CROSS COUNTRY SKIING HOTHAM CAMP 2025 ACTIVITIES WEEK
17-22 AUGUST 2025
CROSS
July 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Cross-Country Ski Camp will run from Sunday 17 August until Friday 22 August 2025. The camp will be based out of Dinner Plain, close to Mount Hotham, one of Victoria's premier snowfields. The Dinner Plain region provides us with excellent teaching areas to learn the basics of cross-country skiing and snow safety skills. We intend to explore the extensive cross country ski trails at Dinner Plain, Paw Paw Plain, Wire Plain and Mount Hotham. Although while at Dinner Plain we are staying in lodge accommodation, our days will be spent out in the alpine environment and all safety advice and precautions must be strictly adhered to.
The alpine environment is subject to inclement, cold and often unpredictable weather conditions. Consequently, it is essential that students adhere to the personal equipment list and ensure that they have a waterproof rain jacket, over pants, beanie, gloves, woollen or polar fleece clothing for insulation and thermal undergarments. A comprehensive list is attached.
We will be hiring cross country skis, poles and boots from Hoys at Dinner Plain.
At Dinner Plain, our accommodation will be at Alpenglow Lodge and Krystal Peaks Lodge, well-equipped alpine lodges. The accommodation includes linen and a drying room.
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 Alasdair Ross
Cross Country Skiing at Hotham Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Gunaikurnai and Taungurung 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.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AT HOTHAM CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Sunday 17 August until 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 $1,300, which will be charged to student accounts. This cost includes Lodge accommodation, skis, boots and pole hire, bus transport to ski trails, breakfasts, lunches and dinner on Thursday night.
You will need extra cash for a lunch and snacks on Friday when travelling home and possibly for a shop stop in Bairnsdale on the way up on Sunday.
TRANSPORT
Travel will be by coach. We will travel with the Mt Hotham Downhill Ski Camp via Bairnsdale and then onto Mount Hotham.
Departure The Coach will depart from the main driveway carpark at the entrance side on Sunday 17 August (BYO lunch for this trip), please make sure you arrive at Woodleigh by no later than 7.30am to load the bus. The bus will be departing at 8am.
Return To Woodleigh on Friday 22 August at approximately 6pm. Parents are advised to call the front office on Friday afternoon to confirm the arrival time.
LOCATION
The camp is based at Dinner Plain. The group will ski on the Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham cross country ski tracks. Transport between Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain is via the public shuttle bus.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be at Alpenglow Lodge and Krystal Peaks Lodge at Dinner Plain. The accommodation includes linen and a drying room.
MEALS
Breakfast All breakfasts are provided.
Lunches Materials to make sandwiches and fruit will be provided. We will make lunches each morning and carry them in our backpacks.
Lunch for Sunday Should be brought with you (cut lunch) from home.
Dinner Dinners are your responsibility. You need to plan, buy and pack food to enable you to cook tasty, nutritious and filling meals at the end of each day. Menu plans will be prepared in groups. You will need to plan for 4 evening meals. Pack your food efficiently in one plastic lined cardboard box or sturdy shopping bag.
Extra cash You will need extra cash for a snack on Friday when travelling home and possibly for a shop stop in Bairnsdale on the way up on Sunday.
Snacks Bring plenty of snacks for energy. Muesli bars, chocolate and scroggin are all good and will help you keep warm and energised on long days. No nuts please.
Drinks Two 1 litre water bottles or, even better, a 2 litre Camel Back. If you want to bring a small strong metal (not glass) thermos for hot drinks, you may.
You will probably eat more than usual due to the strenuous activity during the day, but please be conscious of not bringing too much. Storage space is very limited in the lodge, and we would like to minimise waste.
ACTIVITIES
The Dinner Plain region provides us with excellent teaching areas to learn the basics of cross-country skiing and snow safety skills. We intend to explore the extensive cross country ski trails at Dinner Plain, Paw Paw Plain, Wire Plain and up towards Mount Hotham. While we will be based in lodge accommodation, our days will be spent out in the alpine environment and all safety advice and precautions must be strictly adhered to.
PRE-SKI FITNESS
Skiing is a physically demanding sport performed in climatic conditions quite different from those we are used to. It places great demands on the muscles and ligaments of the body as well as the heart and lung system.
A pre-season fitness program will enhance strength and fitness and make people less likely to be injured – muscles, tendons and ligaments being stronger and more flexible.
It is strongly suggested that skiers prepare themselves well in advance, by participation in some form of pre-ski fitness program. Get fit to go skiing, don't ski to get fit. By being fitter, you will be able to ski longer, harder and better on the more difficult slopes. A fitness program should start at least four weeks prior to the excursion and cover endurance and flexibility. You will be expected to do the Ski Fitness Activity in Unit 5.
