Camps and Tours are important learning
opportunities and experiences for students at Xavier. Whole cohorts of
students from Year Four through to Year Eleven participate in one-to-three-day camps at venues all over Queensland. In the senior school,
subject-based camps and tours are also popular.
Year 4 Camp
Year Four students attend their first school camp, a two-day, one-night experience at QCCC Mapleton on the Sunshine Coast. The camp provides students with opportunities to participate in a range of outdoor, adventure-based and team-building activities in a safe and supportive environment.
The purpose of the camp is to help students develop their independence, resilience and social skills while strengthening friendships and building confidence through shared experiences and new challenges.
Year 5 Camp
Year Five camp is held at Maranatha Adventure
Campground on the Sunshine Coast.
This adventure based two night/three-day camp is
designed to allow students to face challenges, while working together and
building teams, in a safe environment. Students participate in a range of group
and individual activities that cover creative, physical and intellectual
challenges.
Year 6 Camp
Our
Year Six students travel to Brisbane for their Leadership camp. As
Leaders of the Primary school they are spend time discussing and considering
the concept of leadership and discuss the importance of their role in the
College. During this time, they also visit Aussie Adventure World, Queensland
Parliament, the Spark Lab and the Queensland Museum. When sporting
fixtures allow they also have the opportunity to explore Suncorp stadium
through a guided tour of this magnificent venue before returning home to
Xavier.
This
two night/three-day camp is a wonderful experience for our students with strong
links to both the Australian Curriculum and the mission of our College.
Year 7 Camp
Year 7 Camp is at Maroochy Waterfront on the Sunshine Coast. This camp is designed as an opportunity for students and teachers to get to know each other on a more personal level. The camp goals are for students to appreciate each other from new perspectives and see individuals in a different light, that which might not always appear at school, as well as learning about themselves and what they can do, about others and what others can do, and what they can achieve as a group together.
Activities include dragon boating, kite making, stand-p paddle boarding and an Amazing Race. Activities involve cooperation, teamwork, imagination, tolerance, trust and confronting fears. The food is excellent and caters for a large range of tastes. Accommodation is extremely comfortable with 2 students per cabin with air conditioning and ensuite, with separate boys and girls' cabins.
Year 9 Camp
Year 9 camp is held at Luther Heights Youth Camp in Coolum. Luther Heights is an activity-based camp and whilst the activities are challenging and tiring, you are left with a real satisfaction at having mastered something you otherwise may never have even attempted. The activities range from zip-lining and high ropes challenges to escape rooms – there is never a dull moment on Year 9 camp.
The serious side of the camp requires the students to show high levels of responsibility and leadership; to work with other students, college staff and instructors to make the most of each activity; to include and encourage others and to create memories that will last for years.
Year 11 Camp
The Year 11 Camp is held at Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre at Noosa North Shore. The camp explores the theme of Leadership with students undertaking a rotation of activities that are designed to develop communication, team building skills, promote safe and responsible behaviour, challenge their ability to work together and make good choices. Highlights of the week included surfing at Noosa North Shore, indoor rock climbing at the Noosa Recreation Centre, students participate in valuable team building exercises, and the height activities are always challenging but fun for everyone.
Year 12 Retreat
The ‘Manresa’ Retreat is a 3-day 2 night experience for the whole cohort to enhance their understanding of their role within the College community and beyond. Ignatius gained most of his spiritual insights in the small village of Manresa in northern Spain where he lived for a time after his conversion. To make a Manresa, means to go on retreat. This experience draws the students towards the goal that all are asked to be the best they can be for the college, becoming aware of what gives us strength, through taking time to be with oneself and with the group. It will tap into the spirituality of the individual and the group as a whole. The experience will allow all to see this as part of their ongoing life, a journey in which we are walking with each other and with God. “Experience, reflect, act…. in the service of our Lord seeking the Magis.”