Snow Camp is fast approaching. Thank you to all families who have returned permission and medical forms. Please get these into school as soon as possible next term if you haven’t done so already.
Gear:
In week one of term 3, there will be an opportunity for anyone who is interested to come to school to buy/sell and swap any snow gear. The date and time is as follows:
Tuesday 2 August at 3.30pm.
Please come along if you have gear form last year to sell or swap. If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Emma Stride through the school office.
Mountain Passes:
Mountain passes, gear hire and lessons are all covered by the camp costs. This pass includes a beginners pass to the Happy Valley area at Whakapapa and beginners lessons. For the children who attended the camp last year and for children who already know how to ski or snow board, we are offering lower mountain passes and intermediate lessons at an extra charge of $15 per day. If your child can stop safely and turn accurately, they are eligible for these intermediate lessons and access to more of the mountain. If you would like to take this opportunity for your child, please fill out the form below and return it to the school office by Wednesday 3 August.
Please note that if your child already holds a season pass and has their own gear, you are required to subtract $100 for the camp costs, making the cost of the camp $295 for your child.
Change of Itinerary:
When we reviewed the camp in 2010, we received feedback from some parents that taking cars to the camp was not ideal. In response to this feedback, we decided to take two buses to each camp this year.
As a result, the cost for the camp is considerably increased. In addition to the usual rises in costs, the taking of two buses would have pushed the price of the camp up to around $450 per child. We feel that this is unacceptable. As a result, we have changed the timetable around and will now return to school on Thursday evening, instead of Friday at 2pm. The children will not miss out on any planned activities, as Friday is just a pack up and travel day anyway. By returning to Katikati on Thursday evening, the cost for the camp remains UNDER $400 at $395 per student, before fundraising costs are taken off. We realize that this decision may not please everyone and urge you all to understand that it is our intention to make this experience accessible for as many of our students as possible.
We also have received feedback encouraging us to vary some of the activities OFF the mountain, and so have some new excursions planned in the Taupo/Rotorua area in-keeping with our inquiry unit on “Survival” in Term 3. These will take place on the Thursday of both camps and should provide new and exciting experiences for the Year 6 students who are attending the Snow Camp for the 2nd time.
Gear lists and recent up dates have been uploaded to the school website, so should you have misplaced any notices, have a look on there.
Have an enjoyable holiday with your children.
Kind regards
Melissa Nelson