We deliver a range of school camp programs for primary and secondary students, which provide the opportunity for students to:
- Understand how being physically active positively contributes to their current and future wellbeing.
- Experience sporting and active recreation opportunities in a fun, safe and supportive environment that improves confidence and motivation to keep participating.
- Recognise that sport and active recreation can be inclusive and available to everyone.
- Enhance their resilience, independence and teamwork.
To make it a stress-free and enjoyable time for you and your child, we’ve put together this information to help you prepare.
Health and safety
Risk Management Plan Proforma (PDF, 1.03 MB)
Child safety
Protecting children from harm and abuse is a priority – we all have a role to play.
The Office of Sport is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children in sport and active recreation.
We commit to:
- Protecting children from abuse, neglect or mistreatment.
- Safeguarding children participating in our programs and attending our facilities.
- Listening to children, actively seeking their feedback and taking their concerns seriously.
- Treating children fairly and with respect.
- Managing risks to prevent harm to children.
- Having zero tolerance for misconduct that causes, or may cause, harm to children.
- Continually improving how we safeguard children.
Our commitment is for all children under 18 years, from all backgrounds and of all abilities.
We work with the sector, Office of the Children’s Guardian and other lead child safe agencies to help create a safe environment at our centres.
We have a Code of Conduct Policy and a Child Safe Professional Standards Policy that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of employees in relation to safeguarding children and the standards of behaviour expected from employees that work with, alongside or have access to information about children.
Our staff have all completed Working with Children Checks and National Criminal Records checks. All staff are mandatory reporters and complete child safe training on a regular basis.
Our camp staff are among the highest qualified in the industry and undertake extensive annual training. All our instructors have tertiary qualifications and relevant industry experience in outdoor recreation.
Our camp staff are trained and qualified in Bronze Medallion, first aid, CPR, asthma and anaphylaxis treatment.
We have comprehensive policies and procedures in place around food safety. Our catering teams prepare fresh food onsite daily and are experienced in catering for complex dietary issues, cultural needs, allergies, anaphylaxis and other medical conditions.
Our camps are registered members of Outdoors NSW & ACT – the peak body for Outdoor Recreation, Education, Therapy and Adventure Tourism.
Our Standard Operating Procedures for all our activities align with the Australian Adventure Activity Standards and Related Good Practice Guides.
Our Staff
Our camp staff are amongst the highest qualified in the industry.
- Our camp staff are among the highest qualified in the industry and undertake extensive annual training. All our instructors have tertiary qualifications and relevant industry experience in outdoor recreation.
- Our camp staff are trained and qualified in Bronze Medallion, first aid, CPR, asthma and anaphylaxis treatment.
- We have comprehensive policies and procedures in place around food safety. Our catering teams prepare fresh food onsite daily and are experienced in catering for complex dietary issues, cultural needs, allergies, anaphylaxis and other medical conditions.
- Our camps are registered members of Outdoors NSW & ACT – the peak body for Outdoor Recreation, Education, Therapy and Adventure Tourism.
- We use the Australian Activity Standards and Related Good Practice Guides when developing our activity Standard Operating Procedures.
Our camps have staff available on site 24 hours a day.
Medical and Consent form
Prior to camp your child’s school will provide you with a unique webpage link and further instructions to complete our online medical and consent form on behalf of your child. The information you provide on the medical and consent form will help us look after your child’s needs at camp. If your child has an injury, pre-existing condition, allergy, special dietary needs or is on prescription medicines, please provide full details on this form.
If you forget to include any information when registering your child, you can update their registration up to 21 days before camp. If you need to make an update after this time, your child's school must make a request to reopen the registration portal.
We will share the information you provide with your child's school.
Anaphylaxis
If your child suffers from anaphylaxis, they should have an ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis which has been prepared by their doctor. This plan will need to be uploaded when completing the online registration form. Your child’s registration will not be able to proceed without this document.
Children at risk of anaphylaxis need to bring at least one adrenaline auto injector. On catered programs, children with food allergies are required to wear an identifying red wristband. This is an added precaution to assist staff when managing situations where food allergens may be present.
Find out more about our processes and procedures for managing allergies and anaphylaxis.
Asthma
If you child suffers from asthma they should have an Asthma Management Plan provided by their doctor. You can provide this plan at the time of registration. Please ensure that they bring their inhalers to camp.
Medication at camp
Your child should bring enough medication for the duration of their stay. All medication should be in its original packaging and clearly labelled with your child’s name, the dosage and frequency.
You should discuss this with your child’s teacher as they will be responsible for making sure your child takes their medication.
Bed wetting
If your child is prone to bed wetting, please include this information in the online registration form and advise the school in advance. Our staff will work with the teachers to ensure the situation is managed in a discreet and caring manner.
If required, please provide a waterproof mattress protector.
Facilities
Accommodation
Students stay in comfortable rooms or lodges with male and female students accommodated separately. At least one visiting teacher will stay in a room nearby and will be responsible for the students overnight.
The teachers organise students into their rooms. This is usually done by friendship groups, age or school class.
All rooms are equipped with smoke detectors which connect to a centralised alarm system.
You can find more information on accommodation, including floorplans, by visiting the webpage for the centre your child is attending.
Food
Our qualified catering team prepare nutritious and delicious meals so your child will never go hungry at camp. We adhere to the NSW Healthy School Canteen strategy endorsed by NSW Education and have created our menu to include healthy meal and snack options that will provide energy throughout the day at camp.
If your child has any special dietary requirements or food allergies, it’s crucial that these are listed during the online registration process. It’s also a good idea to mention it to your child’s teacher before camp.
We take dietary requirements very seriously and implement extra precautions to ensure we provide suitable, similar alternatives to the main menu. We follow strict procedures in the preparation and service of those meals.
