18-22 AUGUST 2025
MT ARAPILES ROCK
July 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Mt Arapiles Rock Climbing five-day climbing adventure camp will run from Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August 2025.
Mt Arapiles, near Horsham, is one of the world’s top rock-climbing venues, because of the number of climbs it offers, the hard sandstone rock and the ease and safety of access routes to and from the climbs.
Professional Rock-Climbing instructors from “The Climbing Company” will provide tuition on Monday afternoon, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting).
The weather is predictably cold in August. Consequently, it is essential that all students have appropriate clothing for the experience. Please adhere to the personal equipment list and ensure that students have waterproof rain jackets, woollen jumpers or fibrepile clothing, and if possible thermal underwear. A thermal top, at least, is an excellent Woodleigh investment or these may be borrowed from more experienced campers at school.
It is essential that students have appropriate equipment and clothing including a sturdy tent for each group, warm sleeping bag and a wind and waterproof jacket, preferably a japara. A comprehensive list of equipment is included in this booklet, so please read through this carefully.
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 Rob Watkins
Mt Arapiles Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Mount Arapiles Camp is being held on the lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk people and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners.
We also pay our respects to their Elders, past and present and emerging, and Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be on this land we are travelling to.
Mount Arapiles, known as Dyuritte by the Traditional Owners have been occupied for thousands of years and have maintained a deep spiritual and cultural connections to the area.
The Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) are the Registered Aboriginal Party that represents Traditional Owners from the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples.
BGLC is the Federally recognised authority to speak on behalf of the Wotjobaluk peoples and to make legal decisions about cultural heritage.
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.
MT ARAPILES ROCK CLIMBING 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 base cost of this Activities Week Camp is approximately $850, which will be charged to student accounts. This cost includes hire of a minibus and trailer for a week, camping fees, professional tuition fees, cooking fuel and climbing equipment hire. This price does not include food or any clothing/ camping equipment, which may need to be purchased or hired. Students will need to bring money for Thursday dinner and lunch on Friday (and optional lunch on Monday).
TRANSPORT
All students will be collected by minibus from Woodleigh Senior Campus.
Departure Students to meet at Woodleigh at 7am, Monday 18 August for a 7:30am bus departure. Please refer to the bus location map at the end of this booklet.
Return Friday 22 August by approximately 3.30pm at Cruden Oval.
LOCATION
The camp is located at Mt Arapiles, near Horsham.
ACCOMMODATION
The camp accommodation for the week will be in camping tents brought by students.
MEALS
Students will form small groups for tenting and cooking, preparing and providing their own menu and food supplies.
Group stoves and fuel will be provided, but students will need to provide cooking pots and utensils as required (see attached list).
Please take care with the selection of food. We discourage lollies, soft drinks and junk food. Rock climbing requires energy food, e.g. complex carbohydrates (fruit, pasta, bread, rice) and sources of protein (cheese, meat, tuna).
You will be required to take sufficient food for four days. Avoid over-catering. You will also be required to:
• Provide a cut lunch on the first day.
• Four breakfasts - For example, cereal, porridge, long life milk, dried fruit, toast, tea, Milo.
• Three lunches - For example, wholemeal/Lebanese bread, pita bread, mountain bread, dry biscuits, scroggin, fruit, cheese, soup, muesli bars, spreads, salami, jaffles.
• Three cooked evening meals - For example, vegeroni, rice dishes, soup, curry dishes, tuna.
Plenty of fresh water is available at the camp site.
Snacks to take to the climbing locations are important, for example, oranges, muesli bars (Nut Free), dried fruit. Make sure to pack some of these to supplement your meals.
You will also need:
• Cut lunch on the first day.
• Money for Thursday dinner at a local pub and lunch on the way back.
ACTIVITIES
Professional Rock-Climbing instructors from “The Climbing Company” will provide tuition on Monday afternoon, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting).
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
The following items must be brought to school during the week before camp for checking:
• Jacket.
• Tent as arranged.
Group Gear
• Two/three-person tent (Check pegs and poles before you leave).
• Cooking utensils - Pots, egg flip, jaffle iron, wooden spoon, tongs.
