Special SILVER PRACTICE Pack & Paddle Tuesday, 13 Apr 2021 - Wednesday, 14 Apr 2021
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Welcome Duke of Edinburgh Special SILVER PRACTICE Pack & Paddle Parents and Carers,
Are you the participant? - Please have your parent/carer read the information below and complete the details with/for you.
Are you a student? - Somerset Adventurous Journeys are only open to current High School students who are enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Before proceeding with this registration - Please ensure you have:-
Confirmed you are a currently enrolled High School student
Confirmed you are enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Verified the "mode" of transport is appropriate
Checked you are competent and your fitness level will allow you to complete the full duration
Approval of your Award Leader. This is required to ensure your Award Unit is aware and happy for you to attend.
Please find below:
Information about your program and Camp Somerset
Instructions on completing the online medical form
The first half of the form will request your child’s personal and medical details
The second half of the form will provide the opportunity to hire and/or purchase any equipment you may require.
Special SILVER PRACTICE Pack & Paddle
Dates & Times
Start : 9.00am | Tuesday 13 April 2021
Finish : 2.00pm | Wednesday 14 April 2021
Transport & Location
Students need to make their own transport arrangements to and from Camp Somerset. Private transport will be required.
The drop off and collection location for all students is at Camp Somerset, which is located at 411 Upper Colo Road, Colo NSW 2756.
Toilets, water, tea/coffee are available if required before returning home.
Please note there is limited mobile reception in the Colo Valley. Please phone (02) 9483 9393 with any issue.
Groups
Our Open Expeditions are a fun and safe way for students to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys.
Groups will be formed with students from other schools and with any friends as requested in the form below. For example, your requests may look like - 'Ella Smith and Isla Hopkins' or 'any students from my school'. We will match as much as possible, however, do not 100% guarantee.
Somerset 'Open' Expeditions are a fantastic way to meet new friends, with many 'Open' students, who meet at the Bronze level, continuing on to arrange their Silver and Gold Expeditions together.
Important to Note
Approval from your Award Leader. Your child must have Approval from their Duke of Ed Award Leader to participate in this Expedition.
Award Leader approval must be soughtprior to attending. Pre-approval is a requirement of the Duke of Ed Award - if not sought prior and the Expedition is deemed non-compliant (perhaps as a result of school policy or a previously completed expedition not being the same mode) it will be at your own risk.
Preparation and Training
Before arriving at Camp for your Expedition...
You will need to do some preparation at home. Our website has a wealth of information to assist you - food and meal, packing and gear, etc tips and tricks. Please refer this for useful info in your preparation prior to arriving.
Before heading out on Expedition...
Students will complete Preparation and Training in readiness for undertaking their Expedition, including route planning, map reading, camp craft, navigation, safety and first aid.
The Group Leader will conduct a 'repack' of the students' gear to ensure everyone has everything they need and that it is all suitable, and their rucksack is an appropriate weight.
Students will then embark on their Adventurous Journey and learn, develop and practice these skills as well as those important soft skills, whilst on Expedition.
Expedition Log and Notes
During Preparation & Training and whilst on the Expedition students will be required to write and collect information that will allow them to submit a Journey Report when they return. It is important that students come prepared with:-
Notepad
Pen(cil)
Large plastic zip-lock bag (important for Map, Route Planning and Grid Reference Sheets to protect from the weather). These items will be needed to include in your Journey Log/Report.
Expedition Overview
Groups of not more than 14 participants, split into two sub-groups (an average of not more than 7 in each sub-group) are accompanied by a Qualified Group Leader who remains with the Group for the entire Expedition. Each sub-group assigns their own Team Leader and allocates other roles that are rotated throughout the AJ, operating as a unique sub-group.
Our aim at Somerset is to provide an open environment in which the students gain a solid base of knowledge and skills, which can then be further built upon as they progress through the higher levels of the Duke of Ed Award.
