18-22 AUGUST 2025
BAYPLAY MARINE CAMP
July 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Bayplay Marine Camp will run from Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August 2025. During the week, students will experience a variety of activities based on and around the water, with a focus on learning about the importance of our marine and coastal ecosystems and having fun!
Bayplay specialises in marine adventure and education for schools. Instructors and guides are experts in their respective fields, great communicators, and all have a rapport with young people that ensures students will have great fun and a rich learning experience. The program will operate from base sites at Blairgowrie and Portsea, as well as a day trip to the Marine Discovery Centre in Queenscliff on the Thursday. Students will explore the beauty and many wonders of Port Phillip Bay whilst participating in a range of activities. Please note that every effort will be made to run these activities on the given day, however this will be dependent on suitable and safe conditions, and specific days may change according to weather conditions on the day.
It is a cold time of year for outdoor and water-based activities; therefore students will need to ensure that they wear appropriate clothing. A list of recommended clothing and equipment is included in this booklet. Bayplay will provide all necessary equipment for the majority of the activities, including kayaking, bike riding and sailing.
The cost of the program is approximately $600, which will be processed through school accounts. The cost includes all sea kayaking, sailing, snorkelling equipment, transport and other activities. Lunch is not provided, so students will need to bring a packed lunch each day as we will not be able to purchase lunch, with the exception of Thursday at Queenscliff.
Parents/Guardians, please respond to the Operoo eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date.
In this booklet you will find further information regarding the camp so please read through this carefully.
If there are any further queries you may have, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to a fun and rewarding week!
Yours sincerely,
Mr Derek Kirk Bayplay Marine Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Bunurong and Boonwurrung people and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We are grateful to be visiting their land and we recognise their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this land.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS WITHDRAWING FROM ACTIVITIES WEEK CAMP/ABSENTEE CHARGEBACK POST CAMP
Activities Week Camp is a compulsory part of the school curriculum and all students are expected to participate. Bookings and arrangements are made on this expectation.
In the event that a student withdraws from the camp due to medical reasons, the school requires prior written notice accompanied by a valid medical certificate. In such cases, families will be responsible for all non-refundable costs incurred, including but not limited to flights, accommodation, and other pre-paid expenses.
For cancellations due to a change of mind or any non-medical reasons, families will be charged the full camp fee.
SUNSMART POLICY
In keeping with the school’s “SunSmart” approach to outdoor activities, students are required to bring sunscreen, a protective hat (with a wide brim) and to wear tops which adequately cover the skin of the shoulders and back. In the event of swimming activities, students will need “rashies” or t-shirts. Sunscreen is an additional protection - it does not take the place of clothing or shade.
NUT POLICY
On Camp, we request that parents/students avoid bringing food products that contain nuts of any kind. In order to minimise the risk to students with severe allergies.
The school cannot guarantee that the camp environment will be 100% allergen free, hence students with allergies need to remain vigilant in their decisions around any food that they ingest.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CONTACT
In the event of an emergency, or if you need to urgently contact your child, please do not ring the camp (or your child) directly but rather contact the school during office hours on (03) 5971 6100 or contact after hours on mobile 0482 888 022
RESPOND TO OPEROO EFORM
To enable staff to fulfil their duty of care to students, we need accurate and up-to-date information about medical and personal issues for all students. Please respond to the Operoo eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date. Any last-minute changes should be communicated directly to the leader of the camp as well as updated on Operoo. We do rely on this information, and parents do have a duty of disclosure, to ensure all relevant information is known.
INFORMATION COLLECTION POLICY
Confidential medical and other sensitive information collected and used for the running of these camps will be handled in line with the School’s Privacy Policy.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS SENT HOME FROM CAMP
Where a student does need to be sent home, for medical, personal, or discipline reasons, they will need to be collected from the camp by their parent/guardian (at their own expense) - they cannot travel unaccompanied. In all cases, arrangements must be made with school and special arrangements may need to be in place for remote camps, i.e. 3 or more hours from school.
EXTREME WEATHER POLICY
We will modify our program based on weather forecasts - we will be in contact with Woodleigh School to review the week’s weather as it unfolds. In the event of a day being forecast to be Extreme (under the CFA Fire Danger Rating system) the program will be modified at the least, to ensure safety in the heat, and evacuation plans in readiness. In the event of a day being forecast to be Code Red (Catastrophic), the program will be cancelled in advance and students evacuated the day before. The School will use SMS and email to communicate with parents in such cases.
BAYPLAY MARINE CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 18 - Friday 22 August 2025.
MEDICATION ON CAMP
If you believe your child needs to take medication during the school day on camp, please contact the School Nurse before Monday 11 August.
