GREAT OCEAN WALK CAMP 2025
SENIOR HOMESTEAD
SENIOR HOMESTEAD CAMP
3-7 MARCH 2025
GREAT OCEAN WALK
February 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Great Ocean Walk Camp will take place from Monday 3 until Friday 7 March 2025.
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure along the iconic Great Ocean Walk in the Otway Ranges! On this 5-day hike you'll traverse traditional lands of the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Peoples as you journey from Apollo Bay via Cape Otway to Johanna Beach. The hiking of 10-15 km each day will take you through breathtaking coastal scenery, towering rainforests, and secluded beaches.
While the hike presents its challenges, it remains manageable for those in good physical condition with a willingness to embrace a rugged experience. Your past experiences with the Hattah and Year 9 Expeditions will serve you well in your preparation and ability to manage and enjoy the challenges of this camp. Expect warm (but changeable) weather during this time of year, as you camp in tents and manage your own sustenance, embodying self-sufficiency throughout the journey. Enjoy achieving both the individual and team achievements within this hike while appreciating the continually exciting and spectacular natural scenery.
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 in relation to this camp, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to a fun and rewarding week!
Yours sincerely,
Mr Greg Davies
Great Ocean Walk Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar 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 SENIOR HOMESTEAD CAMP/ABSENTEE CHARGEBACK POST CAMP
Homestead 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 E-FORM
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 your 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, ie. 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.
FIRE SEASON SAFETY
Please be aware with the unpredictability of weather patterns within Australia, this camp will be held during fire season times. In the case of a dry season, it is important that students should:
• Plan at least one non-cook meal for an event of a Total Fire Ban day/s.
• Bring fire ready clothes (longs made of natural fibres).
GREAT OCEAN WALK CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 3 March until Friday 7 March 2025.
MEDICATION ON CAMP
Any students taking medication on camp will need to provide all medication (in original packaging) to school by no later than Tuesday 18 February 2025. You can drop off the medication to reception anytime between 8am-4.30pm. Before handing in your child's medication, you are required to answer all the questions within the Operoo e-Form.
COST
The cost of this Senior Homestead Camp is approximately $300, which will be charged to student accounts. The cost encompasses transportatio, camping and accommodation fees, breakfast in Colac on the return trip, along with the camp staffing levy. However, please note that specialised attire or hire equipment, if required, are not included in this cost and need to be acquired separately. This cost does not include food for during the hike, which students will need to supply and cook. Students will need to bring a small amount of spending money for lunch on the way home (i.e. $20 should be sufficient).
TRANSPORT
We will be travelling in a Budget Rosa bus driven by a Woodleigh staff member.
Departure: Students to arrive at Woodleigh at 6:45am on Monday 3 March, at the main carpark to load gear. The bus will depart Woodleigh at 7:00am, so please arrive on time.
Return: Students will return to Woodleigh by 2pm on Friday 7 March and after group gear has been unpacked, students can be collected at the same location as drop off.
LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION
The adventure will be along the first sections of the Great Ocean Walk which starts at Marengo Family Caravan Park just south of Apollo Bay. The hike traverses the mostly coastal route via Cape Otway and finishes at Johanna Beach.
MEALS
When organising the catering for this expedition, it is necessary to put considerable thought and preparation into planning the menu and packaging the food. All food shall be nut-free. The emphasis should be on foods that supply the body with energy and heat. Remember that this environment can be hot & cold and you will be doing a lot of physical activity. We discourage lollies, 2 minute noodles, heavy items. soft drinks and junk food. Multi-day hiking requires energy food, e.g. complex carbohydrates (fruit, pasta, bread, rice) and sources of protein (cheese, meat, tuna, lentils).
You will be required to take sufficient (nut-free) food for four (4) days of hiking. Avoid over-catering. You will also be required to provide a cut lunch on the first day. Bring money for lunch on the return journey on Friday.
• Four (4) breakfasts (on Friday we will aim to stop at Colac for a late breakfast/brunch) - for example: cereal, porridge, longlife powdered milk, dried fruit, toast, tea, milo.
• Four (4) lunches including cut lunch for the first day (you may bring money to purchase lunch on the return trip on Friday) - for example: wholemeal/Lebanese bread, pita bread, mountain bread wraps, dry biscuits, scroggin, fruit, cheese, soup, muesli bars, spreads, salami, jaffles.
• Four (4) evening meals to be cooked at campsites. These meals need to be simple and able to be cooked on Trangia - for example: vegeroni, rice dishes, soup, curry dishes, tuna.
• Lightweight Snacks to carry and eat on the track are important, for example, oranges, muesli bars, dried fruit, scroggin. Make sure to pack some of these to supplement your meals and maintain energy while hiking.
You should combine your food with your tent partner(s), ensuring any food intolerances are appropriately catered. You will be using a Trangia for cooking throughout the week. It is important to consider the weight of your food, as you will be carrying 4 days’ worth from the beginning, we will not be restocking throughout the hike. For each item, consider substituting lightweight versions, i.e. powdered milk instead of liquid milk, dehydrated pre cooked meals, sachet tuna instead of tinned tuna.
Water is available at the campground each night, or will be collected along the track, but will need purification tablets/drops to make it drinkable. Woodleigh School will provide these purification tablets/drops.
As a reminder, this camp will be held within fire season times. It is important that students should plan at least one non-cook meal for Total Fire Ban days.
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 (at your expense) during the trip if forgotten.
Should you have any difficulty in providing any item/s on this list, please contact your supervising teachers via email and during the camp meetings for assistance. Please advise by no later than Week 3 of Term 1 so that appropriate help can be arranged.