The Practice Expedition will take the fundamentals learnt during the Preparation & Training and ground them in a real-time experience. The students start their Practice Hike after finalising their Preparation &Training. Students are given roles throughout the Expedition to improve on the skills they learn during the Training and the Group Leader gives lessons and training along the way. When they reach their campsite they are involved in a session that covers all aspects of the camping experience.
On the final day, students pack up their campsite and head out onto the last leg of their hike. All students end up back at Somerset Base at the end of their expedition to clean / dry any gear used for the expedition, pack up all equipment neatly and debrief.
The Silver Expedition is a 3 day journey to campsites more remote than those explored in the Bronze Expeditions. The Silver Journey also explores a new mode of travel to widen the skills for all participants and allows different areas of the Colo Valley to be opened up for exploration.
Students coming to Somerset may swim in the river in the warmer months and may be involved in other team building activities.
Food and Personal...................... Equipment
YOU NEED TO BRING
All meals and snacks for the duration of the expedition & a small emergency meal
Mess Kit - Cutlery, plate/bowl, mug.
Water bottles for 3 litres of water. No purification tablets needed.
Rucksack – 60-80 litres (or hire from Somerset).
Tent (or hire from Somerset).
Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Mat (or hire from Somerset).
Clothing, shoes and personal items - refer to our Equipment List.
Pen/Pencil & plastic zip-lock bag.
Food and Meals. Please refer to Page 1 of our Meal Information & Suggestions Fact Sheet to find a specific list for this Expedition. This is an excellent document that not only clearly outlines which meals the students need to bring as part of the AJ requirements, but also some meal suggestions to guide your choices that take into account nutrition, energy and weight considerations.
Equipment. A link to this Equipment List will also be emailed to you once the form has been completed.
Please keep in mind, affordable Equipment Hire and Purchase Options are offered by Somerset at the bottom of this form, and also via the online store up until midnight prior to the program.
Any purchase equipment orders will be labelled with the students name and provided upon arrival.
Group Equipment Safety & Emergency Support & Infrastructure
Somerset provides the following Group Equipment, Safety and Emergency Support and Infrastructure for your Duke of Ed Expedition.
Trangia Stoves (+fuel & matches).
Cooking pots and pans & kitchen implements.
Fresh Water available at each overnight campsite.
Navigation equipment, maps and compasses for each Group.
24/7 Group Leader accompanying each Group.
Onsite Program Coordinator.
Overnight Duty Driver.
Communications - digital two-way radios, satellite phones, spot trackers.
Comprehensive First Aid Kit per Group.
Remote Area First Aid qualified Group Leader.
Canoes & Kayaks Licensed with Waterways with full safety audits.
PFD Life Jackets for each participant.
National Park 10 year Premium Eco Pass License.
Live Bureau of Meterology radar weather and tide river level monitoring.
Involved in Rural Fire Service with access to information.
Risk Management Plans, Emergency Action Plans, Bushfire Management Plans including 24/7 transport backup for all Groups.
Where to find more information
Our Blog Page provides some great pre-planning information for students doing their AJ, covering:
Food and menu ideas for your expedition;
Hints on how to pack a rucksack;
Layering clothes for warmth and
Chosing a good hiking shoe.
And Click Here for answers to those "other" questions you may have.
Signing off your AJ
Supervisor/Assessor
For any Pre-Expedition paperwork please provide the following details:
Adventurous Journey Sign Off - Practice Expedition| At the end of your Practice Expedition and before you depart, our Somerset Supervisor will approve your Practice Expedition in your Log Book.
Students will then need to go into their ORB and upload their Journey Log/Report onto their ORB account under the Document section. They will also need to upload the Email Approval and label it "Practice Hike Assessor Sign Off".
Sign into the ORB
Set up the Supervisor details - you will need to choose either Somerset or your Award Leader.
If you wish Somerset to sign off your Practice Expedition in your ORB: Set up the Supervisor as: Somerset Supervisor dukes@campsomerset.com.au
If your Award Leader at school is to sign off your Practice Expedition in your ORB: Set up the Supervisor as: Name of your Award Leader Award Leader's email address.
