The last weekend of the holiday saw Eric Stuart and I take part in the ATC bushcraft camp. I was assisting the Unit Commander Matt and officer in training Shelley with the event. The walk started in farmland and quickly got into bush at the start of the Kiwanis track just South of Kaitaia. The plan was to camp after a short walk and give cadets the option of dumping unwanted and heavy gear in vehicles before embarking on the second much longer day of walking.
Stuart and I had a night under a tarp, which I found fairly uncomfortable and cold. I had just had my back put in by the osteopath, so was feeling a bit vulnerable in my spine. In true military fashion, reveille was at some ungodly hour (0530) and the cadets cheerfully made a variety of breakfasts on the concrete pad shown in one of the pictures before being briefed about the walk.
The bush walk had been made more interesting by becoming a rescue exercise where some lost trampers needed to be located and made comfortable overnight. Grid references, compasses and maps were used and leadership opportunities given to the youngsters. It was interesting for me to see how much control Matt gave the cadets and how he devolved a lot of decision making to them. It obviously works because 20 teenagers gave up the last weekend of their holiday to do this walk. They ranged in age from about 13 to 18. Many of them are considering careers in the armed forces.
As it turned out our exercise mutated into a proper evacuation when one of the youngest cadets twisted her ankle and needed to be stretchered towards the road. Our route had to change from going deep into the bush and off the main track. It was still a good hike though and we all learnt how to make a stretcher out of trees and shirts.
We ended up at Ruth and Stephan's far,m coming in by vehicle at the front gate instead of walking into the rear of the place. The cadets took time to have a swim and then walked out to the paddock where they put up communal bivvies. I decided that it might cramp Stuart's style if I shared his bivvy and went to fraternise with the civilians at the farm house.
The next morning the campers were split into their two teams and took it in turns to bridge a stream with some bits of rope. They then climbed up the steep hillside. Again it was interesting watching them work as a team to solve the practical problem that they had been set. A real demonstration of hands-on learning that required leadership and teamwork skills.
That was 2 weeks ago now. Since then we have had school start. The clocks have gone back so our evenings are shorter now in terms of daylight. The sun is setting at about 5.30 and it is dark by 6. It is still pleasantly warm, without the punishing heat of Summer. It is also still dry as. We did get about an inch of rain on Tuesday, which did a little to get the grass growing. My veggy beds are still pretty dessicated though.
Last Sunday was ANZAC day and the boys were back at the ATC for an overnighter and an early morning. It is becoming an important part of our calendar here. They did the dawn parade and the 11 oclock community service as well. I went to that with Patrick. Our College head boy spoke along with the head girl from the other big school in town. They were both thoughtful speeches. I am deeply ambivalent about armies and the use that they are being put to in the world today. At the same time I am grateful that I do not live in a Nazi world. The NZ army tends to take on mostly peacekeeping duties in the Pacific rather than get involved in full on wars.
No pictures of Anzac I am afraid.
Until next time ...
