18-22 AUGUST 2025
ENERGISE & REVIVE
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Energise and Revive Camp will run from Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August 2025. We will leave school on Monday morning at approximately 9.30am and return by 3.30pm on Friday afternoon.
‘Energise and Revive’ Activity Week camp experience is designed to encourage students to discover and/or further embrace wellbeing activities in a beautiful bush setting.
Our accommodation ‘The Oxford’ will be the base for our experience. Nestled in the beautiful north Victorian country town of Hepburn Springs, ‘The Oxford’ is a group accommodation house that will allow for a sense of community in a homely setting. It is here that we will enhance our wellbeing through food preparation and cooking sessions, daily yoga classes, keeping warm by the log fire, working on a ‘passion project’ and enjoying the communal company.
Each day we will explore the local region and all that it has to offer. Possible physical exercise destinations include Mt Franklin, Jubilee Lake and other local walking tracks.
Yoga is another significant part of this camp experience. Most days will involve a guided Yoga session, and for one half day we will visit a local Ashram to learn more of this ancient wellbeing practice. Students do not need any prior experience, just a willingness to embrace this stretching and breathing technique.
In between the walking, exploring other local attractions and our Yoga sessions, time will be allocated for students to work on a personal passion project. This might be drawing, painting, learning a new skill, chess, knitting/felting, puzzles, etc. Students are expected to bring their own materials, and to be prepared to share their passion with others. This is a significant component of this camp and students are expected to engage with their passion daily so it is important that their choice of activity can be worked on during the week.
In rotational small groups, students will participate in food workshops throughout the week. These workshops may be a combination of preparing and cooking meals for the group, ensuring food safety and sustainable practices.
The evenings will be a chance for those who wish to continue their passion project or otherwise to wind down with ‘screen free’ time.
The aim of this experience is to develop a sense of community, and an awareness of the fulfilment of life that is possible with mindful activities. The last evening will involve an exhibition of the student and staff passion projects.
The weather is predictably cold in August. Consequently, it is essential that all students have appropriate clothing for each experience. Please take note of the recommended personal equipment list, and ensure that students have waterproof rain jackets, woollen jumpers and if possible thermal underwear. A list of recommended clothing and equipment is included in this booklet.
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,
Ms Sarah Astone & Mr Scott Fraser Energise & Revise Camp Coordinators
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung 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.
ENERGISE & REVIVE 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 $900, which will be charged to student accounts.
TRANSPORT
All students will be collected by Rosa bus from Woodleigh Senior Campus.
Departure Students must arrive at Woodleigh by 8:30am, Monday 18 August and meet at the Cruden Oval car park to load the bus. The bus will leave Woodleigh at 9.30am. See the bus location map at the end of this booklet. Return Friday 22 August by 3:30pm at the Woodleigh Cruden Oval car park.
LOCATION
The camp is based at Hepburn Springs. We will be visiting Rocklyn Yoga Ashram in Rocklyn, Chocolate Mill in Mount Franklin, The Amazing Mill Market in Daylesford and Lot 19 Art Studio in Castlemaine.
ACCOMMODATION
The camp group accommodation house for the week will be at ‘The Oxford’, 131 Main Street, Hepburn Springs.
MEALS
Students must bring a packed lunch and snacks on Monday as well as money to purchase lunch on Friday in Daylesford on the way home. Dietary requirements will be catered for at all meals.
Breakfast: Students will prepare daily from provided ingredients.
Lunch: Lunch and snacks provided by school, and prepared by students.
Dinner: Nightly dinners are included in the cost of the camp. These will be prepared by students, takeaway may be provided on one of the nights.
ACTIVITIES
Our accommodation ‘The Oxford’ will be the base for our experience. Nestled in the beautiful north Victorian country town of Hepburn Springs, ‘The Oxford’ is a group accommodation house that will allow for a sense of community in a homely setting. It is here that we will enhance wellbeing through food preparation and cooking sessions, daily yoga classes, keeping warm by the log fire, working on a ‘passion project’ and enjoying the communal company.
