Find out more about SVP Ozanam Camp Holy Island-
Click here to download an information booklet for parents who want to know more about our camp

Packing for Camp

We strongly advise that best clothes are not brought to camp. It is primarily an outdoor holiday where clothes are likely to get dirty. Items of clothing are also sometimes lost because they have no names marked on them.

The following list is not designed to be exclusive:
* Toiletries: soap, towel, toothbrush etc
* A separate towel for use at the beach
* At least four pairs of bottoms (Tracksuit/Leggings /Jogging Pants) including footwear
*At Least four t-shirts and three tops (hoodies or jumpers).
* Several changes of underwear
* Wet weather clothing: waterproof coat, shoes or wellingtons
* Trainers, t-shirts, shorts
*Swimwear
* Suitable footwear for wearing around camp (which can be kept dry)

No bedding or sleeping bags are required. We supply all duvets, pillows, sheets etc.
Please do not bring any electrical equipment. There is a high chance it could get broken or lost.

Spending Money

The children may wish to bring some spending money with them for use in the camp tuck shop and/or the village shops. We operate a banking system where we will collect the money in from the children at the start of the week and allow them to take out a pound or two each day if they wish – they can take out more if they wish to buy presents for home. This ensures the majority of the money will be stored safely and also helps them learn to manage their money sensibly. We would ask that they bring an absolute maximum of £35; we would consider even this amount to be excessive. If some change/coins can be included this can help. 

Medication

For the safety of the children in our care, we adhere to strict guidelines when handling all medications at camp. All camp staff handling medication during the week are First Aid qualified and some hold Advanced First Aid Qualifications.

Application Stage 

A detailed explanation of our geographical location and the location of the nearest Accident and Emergency Department is given to parents/carers when they apply for their child to come to camp. Parents/carers are required to acknowledge this before proceeding with the application for their child.

Parents/carers are required to declare if their child has a medical condition, takes regular prescribed medication and/or has any allergies and must explain how their child’s condition is managed. We also ask for complete details of all prescribed medications and we need to know if there are any changes to your child’s prescribed medications since filling in their application form and in good advance of them coming to camp.

All parents/carers are asked to state on their child’s application, which non-prescribed medications (stocked at camp) they allow their child to have, if need be, during their stay with us.

Before Camp

Reminder emails about medications will be sent to all parents before their child attends camp. Please let us know if you have changed your email address and/or any phone numbers since completing your child’s application form.

Please make sure all prescribed medication being sent to camp for your child is in its original packaging.

The original packaging must;

· identify the person the medication is prescribed for

· display the name of the medication,

· display the dosage and the frequency of administration.

This information will be displayed on the label detailing the pharmacist who issued the medication.

Medications that may have been prescribed for your child just before the are due to come to camp, such as antibiotics, will be accepted by our First Aid Lead, providing all of the above requirements are fulfilled, in regards to the packaging of these medications.

We are unable to accept any over the counter bought medication for your child, under any circumstance. Please do not try and give these to any of our Weekly First Aiders as they will be unable to accept them.

Handover of Prescribed Medication

We need to collect all prescribed medication from parents/carers on arrival at Heworth Grange School before your child gets onto their bus. Do not pack your child’s prescribed medication in their suitcase. Each week has a designated First Aid Lead and a Second First Aid Lead. They are responsible for the handover of all prescribed medication and parents/carers will be required to sign a handover form at this point. All prescribed medication will be transported to camp by the Weekly First Aid Lead. Children will only be allowed to carry prescribed medication with them if they have be instructed to do so by their GP. For example, an inhaler.

Any prescribed medications left over at the end of your child’s week will be handed back to parent/carers on their return, by the Weekly First Aid Lead.

PLEASE NOTE

CAMP STAFF ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RECEIVE ANY PRESCRIBED MEDICATION FOR YOUR CHILD THAT IS GIVEN TO THEM OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND/OR DOES NOT HAVE THE CORRECT DISPENSING LABEL ATTACHED.

We ask for your full cooperation with this process and remind you that we will not tolerate any arguments or abuse.

We reserve the right to refuse to take your child with us to camp if our rules for prescribed medication handover are not followed.

Camp Telephone

Should you need to get a message to us or to your child during camp, you may call 01289 389213. Please be aware that, since we are off site for most of the day, your call may be answered by a member of our caretaking or kitchen staff who are unlikely be able to help you immediately. They will of course pass on your message and the appropriate person will call you back at the earliest opportunity.

We will ALWAYS call you in case of emergency. If you do not hear from us then you should assume that your child is happy and having a fantastic time at camp. We discourage regular phone contact as it is usually the main cause of homesickness. However, we are very experienced in dealing with this issue and if a child is distressed we will make sure they contact you.

Mobile Phones

We would ask that your child does not bring a mobile phone to camp with them. If they need to do this for any reason, we will collect it from them on arrival and lock it away in the safe to be returned to them at the end of the week. Mobile phones can be easily lost or broken and, as explained above, can be a major cause of homesickness. Another issue with phones is that they could be used for taking photos/videos without other children’s permission. We are trying to help build self-confidence and independence in the children – our experience is that making regular calls home can affect this effort. As mentioned above, the camp telephone is always there in case of an emergency. We recognise that for many of the children it will be the first time they have been away from home for a week and that you will also miss them too. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Camp Rules

The rules of camp have been made as a result of many years of experience and they are there for the benefit of all the children. Our main aim is that EVERY CHILD remains completely safe and happy for the entire week.

So we ask the children to do these two simple things:

1. Make sure you have a great week
2. Make sure everyone else has a great week.

Our rules exist to allow us to meet this aim. The Camp Leader has the authority to send home any child who commits a serious breach of these rules. This is not something we would like to do, so please ensure you explain the rules to your child before they attend camp.

1. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.
2. All activities are carried out under the supervision of our staff. No child is permitted to leave camp at any time without supervision.
3. All dormitories must be tidied each morning and silence must be observed at night.
4. Camp property and equipment must be respected – not misused or damaged.
5. We have a great relationship with the islanders and count many of them as good friends. The reputation we have is maintained by the good behaviour of the children. For this reason, the following rules must be observed when out on activities:
* Equipment belonging to the fishermen and farmers must not be touched (e.g. boats, lobster pots, nets, farming machinery etc)
* The farmers’ fields may only be entered with the direct permission of the Camp Leader
* Flowers should not be picked
* Wildlife should not be disturbed
* Litter must not be dropped

We ask that all children show respect for the staff, the islanders and each other. If they do this, they will help contribute to a fantastic atmosphere which will make the week so much more enjoyable for everyone involved.

And finally….

Thank you for taking the time to read this. We are sure that your child will have nothing less than an amazing week with us. Huge numbers have benefited from Holy Island Camp over the years, and many describe their week at camp as one of the best weeks of their lives. It is our pleasure to be involved in this unique opportunity, and we promise to do our very best to help all the children enjoy their week with us.