Year 8 Camp Letter - The Southport School

20 April 2011
Dear Parents of Year 8 Students,
All students in Year 8, will participate in their Outdoor Education camp at the
School’s centre on South Stradbroke Island during terms two and three this year.
These camps are designed to be an important introduction of the sequential
Outdoor Education program that has been developed throughout the Senior
School. Important skills will be taught that will be used on future Year 9,10 and
11 camps (e.g. camp set up, campfire cooking, canoeing and environmental
practices) and processes developed that are applicable in the classroom learning
situation (self-organisation, initiative, co-operation).
The camps have six main aims:
To develop positive social skills;
To encourage students to develop responsibility for themselves and their
actions;
To introduce basic skills for the outdoor education program;
To develop an understanding of minimal impact environmental practices, with
emphasis on coastal environs;
To supplement subjects taught in the classroom;
To have fun.
The boys will sleep in tents; prepare and cook their own meals, and be
encouraged to look after themselves and their gear. The program will include
studies in beach protection practices; help with a re-vegetation project, a day
hike; and an overnight camping trip using canoes (weather permitting). Archery
may also be included.
It is essential that the students are properly equipped for their own protection
and enjoyment. An equipment list is attached and unless stated otherwise, all
items are essential. Students MUST wear shoes at ALL times in the water, in
canoes and on the island. It is essential that TWO pairs of SHOES are brought.
Sandals and thongs do NOT provide sufficient protection for water activities,
whereas wet suit booties or old sandshoes are appropriate.
As students will have to carry their gear on arrival and departure, weight and
bulk should be kept to a minimum. In keeping with the theme of the boys being
responsible for themselves, would you ensure that they pack their own gear,
with your assistance if required.

Students will attend the camps in class groups and the dates for each class are:
8A Monday 16 May to Thursday 19 May
8B Monday 23 May to Thursday 26 May
8C Monday 18 July to Thursday 21 July
8D Monday 15 August to Thursday 18 August
8E Monday 22 August to Thursday 25 August
8F Monday 29 August to Thursday 1 September
All students are expected to attend school and scheduled sports training
sessions scheduled on the Thursday afternoon and Friday following their camp.
Students should meet at the School boatshed (off Dixon Drive) by 8.15 am to
depart by 8.30 a.m. and will return to the School boatshed by 3.20 p.m. on the
relevant Thursday.
It is important the boys have warm clothing and a hat available for the ferry trip
to the island. It is also necessary that the students apply sunscreen before we
board the ferry.
Staff for the camp will be Mr. Simms or Mr. Johnson (our specialist outdoor
education teachers), a classroom teacher and Junior Resident Master or assistant
instructor.
I will discuss the camp with each class at school in the week before their camp.
If any relevant details such as recent illnesses or contact addresses changes have
occurred since completing the school’s medical form in Term 1, (including any
changes to your contact details for the duration of your son’s camp, please
forward these on the attached form (or in writing) to me at the School prior to
your son’s camp. In anticipation, thank you.
PLEASE RETURN THE ATTACHED PERMISSION FORM and MEDICAL
UPDATE FORM to me by the WEDNESDAY PRECEDING your son’s camp.
Any students who wish to use this camp for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
should either have completed and submitted their Level 1 Award for approval, or
returned their application form to me by the Thursday before their camp
If you have any queries regarding the camp, please contact me at the school.
Yours faithfully,
Craig Humbley
Director of Outdoor Education

YEAR 8 STRADBROKE CAMP - PROGRAMME
MONDAY
8.15 am Meet School Boatshed
8.30 am Depart for Dux campsite
10.00 am Arrive at Dux campsite, Orientation and set up camp.
Lunch
2.00 pm Walk to beach and other sections of island (HSE assignment information)
5.00 pm Boys prepare and cook dinner on fires
Evening
Expedition planning
TUESDAY
Morning Expedition packing; Canoe practice
Lunch
Afternoon
Evening
Depart on canoe expedition. (If too windy, alternative activities and
canoeing day trip on Wednesday.)
Solo beach activity; Campfire reflection
WEDNESDAY
Morning
Return from canoe expedition
Clean up gear;
Lunch
Afternoon
Evening
Environmental tour;
Return to Dux; Record HSE assignment data; Archery; free time.
Night walk
THURSDAY
Morning Break camp; Re-vegetation project ;
Lunch
Depart for T.S.S.
3.20 pm Arrive School boatshed.

