written by Outward Bound Survivor
If you speak to any survivor of the 10 day Outward Bound experience
they are bound to point out that our current Damascus College Year 9
students have it easy – only 5 days out in the bush, it’s Club Med really!
Natasha Adams
Damascus College Archivist
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