Camp Newsletter

Most things have fallen into place and we can now just hope that the snow and weather are favourable.Thank you to those of you who responded to the food donation request, your generosity will keep the camp costs down. Mary Naylor or Robyn Miller will ring you to confirm the items that can be sent to the box in Room 4.

Parent Helpers:

Year 6: Mary Naylor (not skiing), Mark Hutton, Paul Davidson, Cushla Kelly, Malcolm Bruce (Molly’s Dad) and Jimmy Martin.

Year 5: Robyn Miller (Kahn’s Mum, not skiing), Kathy Kelliher, John Sidon, Charlie O’Neill, Phillip Lord, Maree Denniston and Sam Williams.

As a condition of the approval of this camp the Board of Trustees requires that each driver has practised fitting chains prior to the camp. Mark Hutton who has a NZQA qualification for “fitting and removing vehicle chains” as well other unit standards for driving on snow and ice and operating 4WD vehicles will be used as our expert. Parents attending camp will cover this at our parent meeting. Drivers will be: Paul Davidson, Mark Hutton, Cushla Kelly, Malcolm Bruce, Jimmy Martin, Kathy Kelliher, Sam Williams, Robyn Miller, Maree Denniston and Charlie O’Neill. You will be advised prior to the trip whose vehicle your child will be travelling in.

What to bring:

Below is a list of clothing requirements for the trip.  The weather can be very changeable on our mountains so everyone should come well prepared.  It is suggested that if students do not have all of the following they should beg or borrow it for the trip. Maree Denniston tells me that she purchased ski gear from Trade Me that is too large for Jake that she would be happy to on-sell. Remember, several thin layers are better than one thick layer of clothing.  Please be sure that your child has sunscreen and sunglasses/goggles as the altitude, clear skies (we hope) and facing the snow all day leads to increased exposure of UV rays.

• 2 x polyprop or merino long johns underwear
• Jacket – waterproof AND windproof
• 2 pairs trousers/track pants NO JEANS
• Overtrousers (waterproof) or ski suit with polyprop/lycra or merino leggings
• 2 x Polyprops, skivvies or shirts, jersey (woollen/merino)
• 3 pairs socks, woollen if possible, a pair of thin socks (in the hut)
• 3 changes of undies,
• Hat or balaclava (woollen/polar fleece)
• Helmet
• Hi Visibility vest – I will acquire some for those who have not been issued one.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen factor 15 or above
• Gloves (waterproof) and a spare pair
• Sleeping bag, - sheet to cover the mattress, pillow
• 2 towels
• toilet gear – tooth brush, tooth paste, face cloth, brush/comb
• pyjamas
• slippers or runners for inside the hut
• gumboots or suitable older shoes for outside the hut.
• handkerchiefs/tissues, camera (optional) or i-pod (for photos only), 1 pencil, pen and rubber in a plastic bag – coloured pencils optional, 
• an indoor game to share and a book.
• Separate back pack - packed lunch and two drinks (sturdy drink bottles that will last), food for morning and afternoon snacks, 1 bag scroggin, hat, sun screen, gloves, goggles/sunglasses, hi visibility jacket, helmet attached.

Because of the altitude, cold temperatures and energy expended it is important that the students eat and drink plenty during the day so take plenty of food for the first day as well as those energy snacks to keep in pockets. Plenty of food and fluids are essential when skiing!!  A hearty snack will be provided each day about 4pm on the return to the hut.

Accommodation is at the Vincent Ski Hut, which is on the left just inside car park number 5.  Sleeping facilities are 2 bunkrooms with curtained off cubicles.  Parents will sleep amongst the students.  There is to be no food in the bunkroom area.

To be handed in at school on Friday 23^rd.

2 small named bags of scroggin, ice cream container of home baking (Year6), Year 5 bring your baking on Tuesday – Robyn will organise this.

Items not to be brought:

Radios, cellphones, walkmans, i-pods (for games), hand held computer games, chewing gum, sweets.

Medications:

Those students who indicated on their health forms that they require medication should bring spare supplies in a named plastic bag by Friday 23rd August– it will be carried as part of the 1^st aid kit.  Any medication administered while on camp will be recorded and parents informed on our return.

Cost:

The accommodation and food cost for parents will be covered within the costs of this camp, parents will pay for their own skiing. If anyone has any difficulties with this please remember that you may contact myself or Mrs Eastwood. As soon as the food budget is confirmed the exact cost for students and parents will be available. The estimate is $300 per student and $200 per skiing parent.  This needs to be paid to the school office by Friday 23^rd August please.

Parent Meeting Wednesday 21^st 7pm in Room 4, for those parents going on camp. Purpose: to share expectations, answer any questions, finalise travel arrangements and address BOT requirements regarding vehicles and chains.

Parental Consent/Emergency Contacts and Health Profile Forms are attached to the hard copy of this note.  Please complete these and hand in to the bag marked ‘camp notices’ no later than Tuesday 20^th August.

Any parents wishing to visit or come and ski for the day with us are welcome.