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Where is the Band Camp? CRU Galston Camp and Conference Centre (Crusaders, Galston). You can view their website here: https://www.crugalstongorge.com.au/
My child is nervous about sleeping overnight. What do you suggest? Some nerves are normal! For some students, Band Camp may be their first night staying away from home, so there will understandably be some nerves. Band Camp is compulsory, but if necessary we can make arrangements for children to stay at home in extreme circumstances. It is a very exciting weekend and students will be well looked after.
My child will not be sleeping overnight. When should I collect them and return the next day? If your child is not happy to stay overnight, prior notification must be given to the band camp coordinator in writing, and the child collected from CRU Galston Gorge at the conclusion of the Saturday night activity: 8:00pm for years 3 and 4, 8:30pm for years 5 and 6. Due to child protection requirements and the well-being of all camp participants, this will be the only time children may be collected and taken home on Saturday evening. Children staying after this time must remain at the campsite all night. Children who have slept at home on Saturday night are welcome to join us at 8am, for breakfast, otherwise they must return by 8:30am Sunday morning. There is no discount for these students.
What are the cabins like at band camp? The cabins are all slightly different, but most of them are one guest lodge which contains four bunk rooms with an ensuite bathroom. The year groups are divided into girl / boy cabins and cabin allocations are done by the school.
Can I make friend requests for cabins for my child? Unfortunately not. The cabin allocations are done by the school.
I want to stay overnight so I can be with my child. Is that okay? We cannot guarantee that parents staying overnight will be with their own children as the rostering and allocations are complex. Additionally, it is really important that the parent volunteers on a cabin are available to support all children in that cabin, not just their own. We do really appreciate all our overnight parent volunteers, and know that even being on site can help alleviate any anxiety. Please email bandcamp@tps-pandc.org.au to discuss any concerns.
Can my child have a lunch order on Friday? Yes, absolutely.
I can't volunteer on that weekend, can I please skip this year? Unfortunately not. The band camp is able to remain at this low price as it relies on all parents volunteering, and actually relies on many of our parents taking multiple shifts, with some staying the whole weekend. If you are unable to volunteer, please can you arrange an alternative volunteer to take your timeslot - grandparents, aunts/uncles, family friends are all great options. Volunteering at band camp is a great way of seeing all the children come together in a really positive way, and is a great way to meet other parents and members of the community.
I don't have my WWCC? That's okay - you can apply now, and still have it before band camp! The turnaround for getting your WWCC is anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks. Please ensure you allow enough time to complete this.
I have heard there is a disco, what is the theme? This year's theme is 'Go for Gold!'. Think sports, gold medals, Hollywood, sparkles and sequins...
My child does not want to attend the disco. That is totally ok! We have an alternative Games Room with a mix of boardgames, card games, books and Lego where they can spend their time. Hopefully they will find something they enjoy there.
There are so many things to pack - what if they get lost! Please label everything. We suggest a larger bag to accommodate all clothes, pillow and sleeping bag, this avoids the smaller items getting forgotten and makes it easier to move the bags around.
Where can I get a band bag? The TPS uniform shop sell TPS band bags - but you could use any music or band bag for your child. It is really useful to have one bag for children to put music, water bottle and hat into - it avoids items getting lost!
Where can I get a band shirt? The band shirt is a key part of the band uniform and will be used throughout your time in the band program, for any performance and the annual band photo. It can be purchased from the uniform shop. Second hand shirts are absolutely fine - if you are lucky enough to find one at the uniform shop! The students should wear their shirts on the Friday afternoon with sports shorts or skort and sneakers. This really helps create a sense of band camp at school on the Friday, as the band students form a sea of yellow! It also helps volunteers know who is in the band and therefore helps supervision.
Surely it's okay for me to put a few lollies in my child's bag! There is to be no food brought from home to camp, unless specified by our medical team. This is a safety issue, there are children with severe allergies on camp, and the children don’t necessarily know who, or how severe that allergy may be. It’s also a Crusaders rule that there is no food in the cabins as it encourages wildlife.
My child will be swimming in Zone carnival on Friday of band camp. What do I do? In previous years this has fallen on the Friday of Band Camp. We know about this and are able to successfully manage this year by year. The school always provides us with a list of students in zone so we can manage roll calls.
What recreation activities are there? There is a disco on Saturday evening, children will also participate in one activity provided by Crusaders, eg High Ropes, Low Ropes, Challenge Course. On Sunday, there is a parent led recreation activity, often along the lines of a scavenger hunt around the site!
What happens if it rains? Never say never! If it looks like rain, your band manager will contact you in advance advising additional items to pack in your kit. Please no umbrellas! We have wet-weather contingency plans and work closely with the Crusaders team to utilise their indoor and outdoor recreation activities.
What happens if stuff gets lost? Please label everything! To keep all luggage items together you may want to consider a larger bag that will accommodate a sleeping bag inside to minimise orphaned articles. Alternatively, tying the bags together will also help. Any lost property is collected and will be handed back to children where labelled, or at the end of band camp our Lost Property Coordinator will share pictures of all lost property.
What if I change my mind, can I please get a refund? Unfortunately there are no refunds. The camp is budgeted to operate at cost neutral and we spread the fixed cost of Crusaders across the number of students in the band program.
What happens if my child gets sick? We take care of all the children on band camp, and make every effort to avoid children getting sick! In the event your child gets sick over the weekend, you will receive a phone call from our medical team. We do use our judgement and what the child wants! For example, a small blister with a bandaid will probably not generate a phone call, but a child vomitting definitely will. We deal with all of these on a case by case basis, but in some cases you will be asked to come and collect your child. Please be aware that this phone call could come at any time, and we use the Emergency Contact details provided on your forms to reach you. Last year, we did have one parent collecting at 11.30pm on Saturday evening with a sick child.
Can I take photos during band camp? You are most welcome to take photos during Band Camp. If you have been at Band Camp and taken some wonderful photos, feel free to share them with your fellow band families eg in WhatsApp. We do ask that our parents/volunteers exercise common sense and consideration when taking photos of other people's children and when sharing to social media. You can also email yo ur photos to us at bandcamp@tps-pandc.org.au for use in the newseltter and/or for archiving.
Am I okay to post pictures to social media? We do ask that our parents exercise common sense and consideration when posting pictures to social media. If you have some great in action shots of band camp that you'd like to share, you can post in your band's WhatsApp group, send to your band manager or email them to bandcamp@tps-pandc.org.au.
Do I need to submit a dietary form if my child doesn't have any special requirements? There is no need to provide a special diet form if your child does not have special dietary requirements.
What happens if I cannot make the shift I've been allocated? If you can’t do the shift you are assigned to, it is your responsibility to swap with another parent and inform us on bandcamp@tps-pandc.org.au. Alternatively, please reach out to your band manager to distribute an email to the band as a group, and see if there is anyone who can swap with you. If you are sending a partner, grandparent or alternative person in your stead - this is okay too! Please email bandcamp@tps-pandc.org.au with their details (Full name, WWCC number and birth date) so that we have all the appropriate paperwork. This is for the safety of all the students attending the camp, and to comply with the audit requirements of the P&C.
Are cabins allocated before the camp starts or do they choose when they get there? Cabins are allocated prior to the camp in consultation with teachers and the school. Students can not choose their cabin and we cannot take friend requests.
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