Send your Adventurous Journey Event Participant Assessment Request email. Please ensure you write down the correct Level - Bronze/Silver/Gold Practice/Qualifying so we know which AJ you need signed-off eg; ‘Silver Practice’.
Somerset will certify in your ORB that you have met the requirements via this email.
For any other questions or information not covered above, please feel free to contact us on 9483 9393, or email dukes@campsomerset.com.au
Completing the Online Medical Form
Completing the Personal & Medical Details: Please take the time to complete your child's personal and medical details accurately. For specific instructions and management information regarding allergies, asthma, dietary requirements and other medical conditions, please refer to the ‘Read More’ links in the relevant section of the form below.
Collection of Information: In order to run a safe and efficient camp for your child, Somerset requires the collection of certain information. As we want to ensure this information is handled correctly, we have developed a detailed Privacy Policy, click below for a copy.
Camp Somerset Pty Ltd, trading as Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre is a provider of outdoor education programs, mainly for school groups, Duke of Edinburgh Award participants and other recreation groups. Somerset requires detailed information from its participants and staff in order to run safe and efficient programs. Somerset considers the privacy of its participants and employees to be of utmost importance; hence Somerset has developed a comprehensive privacy policy that complies with the National Privacy Principles, as outlined in the Privacy Act.
– Updated March, 2017
What information does Somerset collect, and why?
Somerset collects information from its participants and teachers to help ensure that employees are equipped to run a safe and efficient program.
Information collected includes:
Name - due to the nature of information requested of a participant or teacher, Somerset cannot collect information anonymously.
Contact Details (Address, Phone) - for correspondence in relation to gathering accurate information, for emergency contact and for administrative follow up.
Date of birth - for determining age and for identification.
Medical Information - to alert Somerset of any medical conditions/issues for each participant or teacher.
Medical Insurance Details – To assist in the provision of further medical assistance if required.
Dietary Information - As Somerset provides food on all their programs, it is important to gather any special dietary requirements to allow provisions to be made.
Physical Ability - Some of Somerset's activities involve a certain level of skill, such as swimming, therefore it is important to gather information on participant’s skill level.
Equipment requirements and payment information are also collected.
Other - Somerset may collect other information, such as information on social behaviour, schools and teachers views to gain further understanding.
How do we collect this information?
Somerset collects its information through an online form, accessed by parents and staff via a secure login. The online form also provides program information. All initial information is collected via this form, with any follow up information being recorded at the time of acquisition. Additional information is collected by means including:
Written and/or verbal communication with school prior to program
Written and/or verbal communication with the participants parents/caregivers prior to and during the program
Verbal communication with the participants during the program
Verbal communication with the school staff during the program
Somerset may need to collect information from various other sources, as deemed appropriate, prior to, during, or at the completion of programs.
How to we use the information?
In order to provide the participant with a successful outdoor experience, Somerset employees need to be well informed about the individual entrusted to their care. All Group Leaders carry personal information about the individuals in their group, such as name, medical information and dietary requirements, so they can support a safe and enjoyable camp. In addition to the Group Leaders, other departments and personnel access the relevant information they require to run an efficient program – for example; the food services department and staff receive all special dietary information and this enables the correct types of meals to be delivered for the participant.
Are there any other ways we use the information?
Somerset may use the collected information for research, risk management, statistical purposes, program planning, payment advice and school communications. Information may also be disclosed to a third party, in the instance that professional medical attention or assistance is required. Furthermore, Somerset may also disclose information under other circumstances including:
Where you consent to Somerset doing so
Where such use or disclosure is authorised or required by law.
Is the information stored securely?
Prior
Prior to a program starting, the information collected is held securely in our online database, before being exported and summarized for the various staff. Somerset will contact the school and/or parents to gain clarification on uncertain details, or to obtain further information as appropriate.
During
Participants information is only carried by Somerset employees that require access for program purposes i.e. Group Leaders carry the relevant medical information for their participants and teacher. Other information is distributed to the departments that require it i.e. Dietary requirements to the food services department.
