This is the initial information email for the Year 5 and 6 senior camp to Teapot Valley in Nelson.

Outdoor education provides students opportunities to develop personal and social skills; to become active, safe and skilled in the outdoors; and to develop a passion for outdoor education and the environment. This is our first general information email. By the end of Term 3, closer to the camp, we will email final confirmation details around camp, including a gear list. All camp information will be on the school website under the Year 5/6 tab.

The Year 5 and 6 Education Outside the Classroom (E.O.T.C) programme includes a variety of learning opportunities:

• Adventure activities and outdoor pursuits that focus on physical skills, challenge, development, fun and enjoyment.

• Games and cooperation activities that focus on the development of personal and interpersonal skills.

• Opportunities to use safe practices and basic risk management strategies.

• Pushing themselves outside their comfort zone with the support of adults and instructors where necessary.

• Opportunities to learn about and explore the environment.

The programme is designed to cater for the consolidation and extension of our students’ skills and needs. It is our aim for all children to be included in our outdoor education programme. Camps are also a great opportunity for students to grow their friendship circle and to also strengthen their current friendships.

CAMP INFORMATION

The Year 5 and 6 camp will take place from Monday, 2 December, 2019 - Friday, 6 December 2019 (Week 8 of Term 4).

The location for the Year 5 and 6 camp will be Teapot Valley Christian Camp, 200 Teapot Valley, Rd, Brightwater 7022. Here is a link to the website.

Travel:

We will travel to and from Teapot Valley by ferry and bus.

• Amesbury School to Teapot Valley: Monday 2 December - ferry leaves at about 9:00am and arrives in Picton at 12:30pm. We will then catch a bus to Teapot Valley and arrive their mid-afternoon.

• Teapot Valley to Amesbury: Friday 6 December - depart Teapot Valley in the morning and travel by bus to Picton Ferry Terminal. Board the ferry back to Wellington which will arrive at 5:45pm.

*We will confirm the exact timings closer to the time.

Camp Programme:

We are currently planning the exact programme with the team at Teapot Valley. Here is an outline of what we plan to do. We will send our final timetable in our next communication.

Monday:

Travel to Teapot Valley by ferry and bus

Tuesday:

A range of camp activities, including abseiling, rock climbing, zipline, downhill carts, target practice, and other normal outdoor camp activities (e.g. swimming pool, confidence course)

Wednesday:

Abel Tasman National Park Walk

Thursday:

A range of camp activities, including abseiling, rock climbing, zipline, downhill carts, target practice, and other normal outdoor camp activities (e.g. swimming pool, confidence course)

Friday:

Travel back to Wellington by ferry and bus

*When we involve your children in activities that have an element of risk, we use qualified camp instructors to operate and run the activities. We also follow the safety guidelines and student to adult ratio as required by the camp to ensure safe participation in all activities.

Camp Cost:

To minimise the cost of this camp, we will be doing a number of fundraising events over the next two terms. With fundraising included, the cost of the camp will be $350 for each student. Most of the cost of this camp is made up of transportation, activities, hiring instructors, meals and accommodation.

In order to support your child to understand the cost involved, we recommend getting your child to do his/her own fundraising for this camp, such as small jobs around the house or for other family members and friends.

Permission Form

Please click on the link to fill in the camp permission form by Friday 28 June 2019.

Payment Schedule:

The full payment of $350 must be paid by Friday 27 September 2019. This can be paid all at once or you can split your payments over this period.

*We recognise that this is a reasonable financial cost. Please contact us if you feel the cost will be a barrier to your child attending camp.

All students participating must have paid at least the $50 deposit by Friday 28 June 2019. You should make your payment using the school’s online shop. If you haven’t used this yet, here is the link. You will need to register the first time you use the shop, and then top up your account so you have credit. By the end of this week, the option to “purchase” the Year 5/6 senior camp will be available on the site.

Parent Help:

As always parent help is needed and greatly appreciated for camp to go ahead. In previous years there has been a big response to assisting with camp. While we would love to include everyone, costs and space prevent us from doing so - we have a maximum number of additional parents we are able to take on camp with us. There is a section on the consent form regarding parental help on camp. If you are interested in attending camp please indicate this on the form. After the form completion deadline (Friday 28 June 2019), we will notify all parents who have expressed an interest in attending the camp to let you know of our final decision. This will most likely happen by the end of this term. All parents attending school camps are required to undergo NZ Police Vetting. We will contact those parents who are selected to attend to obtain their consent to carry out the vetting process.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa (lisa@amesbury.school.nz) or Demelza (demelza@amesbury.school.nz).

Warm regards,

The Harakeke Team