SHANTYTOWN!
Ruma Ruru and Kereru year 5s, were heading for Shantytown for an overnight camp. Today was Thursday, the day that I had been looking forward to for the whole year. I knew that I was not going to get any sleep at night because it would be too frantic at night. As we headed up the driveway and into the parking place, I could not bear the excitement. Brooklan, Isabella and I were fortunate enough to be in the same car.
Heading In
We had to wait outside because this lady called Ms Alison told us all the rules. Then we were allowed to go into Shantytown and start our morning school lessons about the Chinese gold rush in Otago. After about another hour of some activities we had some of our lunch. There were horses and stilts that you could play on and me and Isabella were quick enough to get a horse each.
The Unfair Game
After we finished up at the school house we got to start playing some games. The first one we played was with spray painted rocks and hula hoops. Then Ms Alson walked around and threw spray painted rocks on the ground and then gave a hula hoop to each group. She started to explain the rules for us and they were not that complicated at all. She told us about how the Chinese were often abused for skin colour and tone. When we started the game I could see why there were often fights about certain things on the gold field.
Spotlight
When it started to get dark Ms Barrow explained the rules. I was planning to hide with my friends and I knew the perfect place. THE GRAVEYARD. When I told my friends about hiding there they seemed excited but I was getting a bit nervous. The first round started and we ran off to get a good head start before the parents came looking for us. We changed the plan about hiding in the graveyard and decided to hide under the carriages instead. It was so much fun until Brown came in and I started to get goose bumps! Then all of a sudden he shone his torch right in front of our eyes and said “I see you little rabbits” and we all screamed. The second, third and fourth ones were just as much fun and one time we were even found last. The night was very eerie and I can still hear the laughing screams.
I really enjoyed the experiences we had there at Shantytown and I hope to have them again.