After
On course completion Somerset retains one full set of information to fulfill statutory requirements. This information is archived and stored in our secure on-site lock up. Some further information is collected/collated to assist with research, programming, risk management and statistical purposes. Where appropriate, identities are removed from this information. Information that is no longer required after program completion is destroyed. In order to support security of information held, management or approved staff man Somerset offices, and offices are kept locked at all times when not in operation.
Do I have access to my information?
If you require access to your information held by Somerset, you may request it in writing. However, there may be occasions when requests are denied in accordance to the exemptions contained in the National Privacy Principles.
What if I feel my personal information is not accurate?
The information that Somerset holds is deemed accurate at the time of collection, no provision is made for changing personal information after the program concludes. However if your details change prior to participating in a Somerset program we encourage you to contact us so we can update the information before the person it pertains to attends program.
Medical Assistance in the program environment can be quite different to an urban setting. For information regarding access to medical care and response times from Somerset...
In the event of a student requiring further medical assistance, Somerset will access care through Hawkesbury District Hospital, local private medical practices, private hospitals or ambulance if required. Somerset Base Camp is located 30km from Hawkesbury Hospital with a typical response time of 30 mins to/from Base Camp. However, as many of our activities and expeditions are conducted away from Base there may be significant delays until additional medical assistance is provided.
Prescription & Non-Prescription Medications: Is your child bringing medication?
Prescription & Non-prescription Medication Information
Prescription Medications
Please ensure medications are brought in sufficient quantities, with instructions and spares to cover the length of program. In general, behaviour medications should not be suspended.
The supervision of prescription medication is the teacher's responsibility for school camp programs. For Duke of Ed expeditions, if a school teacher is not attending, the Group Leader will be responsible for supervision.
Please note details of any medications in the relevant section of the online medical form.
At the start of the program, please ensure your child checks-in with the adult responsible for supervision (as outlined above) to arrange and determine the supervision of doses.
If required, with prior notice we can organise medications to be refridgerated and transported with ice packs.
Non-Prescription Medications
Somerset Group Leaders carry and may administer non-prescription medications as deemed appropriate. These will typically be - paracetemol, antihistamine, bite creams, antiseptic creams/betadine, and gastrolyte hydration sachets.
Please indicate any restrictions or concerns in the administration of non-prescription medications to your child.
If your child is bringing non-prescription medications on program, such as ibuprofen or a preferred antihistamine, please note these in the medical section of the online medical form. At the start of the program, please ensure your child checks-in with their group's teacher (or Group Leader for Duke of Ed expeditions) to arrange and determine the supervision of doses.
About Camp Somerset
Read more about:
Somerset - As an industry leader with over 30 years of expertise, Somerset offers a unique blend of learning experiences, outdoor facilities, and activities delivered in a professionally managed outdoor education program. All programs (except Gold Urban Odyssey expeditions) are run at our privately owned Colo River sites, and the surrounding Wollemi National Park and State Forests. To read more about Somerset...
Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre is located about 90minutes North-West of Sydney on the glorious Colo River (known as the last pristine river in NSW). We have been offering outdoor programs to school students and Duke of Edinburgh participants since the early 1980's. As an industry leader with over 30 years of expertise, Somerset offers a unique blend of learning experiences, outdoor facilities and activities delivered in a professionally managed outdoor education program.
Somerset offers the unique experience of tent camping which presents the opportunity for students to engage with their natural surroundings and spirit of adventure. We provide a fun and supportive framework for students to develop leadership skills and work as a team appreciating the value of friendship within. Our professional, tertiary qualified Group Leaders facilitate engaging fun activities, extending students physical and emotional capabilities, while enhancing self-confidence and self-reliance.
Our Centre operates from a central Base Camp which services over 40km of the Colo valley – a network of more than private campsites, many expedition campsites, hiking and canoeing routes into the adjoining Wollemi National Park and onto the Colo and Hawkesbury Rivers and numerous activity bases. Somerset privately owns more than 600 acres. Groups journey throughout the program area spending nights at a different campsites.