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
All the equipment listed is essential unless otherwise indicated. Omitting any item may lead to personal inconvenience or discomfort. Essential safety items may need to be purchased on the mountain if forgotten. Should you have any difficulty in providing any item do not hesitate to contact staff for assistance.
A gear check will be conducted during Activities in early August. The gear to be checked includes:
• Jacket.
• Over pants.
• Gloves.
• Ski pants – e.g. nylon track pants (not cotton).
• Day pack.
• Beanie.
Lodge Needs
• Toiletries.
• Soft sole indoor shoes (Ugg boots).
• A book to read (optional).
• Quiet games e.g. cards, board games (optional).
• Torch (and spare batteries).
• A small personal first aid kit.
• Tissues/hankies.
• Personal facemasks for bus trips.
Lodge Clothes
• PJ’s
• A comfortable set of clothes for the Lodge. Not the same clothes packed for skiing.
Ski Tour Needs
• Day pack - A strong day pack with garbage bag liner. It must be big enough to hold your jacket, lunch, water bottle, jumper, spare socks, map, spare gloves and sunglasses all at once. It needs to be comfortable and well fitted as you will be skiing with it each day.
• Water bottle.
• Whistle.
• Lunch box.
• Thermos - Not compulsory. Stainless steel is best (not glass).
• Sunscreen.
Ski Clothes
• Socks x 6 pairs - Wool or wool equivalent. Explorer type are appropriate. NOT cotton.
• Underwear, thermal underwear tops - Polypropylene underwear is light, breathable, helps shed body moisture and has superior insulation qualities. It can be washed easily during the camp.
• Ski Pants (e.g. nylon track pants) - Ski pants for most conditions should be light, breathable and not hold water. Cotton garments such as jeans, army greens, corduroy are inappropriate and NOT to be worn. Lightweight woollen trousers or nylon track pants are fine. Check op shops.
• Thermal long johns - These are good under ski pants on really cold days (or on their own on warmer days).
• Tops x 3 - Wool shirts and jumpers are good but take time to dry out if wet. Polar fleece jumpers and tops are ideal.
• Waterproof jacket - This must be good quality. Sleeves need to reach knuckles; hood must be sewn on and big enough to accommodate your beanie and allow free movement. The length for most designs should come to at least mid-thigh. Jackets should be made of Japara, Gortex or equivalent. Not lined. A hiking jacket, rather than a downhill ski jacket.
• Waterproof Over pants - These should be big enough to allow free movement when worn over ski pants. Lined ski pants may be too warm.
• Gloves/mittens x 3 pairs - Wet gloves are hard to dry and sap energy. Wool gloves are good as are numerous ski gloves found in outdoor shops. Down Hill ski gloves or Snowboarding gloves can be too warm and bulky for x-country skiing.
• Waterproof Over Mittens - These are not essential but if you have them bring them.
• Beanie/Balaclava x 2 - A great deal of body heat can be lost through an unprotected head. These must be either wool or polar fleece.
• Peaked sun hat (essential) - A cap is needed to avoid sunburn.
• Sunglasses/goggles - Essential to avoid glare and potential snow blindness. Consider bringing a spare pair too. Goggles in case of blizzard.
Extras:
• Camera in a waterproof bag.
• Small musical instrument.
• Map bag.
• Compass.
DO NOT BRING
Valuables or any articles that you wouldn't want to lose or break, an excessive amount of money, lollies, or any electronic/digital devices.
Suggested Items: Group games (card/board).
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones should be left at home and not brought on camp. They will not be required.
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.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Injury due to collision or falling awkwardly.
• Getting lost
• Fracture caused by impact with an object or another person
In order to mitigate these risks - students will be required to have the appropriate safety gear and have qualified instruction. They will also be made aware of the Alpine Responsibility Code and be required to always ski or board in control. The following information is important for you to be aware of in order to be safe on this camp.
FIRST AID AND HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia
A lowering of the body core temperature due to a combination of wind, wet and cold conditions, fatigue, inadequate clothing, hunger and anxiety. Signs and symptoms include exhaustion, cold, numb skin (particularly toes and fingers), shivering, slurred speech, irrational and violent behaviour, lethargy, stumbling, dizzy spells, muscle cramps and violent outbursts of energy. If the problem is not recognised and treated promptly, then unconsciousness and death may follow.
Prevention:
• Be prepared for cold, wet and windy conditions.
