MILL VALLEY RANCH

Blaring music and exhilarated chatter could be heard from Melbourne as the Year Sevens left for Tynong North. Our journey began in Geelong on the second of March. Oh, and what a marvellous journey it was. Upon our arrival, we experienced the thrilling feeling you receive just before you start an adventure, the feeling where your heart’s in your throat and you can’t sit still, even though your legs are asleep from the two-hour bus trip. The atmosphere was buzzing as everyone stepped onto the ground of Mill Valley Ranch. Our eyes were alight with excitement. We were happily introduced to some of the Mill Valley Ranch staff; Aaron, Kim, Sam and Hannah. They were wonderful people who made the camp even more enjoyable. We didn’t waste a second once we were all settled in. Our cabins, day groups and teacher leaders were announced and we were all given a badge as a souvenir and to make learning everyone’s name easier for the camp staff and teachers.

Some of the activities we completed throughout the camp included; archery, initiatives, horse riding, ropes course, raft building, craft and on both nights we had a late-night activity. On the first night, we all travelled through the bush on a night walk. Up through the tangled bush, we ventured, loving the crunch of the damp pebbles beneath our feet, the biting cold that attacked every inch of our bare skin and the glorious stars above. They looked as if someone had sprinkled glitter onto the emptiness of a blank page to light up the night. On the second night, we watched the inspiring movie, Ride Like a Girl. The movie showed us how women, with hard work and determination, can do anything they put their minds to.

We ended the camp exhausted, but we came away with memories that will remain in our hearts and minds forever and friendships that will last a lifetime. Thank you Mill Valley Ranch for providing the amazing experiences we will never forget, and to the Sacred Heart staff for making this opportunity possible. We are all so grateful.

Harper Allchin 7FBO