Our program area boasts over 20 activity bases ranging from abseiling and rock climbing on natural rock-faces to our Obstacle Course and infamous Wombat Hole. Our activities can feature throughout the journey with groups completing each pursuit as they move from campsite to campsite.
Groups are accompanied for the entirety of the time by one of our tertiary qualified Group Leaders. Together with their group leader and accompanying teacher, groups operate as an independent unit and are responsible to assist in group decisions and in managing their timings, equipment and meals. Groups in the field are supported by a designated 24 hour Program Coordinator (who is onsite for programs at Somerset), our immense support services and our communications network.
Our Staff - At Somerset we understand that having quality staff plays a fundamental role in a rewarding and safe outdoor program, hence why we carefully select only the best tertiary qualified, remote first aid trained and experienced Group Leaders. Our Group Leaders in the field are supported by a 24-hour Program Coordinator and operational team, all of which are on-site and verified according to NSW's Working With Children Check requirements. To read more about our staff...
All Somerset staff participate in both internal and external training as well as seasonal inductions focusing on Somerset values and goals as well as activity briefings, group facilitation, safety management, logistical movements and updates to industry 'best practice'.
All staff employed with Somerset are verified according to the requirements of the NSW Working With Children Check.
At Somerset we understand the fundamental role of leaders to provide a rewarding and safe outdoor program, as such, our Group Leaders are carefully selected to ensure they deliver the best outdoor experience to all participants.
Our Group Leaders:
hold relevant tertiary outdoor qualifications including activity-specific competencies such as canoeing and rock climbing
are certified in appropriate levels of remote first aid
are supported 24 hours by our onsite operational team and program coordinator
are familiar with the local area and environment
are involved in regular training and development together with being cognisant of Somerset policies and procedures
Our Group Leaders are ably supported by our Services teams - Hospitality, Logistics and Estate and by our Administration and Management staff. These behind-the-scenes staff are qualified and experienced to deliver and facilitate the many facets of our operation.
Safety & Accreditation - As a leading professional outdoor organisation, safety is foremost throughout every program we facilitate. With an extensive Safety Management Plan; relevant industry certifications and licencing; our immense infrastructure and facilities (such as our fleet of vehicles and our private digital radio network), we can maintain the validation and safety of our programs. To read more about safety and accreditation at Somerset...
As a leading professional outdoor organisation, safety is foremost throughout every program facilitated at Somerset. All programs are supported by immense infrastructure and facilities and over 30 years of camping and programming experience. Each group is staffed by a tertiary qualified, professional outdoor leader and supported by a team of logistics, hospitality, and operational staff. Please refer to Our Staff for further details. Somerset holds the required and relevant certifications and licences for our operation. These, in conjunction with our own internal policies, maintain the validation and safety of our programs.
We are an organisation accredited by National Accommodation, Recreation and Tourism Accreditation (NARTA), involving a process of external expert audit, to ensure our programs are run at industry best-practice level.
We are a member of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Council of NSW (ORIC).
We hold a National Parks Premium 10year Eco Pass licence.
We maintain our own licenced VHF digital radio network across the program area to ensure regular communications for all groups in the field and emergency contact if required. This radio network is supplemented by the use of landline, satellite and mobile phones and GPS locator spot trackers as required.
We refer to the NSW Adventure Activity Standards for industry best practice, guidelines and ratios, and maintenance in relation to activities such as roping, canoeing, and bushwalking.
Our canoes are registered, inspected and maintained according to the requirements of the Roads and Maritime Services.
Our vehicles and trailers are registered, inspected and maintained according to the requirements of the Roads and Maritime Services.
We maintain a Safety Management Plan (risk assessment), Bushfire Index Management Plan and Incident Response Plan, as well as our own standard operating procedures and protocols, drinking water management plan. We regularly evaluate, review and update our internal policies and documents.
Confirmed you are a currently enrolled High School student
Confirmed you are enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
