The Year 8 ‘Survival Camp’ will be held at Paton Park, North Motton on Thursday 13 February, 2020 and Friday 14 February, 2020. The cost of the camp is covered in school levies; transport, hire of the camp site, general camp necessities and all activities are catered for.

During grade assemblies, students will be informed of the eating arrangements for the ‘Survival Camp’. Students will need to organise the food and equipment required for both days of camp (with breakfast being the only exception; breakfast on Friday morning will be supplied by the school). How students organise the purchase or collection of food will be their decision. This will need to be coordinated with parents / guardians in students’ own time. Penguin District School will provide general camp necessities (along with breakfast on the Friday morning). 

A camp itinerary will not be sent home with students; all activities are top secret and are not to be revealed to the ‘troopers’. Prior knowledge may give students an unfair advantage and a greater chance of overall success. Students will participate in a mixture of physically and mentally challenging activities designed to promote independence and responsibility. The camp provides students with the opportunity to face real challenges and to experience and develop important life skills. Those skills include recognising and regulating emotions, developing empathy for others, establishing positive relationships, making responsible decisions, working effectively as part of a team and handling challenging situations constructively.

Students will leave for camp on Thursday 13 February, 2020 at approximately 9:00 am. Therefore, they can make their way to school as per a normal school day. Return time on Friday 14February, 2020 will be 2:40 pm. Therefore, students will also be able to return home as per a normal school day at the conclusion of the camp.

A medical consent form, which includes a special dietary requirements section, an aquatic (water based) activity consent form and a Tas Laser Skirmish consent form will be available at book sales day to complete with your child’s validation form. Medication required, on a daily basis, is to be given to Mr Conkie the day of the camp. Please place in a named and sealed plastic bag, in the original packaging, with clear instructions for administration and use. Please also ensure you have returned the Medical Administration Plan, Forms A or B (or both) prior to the camp. All required documentation will need to be returned by Friday 7 February, 2020, to ensure arrangements can be finalised. No return means no attendance.

* Note: If you require or have any questions in relation to Form A or B, please contact the office a.s.a.p. 

If there are any queries concerning the camp, please do not hesitate to call during school hours on 6434 2222. In case of an emergency whilst students are on camp, Paton Park’s phone number is 6425 6552. Alternatively, a staff member will have the school’s mobile phone at camp. The number is 0427 057 579 and may be called at any time.

Paton Park has kitchen facilities that staff will be using. Students will not be using the kitchen in line with the challenges they are set. There are outdoor sinks with hot water for students to wash up in, as well as shower facilities (with hot water).

Students will be cooking their meals on fire pots. Alternatively, they have the option of bringing a small gas cooker from home.

Students will be permitted to bring mobile phones to camp for restricted use. They will be allowed to ring home or be contacted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm (unless contact is of a matter of importance / urgency). Mobile phones will be prohibited during all other times on camp. Students will have their phone confiscated if caught using it without permission outside of the designated time.

We understand this is a lot of information to take in. Therefore, if you have any problems or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Clothing, Toiletries & Other Equipment

We are going to have a great time, but we need to make sure we are organised. Be prepared for cold / wet weather, as well as fine / warm weather.

Student Checklist

Drink bottle                                                       

Clothes (warm)                                                 

Coat (must be water proof)                               

Tea-Towel                                                       

Towel                                                              

Toiletries                                                          

Torch                                                             

Cutlery                                                             

Can opener                                                       

Pot                                                                   

Frying Pan                                                         

Food                                                                

Esky (small)                                                       

Sleeping Bag                                                      

Pillow                                                                

Hat                                                                  

Sunscreen                                                        

Medication (if required)   

Suitable Shoes                                

Spare socks and shoes                                        

Washing Cloth                                                   

Umbrella (optional)                                          

Further information, a list of items supplied by the school, along with a student organisation document will be provided early in 2020.