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Office of Sport

Parent information: School holiday camps

New friends, new skills and new experiences – it all happens at school holiday camps – and you can relax knowing your kids are in safe hands at one of NSW’s premier outdoor camp destinations. To help make camp an enjoyable experience for you and your child, we’ve put together this information to help you prepare.

What to pack

Luggage should be limited to one bag equivalent in size to airline ‘carry on’ luggage with maximum weight of 10kg and a separate sleeping bag, plus a small backpack per child. Remember, your child will be required to carry their luggage so it is essential to make sure it is not too big or heavy.  

Limiting luggage size and weight is especially important when visiting Milson Island or Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centres as luggage will be handled multiple times throughout the journey.

Children should wear running shoes and a t-shirt and shorts (for summer) or tracksuits pants and jumper (for winter). You should also pack:

  • A change of clothes
  • Raincoat
  • Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
  • Swimming costume and rashie shirt
  • An old pair of running shoes to wear in the water
  • Beach towel
  • Plastic bags for dirty or wet clothes
  • Medication (if required)
  • Water bottle

There is a limit of one piece of luggage, a sleeping bag and a small day backpack per child. These should be clearly marked with your child’s name, address and phone number.

Remember, your child will have to carry their own luggage so it’s good to make sure it’s not too big or too heavy.

Please label all clothing, towels and sleeping bag with your child’s name.

  • Pillow, Sleeping bag or Doona and two single flat sheets - Please note: additional charges will apply if these items are not brought to camp
  • Shorts and t-shirts (no singlets, sleeveless or midriff tops)
  • Jeans
  • Jumpers and tracksuit pants
  • Socks and underwear
  • Raincoat
  • Warm jacket (winter only)
  • Three layers of warm clothing (winter only, or all-year round at Jindabyne, Borambola, Lake Burrendong and Lake Keepit)
  • Pyjamas
  • Swimming costume and rashie shirt
  • Sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses
  • Two pairs of running shoes (one old pair to wear in the water)
  • Toiletries, soap, lip balm and insect repellent (no aerosols)
  • Two towels
  • Day backpack
  • Paper, pens or pencils
  • Plastic bags for dirty or wet clothes
  • Medication (if required)
  • Water bottle

Snow camps

If your child is attending a snow camp at Jindabyne or Borambola*, please pack:

  • Waterproof pants and jacket
  • Goggles
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Beanie and scarf
  • Long, thin woollen or ski socks
  • At least three layers of warm clothing

* Ski clothing can also be hired for an additional cost at our ski hire outlet. Please note, we do not allow children to bring or use their own snow sports equipment, such as skis or snow boards.

  • Any food containing nuts
  • Aerosol cans (i.e. spray-on deodorant or insect repellent)
  • Mobile phones and other electronic devices
  • Lollies or chewing gum
  • Jewellery
  • Anything valuable (Sport and Recreation takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to a client's personal property, including money or other valuable items)

Illegal substances including drugs, cigarettes and alcohol and other dangerous items such as lighters and pocket knives are not allowed at camp and any person found using or in possession of these items may be removed from the Centre. Those found in possession of illegal drugs will be reported to the police immediately.

Health and Safety

Your child’s safety is our top priority. That’s why there is at least one instructor for every 24 children and all instructors are qualified in first aid, resuscitation and child protection.

If your child has a pre-existing condition, allergy, special dietary needs or is on prescription medicine, please provide full details when completing the online registration form.

If your child’s requirements or medication change once you have completed your registration please update us immediately by contacting 13 13 02

Your child should bring enough medication for the duration of their stay. All medication should be in its original packaging and clearly labelled with your child’s name, the dosage and frequency.

If your child suffers from asthma or anaphylaxis, please provide an asthma management plan or anaphylaxis action plan, which has been prepared by their doctor, at the time of registration. Download sample plan templates from Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website. If your child has a plan, please provide it to the Centre prior to attending camp. 

Children with asthma need to bring their own peak flow meters to camp and carry their inhaler with them at all times. Children at risk of anaphylaxis need to bring at least one adrenaline auto injector. All children at risk of food-related anaphylaxis wear a red wristband while at camp as an added precaution to assist staff in managing situations where food allergens may be present. Find out more about processes and procedures in place to manage allergies and anaphylaxis

If your child is prone to bed wetting, please advise Centre staff in advance so staff can deal with the situation in a discreet and caring manner.

If required, please provide a waterproof mattress protector.

Camp Life

Children are grouped according to age, and stay in comfortable rooms or lodges with males and females accommodated separately. Staff will stay in a room nearby and will provide supervision for children. 

Our qualified catering team prepares nutritious and delicious meals so your child will never go hungry at camp.  If your child has any special dietary requirements or food allergies, it’s crucial that these are listed when completing the online registration form. Special diets are provided for medical conditions, religious beliefs and lifestyle choices such as vegetarians or vegans.

Many of our program participants suffer from food related allergies that vary from person to person and can be as sensitive as making contact with certain foods that will cause a serious allergic reaction. 

To help us promote a safe, nut-free environment, we ask that you do not bring nuts and products containing nuts to the Centre.

Our Allergen Free Meals Policy requires anyone with an intolerance, allergy or anaphylaxis reaction to a food to wear a red wrist band for easy identification. Their meals are plated separately by our catering staff and collected from a designated spot to manage risk.  

So that camp is a fun and safe experience for everybody, we created a participant code of behaviour for kids to follow.

The code of behaviour will be further explained to your child on arrival at camp. If your child misbehaves, we will discuss the issue with your child and if the problem continues, we will contact you. Sport and Recreation has a zero tolerance stance on bullying.

Every effort is made to ensure your child’s safety and comfort while at camp. Participation in activities requires kids to listen and follow safety instructions, and failure to follow instructions may result in non participation. Examples of how safety is incorporated into our programs:

  • Our SunSmart strategy promotes wearing broad-brimmed hats and sunscreen
  • Personal flotation devices 
  • Covered shoes must be worn when participating in all activities

We ask that participants do not bring valuables or money to camp. The Office of Sport takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to a client’s personal property, including money or other valuable items.

Centre staff hold first aid accreditation and can administer first aid, if required. If your child requires professional medical assistance, they will be taken to the nearest medical centre or hospital and we will notify you. In case of emergencies, parents can contact the centre via the provided direct phone number. 

Communication

While at camp, you can send your child a message via email at bookings@sport.nsw.gov.au. Clearly mark your child’s name and Centre on all correspondence.

We do not encourage children to phone home as this can contribute to homesickness.

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