• Experience. The Difference

    Discover an outdoor learning experience unrivalled in Australia
  • OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT SOMERSET

    We have been providing the highest quality outdoor experiences for over 30 years.
  • DUKE OF ED EXPEDITIONS

    An exciting and safe way to complete your adventurous journey.
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School Camps

For information on your school's camp
and to complete your Online Form

Click here

Welcome to Somerset Outdoor Learning

Somerset has been providing schools with outdoor experiences since the early 1980’s. We work with secondary and primary schools as well as students completing their Adventurous Journey as part of The Duke of Edinburgh International Award (Duke of Ed). A family company, we are proud of our achievements in establishing the benchmark for outdoor learning in NSW

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Duke of Ed

For information on our Duke of Ed expeditions
and to register for an upcoming journey

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15 Program Information - School Camps

Program Information

Welcome Oakhill Yr 8 Parents and Caregivers

Are you a student? - please have your parent / guardian read the information below and complete the details with/for you.

Please find below;

  • information about the Yr 8 program and general information about programs at Somerset.
  • an online form to be completed with your child's / ward's details
  • the opportunity to hire / purchase any equipment you need

Oakhill Yr 8 Camp Information

Wednesday 11th - Friday 13th November 2015

A 3 day camp filled with fun and adventure. The boys will be involved in canoeing, hiking, roping, and teambuilding activities such as Milk Crate Stack and Wombat Hole, they will be involved in meal preparation and cooking, tent set-up, campfire building, etc! The boys will enjoy the out-of-doors with friends and will learn skills and methods in self-sufficiency, leadership and followership, team responsibility, and much more.

Camp Somerset General Information

About Us

Somerset is a family owned and operated and has been providing outdoor experiences to school students and Duke of Edinburgh Award participants since the early 80s. As an industry leader with over 30 years of experience, Somerset offers a unique blend of outdoor learning, facilities and activities delivered in a professionally managed outdoor education programme. Somerset is located in the sensational Colo River valley, 90mins NW of Sydney.

What Happens at Camp

Students are organised into smaller groups (an average of 18), each with a Somerset Group Leader and a teacher from your School.  The camp program is drawn up in-line with the School's planned outcomes, and will involve a collection of activities - including, but not limited to - obstacle course, canoeing, bushwalking, night games, donutting (floating on inner tubes on the River), raft building, archery, low ropes, high ropes, rockclimbing, abseiling, milk crate stack, map reading and learning to navigate, team initiatives. Students sleep in 2 person dome tents and will engage in a variety of camping and cooking styles. 

Somerset's outdoor programs are based on guided discovery learning in an experiential environment. Many activities are 'give-it-a-go' so students have the opportunity to extend their personal abilities through their own choosing. For example just putting on a harness is an accomplishment for some and doing the rockclimb super fast is the challenge for others. Teachers, Leaders and group members provide the supportive environment where students feel encouraged to try activities. Students will also explore new ways of relating to others and of working together as a team.

Safety and Staffing

Safety is foremost throughout every program run at Somerset. We a member of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Council of NSW (ORIC) and are an organisation accreditated by NARTA - a process of external, expert audit, to ensure our programs are run at an indusrty best practice level. Somerset holds the relevant and required certifications and licencings - such as NPWS Ecopass, canoe registration, etc - and these, in conjunction with our own internal policies, maintain the validation and safety of our programs. We maintain a Safety Management Plan, Bushfire Index Management Plan and Incident Response Plan.   

Each group is led by a Somerset Leader for the entirety of the program. All programs are managed and overseen by a designated 'hands-on' 24hour onsite program coordinator. In addition to the onsite coordinator we maintain an all-hours response plan for minor, or major, incidents ensuring the availability of assistance to groups in-the-field at any time. Our response plan incorporates such measures as - overnight duty-drivers, backup from senior staff, proximity of other Group Leaders, vehicle dispatch, etc. Our Group Leaders hold relevant tertiary outdoor qualifications, are trained in all aspects of programs, certified in appropriate levels of remote area first aid, verfified according to the NSW Working with Children Check requirements, are cognisant of Somerset policies and procedures and are familiar with the local area and environment. Programs are also supported by a team of logistics, hospitality, administration, etc, staff - so that all runs smoothly.

Communications

Somerset maintains it's own licenced VHF digital mobile radio network across the program area to ensure regular communications for all groups and emergency contact if required. This radio system is supplemented with the use of landline, mobile and satellite phones and GPS locater spots as appropriate. Base Camp communications are monitored 24hours during program.

Collection of Information

In order to run a safe and efficient camp for your child, Somerset requires the collection of certain information. As we want to ensure this information is handled correctly, we have developed a detailed Privacy Policy. A copy is availbale on request. 

Equipment

Tents, rucksacks, specialised equipement - such as paddles, cooking and eating utensils are all provided by Somerset. All meals and snacks from morning tea on the first day to a farewell lunch on the last day are provided by Somerset. Please read the Equipment List for items to be brought to camp. Please also see below the opportunity to hire or purchase any gear you may need. Please note that Somerset cannot be responsible for the loss or damage of any unnamed equipment, items listed not to be brought to camp or lost property. Any lost property found will be returned to the School.

Teachers

The School's teachers and coordinators will maintain a duty of care for students and their general wellbeing whilst at camp in such areas as - pastoral, discipline, illness, medications, etc.

Completing the Personal and Medical Details

Please take the time to complete your child's / ward's personal and medical details accurately.

Please refer to further information available in the below form in respect to asthma, allergies, dietaries and other issues.

Please note;

Medical Assistance - in the event of a student requiring further medical assistance, Somerset will access care through Hawkesbury District Hospital, local private medical practices, private hospitals or ambulance if required. Somerset Base Camp is located 30km from Hawkesbury Hospital with a typical response time of 30 mins to/from Base Camp. However, as many of our activities and expeditions are conducted away from Base there may be significant delays until additional medical assistance is provided.

Prescription Medications - please ensure medications are brought in sufficient quantities, with instructions and spares, to cover the length of camp. In general, behaviour medications should not be suspended. The supervision of prescription medication is the teacher's responsibility. Please note details of any medications below and ensure your child / ward checks-in with their group teacher at the start of camp to arrange and determine the supervision of doses, etc. If required, with prior notice we can organise medications to be refridgerated and transported with ice packs.

Non-Prescription Medications - Somerset Group Leaders carry and may administer non-prescription medications as deemed appropriate. These will typically be - paracetemol, antihistamine, bite creams, antispetic creams and betadine, gastrolyte hydration sachets. Please indicate any restrictions or concerns in the administration of non-prescription medications to your child / ward. If your child / ward is bringing non-prescription medications to camp, such as ibruprofen or a preferred antihistamine, please note these in the medical section, please also ask you child / ward to check-in with their group teacher at the start of camp to arrange and determine the supervision of doses, etc. 

Further Information

For more information please see;

We are looking forward to seeing the girls / boys at camp!   

 

Thankyou email

Thankyou for completing the Oakhill Yr 8 Online Camp Form.

If there are any changes to the personal or medical, etc details provided between now and Camp - please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to update.

Please click to view the Equipment List

If you require any additional equipemnt please visit the School Camps page and click on Additional Equipment to purchase.

Thankyou Message

Thankyou for completing the Oakhill Yr 8 Online Camp Form.