Running a camp involves many moving parts. To help everything run smoothly, make sure everyone involved understands their responsibilities and expectations.
Role of accompanying teacher
Accompanying teachers are responsible for:
- pastoral care
- helping to organise some camp tasks, such as mealtime set up and cleaning
- helping to manage the group during specialist activities
- potentially running activities such as art sessions and evening activities
- minor first aid issues such as cuts and scratches.
Teachers do not need to actively assist with specialised activities, which the camp staff manage.
Role of camp staff
Camp activity staff run specialist activity sessions. Teachers usually need to help manage the group during each activity.
The camp catering team is responsible for menus and meal preparation.
An on-site camp manager ensures smooth running of the camp. Teachers can contact the manager for any after-hours assistance.
Camp staff manage incidents during led activity time, including potential:
- significant first aid
- hospitalisations
- evacuations.
Copies of documentation associated with any incidents requiring first aid or other intervention will be provided to the school.
Role of school before and during camp
The camp provider will send the school full details of what is required well in advance, and work with the school to make this process as easy as possible.
The school must:
- provide detailed and timely medical and dietary information for all participants
- nominate an ‘on call’ person to manage communications with parents should an incident take place.
Parents will not be able to contact the camp directly, nor should students be able to contact parents directly during the camp. This allows students to focus on the experience and prevents uncontrolled information spreading to the school community in the event of an incident.
Parents and volunteers on camp
Parents and volunteers can bring real value to the camp experience. Ideally, parents should not be present with their own children as this will hinder the children’s independence.
All volunteers, including parents, must have current Working with Children checks and must comply with camp rules such as no smoking or alcohol.
Catering
Camp catering staff pride themselves on providing tasty and nutritious meals and can accommodate most dietary requirements, including allergies and preferences. All dietary needs must be communicated to the camp well in advance to allow for menu planning.
Activities
Activities may include games, team challenges, hiking, ropes courses, archery, and canoeing. All activities are designed to help students learn how to work together, recognise individual strengths, build confidence and fitness, enjoy the company of friends and make new connections.
No student will be made to push themselves too hard, but all will be encouraged to have a go to the best of their ability.
Safety
All venues taking part in the Positive Start in 2022 initiative:
- have met strict quality and safety criteria
- are accredited by industry recognised bodies
- apply evidence-based best practice Child Safe and COVIDSafe standards.
Reviewed 04 May 2022