23rd February 2015
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
This time next week we’ll be enjoying the picturesque scenery of Glentui and the company of peers, colleagues and parents at Glentui Meadows Camp. This notice is to give you the final pieces of information in the lead up to camp.
Firstly, thanks to those parents who volunteered to assist us at camp. All parent helpers have been notified by confirmation letter.
A reminder that camp fees were due today, Monday 23rd February. The cost is $175 per child.
Monday 2nd March
Students will need to be at school by 8:00am, so that we are able to do our final checks, get the buses loaded up and be on our way by 8:30am. Students will need to have a packed lunch with enough food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea in it. They also need a jacket, drink bottle and sunscreen packed in their daypack. Students must be wearing their wide brimmed sunhat on the morning so that we can check that each student has one. NO CAPS please!
Students are allowed to have their iPods/MP3 players while they are traveling on the bus. This equipment will be collected from the students as they arrive at the camp. All cellphones and iPod/MP3 players will be kept safe by the teachers for the duration of camp and they will be returned to the students as they get on the bus to leave Glentui. It would be really useful if the students could have a named ziplock bag to put their phones/etc. in. Students will be given their phones in the case of an emergency, otherwise they will be locked away for the duration of the camp.
Students are permitted to bring cameras to camp. However, cameras are brought along at your own risk and it is important that students take responsibility for their own camera and use these appropriately.
TRAMP ON THE FIRST DAY
On the first day of camp, we are planning to tramp Mt Richardson. The total Richardson, Blowhard and Bypass Track has a DOC time of 4-6 hours. Mr Jarad Pateman, Ms Anita McGowan and Mr Tony Roberts will manage the organisation of the tramp, along with a number of parent helpers.
Wasps
Introduced wasp numbers are particularly high from January through to April each year when they compete with native birds and bees in the honeydew-rich beech forests.
It is encouraged that students carry antihistamine cream and tablets as a precaution, and any students who are known to be allergic to stings/bites not complete the tramp. Wasps are attracted to food, so all food should be covered and sweet drinks avoided.
Students should wear light-coloured clothing as wasps are more likely to be attracted to dark-coloured objects that resemble the dark colours of the beech trees.
Mrs Nicky Pateman and Mrs Gretel Roberts will be running an alternate programme at camp for those students who feel uncomfortable about completing the tramp . Students will need to confirm their chosen option prior to Wednesday, so that we can ensure that we have enough adults tramping with the students and a suitable alternate programme is organised for those who are staying behind at camp.
Tuesday and Wednesday Activities
The activity timetable was sent home with the first round of notices. Should you require an additional copy please contact your child’s teacher.
You will note on the gear list that students are required to have sturdy shoes for physical activities (these can be sneakers) and a pair of shoes for water activities (again, these can be sneakers, but not the same ones that will be used for land based activities).
Please send your child along with a container of home baking that can be shared for morning and afternoon teas.
Wednesday 4th March
We aim to be leaving camp by 1:30 pm, which means that we will arrive back at school at approximately 3:00 pm. Students are then free to be picked up to go home.
Included with this notice is a second copy of the gear list. Please try and have all of your child’s gear packed in either one bag or suitcase, as we have to be able to pack it on the buses. It is also really important to make sure that all of their gear is named, even down to each sock, as there is always an endless supply of socks and undies left over from each camp that doesn’t appear to belong to anyone.
We ask that parents please DO NOT give their children lollies or gum to bring on camp. There will be plenty of food available.
The team is really looking forward to a great camp and hoping for some fine weather.
Many thanks,
Nicky Pateman, Jarad Pateman, Anita McGowan, Tony Roberts and Gretel Roberts
