The 2023 Dusty Boots trip to Wellington was a transformative experience as I was enabled to serve and grow over the week-long camp. My favourite experience on the trip was the day that we spent at the PCYC running activities and interacting with children for their holiday camp. As someone who genuinely enjoys spending time with and taking care of little kids, interacting with the kids at the PCYC was fruitful as they were so enthusiastic about the activities that ran throughout the day. Listening to the kids was also insightful, as they seemed to spend a lot of time together at the PCYC, since their parents worked through most of the holidays. It was heartwarming to listen to and watch the kids play, laugh and argue because it helped me to see the impact that trips like Dusty Boots have. Although the PCYC would have still run the Children’s Holiday Camp and these kids would still be meeting up every holiday, I wouldn’t usually have the chance to talk to and look after these kids, and I wouldn’t have been able to make such warm memories seeing the kids in their community, nor would I have had to experience the bittersweet heartbreak of the kids sitting on me so that I wouldn’t have to leave. Seeing the impact we had on the regional community, as well as each other, was the end reward of Dusty Boots. Whether it was raking acres of land, clearing an entire yard of vines, running games for children, or even just singing at church, it was so satisfying to know that as an individual and as a team we can make a difference. I will forever treasure the memories and connections I made with my peers on Dusty Boots, and I hope that future Dusty Boots teams will experience the same joy and satisfaction as they continue to serve regional communities.

Ava Kobus (Year 11 Student)