Phill at the Weil Super camp

Two weeks ago Julie and I and some talented friends of Julie’s, spent a few days in the bush.

Lou, Sue, Janine and Julie -Is that a halo above Lou's head?

Why?
As you know from the blog last week, it was the 4 Schools camp hosted by Weilmoringle School.

What a great time from the start!

(Well, a bit after the start. I was busy on Monday so had to leave at 4.30 am Tuesday even to get there just after it started! ).

Did someone say "Emus?"

It was pitch black as the van and I rolled down the drive.

 As we went along a light start to rise behind me.
 It was sunrise but  I was on a dead line.
                           So -no photos!
                           Not even emus…..





Later I stopped for fuel and some coffee and just after that, Julie checked in. “As I drove along would I think of some games for K/1’s for Julie to do?”

Next thing -drama at the Weil turn off -the patch work on the ute window started to open. After 3 goes I entered the school zone, parked the van, got my bag of tricks and then –

First class – “Tag your it!”

It was full on till the afternoon!!

Overlooking the school COLA in the shade of the tree.

At Lunch - the flies were like-IN YOUR FACE- my hands were like wiper blades in a monsoon. One scoopin’, the other shooing.. ……..Glad I eat fast! I felt for the little kids who had to keep getting their plates back when they hit them off the table. BUT ….. Julie had a plan. Many scoffed, some even shook their heads (Lou) but we made a fly screen from an old tarp and some rope.

 Life was much better!..... “Did we gloat?”.........”Noo?”

 “Yes siree !” We did.

It was great to watch children and staff reform or start, new friendships. The classes where mixed so Weilmoringle and Enngonia made the bulk of the numbers in each group. Wanaaring and Louth had only a couple of students but it was for them, a very helpful time getting to mix with more kids.

Tennis, Drumming and Singing - plus on 2 days- Painting a Mural on the walls outside the girls and boys toilet all hands in…… (or on.)

As Julie said in the last blog, we provided the Easter story with a time to try some of the Last Supper elements and to nail a letter or a picture to God on the cross, thanking him or saying sorry.

Later, I also ran some games- team building fun- “Watch out for the croc!  And he is coming !! “

For me one of the high points was the conversations with the staff and children, talking about experiences growing up in isolated areas with few opportunities to mix with those your own age.
People really appreciate the opportunities of these camps to try new things and meet new people.

The other high point was hearing Dream Time stories from Aunty Josie, learning about scar trees and what they mean then eating emu* cooked in the ground , talking to Jack about the best bits( which Josie and the others made short work of)….and Johnny cakes -yum O!

Footy practice

Long days but so worthwhile- we gave and they gave; partnerships, learning from one another, no two sets of rules, a level playing field -just all mates.

I see this as a sharing of God’s love, not just in the Easter story but in the giving of those who came to help and those who hosted the event. The children gave us their respect and friendship and some very cute moments. - “I don’t want to drink blood” and “Jelly man” smile, Jake's willingness to just take on the world at three, even the Footy training with "Gilly."

Julie helps prepare the johnny cakes.

                  Thanks to all who dug deep past their needs to share for the Common Good.  

            Remember the bus? Well, here it is, doing it's job transporting children from place to place.

  *More on emus

Emu on the menu

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!