• Plastic pot scourer, detergent, dishwashing bucket and tea towel.
• Food for the week.
• 4-5 large garbage bags.
• Day Pack to hold lunch, snacks and wet weather gear. Clothing and Equipment
• In cold weather the most important items of clothing are those which provide insulation. Layers of clothing keep you warm by trapping air between them.
• Wool retains most of its insulation value when wet. Wool or fibrepile type clothing is essential for this experience. Thermals are excellent.
• Jeans and other cotton clothing absorb water easily and are very cold when wet. These should be avoided if possible.
Personal Equipment
• Waterproof jacket with a hood - essential, must have a good hood and be completely waterproof and windproof. Japara or Goretex jackets are suitable.
• Tracksuit pants - At least two pairs.
• Two woollen or fibrepile jumpers. Two light jumpers are warmer than one heavy jumper.
• Cotton t-shirt and shorts - at least two pairs.
• Gloves - a pair of woollen or thermal gloves.
• Woollen beanie or balaclava. Nights are likely to be cold. Wool is essential for warmth.
• An extra pair of sneakers.
• Socks (woollen/nylon mix - 80% wool) - Four-five pairs, e.g. Holeproof Explorer.
• Thermal undergarments - specialist thermal pants and tops made from polypropylene or chlorofibre is readily available and effective but is relatively expensive, e.g. Mountain Design, Kathmandu. Perhaps borrow some from other Woodleigh students.
• Handkerchiefs.
• Water bottle - one litre drink bottle / plastic soft drink bottle.
• Personal First Aid Kit - personal needs such as safety pins, Elastoplast, elastic bandage, sunscreen and lip balm/moisturiser.
• Spare clothes - a set of clothing should be kept dry at all times. For example, spare thermals and woollen jumper.
• Sleeping Bag - down is BEST for warmth. DACRON is very bulky but stays warm when wet.
• Sleeping mat - insulates against the cold. Closed cell mat or thermarest is suitable.
• Pillow - small Inflatable is best.
• Head Torch - pack spare batteries.
• Utensils - tea towel, mug, plate, knife, fork and spoon. Keep in a drawstring cloth bag and label them with your name.
• Camera - optional, use plastic bags to keep dry (no phones).
• Toiletries - toothbrush, paste, etc. and toilet paper.
• Nylon cord (Blind cord) - for tent guy ropes, laces, clothesline.
DO NOT BRING
Valuables, cameras or 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.)
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones must be left at home and not brought on camp. They compromise the experience and will not be required. Staff will have a phone for emergency use.
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.
• Injury or death due to falling from a height or impact of a falling object.
• Injury due to entanglement in rope or equipment.
To mitigate the above risks, the following safety precautions will be taken:
• All equipment is rated, checked regularly and approved.
• The professional instructors (The Climbing Company) are well regarded for their safety record, professionalism, and knowledge of the locations.
• Climbs and locations will be chosen to match ability of the students.
• 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 essentialbeing 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 tent before breakfast or after dark. You will only enter someone else's tent 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, dinner and washing up. 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.
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 camping environment is of the upmost importance.
MT ARAPILES CAMP PROGRAM
TIME & DAY Morning Afternoon Evening
Monday 7am Arrive at Woodleigh and meet at Cruden Oval 7:30am Depart Woodleigh 12pm Lunch at Horsham 3pm Set up camp and Climb 5:30pm Dinner
Tuesday 9am “The Climbing Company” Supervision 5:30pm Dinner
Wednesday 9am “The Climbing Company” Supervision 5:30pm Dinner
Thursday 9am “The Climbing Company” Supervision 5:30pm Dinner at Natimuk Hotel
Friday
Pack up to leave. 9:30am Depart 3:30pm Arrive at Woodleigh
Please note: These times and/or activities could be subject to change.
MT ARAPILES CAMP GEAR CHECKLIST
Names of Group Members:
Item Who is bringing it? Notes/extras
Two/three-person tent
Chopping board
Cooking utensils
Pot, saucer, bucket, scrubber, detergent & tea towel
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