COST
The cost of this Activities Week Camp is approximately $600, which will be charged to student accounts. The cost includes all sea kayaking, sailing, equipment, transport, aquarium entry and other activities. Lunch is not provided, so students will need to bring a packed lunch and water bottle each day as we will not be able to purchase lunch.
TRANSPORT
The group will be travelling by bus driven by Mr Kirk, departing school each morning at 8.30am and returning at approximately 4:30pm each afternoon dependent on conditions and activities. Please refer to the bus location map at the end of this booklet.
Departure Students are to arrive and meet at the Woodleigh Main Driveway (exit side) each morning for an 8.45am bus departure.
Return Students will return to the Woodleigh Main Driveway (entrance side) each day at approximately 4.30pm. In the event that the return is before 3:45pm, normal school buses will be available.
LOCATION
Bayplay are located in Portsea and Blairgowrie on the Southern Mornington Peninsula. Each day, we will visit various locations for the activities, and of course the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre on Thursday.
MEALS
Students will need to provide their own snacks, drinks and lunch each day. There will be the opportunity to buy food when we travel to Queenscliff on Thursday, however students are still advised to bring their own water bottles and snacks on this day.
ACTIVITIES
The program will operate from base sites at Blairgowrie and Portsea, and Queenscliff on the Thursday. Students will explore the beauty and many wonders of Port Phillip Bay whilst participating in a range of activities. Please note that every effort will be made to run these activities on the programmed day, however this will be dependent on suitable and safe conditions, and specific days may change according to weather conditions on the day.
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
All equipment required is inclusive for the duration of the program. However, students should bring appropriate clothing for the day’s weather according to the activity. On days when we will be in/on the water (snorkelling, kayaking and sailing) wetsuits will be provided.
What to wear and bring each day:
• Woollen Jumper/Polar-fleece top
• Beanie/Hat/Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Enclosed walking shoes or boots
• Towel on water-based days
• Pack or bag – extra plastic bags for wet gear
• One complete change of dry clothes
• Waterproof jacket with a hood
• Camera – optional.
DO NOT BRING
Valuables or any articles that you would hate to lose or break, an excessive amount of money, lollies, or any electronic/digital devices.
MOBILE PHONES
A reminder that the Woodleigh School Mobile Phone policy will be in effect throughout the week. Mobile phones are allowed to be brought on the camp however are only to be used to communicate with parents if plans for the day have to be changed, affecting school return times. Otherwise they should be switched off and left in bags.
RISK
There are elements of risk involved in this camp and whilst safety ratios and requirements will be adhered to, we believe it is important to make you aware of potential risks. These risks include but are not limited to:
• Exposure to cold weather, water and extreme temperatures.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Drowning.
In order to mitigate these risks - students will be required to have the appropriate safety clothing and equipment (list provided) and we will be using reputable providers to deliver all water-based activities. Staff will be checking the weather and conditions daily and the program may change in the interests of safety if required. Staff will carry rescue equipment and first aid equipment.
BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS
• As a participant in the Activities Week Camps program, there is a high level of responsibility and expectation with respect to behaviour. All normal school policies apply, in particular:
• Involvement with sex, drugs, smoking, vaping or alcohol is prohibited.
• A preparedness to participate wherever appropriate.
• Safety of all participants is paramount. Infringement of these policies may result in the student being sent home, at your own expense.
• It is a courtesy to be respectful and positive at all events, even those you personally find less interesting. A good night’s sleep will be essential - being tired will not only affect you but also others on camp.
• Never leave the site without the permission of a staff member.
• Each student is responsible for the immediate environment and must keep it tidy and not damage any of the surroundings.
BAYPLAY MARINE CAMP PROGRAM
TIME & DAY Morning Afternoon
Session 1:
Tree Climbing – Iluka Retreat (Group 1)
Monday Living Culture session – Shoreham Beach.
SUP Lesson – Iluka Retreat (Group 2)
Session 2:
Groups will then switch – everyone will experience both activities.
Tuesday Bay Charter - cruise. Sea kayak experience.
Wednesday Guided bike tour around Point Nepean. Snorkelling with dragons.
Thursday Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre Maritime Museum (if time available)
Friday Hike – Bushrangers Bay
Hike – Bushrangers Bay Celebration!
Note: This is a guideline to activities only. Every effort will be made to run these activities on the given day, however this will be dependent on suitable and safe conditions.
BUS LOCATION - DEPART/RETURN
2025 ACTIVITIES WEEK CAMP BUS LOCATIONS
WOODLEIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CAMPUS
Please make sure you refer to your camp booklet for departure and return dates and times.
Parents, please park in designated parking areas when dropping off/collecting your child to avoid congestion around the buses on Monday departures and Friday returns.
MY CAMP CHECKLIST
Things to purchase / Things to take
