BEECHWORTH MTB EPIC CAMP 2025 ACTIVITIES WEEK
18-22 AUGUST 2025
BEECHWORTH MTB EPIC
July 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Alpine Valleys Bike Touring camp will be held from Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August 2025. The camp is a week of single-track adventure, skill development, and exploring a wonderful part of Victoria’s High Country.
Throughout the week, you will take yourselves on a journey through the Beechworth’s local MTB park, and then onto the Indigo Epic trails that wind their way down to Yackandandah. When staying in Beechworth, you will be able to explore the town and for its amazing bakeries during the day. The Indigo Epic is a fantastic trail for riders of all abilities. The trails are designed to be predictable even when seeing a section for the first time, and ride the intermediate blue trail standards for a mix of challenge and thrill.
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 Tom Angelico Beechworth MTB Epic Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Wiradjuri, Wavereoo, Dhudhuroa, Min-jan-buttu, and Ya-itma-thang people of the Pallanganmiddang Nation, who collectively make up the Pallanganmiddang nation 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.
BEECHWORTH MTB EPIC
CAMP
INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 18 - Friday 22 August 2025.
MEDICATION ON CAMP
Any students taking prescription medication on camp will need to provide all medication (in original packaging) to school by no later than Tuesday 12 August 2025. You can drop off the medication to reception or the First Aid Centre anytime between 8am-4.30pm. Before handing in your child's prescription medication, you are required to answer all the questions within the Operoo e-Form.
COST
The cost of this Activities Week Camp is approximately $700 (includes admissions and accommodation), which will be charged to student accounts. Students will need to bring $35 each day for dinner. Students can place the money in an envelope clearly marked with the student's name and handed to staff when boarding the bus for departure.
TRANSPORT
Students will travel in a mini-bus (with trailer) driven by a staff member.
Departure
Meet at 7:15am on Monday 18 August in the Cruden Oval carpark. On arrival at school, please place your luggage onto the bus with Mr Allsop and then present your bike for inspection with Mr Angelico. We will be departing at 8:15am in a mini-bus with all our bikes on the school bike trailer to Beechworth MTB Park. From here, we will go through some MTB skills as we do some afternoon loops of the park.
Return On Friday 22 August we will have a shorter morning ride and then depart Beechworth at approximately 11:00am and returning to Woodleigh at approximately 3.30pm.
LOCATION
The camp is based in Beechworth, utilising the trails from Beechworth to Yackandandah.
ACCOMMODATION
We will be staying at Beechworth Lake Sambell Caravan Park.
Students will sleep in cabin style rooms with 3-4 beds. Rooms will be allocated when we arrive.
MEALS
Students to bring a packed lunch for the Monday. Breakfast, lunch (other than Monday) and snacks will be provided. We will eat breakfast at our accommodation, while lunch and snacks will be provided at rest stops throughout the day. Students will need to carry two water bottles on their bikes during the day, or use a water bladder backpack.
Each night we will be eating out in Beechworth. You will need $35 spending money each night for dinner. The final night will be a group dinner.
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
Be prepared for all weather conditions.
Your Bike and What to Wear
• A Mountain Bike is required (suited to Cross Country rather than Gravity)
• Students will be required to bring their bike into school to be checked by Mr Angelico.
• Bikes must be serviced by a professional bike mechanic prior to the camp.
• Compulsory items include, 2 water bottles, a multi tool, a spare tube specific to your bike, a simple puncture repair kit and a lock.
• All bikes will be checked by a staff member throughout the week. It is the student’s responsibility to bring a safely setup and serviced bike and suitable cycling attire.
• A waterproof /windproof jacket needs to be carried or placed on the support vehicle every day.
• Wearing layers is best on a bike, you can peel off or put on as required – typically the bottom layer is a lycra short sleeve shirt, the middle layer can be a thin long sleeve top and the top layer should be a waterproof / wind proof light jacket.
• All riders are to wear shorts/close fitting pants with padded knicks.
• All riders need to wear sport socks with cycling shoes/runners.
• Helmets are compulsory and must be fitted correctly.
• Protective eyewear is suggested but not compulsory.
• Protective full finger gloves are compulsory.
• Small backpack to carry food, as well of spares of tools and clothing.
In the lead up to camp, please discuss with Mr Angelico or Mr Allsop what type of bike you are planning to ride.
Personal Equipment:
• Mobile phone & charger.
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, tops with sleeves: BE SUNSMART – this is your responsibility.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Good walking shoes for evenings.
• Smart casual (and warm!) clothes for afternoon / evenings.
• Towel and toiletries.
• Snacks.
• Cycling clothes – see earlier, but at least 3 sets of riding clothes and 1 jacket.
• Approved helmet fitted correctly.
