Years 5 & 6 Father Daughter Camp: Building Bonds and Creating Memories
Over the weekend, Years 5 and 6 dads and daughters from our community gathered for a memorable experience at the annual Father Daughter Camp at Woodman Point. This eagerly anticipated event is designed to foster stronger bonds between dads and their daughters while offering a range of engaging activities for all to enjoy.
The primary aim of the Father Daughter Camp is to provide a platform for fathers and daughters to spend quality time together in a fun and activity-based environment. It gives students the chance to mix with other students outside their friendship groups and for the dads to get to know other dads in our community.
The fathers and daughters gain a lot from this special experience. For dads, it is a unique opportunity to connect with their daughter’s friends and their dads, strengthening community ties while witnessing their daughters thrive in new environments. Meanwhile, the girls relish the chance to break out of their usual social circles, forging new friendships and embracing challenges that push their boundaries.
This year, the camp saw an impressive turnout, with 100 girls and 98 dads in attendance. Of these, 166 participants opted to stay overnight, immersing themselves fully in the camp experience, while 32 chose to join as day trippers, still eager to partake in the day’s festivities.
The line-up of activities catered to a variety of interests and skill levels. From archery and the flying fox to rock climbing and vertical challenges, there was no shortage of adrenaline-pumping adventures. The Department of Sport & Recreation led the first four activities, ensuring expert guidance and safety throughout. Additionally, T-shirt painting and bike riding provided opportunities for more leisurely pursuits, allowing dads and daughters to create cherished mementos together. A treasure hunt and movie night added a touch of excitement and relaxation to the schedule.
Reflecting on the camp, many dads found the highlight to be the precious moments spent with their daughters, observing them interact with friends and relishing in their joy. For the daughters, the excitement was real as they shared their favourite experiences, with activities like the flying fox, raft building, archery, and rock climbing ranking high on their list of highlights.
As the camp came to a close, it was evident that bonds had been strengthened, memories had been made, and new friendships had blossomed. The Father Daughter Camp continues to be a cherished tradition, reinforcing the importance of family, friendship, and shared adventures in our school community.
A very big thank you to Johann Pretorius, Hayden Bairstow and Alex McConville for their organisation of the camp. Also, to Dave De Rossi, Chris Golding and Trevor Noske, who helped out behind the scenes to ensure a successful camp, even though their daughters have now moved on to high school.
The 2026 Year 6 Camp
Year 6 camp at Cahoots Adventure Camp gave the girls a few unforgettable days of challenge, laughter and growing confidence. From high ropes and archery to movie night and shared free time, it was a week full of small wins, stronger friendships and stories they will keep retelling.
The Women We Keep Close – Jennifer Oaten
Female role models for girls help shape identity, belonging and emotional wellbeing. This article explains that daughters learn not only from their mothers, but also from the wider circle of women around them, including relatives, friends, mentors and boarding staff. It argues that these everyday relationships quietly influence how girls see themselves and what they come to value.
Weekly Wrap Up – Term 2, Week 3
Boarders Week, science discovery, Year 6 Camp and Mother’s Day celebrations made this a joyful week at Santa Maria College. See how students embraced leadership, curiosity and connection through experiences that brought our community together across campus.
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