• Wear warm and waterproof clothing to protect all parts of the body, including hands, feet, neck and head.
• Be physically fit and do not overtax yourself.
• Eat a good meal before the trip and high energy snacks during the trip.
• Never ski alone – always remain with the group.
• Stop and take shelter if early signs of hypothermia appear.
Treatment
• Erect a shelter (e.g. tent) over the patient to insulate and prevent further heat loss.
• Remove wet, outer (but not inner) clothing layer and replace with warm dry clothes.
• Place patient in a sleeping bag. Insulate patient’s bag from the ground.
• If conscious, give warm drinks and quick energy foods.
• If unconscious, do not give food or drinks, send for medical aid urgently. If breathing fails, give CPR.
• The patient should not be moved until either fully recovered or medical aid arrives.
• All handling of the patient should be kept to an absolute minimum and performed very gently.
• Do not rub patient's skin, place near a fire or remove clothing whilst still exposed to the wind.
Blisters
Caused by a constant rubbing of different layers of skin which eventually separate and form a bubble or even raw, exposed skin. Usual problem areas are the feet through badly fitting shoes.
Prevention:
• Wear a light, thin pair of socks (not stretch nylon) under a thick, heavy pair of woollen socks.
• Wear snug fitting boots and keep feet clean and dry.
• Apply “leucoplast” tape over potential blister areas or at the first sign of ‘hot’ spots developing.
Treatment:
• Wash and dry affected area.
• Apply tape directly over blister.
• If blister has burst, then cover with dressing and protect from further rubbing.
Snow blindness
Extreme irritation of the eyes caused by reflected ultra-violet light from bright, whiteout or overcast snow conditions. Patients are forced to close their eyes to avoid irritation.
Prevention:
• Use good quality sunglasses or snow goggles even on overcast days.
Treatment:
• Apply cold compresses to closed eyes.
• Place patient in area of subdued light (ideally dark area).
• Do not rub eyes.
• Take paracetamol type pain relieving tablets if the pain is severe.
Emergency procedure
What to do if you are lost:
• As soon as you realise that you are lost, STAY WHERE YOU ARE.
• Seek shelter – set up your tent if you are carrying it or shelter behind trees or rocks and place your crossed skis above your position.
• Distress signals: three signals together regularly spaced or anything that will attract attention e.g. by smoke, whistles, flashing of mirror or torch, or by distinctive waving of clothing.
• The best place for your survival camp is on the edge of a clearing, where you can easily move out from the shelter to attract attention.
• Wait for rescue. Helicopters may be called in to rescue you in extreme conditions. Keep well clear of the helicopter’s landing area and await instructions from the pilot.
• DO NOT PANIC!!!
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
Use of Huts
These are important refuges for ski tourers, particularly in bad weather conditions. Many of the huts in the high country belong to cattlemen and are a significant part of our heritage. No group should rely on huts for shelter, as they may be already fully occupied or difficult to find in adverse conditions. Always carry tents and be prepared to use them. Although the first-come-first-served rule generally applies, no group has exclusive rights of any hut, particularly when the safety of another group could be at risk. Any group using a hut has several duties to perform before leaving, including removing all rubbish, replacing any firewood used, cleaning and sweeping the hut, dousing fires and taking away all food and provisions which would otherwise deteriorate quickly and attract rats and mice.
Rubbish
This should never be buried in the snow as it will eventually appear on the ground once the snow has melted. All rubbish, therefore, should be taken home with you.
Toilets
The pit toilets provided at some huts should always be used. Where toilets are not provided, human waste should preferably be buried in the ground, well away from huts and water sources. If such a disposal is a problem (as it often is) toilet areas should be clearly defined and located away from summer walking areas and among vegetation that will screen the waste when they become visible after the snow has melted. If possible, toilet paper should be burned to reduce the unsightliness of toilet area during summer. A snow shovel will make it easier to dig down to ground level or to cut a hole deep enough in the snow for toilet purposes. The deeper the hole, the better.
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 room before breakfast or after dark. You will only enter someone else's room if the people in that group are there, invite you in and you have obtained permission from a staff member.
Students will be placed 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. 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.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AT HOTHAM CAMP PROGRAM
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7.30am
Arrive Woodleigh - Gear check 8am
Depart for Dinner Plain (BYO lunch)
Lunch Cut Lunch from home
CATERING AND FOOD PLANS
Sandwich materials provided. You make lunches in the morning to carry
Sandwich materials provided. You make lunches in the morning to carry
Sandwich materials provided. You make lunches in the morning to carry Sandwich materials provided. You make lunches in the morning to carry Buy lunch on the way home
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