Personal Gear List (Student are required to carry these items):
• Sturdy hiking boots or bush-walking shoes (runners or sand-shoes are not acceptable).
• Gaiters - knee-height (anklet gaiters are not acceptable).
• Warm wool/fleece jumper.
• Warm wool/fleece pants.
• Lightweight, loose fitting hiking pants.
• Socks x2-3 Wool or wool equivalent. Explorer type are appropriate. NOT cotton.
• Underwear, thermal underwear tops x2. Polypropylene underwear is light, breathable, helps shed body moisture and has superior insulation qualities.
• Thermal long johns x2 to wear underneath your waterproof pants.
• Tops - 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 Gortex or equivalent. Not lined. A hiking jacket.
• Waterproof overpants. These should be big enough to allow free movement when hiking.
• Gloves/mittens. Waterproof if possible.
• Beanie/Balaclava. A great deal of body heat can be lost through an unprotected head. These must be either wool or polar fleece.
• Full-brim (all-round brim) sun hat (essential). A hat with a full brim is needed to avoid sunburn – caps with front-visor only are not acceptable.
• Sunglasses (essential).
• Sunscreen.
• Water Bottles - 3L carrying capacity in total. (The school will provide purification tablets or drops).
• Head Torch and spare batteries.
• Compass and whistle.
• Personal toiletries, Personal medication, Toilet paper.
• Sleeping Bag (at least 0°C rating).
• Sleeping mat.
• Camp food, and eating utensils – bowl, spoon/fork/knife, mug.
• Hiking Backpack. A strong hiking backpack, the same as what you used at Hattah. Must be large enough to carry all clothing, sleeping bag and food, part of a tent, Trangia/fuel, lined with a waterproof garbage bag.
• Tent – 2-3 person tent, 3-season rating. Check that all poles and pegs are there, and practice setting up your tent with your tent group before the hike.
• Trangia for cooking. (The school will provide fuel bottles, fuel and matches).
Extras
• Camera (not mobile phone) in a waterproof bag.
• Map case.
• Journal, pen, pencils.
ACTIVITIES
Our activity is hiking and camping along the iconic Great Ocean Walk through the Great Otway National Park. Each day, the group will be hiking distances between 8 to 15 kilometres. Students will need to wear appropriate hiking boots and clothing, as well as pack appropriate equipment and food for the journey. The group will be camping each night on hike-in campsites. Water will be available at various locations along the walk but will need to be managed carefully and refilled at water access points along the track. It is important that all students carry the recommended capacity of robust water bottles (not crushable type soft-drink plastic).
It is important to note that the planned bushwalking activities require a medium-to-high level of fitness. We will have long days, early starts and potentially late finishes, and may need to traverse beach sections which can be arduous and dependent on favourable tides. The strong sense of accomplishment after hard work will be felt on this iconic hiking trail.
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 should be left at home and not brought on camp, they will not be required. Staff will have a satellite phone for emergency use.
RISK
There are elements of risk involved in this remote hiking camp, and while safety ratios and requirements will be strictly followed, we believe it is important to make you aware of potential risks. These risks include but are not limited to:
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions, including cold temperatures, hot temperatures and high winds.
• Soft tissue injuries, sprains, or fractures due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.
• Limited access to immediate medical support due to remote location.
• Students becoming lost or disoriented.
• Communication delays in emergency situations due to limited network coverage.
• Complications arising from a pre-existing medical condition.
To mitigate these risks, we will:
• Require students to bring appropriate safety clothing and equipment (as per the detailed list provided in this booklet).
• Use experienced and appropriately trained staff familiar with the environment and emergency protocols.
• Monitor weather and tide conditions closely, adjusting the program as needed for safety.
• Conduct route planning and provide orientation to ensure students are prepared for remote conditions.
• Maintain strict supervision and group management to minimise the chance of students becoming lost.
• Check student medical records prior to the camp and ask parents to update health information on Operoo. Parents will be contacted before camp if there are any questions or concerns
BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS
• As a Senior Student at Woodleigh School participating in the Homestead 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.
• Particular adherence to the advice of staff is required. This is especially important in relation to safety and accommodation security.
• Meeting times must be strictly observed. (Students must meet staff at each venue/location before the scheduled meeting time.)
• A good night’s sleep will be essential - being tired will not only affect you but also others on camp.
• When travelling to and from venues, you must be in groups of at least 3.
• Never leave the site location 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.
GREAT OCEAN WALK CAMP PROGRAM
DAY Program
Monday
Tuesday
6:45am Meet at Woodleigh main carpark (please be on time)
7.00am Depart Woodleigh
Rest Break at Geelong by-pass road-house
12:00pm Arrive at Marengo Family Caravan Park
1:00pm Start hiking
5:00pm approx. Arrive at Elliot Ridge campsite
Wednesday
7:00am Wake up and pack up Hike throughout the day
5:00pm approx. Arrive at Parker River campsite
Thursday
7:00am Wake up and pack up Hike throughout the day
5:00pm approx. Arrive at Aire River campsite
Friday
7:00am Wake up and pack up Hike throughout the day
5:00pm approx. Arrive at Johanna Beach campsite
7:00am Wake up, pack up, check-off hire gear at bus
8:00am Depart Johanna Beach
9:30am Brunch at Colac
12:00pm Lunch at Geelong by-pass road-house
2:00pm Arrive at Woodleigh
2:30pm Complete unpacking of group gear.
Note: All times may be subject to change.
Woodleigh School Homestead Week Camp 10
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