Camps & Excursions Policy

Ratified by staff and Governing Council – Nov/Dec 2006

Rationale       

Camps and excursions are a valuable part of a student’s educational program.  As much of a student’s learning occurs outside the classroom, camps and excursions are a means of using resources to enhance and enrich student learning.

Camps and excursions will be planned to support the teaching and learning program.  Teachers will build into their program a lead up to camps and excursions and a follow up afterwards.  This may involve all areas of study and may cover a term or part thereof.  

It is not an expectation that every teacher will be able to take his/her class on a school camp.  This will depend on a teacher’s personal situation and circumstance.  Teachers may negotiate with other staff members about their participation in class camps.

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Principles

The school aims to provide camp and excursion opportunities for students so that they may:

• Learn in and out of class/school situations
• Live and work in groups, outside of the home and school environment, over extended periods of time.
• Further develop social skills such as cooperation, tolerance, communication, individual and group interaction.
• Further develop their problem solving and life survival skills.
• Interact with adults and other students on a closer personal level than is normally achieved in the classroom situation.
• Extend understanding of their physical and cultural environment.
• Be involved in the decision making, planning, preparation and presentation processes associated with these opportunities.
• The Junior Primary Deputy Principal has overall coordination responsibility for school camps, excursions and incursions.  

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Responsibilities of Principal/s

The Principal has the responsibility to:

• Ensure that parents/caregivers are given adequate and timely information.  A minimum 4 weeks notice is given for excursions.  Any planned camps for the year are discussed with parents/caregivers at Acquaintance/Information nights at the beginning of the year.
• Supervise the organisation of a camp or excursion.
• Ensure that financial costs allow for all students to participate.
• Ensure that the program is balanced and suitable for the age group.
• Ensure suitable arrangements are made for the safety of students and adults involved.
• Ensure that DECS (Department of Education and Children’s Services) guidelines are met.
• Ensure the program conforms to DECS principles of Social Inclusion.
• Ensure that all staff have training and development and access to information so that effective programs can be developed.
• Ensure that staff are familiar with the excursion site or camp so that maximum use can be made of the program.
• Provide opportunities for time payment if requested by parents/caregivers.
• Consult with the Finance Officer to ensure that all camp/excursion fees are received no later than 3 days prior to the event.
• In situations of persistent or serious incidents and uncooperative behaviours the Principal may inform parents/caregivers and arrange for the student to return home at the parent’s expense.

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Responsibilities of Teachers

Teachers have a responsibility to:

• Provide opportunities for a wide range of educationally valuable outdoor experiences through camps or excursions.
• Ensure that a camp or excursion does not discriminate against students because of cost.
• Ensure that the program is forwarded to the Principal for approval.
• Ensure that parents/caregivers are given adequate and timely information.  Camps and excursions (including swimming and aquatics) planned for the year are discussed with parents/caregivers at Acquaintance/Information nights at the beginning of the year.  Where additional opportunities arise during the year a minimum of four weeks notice is given.  The total cost for excursions for the year should not exceed $30.
• Use the Aldinga Schools “Excursions Organisation Flow Chart” as a checklist.
• Complete an ED 169 (Application to conduct an excursion) form and have signed by Principal.
• The School Finance Officer must be advised of any camps or excursions that require payment prior to any notices being sent home.
• Ensure DECS regulations and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure that when using private cars each student wears an approved seatbelt and the vehicle has Third Party insurance cover.
• Ensure that all medical information and medication is collected and available.
• Ensure first aid knowledge and provisions are available.
• Ensure that the chosen campsite/venue meets acceptable safety standards.
• Ensure that no student leaves the school on a camp or excursion without a consent form signed by the parent/caregiver.
• Regularly update parents on upcoming events and estimated costs so that Parents/Caregivers can arrange for instalment payments with Finance Officer.
• Provide reminders (written/phone calls etc) to Parents/Caregivers and students about dead lines for excursions/camps to allow maximum participation in camps/excursions.
• Consult with Parents/Caregivers before planning any events that exceed the annual total for excursions and act accordingly.

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Responsibilities of Students

Students have a responsibility to:

• Participate in class planning for the camp/excursion
• Follow the directions of teachers and school adults
• Observe school and class codes of conduct
• Act responsibly with other students
• Act responsibly to care for other’s property and rights
• Be responsible for own belongings
• Wear school dress code (including sun smart hats) while on excursion except where circumstances demand casual clothing (eg camps, rough country excursions).  
• Students will be informed when school dress code is not required

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Responsibilities of Parents/Caregivers

Parents/Caregivers have a responsibility to:

• Support the school’s programs by encouraging their child’s participation in camps/excursions
• Notify the school if cost of camp/excursion prohibits participation of their child
• Assist on camps/excursions if possible
• Provide full medical information and any required medication
• Their child wears school dress code (including sun smart hats) while on excursion except where circumstances demand casual clothing (eg camps, rough country excursions).  
• Parents/caregivers will be informed when school dress code is not required

This policy includes Sleepovers and School Performances (Incursions)

For further information refer to:       

DECS Administration and Instruction Guidelines (AIGs) Camps and Excursions Guidelines for Schools

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