YEAR 8 STRADBROKE CAMP EQUIPMENT LIST
The following items must be brought unless otherwise stated.
Please remember to keep weight and bulk to a minimum.
Clothing (including that worn to island)
1 waterproof raincoat
4 pairs shorts or trousers
4 T-shirts (plus singlets if desired in winter)
1 loose fitting long trousers *
1 long sleeved shirt * (or sun-shirts)
2 jumpers (preferably woollen, for warmth)
warm clothing (e.g. beanies, socks) as applicable
1 track suit pants
4 pr socks
1 swimming togs (wet suit vest, if owned, in winter)
1 pr comfortable, worn in walking shoes
1 pr old sandshoes, or wet suit boots for canoeing (they WILL get wet) - ESSENTIAL
N.B. thongs; reef sandals are NOT suitable.
1 shady hat - ESSENTIAL
1 towel
* optional, but essential for boys who burn easily, (also good midgie protection!)
Equipment
1 x 2-3 man tent (must be shared by 2-3 boys)
1 backpack (optional) otherwise large sports bag
1 sleeping bag and inner sheet
1 sleeping mat
1 torch with spare batteries
1 set cutlery; include small knife for food preparation and a can opener
1 plastic cup and eating bowl & plate (in a small bag to keep them together)
1 old gardening glove (for protecting hand when lifting billies from fires)
1 scourer
1 tea towel
1 1 litre water bottle
1 pen or pencil
personal medications
personal toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.
sunburn cream ESSENTIAL
3 large garbage bags with ties or elastic bands (for waterproofing gear on canoe trips)
ITEMS NOT ALLOWED
ANY ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, e.g. RADIOS, TAPE / CD PLAYERS, ELECTRONIC GAMES, MOBILE
PHONES; MONEY, THONGS, LOLLIES, LARGE BLADED KNIVES, AEROSOL CANS (insect repellent
should be cream or roll-on).
Warm clothing and a raincoat must be worn or readily available in their packs or bags
as the water taxis we use are often open to the wind and possibly some spray from the
waves.
Please ensure all items are packed INSIDE the pack or bags that you bring.

PERMISSION FORM -
YEAR 8 STRADBROKE ISLAND CAMP
I, ___________________________________________ being the parent /
guardian of ________________________________of _________(House) have read
the attached information regarding the TSS 2011 Year 8 Stradbroke
Island Camps and give permission for my son/ward to attend that
camp in the week of:
8A Monday 16 May to Thursday 19 May
8B Monday 23 May to Thursday 26 May
8C Monday 18 July to Thursday 21 July
8D Monday 15 August to Thursday 18 August
8E Monday 22 August to Thursday 25 August
8F Monday 29 August to Thursday 1 September
Signed _______________________________________ Date __________
Return to Mr, Humbley, c/ TSS, Winchester St, Southport, 4215 or
Fax: (07) 55319977 email; craig.humbley @tss.qld.edu.au
Please return by the Tuesday of the week preceding your son’s
camp.
PLEASE TURN OVER AND COMPLETE MEDICAL UPDATE
FORM
RETURN BOTH FORMS TO Mr HUMBLEY

MEDICAL AND DIET REQUIREMENTS
FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP
(RETURN TO Mr. Humbley,
c/ T.S.S., Southport; Fax (07) 5531 9977)
STUDENT NAME:
HOUSE:
DOES YOUR SON HAVE ANY SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS? (PLEASE DETAIL)
DOES YOUR SON HAVE ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF WHICH ‘FIRST AID’ STAFF SHOULD BE
AWARE? (PLEASE DETAIL)
DO YOU CONSENT TO NON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS BEING ADMINISTERED TO YOUR
CHILD AS REQUIRED? (I.e. panadol)
(MUST CIRCLE ONE) YES / NO
PLEASE LIST ANY REGULAR MEDICATIONS THAT YOUR SON REQUIRES, AND ITS DOSAGE.
WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SONS SWIMMING ABILITY AS:
UNABLE LIMITED GOOD 50m EXCELLENT 100m
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY ON CAMP, PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.
EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSON 1. 2.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER 1. 2.
PARENT NAME
SIGNATURE
DATE