The staff of Camp Yarramundi would like to thank you for choosing the YMCA as the

provider of your school’s Outdoor Education program or school camp.

We appreciate the work involved with organising camps and hope that this document will

assist you in this process. Furthermore, through careful planning and preparation we can

ensure that your program will run smoothly and safely, that the aims and objectives of the

program are met, and that all involved have an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

There are numerous forms provided here in that detail medical information and personal

details of campers. In line with strict new “Campsite Accreditation” requirements, it is

essential that the forms provided are sent home, filled in, summarised and forwarded to

camp, for every camper attending the program.

The teacher’s and camp co-ordinators look forward to providing you and your group with

an experience they will never forget.

Sincerely,

YMCA NSW

Outdoor Education Team.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Your child’s school has chosen to visit Camp Yarramundi, the YMCA NSW’s Outdoor Education Centre near

Richmond.

The YMCA has been running camps and Outdoor Education Programs for over 35 years and maintains a

progressive approach to providing opportunities for children to have fun and develop skills & personal

qualities through interaction and challenge in the outdoors.

This is achieved through sequenced programming, and by matching adventure and challenge to the skill

and ability levels of children of all ages. By utilising the very best facilities along with qualified and

enthusiastic staff, we are committed to ensuring that every child attending our programs has an enjoyable

and valuable experience in a safe and caring environment. All of our programs are run in line with our core

values of honestly, caring, respect & responsibility.

Program Dates: Monday 19 March 2018 to Wednesday 21 March 2018

Departure Time 9:00am (please be at least 15 minutes early for marking of rolls

Return Time 3:00pm In time for School buses

Cost: $265.00 Deposit $50.00 Payable by 19 February 2018

Balance of Camp to be paid by 5 March 2018

More camp information will be sent out in the first few weeks of Term 1 2018.

We look forward to providing your child with a valuable and enjoyable experience of a lifetime.

Blaxland High School & YMCA NSW Outdoor Education Team

CAMP GUIDELINES:

Never leave camp or activity areas without permission Respect others after lights out. There should be no need to leave your dorm / cabin after lights out

All activities must be supervised by an instructor and a teacher

Every group is responsible for the ongoing cleanliness of their rooms, and the camp in general.

Listen to and follow instructors’ guidelines and instructions Do not tamper with Fire Fighting equipment. Damage will incur a minimum charge to the individual of $280.

Closed in shoes and a hat must be worn at all times Do not enter out of bounds areas detailed upon arrival

Respect male and female areas. Enter no room other than your own

Drink water only from the identified tank & carry a water bottle filled before each activity

Respect the natural environment. Please use the bins provided and do not damage the bush

Please do not run around the campsite

No pocket knives, glass, or valuables please (this includes iPods, mobile phones, etc)

Fires are to be lit only by instructors in designated camp fire areas

All accidents/damage to equipment must be reported. Wilful damage must be paid for by the individuals involved

Swimming is only allowed when supervised by a camp instructor

The food is plentiful, so please refrain from bringing lollies etc. No gum please.

Activities are only to be accessed during allocated activity time

GEAR CHECKLIST: Sleeping bag and pillow Sturdy closed-in shoes (to be worn at all times while at

camp – thongs/sandals are not appropriate for day wear)

Water Bottle 2nd OLD pair of closed-in shoes in case your shoes get wet (or to be used if kayaking)

Raincoat / Wet weather gear (regardless of forecast) Sandals with a back-strap can be worn if kayaking (not thongs)

Hat T-Shits

Sunscreen Shorts (suitable for harness wear)

Day Pack (small back pack for day walks etc) Underwear and socks

Torch Long pants (appropriate for the season)

Toiletries Jumpers / Jackets (appropriate for the season)

Insect Repellent Pyjamas

Towels (2) Swimmers (appropriate for season)

Camera (optional) Garbage Bag for Wet / Dirty Clothes

Souvenir money and coins for vending machines (optional)

NB: Please nametag all items and please ensure all medication is labelled clearly and passed onto the organising teacher

Abseiling: A 10 meter high abseil tower for personal challenge and achievement, building self esteem and trust. Natural face abseils can be arranged for expedition programs.

Alpine Rescue A ground level obstacle course with a series of challenges and scenarios promoting teamwork, trust, leadership and communication. Requires full group cooperation, no room for individuals here!

Archery: We teach the basic skills and techniques for shooting on the range.

Artificial Cave Maze: An amazing teamwork and bonding activity for all ages – including primary schools. Campers move through a series of obstacles in an artificial caving system, and degree of difficulty can be carried according to age.

Bushcraft: This program can include shelter building, cooking out, learning how to build a fire and teaching basic bush survival skills.

Camp Out: This is an offsite camp out experience. Groups discover how to survive in the bush and are required to cook their own food. Trangia cooking stoves are supplied.

Kayaking: Our kayaking program is conducted on the beautiful, meandering Grose River. We teach the basic strokes and techniques and paddle downstream. Quiet & unspoilt by powerboat traffic this is the ideal activity for environment awareness and appreciation, while being great fun.

Flying Fox: Feel the thrill as you step off a 10m high wall and fly 100m through the surrounding bush. The Flying Fox provides an exiting personal challenge along with building on self confidence and a sense of achievement.

Giant Swing: This is a 20 metre high harnessed swing. “Challenge by choice” is the key here with the swinger in control of the release. A great team building activity as the rest of the group is required to “haul” the swinger to the top. A definite “WOW” factor that challenges swingers to face their fears.

GPS Orienteering: Combining new technology with old school navigation skills to find your way to different check points. Participants work in teams, communicating, problem solving and having fund during this activity.

High Ropes Course: Our challenge ropes course requires participants to make their way around an aerial obstacles course. Climbers are harnessed and work in pairs to manoeuvre around the course. Overcoming fears and stepping outside the comfort zone are all important.

Initiatives: Problem solving, creative thinking, teamwork and communication are the keys to these activities. Although less physical than some of the other activities, this is an important activity for establishing cohesive teams.

Low Ropes: Our low ropes course is a series of challenges, ropes and obstacles, conducted just a foot or two off the ground. Great for building confidence, trust and teamwork.

Orienteering: Teaches participants how to orientate and read the map but also promotes communication, team building and problem solving. Learn basic map reading skills as you navigate around camp. Great activity for groups up to year 8.

Rock Climbing: Onsite we have a 10 metre artificial wall with climbs to suit all ages and levels. Goal setting, team work and trust are the focus with the teams of belayers protecting and encouraging the climber.

Night Activities*: These programs can include a disco, talent quest, games night, trivia quiz or campfire. A guest speaker can be arranged for special interests at an extra cost, including aboriginal culture, a reptile presentation (with actual reptiles) and so on.

Sports*: Cricket, soccer, football, basketball, volleyball equipment all available for use.

Swimming*: Swimming pool.

Multi Group Challenge: This activity requires the group to work together, communicate and problem solve. Each obstacle must be completed before moving onto the next challenge.

Vertical Challenge: Designed to challenge pairs of climbers both physically and mentally, this activity has you climbing up 15m in the air. It is a team belay activity that focuses on communication and encouraging others.

All activities NOT marked with an * must be run by q1ualified camp instructors.

Guests wishing to use the pool without YMCA instructor supervision must provide evidence of a current First

Aid & CPR qualification.

Individual Items :

Camp Yarramundi T-Shirt $15.00

Camp Yarramundi Hats $10.00

Water Bottles $10.00

Carabiner Keyring $ 5.00

4 Values Wrist Band $ 4.00

Florescent Erasers $ 3.00

* please note that the above items are subject to availability