Each day we will explore the local region and all that it has to offer. Possible physical exercise destinations include Mt Franklin, Jubilee Lake and other local walking tracks.
Yoga is another significant part of this camp experience. Most days will involve a guided Yoga session, and for one half day we will visit a local Ashram to learn more of this ancient wellbeing practice. Students do not need any prior experience, just a willingness to embrace this stretching and breathing technique.
In between the walking, exploring other local attractions and our Yoga sessions, time will be allocated for students to work on a personal passion project. This might be drawing, reading, chess, knitting/felting, puzzles, etc. This is a significant component of this camp and students are expected to engage with their passion daily so it is important that their choice of activity can be worked on during the week. Students are expected to bring their own materials, and to be prepared to share their passion with others.
In rotational small groups, students will participate in ‘food workshops’ throughout the week. These workshops may be a combination of preparing and cooking meals for the group, ensuring food safety and hygiene, and sustainable practices.
The evenings will be a chance for those who wish to continue their passion project or otherwise to wind down with ‘screen free’ time. There may be one occasion where we do a group movie screening on one of the nights.
The aim of this experience is to develop a sense of community, and an awareness of the fulfilment of life that is possible with mindful activities. The last evening will involve an exhibition of the student and staff passion projects.
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
The weather is predictably cold in August. Consequently, it is essential that all students have appropriate clothing for each experience. Please take note of recommended personal equipment list, and ensure that students have waterproof rain jackets, woollen jumpers and if possible thermal underwear.
Clothing for relaxing at ‘The Oxford’ - for example:
• 1 pair of tracksuit pants
• 2 hoodies or pullovers
• Warm socks / slippers
• Sleepwear
• Underwear
• T-shirts
• Long sleeve top.
Clothing for outdoor adventure (e.g. bushwalking)
Essential items:
• Waterproof rain-jacket
• Leggings or thermal longs
• Thermal top or similar
• Beanie and gloves
• 3 pairs thick socks
• 2 x Wool jumpers or ‘outdoor fleece’
• Sturdy shoes for walking
• Runners
• Long pants (not denim)
• Warm clothing in general.
Other gear
• Daypack suitable to carry while bush walking
• Yoga Mat (if possible)
• Materials for ‘personal project’
• Toiletries
• Towel
• A packed lunch for Monday
• Approximately $20 for lunch on Friday (can be given to a staff member before departure for storage)
• Optional money for purchases at ‘The Amazing Mill Markets’ and ‘The Chocolate Mill’ Mt Franklin.
DO NOT BRING
Valuables, any items that you wouldn't want to lose or break, an excessive amount of money or lollies, any electronic/digital devices (including laptops, tablets, games consoles, iPads, etc.)
If students wish to bring along a camera, it is their responsibility to look after it.
MOBILE PHONES
A reminder that the Woodleigh School Mobile Phone policy will be in effect throughout the week. Mobile phones are not allowed on camp.
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.
• Getting lost in the during unsupervised times.
• Injury due to a vehicle accident.
To mitigate the above risks, the following safety precautions will be taken:
• Lost procedure and stranger danger will be discussed with students and they will always be in groups.
• The professional instructors at the various facilities visited are well regarded for their safety record, professionalism, and knowledge of the locations.
• Daily assessment of weather and conditions will dictate locations used.
• Staff will carry first aid kits and have first aid training.
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 accommodation/venue 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.
• Students are not to be moving between rooms. You will only enter someone else's room if they have invited 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. 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 quite in the house is of the utmost importance.
UNSUPERVISED TIMES
We plan to visit ‘The Amazing Mill Markets’ in Daylesford, which showcases local products and artists, during the week and on Friday, for a set time in Daylesford, students will be given the opportunity to purchase their lunch and therefore be unsupervised with the following arrangements:
• Students will be in groups of at least 3.
• Students will be informed of a specific meeting location in which a staff member will always be present.
• Students receive clear directions about boundaries and reporting time.