We are experienced in catering for allergies, medical conditions, cultural and lifestyle preferences such as vegetarians or vegans.
We understand you want to ensure your child doesn't go hungry at camp. Our priority is to keep everyone safe, so we ask you to refrain from packing any food for your child, except for when required during travel. Our catering team will make sure your child is well fed with healthy, tasty, balanced meals and snacks while at camp.
Activities
To get the most out of the camp experience, we encourage all children to participate to the best of their ability, however they will not be forced into participating.
Your school and our camp experts have worked closely on designing a program to meet your schools’ objectives. Your school will be able to provide you with the exact activities that your child will be undertaking.
The school will choose the activity groups for the camp and this is generally done by class or friendship groups.
To ensure your child's safety they will need to wear enclosed shoes, hat and sunscreen for all activities, including water activities. Please ensure that an old pair of shoes or water shoes are included in their luggage.
The daily timetable is structured to ensure the campers are supervised at all times, including teacher supervision at the accommodation.
If you have any concerns about activities, we recommend discussing these with you school prior to camp.
While your child is at camp
Behaviour
We ask that you discuss the Code of Behaviour with your child before camp.
Communication
If you need to contact your child while on camp, please contact your child's school to arrange communication with the onsite teachers and supervisors.
We generally don’t encourage children to phone home as this can contribute to homesickness. Your child’s teacher will be able to liaise with you and your child if necessary.
Mobile Phones
Use of your child’s mobile phone is subject to the school’s phone use policy, this includes when using their phone as the camera. As some of our centres are in remote areas, phone reception may be limited.
Packing for camp
Luggage
Luggage should be limited to one bag, equivalent in size to airline ‘carry on’ luggage, with a maximum weight of 10kg. A separate sleeping bag and a small backpack will also be required for each child. Remember, your child will be required to carry their luggage, so it is essential to make sure it is not too big or heavy.
Limiting luggage size and weight is especially important when visiting Milson Island or Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centres as your child will be required to catch a bus and a ferry.
Please label all luggage, clothing, towels and sleeping bag with your child’s name. Have your child help label and pack all the belongings they are taking to camp, so they fully understand what is in their bag.
Packing List
- Shorts and t-shirts (no singlets, sleeveless or midriff tops)
- Jumpers and long pants
- Socks and underwear
- Raincoat
- Three layers of warm clothing (winter only, or all-year round at Jindabyne, Borambola, Lake Burrendong and Lake Keepit)
- Pyjamas
- Swimming costume and swim shirt
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Two pairs of enclosed shoes suitable for activities (Centres’ water activities require shoes to be worn in the water) – please note that thongs and crocs are not suitable footwear
- Toiletries, soap, and insect repellent (no aerosols)
- Two towels (beach/pool and shower)
- Sleeping bag or doona and two single flat sheets
- Pillow
- Day backpack
- Plastic bags for dirty or wet clothes
- Medication (if required)
- Water bottle
If your child is attending a snow camp at Jindabyne please also pack:
- Waterproof pants and jacket
- Goggles
- Waterproof gloves
- Beanie and scarf
- Long, thin woollen or ski socks
- At least 3 layers of warm clothing
* Ski clothing can also be hired for an additional cost at our ski hire outlet.
Please note, we do not allow students to bring or use their own snow sports equipment, such as skis or snow boards.
If visiting teachers and supervising adults use their own ski equipment it is accepted, as per the terms and conditions, that the Office of Sport is not liable for any injuries or loss suffered due to the use of equipment that has not been supplied by the Office of Sport.
What not to bring:
- Aerosol cans (i.e. spray-on deodorant or insect repellent)
- All Food – Unless pre-approved by the Centre you’re attending
- Valuables including money, jewellery and electronic devices (The Office of Sport takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to a client's personal property, including money or other valuable items)
Preparing your child for camp
School camp is one of the highlights of childhood – chances are you can still remember your own. However, it's also true that for some children (and their parents) the thought of staying away overnight can create a little anxiety.
Talk to your child
When the opportunity to attend school camp arises, ask your kids how they feel about it. Are they excited by the idea? Do they have any fears? During this conversation you may be able to pick up on any anxieties or unnecessary mental obstacles, and reassure them with your own positive school camp experiences from your own childhood. Be positive by saying things like "this will be fun, you'll enjoy the challenges".
Reduce the sense of unknown
Ask the teacher if you can have a rough breakdown of the daily schedule at camp. This way you can help your child envisage all the fun activities and realise that there is a beginning, middle and end to their stay. Have them access the centres webpages so that they can familiarise themselves with the camp.
Practice sleepovers
Ideally, your child is used to the occasional sleepover at a friend or family members' home. If not, we recommend trying this in the lead up to camp so that you can remind them of their past successes.
Practice ‘independence' skills at home
Does your child do their hair, remember to clean their teeth, know how to apply sunscreen, make their bed? There are lots of simple skills they can practice to feel more confident about being away from home.
Prepare lists, and pack together
When you begin the packing process using the list above, have your child be involved. It's exciting for them to help prepare and pack and give you a great opportunity to have a chat about the adventure that they are about to undertake. It will also help them be aware of all the things that need to come back home again!
Communicate with the school
Your child's teacher has probably taken hundreds of kids to camp over the years. They understand that children and parents are stepping outside their comfort zones for the first school camp. Don’t forget to include important details in the online registration form as it may help your child have a better camp experience. Please contact the teachers who will be supervising your child to raise any concerns you have. They'll appreciate the extra information as it makes their time at camp easier too.
Encourage your child to speak up
Talk to your child about speaking to the teacher or one of the staff if they feel unsafe, uncomfortable or have any concerns whilst at camp.
Visit the NSW education department website for more tips on getting ready for school camp.