CAMP LIFE FOR TEACHERS

What is camp life for teachers? Often part of your role as a teacher, is to go on extra curricular activities – sporting events, concerts and school camp. For those who aren’t familiar with camping, it can be initimadating and you may have some apprehension. The best way to relieve any anxiety is to be fully informed. IYour role on camp will have significant impact on the students, you may just not know i straight away.

At UC Camping, most of our schools stay in what we call ‘hard top’ accommodation eg cabins or dorms.  Some groups do go camping in the traditional sense, with tents and tarps, but mostly at UC Camping, staff and students stay in a cabin. We like to work collaboratively with staff to ensure your stay is comforatable and you are well-supported. .

We welcome site visits by school staff, we just ask you make an appointment with the Site Manager. Each site has videos of the facilities if that assist you in what to expect. 

We encourage you to speak directly with our Program Coordinators, Hospitality Managers and Site Managers to allay and fears you may have.

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

Whoever is organising the camp, we require certain information so your stay runs seamlessly:

• Signed Booking Form
• Paid Deposit
• List of staff, students and any guests that may visit such as parents, volunteers, extra school staff
• Dietary requirements need to have been forwarded to the Hospitality Manager at a minimum two weeks prior to the start of camp. Make sure all guests are accounted for.
• Brief students on the camp and distribute an equipment list.
• Book transport, unless UC Camping is organising this for you.
• Bring first aid kits.
• Don’t forget a phone charger and cord. We have good reception at all sites.

 Again, feel free to contact the site if you have any queries or need anything clarified.

ACCOMMODATION

Camp life for teachers should be comfortable. Managing expectation is important. Our sites are not like staying at The Novotel. They are hard tob camps, each set out differently. For example, Grantville have 13 ensuited cabins, whereas Norval House has ensuited rooms all under one roof line and Merricks Lodge has rectangle buildings with rooms of 4 beds in each and bathroom facilities at the end of each accommodation block. 

You may or may not be sharing with other staff of the same gender. 

Our sites are spacious and have a number of communal areas where staff can meet over a cuppa and plan their day. 

All our camps boast beautiful outdoor areas and environments to explore or admire; they are set in picturesque locations, away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Amongst the natural world, you, too, can benefit from the restorative effects of the outdoors and take a break from your usual routine.

ACTIVITIES

School staff are expected to attend activities and contribute to the success. UC Camping run many of the activities such as rockclimbing, canoeing, high ropes course, flying fox, giant swing, cycling. Other times we hire third party providers to run snorkelling, standup paddleboarding, surfing etc.

In addition, there are occasions when school staff are required to run activities. You will be briefed on what to do, the activity will most probably be set up for you and you’ll be handed a sheet on how to run the activity successfully.

At UC Camping, our team will ensure you’re comfortable with the activity you will be running and answer any questions you may have. don’t throw you in the deep end!

FOOD

UC Camping takes pride in its food. Our chefs work with the Hospitality Manager to provide healthy, nutritious and tasty food. And there is always plenty – common for there to be seconds for those who want it. It’s important we are aware of any dietary requirements at least two weeks out from camp as we order well in advance.

We serve over 83,000 meals annually and nothing is too hard. Gluten free, coeliac, vegan, vegetarian, halal, intolerances to food additives. We endeavour to be nut free.

We have the flexibility to serve food outdoors weather permitting.

GEAR

All equipment is modern, functional and meets the standards required for our accreditation. Please bring clothes that are suitable to the conditions. Don’t forget your raincoat too.

As mentioned above, please bring your own single bed fitted sheet, pillow and bedding (eg doona or sleeping bag). 

TIME OUT 

Our activity staff do not assist with meals or evening activities. If you’d like more assistance, please speak to the Site Manager as soon as possible. Although you are responsible for your students, we encourage you to liaise with other teachers to give yourself some ‘time out’.

Finally, we encourage you to ask questions and feel free to approach our staff for any further information to make your stay enjoyable and educational

There is another article on What To Bring on Camp you may find interesting. Click here

For more information from the Department of Education on school camps. Click here