• A serviced and in good condition bike (see earlier in this booklet).
• A sleeping bag for extra warmth at night if needed (it is snow season on the mountains).
DO NOT BRING
Valuables, cameras or any articles that you wouldn't want 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 should be brought to this camp as a safety measure to be able to contact staff during the day. Phones will be put away when at the accommodation. We will talk about our phone policy for the camp during camp meetings.
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 and extreme temperatures.
• Traffic incidents when coming into towns and road crossings.
• Getting lost.
• Negative interaction with a member of the public.
• Soft tissue injury.
• Impact or falling off bike causing fracture or head injury
In order to mitigate these risks:
• Students will be required to have the appropriate safety clothing and equipment (list provided).
• Student bikes must be in good repair and will be checked prior to the camp
• Staff will be checking the weather and conditions daily and the program may change in the interests of safety if required.
• Staff will set up a communications system with students using mobile phones and students will always be in groups of at least three when moving along the route. There will be a support vehicle on hand if required.
• Staff will have first aid qualifications including anaphylaxis training and carry relevant first aid supplies.
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 campsite 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.
• No-one is to enter anyone else's cabin before breakfast or after dark. You will only enter someone else's cabin if the people in that group are there, invite you in and you have obtained permission from a staff member.
Students will be rostered into groups to help with organisation which will include such things as setting out breakfast, lunch and washing up. There are also room and cleaning duties which will be performed every day during the camp along with maintaining individual equipment. Students will have some free time to rest, read and socialise in the lounge. We encourage every student to bring a board game or cards etc. to play with their peers during these down times.
Students are not permitted to eat, watch TV or hang out in the bedrooms. The rooms are only for sleeping, dressing and showering. The days will be long and tiring and therefore some students may wish to go to sleep earlier. We are living in a close group with peers and staff, respecting each other’s privacy and being quiet in the house is of the upmost importance.
At the accommodation, there will be videos etc. that are left for the use of guests. This means that students may be exposed to DVDs and other materials that may be rated inappropriately for their age. Staff will endeavour to minimise this impact by regularly checking and supervising students at the accommodation. The School’s policy governing what students may see, (Policy on Appropriate Material for Public Performances) does affect the camp in that M-rated material may not be shown to students under 15 years of age without prior parental consent. From our experience many of the DVDs at any accommodation are ones that secondary students can view without being exposed to inappropriate material.
As part of the camp, there will be a movie night scheduled during the week. The movie for that night has not been selected yet. The film could be rated M or PG. However, should you have reservations about allowing your child to view M rated DVDs there will be alternate provisions made.
BIKE ROUTES / MAPS / SAFETY
• Always check where you are and what direction you are going
• Getting to and from MTB trails may involve road crossings, students must walk their bikes across the entire intersection and or road.
• We will only be riding green and blue level trails. You are expected to follow directions from staff as to which trails are to be ridden, and will avoid all black trails. Always ride within your ability, and walk a feature if you don’t feel ready to ride it.
• It’s important to regularly check you are heading in the correct direction
• Phones should not be accessed while riding. You will need to stop and pull off the track to use your phone
• For many of the rides, there will be a Head of the ride and a Tail of the ride. For these rides, students are not to go in front of the Head or fall behind the Tail. A rider will always be present at any major deviation on these rides.
• It’s important to note that vehicle support is always available and most likely within 30 minutes of where you are (communication is important all week).
BEECHWORTH MTB EPIC CAMP PROGRAM
DAY PROGRAM
Monday
Tuesday
Beechworth MTB Park
• Arrive at 7:15am for an 8:15am departure (Cruden Oval carpark)
• Lunch stop during drive
• Drive to Beechworth MTB Park for 1pm arrival
• Unload bikes and safety brief
• Skills work and loops of MTB Park
• Check into Beechworth Lake Sambell Caravan Park
• Dinner in Beechworth
Yack Tracks
• Shuttle to Yackandandah
• Lunch on the trail
• Afternoon snack in Yackandandah
• Shuttle return to Beechworth
• Dinner in Beechworth
Wednesday
Thursday
Indigo Epic (Beechworth Return OR Yackandandah to Beechworth)
• Shuttle to Twist Creek Road, Yackandandah (if required)
• Lunch on the trail
• Dinner in Beechworth
Friday
Indigo Epic (Beechworth to Yackandandah)
• Lunch on the trail
• Afternoon snack in Yackandandah
• Shuttle return to Beechworth
• Group dinner in Beechworth
Indigo Epic (Beechworth Loop)
• 8:30am ride start
• Lunch in Beechworth
• Load bikes onto trailer, depart by 11:00am
• Return to Woodleigh at approximately 3:30pm
Please note: Ride routes throughout the week are subject to change.
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
