Skip to main content
Office of Sport

Getting organised

Our outdoor based programs provide a range of diverse learning outcomes for students and develop movement skills, increased confidence, interpersonal and relationship skills. Our experienced facilitators can tailor activities to meet your school's objectives in a fun and active environment. Contact our central reservations team on 13 13 02 for further information or to make a booking. 

Once you have made your booking, use the information below to help you arrange your school camp. One of our team will be in touch to assist you.

Health and Safety

Health and safety is a top priority at all the Office of Sport's Sport and Recreation Centres. We provide comprehensive risk management information to assist you in your camp planning and all organised activities are supervised by qualified program staff. We can also support those with special needs; special diets, allergies and medical conditions. 

Risk management plan proforma (PDF, 271.89 KB) (PDF, 271.89 KB)

Parents and guardians need to complete an online registration form prior to the start of camp which includes any special dietary, health or medical requirements for their child. Visiting teachers and other supervising adults will also need to complete this form.


The Office of Sport will provide a unique URL to your school's online registration form prior to camp, which you can distribute to parents and guardians. 

Student medication needs to be registered and administered by school staff. It’s a good idea to collect medication from parents before leaving for camp. Medication should be in its original packaging and clearly labelled with the student’s name, dosage and frequency.

If your child suffers from anaphylaxis, they should have an anaphylaxis action plan which has been prepared by their doctor. 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 at least three weeks prior to attending camp. 

Children at risk of anaphylaxis need to bring at least one adrenaline auto injector. On catered programs, children with food allergies are required to wear an identifying red wristband. This is an added precaution to assist staff when managing situations where food allergens may be present. Find out more about the processes and procedures in place to manage allergies and anaphylaxis. 

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. 

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.  

Centre staff hold first aid accreditation and can administer first aid for minor injuries or illness. If you require professional medical assistance, staff will take you or your students to the nearest medical centre or hospital for assessment or, if required, will call an ambulance. School staff are responsible for notifying parents or guardians. Students may return to camp upon gaining a doctor’s clearance and if circumstances are appropriate.

Students attending camp in Terms 1 or 4, who wish to use the pool outside of structured water activities, e.g. afternoon free time in the pool, are required to complete a proficiency swim test on arrival at camp. Alternatively, if your school has conducted the Water Survival Challenge in the past two terms, you can complete the swim proficiency form.

Swim proficiency form (PDF, 298.94 KB) (PDF, 298.94 KB)

What you need to know

Teachers play a vital role in making camp a successful, enjoyable and educational experience for students. Your school needs to send at least one visiting teacher or a supervising adult for every 20 students attending the camp. Teachers and supervising adults attend free-of-charge at a ratio of 1:20 students. Please contact the central reservations team to discuss arrangements for additional teachers or supervising adults beyond this ratio, including where special needs requirements should be met. 

Parents or non-teaching staff attending camp will need to be able to undertake the same supervision responsibilities as teachers. Schools must also make sure that non-teaching adults attending camp meet child protection requirements.

Camp is a memorable and enriching experience for both students and teachers alike. In order to make your stay as relaxed as possible, we work with you to ensure that everything goes to plan. This includes delivering your program, organising and coordinating meal duties, evening activities and assemblies, as well as providing first-aid and a 24-hour on-call emergency service. Should a child misbehave, we will discuss with you the best course of action.

While at camp, your students may share activities with other school groups. If you would prefer a single school option, please let the central reservations team know in advance. An additional cost may apply to maintain staff-student ratios.

Valuables including jewellery, mobile phones and tablets/iPads should be left at home. The Office of Sport takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to a client's personal property, including money or other valuable items.

Due to the increasing cyber security threat unauthorised users such as clients and visiting teachers are no longer permitted to connect external media eg. USB sticks, external hard drives, laptop PCs or tablets to the Office of Sport’s corporate telecommunications network.

Most Office of Sport sites with the exception of Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centres have available limited guest WiFi facilities for the purposes of connecting to the internet only.

Schools need to ensure they have a clear communication path established with parents for when children are on camp, this means schools need to provide parents with an appropriate school contact for the duration of the camp.

Get organised

Plan your camp with ease using our handy checklist!

On booking camp

  • Book transport to and from camp. Ask us for help, if required. 

12 weeks before camp

  • Confirm participant numbers with the central reservations team 12 weeks prior to camp.

6-8 weeks before camp

  • Distribute the online registration URL provided by email from the Office of Sport to parents/guardians, visiting teachers and supervising adults.
  • Parents and guardians to complete the online registration form on behalf of their child.
  • All online registration forms must be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to camp.
  • For students with anaphylaxis, parents to provide an anaphylaxis plan to the central reservations team at least 3 weeks prior to camp.

Leaving for camp

  • Check the roll.
  • Collect all student medication as per the online registration form.

On arrival at camp

  • All students and teachers participate in a welcome orientation. 
  • Get ready to have fun!

Last day at camp

  • Check to make sure nothing is lost or left behind.
  • Speak to staff about availability for your next booking.
  • Provide the Centre with feedback about your experience at camp.

Here’s a handy camp packing list for visiting teachers and supervising adults. A packing list for students is provided in the information for parents page.

For school camps, pack: 

  • Shorts and t-shirts with sleeves (no singlet tops)
  • Jeans and shorts
  • Jumpers and tracksuit pants
  • Raincoat
  • Warm jacket (winter only)
  • 3 layers of warm clothing (winter only, or all-year round at Jindabyne, Borambola and Lake Keepit)
  • Underwear
  • Pyjamas
  • Swimming costume and rashie
  • Two pairs of enclosed shoes suitable for activities (some Centres’ water activities require shoes to be worn in the water)
  • Sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Towel (beach)
  • Pillow and sleeping bag or blanket
  • Toiletries (including soap) and insect repellent (non-aerosol)
  • Medication
  • Torch
  • Water bottle
  • Phone and charger
  • First aid kit
  • Day backpack
  • Story book to settle younger students at night

If you are attending a snow camp at Jindabyne or Borambola, please also pack:

  • Waterproof pants and jacket
  • Goggles
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Beanie and scarf
  • Long, thin woollen or ski socks
  • At least 3 layers of warm clothing

Ski clothing can also be hired for an additional cost at our ski hire outlet. If visiting teachers and supervising adults are intending on using their own ski equipment they must sign our snow sports equipment indemnity on arrival. Please note we do not allow students to bring or use their own snow sports equipment, such as skis or snow boards.

Top of page