15 Program Information - Duke of Ed

Program Information

Welcome Bronze Parents and Guardians,

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 your 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
Bronze Program Information

Please drop-off students to Somerset at 9am on the start day and pick them up at 2pm on the finishing day. Toilets, and tea/coffee making facilities are available before you head home. Click here for a map to Somerset.

Our Open Expeditions are a fun and safe way for students to complete their Duke of Ed adventurous journeys. Groups will be formed with students from other schools and with any friends as requested below - eg. 'Ella Smith and Isla Hopkins' or 'any other Sydney Grammar boys' (we will match as much as possible - no 100% guarantee). Our Open expeditions are a fantastic way to meet new friends, with many students who meet at the Bronze level arranging and signing up to undertake Silver and Gold expeditions together.  

Welcome Roseville Parents and Guardians,

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 your 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
Roseville Bronze Program Information

Date: Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th August 2017.

Transport Arrangements:

  • Parent Drop-off & Pick-up - Please drop-off students at Somerset at 9am on the start day and pick them up at 2pm on the finishing day. Toilets, and Tea & Coffee making facilities are available before you head home. Click here for a map to Somerset.
  • Bus Drop-off & Pick-up - Please see your School Coordinator for departure and arrival times from/to School.
  • Parent Drop-off - Please drop students off at Somerset at 9am on the start day. Toilets, and team/coffee making facilities are available before you head home. Click here for a map to Somerset.
  • Bus Drop-off - Please see your School Coordinator for bus departure time from School.
  • Parent Pick-up - Please pick students up at Somerset at 2pm on the finishing day. Toilets, and Tea & Coffee making facilities are available before you head home. Click here for a map to Somerset.
  • Bus Pick-up - Please see your School Coordinator for the arrival time back at School after the expedition.

Groups:

private - Groups will be formed by the School - please see your School Coordinator with any queries.

opens - St Clare's College expeditions are run alongside our open expeditions with students from different schools. If the number of St Clare's students cannot make a full team they will join a group with students from other schools. As a result of this Camp Somerset will be grouping the students according to who they request to be with in the form below. For example, your requests may look like - 'Ella Smith and Isla Hopkins' or 'any students from my school' (we will match as much as possible - no 100% guarantee). Our Open expeditions are a fantastic way to meet new friends, with many open students who meet at the Bronze level arranging and signing up to undertake Silver and Gold expeditions together.

General Program Information

About Us

Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre has been offering outdoor experiences to school students and Duke of Edinburgh Award participants since the early 1980's. As an industry leader with over 30 years of expertise, Somerset offers a unique blend of learning experiences, outdoor facilities and activities delivered in a professionally managed outdoor education program. Somerset is located about 90 minutes North-West of Sydney on the glorious Colo River (known as the last pristine river in NSW).

What Happens at Camp

Students are organised into smaller groups (an average of 12), each with a Somerset Group Leader. The Group Leader will conduct a 'repack' of the student's gear to ensure everyone has everything they need and that the items are suitable. During their expedition, students will learn and apply skills in navigation, campcraft, first aid and those important soft skills, whilst on the expedition. Somerset offers dedicated preliminary training at the Bronze level. Students may swim in the River in the warmer months and may be involved in other team building activities.

Group members and the Group Leader provide a supportive environment and positive morale that encourages each other throughout the expedition. Students will explore new ways of relating to others and working together as a team.

Safety and Staffing

Safety is foremost throughout every program facilitated 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 industry best practice level. Somerset holds the relevant and required certifications and licences - such as NPWS Ecopass and canoe registration - 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 staffed by a tertiary qualified, professional outdoor leader for the duration of the program. All programs are managed and overseen by a designated 24-hour onsite program coordinator. We maintain an all-hours response plan for minor and 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 and vehicle dispatch. Our Group Leaders are trained in all aspects of programs, certified in appropriate levels of remote area first aid, verified 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, and administration 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, as well as GPS locater spots as appropriate. Base Camp communications are monitored 24-hours during program.

Collection of Information

In order to run a safe and efficient camp for each participant, 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 available upon request.

Equipment

Please read the Equipment List for items to be brought to camp. Somerset will provide each Group with - trangia stoves, fuel and other group gear (including toilet paper, matches, knives and chopping boards). Our Group Leaders carry First Aid Kits. Please also see below for 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.

Completing the Personal and Medical Details

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

Please refer to further information available in the form below 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. Our Group Leaders hold qualifications in remote area first aid and can contact Base for assistance at anytime. We have an Incident Response Plan which will be enacted if required.

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. Please note details in the medical section. Please ask your child to check-in with their Group Leader on where their medications are in their rucksack, so that they can be located if required, and to advise their Group Leader if/when they have taken any so it can be recorded. Group Leaders can carry the spare set, if wanted. If required, with prior notice we may be able to organise medications to be refridgerated and then 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, antiseptic creams/betadine, and gastrolyte hydration sachets. Please indicate any restrictions or concerns in the administration of non-prescription medications to your child. If your child 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 to check-in with their Group Leader when they get to Somerset on where their medications are in their rucksack and to advise their Group Leader if/when they have taken any so it can be recorded.

Further Information

For more information please visit:

We are looking forward to seeing you at Somerset!