NAROOMA DIVE: SCUBA & SNORKEL CAMP 2025
SENIOR HOMESTEAD
SENIOR HOMESTEAD CAMP
2-7 MARCH 2025
NAROOMA DIVE: SCUBA & SNORKEL
February 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Senior Homestead Narooma Dive: Scuba & Snorkel Camp will take place from Sunday 2 March to Friday 7 March 2025.
During the week, students will scuba dive or snorkel the Sapphire Coast region up to 3 times per day. Narooma is on the far south coast of NSW and is the largest of the Sapphire Coast’s towns, situated half way between Melbourne and Sydney. Based at Discovery ParksNarooma Beach just out of town, students will have the opportunity to snorkel or scuba dive (shore-based and boat). Be challenged by developing snorkelling or scuba diving skills, and dive some of the Sapphire Coast’s most popular sites, including Montague Island.
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 David Benton Narooma Dive Scuba & Snorkel Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Yuin 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).
NAROOMA DIVE: SCUBA & SNORKEL CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Sunday 2 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 $1,550 which will be charged to student accounts. The cost includes guided snorkels/dives, gear hire and tank fills, accommodation, some meals, fuel, insurance and transportation.
Students should bring between $150 and $200 for food and incidental purchases (such as the op-shop competition!) for the week.
TRANSPORT
We will be travelling in a Budget Rosa bus driven by a Woodleigh staff member.
Departure: Students to arrive at Woodleigh at 5.45am on Sunday 2 March, meeting at the main carpark to load gear. The bus will depart Woodleigh at 6am, so please be on time.
Return: Students will return to Woodleigh by 5pm on Friday 7 March and can be collected at the same location as drop-off.
LOCATION/ACCOMMODATION
Our accommodation base will be at the Discovery Parks - Narooma Beach - 7323 Princes Hwy, Narooma. We will be staying in 4 beach cabins with a mix of bunk beds and single beds. Towels for showers and bedding are provided, however students should bring a towel to be used at dive sites when changing before and after diving/snorkelling (see the “Clothing/Equipment” section in this booklet).
MEALS
On the Sunday night, we will go to the local supermarket to buy our food requirements for the week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner for Monday night will be a BBQ and Thursday night we will dine out. There may be opportunities to either purchase lunch during the day (depending on logistics of the diving program) or prepare a packed lunch in the morning. There may also be opportunities to have dinner in the town centre.
Students will need to bring money to purchase food during the week.
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
Equipment
Scuba equipment: All equipment is included as part of camp costs and Underwater Safaris have well maintained and high-quality Scuba equipment. We would prefer students to use this equipment rather than their own as we can be sure it has recently been serviced and wellmaintained.
Mask, snorkel and fins: While these are also included and can be provided, if students have their own which they are comfortable using, it is recommended they bring them to be sure of a good fit. This is especially true for masks. Everyone has a different preference of mask shape and size, and so having your own ensures you will be comfortable.
Wetsuits: Under Water Safaris have excellent 5mm scuba suits to provide for everybody. These are different to surf wetsuits in that the arms and legs are the same thickness as the body providing better insulation. It is required that students use these suits for diving, and recommended that students use these suits for snorkelling. Students may want to bring their own suit for the other water-based activities. Other diving/snorkelling equipment: If cold, we will be provided with hoods. However, it is a good idea to also have some extra layers to wear under a wetsuit to add some extra insulation, such a rash vest or t-shirt.
There may be opportunities for free swimming throughout the day, but this will be dependent on the program each day. Swimming will only be conducted under direct supervision of staff at any given time.
Personal Items
• Personal clothing/toiletries (include some warm clothing for after snorkelling/diving and to wear at night), may require seasick tablets.
• Extra bags for wet gear.
• Rash Shirt/Bathers x 2.
• Beanie/Hat/Sunglasses/Sunscreen/Rain coat.
• Towels/Lycra booties/thin socks – snorkelers.
• Tea Towels.
