• Somerset is located in the Colo Valley, 60km North West of Sydney. Situated on the outskirts of the Wollemi National Park, Somerset has some 10 campsites utilising 450 acres of privately owned land that provides access to 38km of the Colo River. Somerset is a licensed commercial operator with the National Parks & Wildlife Service to operate within the Wollemi National Park.
• Somerset has developed over the past 25 years from running day training camps in the Colo Valley into a provider of outdoor education programs for schools around Sydney.
• Programmes are designed specifically for each school taking into account the schools curriculum, age of students, and what the schools aims and objectives are for the camp.
• Somerset is able to provide a variety of different programs ranging from base camp, adventure and expedition programs.
• Programmes usually utilise a percentage of Somerset's resources so, if need be, wet weather options are available that also meet the schools aims and objectives.
An Example of each of these programmes are as follows;
Base Camp Programme
• Programmes are designed as an introduction to outdoor education for younger age groups
• Based at Somerset campus for two nights and one night spent at a nearby campsite.
• Facilities at Somerset campus include a cookhouse, toilet & shower block, flood lights and a five acre field for camping and activities.
• The campus is located on the Colo River for water based activities such as raft building, swimming and canoeing.
• Other base camp activities include obstacle course, low ropes, games and intitiatives.
Adventure Programme
• Adventure based camps are 3 to 5 day camps that usually include one or two nights in at base camp and other nights at the bivouac campsites.
• An adventure programme usually includes most of the following activites; bushwalking, abseiling, high ropes course, rock climbing, canoeing and mountain bike riding.
• An adventure based programme is usually aimed at year 7, 8 & 9 students, depending on what the school requires.
• Adventure programmes use the Sherwood campus as a base. Sherwood campuse is supported by a large hall, with kitchen and toilet facilities to accommodate groups up to 200.
Expedition Programme
• Somerset expedition programmes are either 4, 5 or 6 day journey programmes and groups often cover up to 60km around the Colo Valley in a circuit.
• The focus of an expedition programme is to encourage students to challenge themselves mentally & physically and work within a team to achieve their goals.
• Activities on an Expedition Programme may include; expedition bushwalking, canoeing, mountain bike riding, rock climbing and many other activities at Somerset.
• These programmes are usually for schools groups from years 8 to 11. However Somerset also runs Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Expeditions.
Due to many enquiries for offsite programmes, Somerset has developed a new
company called ’Encompass Outdoors’. Many years ago, Somerset saw
a need to find other sites to run programmes, as well as a need for sequential
programmes to be developed within a school outdoor education programme. Somerset
also saw a need to take away some of the time consuming camp preparation that
teachers are required to do. Having 30 plus years in the industry, and many
contacts, Arthur Crichton felt ‘Encompass Outdoors’ had a unique
and beneficial service to schools.
Encompass Outdoors is an organisation committed to working with partner schools, to maximize the benefits of their outdoor education programmes. It provides a link between user groups and outdoor service providers, drawing on 30 years worth of experience and networks within the outdoor industry, and in school outdoor education.
The scope of Encompass Outdoors includes:
• Providing consultancy to schools in the development of sequential outdoors curriculum.
• Providing a booking service for schools, and ‘placing’ their programmes with appropriate centres and providers.
• Providing facilitation and management during programmes as well as involvement in programme design.
• Providing administrative support for programmes such as communication, distribution of information, collection of pre camp forms, conduct of information sessions and briefings and post camp invoicing etc.
• Providing access to other support services such as hire and purchase of equipment, logistical support and transport
The processes involved with a school vary greatly, dependant on the level of involvement, and the complexity of the programmes. The Encompass Outdoors approach to each partner school is different, and tailored to suit the needs as well as the culture of the school. Typically, the process would follow some or all of the steps outlined below:
1. A meeting with the school to discuss their needs and directions as well as to understand the history and culture of their Outdoor Education Programme.
2. The development of a comprehensive proposal.
3. The placement bookings including the collection and payment of deposits as necessary.
4. Programme development and discussion, in liaison with the various service providers.
5. Distribution of camp information, presented in a Encompass pre camp folder, containing medical and consent forms, as well as information from the service providers concerned.
6. Preparation of camp information as collected above, including school, student and /or parent briefings, and passing information on to service providers as appropriate.
7. Facilitation of programmes, sometimes involving being present at for all or part of the programme as appropriate.
8. Post camp information, follow ups and invoicing.
9. Evaluation process with all parties including adjustments and re-bookings for future programmes.
As part of the Encompass Outdoors operation, is the collection and processing
of information from participants, a comprehensive Privacy Policy has been written
to ensure the sound management of information, and to comply with statutory
requirements.
In compliance with Child Protection legislation, Encompass Outdoors maintains
a Child Protection policy and conducts employment screening as required.
Encompass Outdoors will continue into the future to strengthen its ties both
with Outdoor Service Providers, as well as Schools to develop sound programming
options and processes, to ensure the continuing development of Outdoor Education
programmes.
Some examples of the programmes and centres that Encompass Outdoors use include:
• NSW Sport & Recreation –Camps at Point Wolstoncroft, Myuna Bay, Milson Island and Broken Bay. (inclu. Sailing, canoeing, kyaking and much more)
• Gymnastic Elite Sports Programmes at Sydney Academy.
• Self suffiencey and journey style programmes at Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre.
• Year Camps with a base study of ecology at Yarrahappini Youth and Ecology Centre.
• Junior School outdoor education programmes and senior school retreats at Mangrove Mountain Retreat.
• Year 7 peer support camps and year 11 leadership camps at The Collaroy Centre.
• Somerset facilitated Year 6 Camps at the Uniting Church Conference Centres - Various Sites.
• Science Filed Studies Camps at Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre.
• Parent and Child Camps at CYC Centres.
• Rural NSW experience trip to Wellington.
• Jolly Green Frog days - at school (or suitable venue) programme pitched at Years K and 1. The Camp Day’s environmental theme relies on learning through utilising sensory and practical skills and exploration.
• Primary School Programmes - are used to develop a positive appreciation towards the outdoors along with developing group process and interaction. Younger years may spend up to 3 days and centre on nature studies including walks, water skills and a farm visit. Accommodation is in dormitories.
• Whitewater rafting in Barrington Tops
And many more, the scope is endless…….
For more information please contact Encompass Outdoors Phone: 9489 1487 or Email
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