WAIKAREMOANA EXPERIENCE -- Newsletter 1 – August 2017

You have made an excellent choice for your year 10 November camp. This camp will provide you with some challenges, new experiences and plenty of fun in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful places. Below is some early information to consider over the holidays – especially with regard to equipment that you will need.

1.  Camp fee payment

Total trip cost is $310.00. This camp fee includes all transport (including boat drop off / pick up), accommodation (camp sites, huts and lodge). The cost of the camp does not include food.

Please pay at the accounts office. EFTPOS can be used and all payments will be receipted.

Please retain receipts. Should you wish to spread payments out, there are allocated payment dates. These are: Monday, 11 September, Tuesday, 24 October, Monday, 13 November

2.  Itinerary

Below is the itinerary for the week :

Sunday 26 November / Be at school at 6.30 am sharp. Leave school at 7.00 am and travel by minibus.
Approx. 2.00 pm – arrive Waikaremoana and catch boat to start of walk, (about 2 hours walk), to first camp site.
Monday 27 November –> Thursday 30 November. / Completing the walk (4 - 5 hours per day) staying in campsites
( 3 nights) and DOC hut ( 1 night). Thursday night will be spent in a lodge in the Waikaremoana camping ground.
Friday 1 December / Visit to visitor centre then travel back to Palmerston North, arriving at school at approx. 5.00 pm.

3. Staffing

The following staff will be on this camp – Mr H. Drake, Mrs K. Rankin, and Mrs J Mann.

4. Group organisation

The group of 12 students will divide themselves up into smaller groups (of about 2 to 4) for cooking and tenting arrangements. It is up to each group to organise their own tent , cooking equipment (gas cookers, billies etc.) and menu.

5. Permission slips / health profiles

Please complete these and return to Mr Drake as soon as you can.

7. Food :

A later newsletter will give you guidelines on appropriate food to take.

6. Equipment :

It is best to organise this early to avoid last minute problems obtaining equipment. It is extremely important that you have good equipment for your own safety. Remember that you will be away from civilisation for four days and so must be equipped with gear that will not fall apart and which will keep you warm. If you follow the guidelines on equipment below, and listen carefully to staff advice, you will not have a problem. School has some items – i.e packs, tents, gas cookers, water proof parkas – if you ASK MR MILLER EARLY.

Gear list:

The following is a list of the equipment you need to bring. Remember that you have to carry all you bring. The secret is to have all essentials to keep you safe and comfortable without making your trip really unpleasant because your pack is too heavy. The list below is tried and tested by experienced people and satisfies these two criteria.

You will be checked the items marked * the week before we go.

*Pack – good quality that will not fall apart (school has some to lend if you ask early).
*Woolen or polarfleece Hat

*Sun hat

*Polypropylene tops (3 – at least 1 being long sleeved)
Shirts suitable for tramping (eg T shirts) (2)
*Polar fleece or woolen jersey
*Water proof parka (raincoat) - (school has some to lend if you ask early).
*Gloves
Shorts (2 pairs) – above the knee and quick drying nylon, otherwise they will remain very wet and make you very uncomfortable.
*Polypro. or woolen long johns ( 2 pairs)
Socks (3 prs) – thick for tramping comfort.
*Footwear to tramp in ( boots are best, or sports shoes that will not fall apart please). Do not borrow or hire boots – will give you blisters for sure. ’Navados’ brand or similar boots from The Warehouse are good and not expensive – keep an eye on sales. Wear new boots in before you go.
Another pair of shoes suitable for wear round camp – e.g. training shoes.
Pack liner – we will provide this
*Sleeping bag – ensure this will be warm enough to sleep in, in a tent.
Underpants (5 prs.)
Towel (small)
Small Torch and spare batteries. Not a large torch – v. heavy.
Small first aid kit (containing – plasters, panadol, personal medication) – staff will carry larger first aid kit.
Matches or lighter – keep dry
Plate – large plastic / enamel dessert bowl type best.

Spoon

Mug

Sharp knife (small pocket knife is best)
Sleeping mat (closed cell foam or thermorest self inflating type)
Toilet bag (containing 1 small cake soap, toothpaste (small tube), toothbrush)
Toilet paper.
Survival blanket – this are like tin foil and come in a small packet – all outdoor shops have them.
Water bottle ( 1 litre at least)
Dish washing liquid (put in a v. small bottle), goldilocks and tea towel.

Sunglasses

Sun tan lotion

Book
Insulation tape.
Group equipment (2 – 4 to a group):

Tent

Cooking equipment (e.g 2 small billies and 1 small fry pan is usually adequate for one group of 3 or 4.)
Cooker (gas or spirit burner) and fuel for this – 3 gas canisters will be adequate.
Optional :
Camera (worth bringing on this trip)

Any questions, please ring Mr Drake (3545176 ext. 723)