• Torch and spare batteries.
Students may want to bring a waterproof/action camera.
DO NOT BRING
Valuables, cameras or any articles that you don't want to lose or break, an excessive amount of money, lollies, electronic devices, laptops or iPads.
Suggested Items: Group games (cards/board games) - each student can bring one.
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones are allowed on this trip, however, we will be enforcing good public phone etiquette for the week.
A reminder that the Woodleigh School Mobile Phone Policy will be in effect throughout the week.
RISK
There are elements of risk involved in this camp, which includes both scuba diving and snorkelling activities, and while 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 water-related hazards, including drowning or near drowning.
• Soft tissue injuries or sprains related to water entry, equipment use, or movement on a boat.
• Decompression sickness or barotrauma associated with scuba diving.
• Sea sickness while on boats.
• Exposure to marine wildlife, with potential injuries from stings, bites, or contact with hazardous marine creatures.
• Sunburn, heat exhaustion, or hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to sun or cold water.
• Complications arising from a pre-existing medical condition.
• Communication challenges in certain underwater scenarios or remote locations.
To mitigate these risks, we will:
• Students will be provided with appropriate safety equipment, such as wetsuits, dive masks, and buoyancy control devices (a detailed list will be provided).
• Engage reputable, qualified dive instructors and boat operators to oversee all water-based activities.
• Verify the Working With Children Check (WWCC) status of all instructors and operators.
• Closely monitor weather and sea conditions, adjusting activities if needed to maintain safety.
• Provide guidance on marine life safety and avoidance techniques.
• Follow strict protocols for equipment handling, dive timing, and depth limits, and provide orientation on decompression safety.
• Check student medical records prior to the camp and ask parents to update health information on Operoo. Parents will be contacted 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, campground staff and specialist providers is required. This is especially important in relation to water safety while snorkelling/diving and on the boat.
• Adherence to meeting times is very important.
• It is courteous to be respectful and positive at all times. 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 cabin before breakfast or after dark. You will only enter someone else's cabin if the people in that group are there, invite you in and you have obtained permission from a staff member.
Students will be rostered 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 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 cabins. The sleeping areas 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 unless given permission to do so during brief rest periods. We are living in a close group with peers and staff, so respecting each other’s privacy and being quite in the cabin is of the utmost importance.
NAROOMA DIVE PROGRAM
DAY Program
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
• 5.45am Arrive at Woodleigh to load bus.
• Bus departs Woodleigh at 6am.
• Afternoon welcome to Narooma! Snorkel at Bar Beach followed by beach BBQ for dinner.
• Trip to Coles if required for meals.
• Snorkel/scuba dive with the seals @ Montague Island 4hrs. Small meal on board.
• Explore the Narooma foreshore and swimming in the sea (conditions permitting).
• Snorkel/scuba dive with the seals @ Montague Island 4hrs. Small meal on board.
• Kayak tour 2hrs.
• Land based late afternoon snorkelling/single scuba dive at suitable beach, Dalmeny / Mystery Bay / Broulee / Bermagui.
• Snorkel/scuba dive with the seals @ Montague Island 4hrs. Small meal on board.
• Beach session in the afternoon.
• Night Dive/Snorkel @ Bar Beach Narooma.
• Snorkel/scuba dive with the seals @ Montague Island 4hrs. Small meal on board.
• Stand up Paddle Board (SUP) 2hrs.
Thursday
Friday
• Land based snorkel harvest. Collect abalone, crayfish, black mussels and learn to prepare a meal.
• Finale of the much anticipated Op-Shop Dress Up Competition 2025 and award giving.
• We will leave Narooma at 6am to travel back to Woodleigh, with a couple of stops on the way for breakfast and lunch.
• ETA 5pm at Woodleigh bus bay (we will communicate with the school once we are more certain of our arrival time to communicate with parents any major difference to a 5pm return).
NOTE: All times may be subject to change.
MY CAMP CHECKLIST
Things to purchase / Things to take
