Information for Teacher/Group Camp Coordinators

Welcome Teachers/Group Camp Coordinators to Your page!

We at Murphy's Creek Escape (MCE) are a family owned business with facilities and programs suitable for school aged students from grades 5 - 12. The well being of campers is our absolute priority.

MCE's owners (see the about us page on this web site), have many years experience in developing, implementing and supervising adventure based and corporate programs and will design a program for each group that books a camp or activity . The program will be tailored to the requirements and abilities of your group, based on advice supplied on your Camp Diagnostic Questionnaire. Our objective is to provide participants with an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience in a safe environment that achieves YOUR desired outcomes.

The aim to make your camp booking and administrative process as easy and pain free as possible, by providing all of the forms and documentation required to conduct safe, challenging and enjoyable learning experiences.

Here is the simple booking and administrative process for running your camp at MCE:

  1. Complete our booking form and e-mail/send it to us with your $200 booking deposit. Down load Booking Form here

  2. MCE sends you a link to our Activity documentation / forms and e-mails you a booking confirmation form and receipt.

  3. Complete and return the Diagnostic form to us to assist us in tailoring the camp/activity to achieve your desired outcomes.

  4. MCE will forward you a draft program and we either meet or discuss via telephone/e-mail to adjust the program.

  5. Once the program is set and authorised by your senior delegate.

    1. Confirm transport arrangements

    2. Confirm your budget / fund raising requirements

    3. Download the Parent Consent Form, complete your activity information in the form and distribute it to parents/participants

    4. Commence fund raising

    5. Meet with MCE staff at the camp site to tour the entire planned activity (if possible).

    6. Confirm final numbers 14 days prior to camp/activity (your invoice will not alter if numbers change after this period.

    7. Receive Consent forms and Next of Kin Health Medical Statements 10 days prior to camp/activity

    8. Pay remaining balance 7 days prior to camp/activity.

    9. MCE contact you with confirmatory telephone call 3-5 days prior to camp/activity.

  6. Following your camp, we will forward you a post activity questionnaire where we ask for constructive and honest feedback on your camping experience. We use this to guide our planning and improve our activities for your next camp / activity with us.

Electronic Documents and Forms (a link to these will be supplied upon receipt of your booking form and deposit)

  • Prior to camp your school / group camp coordinating staff are provided with the following documents:

    • Client Diagnostic Form

    • Teacher/Group Camp Coordinators Check list

    • Parental consent form (You must complete the activity information in these forms before distribute to parents)

    • Next of Kin and Health Medical Statement (Download this, print and return to your school/group camp coordinator)

    • Clothing and equipment requirements list (Download for your reference)

    • Directions to Murphy's Creek Escape (Download here through link at bottom of map - add your address and print)

Safety

  • Copies of MCE Safe Operating Procedures are permanently located at MCE reception.

  • MCE's Safe Operating Procedures includes the following:

  • Information about the venue

  • Contact list with telephone numbers for the camp site, the owners residence, CFA, local police, local doctor and nearest public hospital

  • Recommended clothing and equipment list

  • Incident Report Forms

  • Safe Operating Procedures for all relevant activities.

  • Wet weather initiatives.

  • Introductory First Aid for a range of potential incidents.

  • A Comprehensive first aid kit is located in reception.

  • All instructors and staff accompanying groups carry a portable first aid kit.

  • A portable kit is also carried in the Safety car. Schools are encouraged to bring their own portable kits to accompany outdoor activities in accordance with DET Excursions Policy / Duty of Care, 6.3.1. point 3.

  • All management, guides, instructors, kitchen hands and auxiliary staff employed by Souter Adventure Pty Ltd (Murphy's Creek escape) are subject to Working with Children Checks. These secure records can be viewed by the School’s Camp Coordinator on request.

  • On arrival in camp, teachers and students are briefed on camp protocols and safety issues.

  • All relevant equipment and safety gear is provided by MCE and includes, but is not limited to, harnesses, helmets, personal Flotation Devices 1 & 2 (life jackets), ropes, etc. Equipment is maintained in good order and serviced on a regular basis by appropriately qualified persons.

  • Prior to each activity our instructors check that:

    • equipment and safety gear is functioning appropriately

    • all participants are suitably attired, including appropriate footwear

    • jewellery is removed if applicable

    • hair and loose clothing is secured

    • Each activity undertaken is preceded by a period of instruction.

    • All efforts are made to include students with disabilities in normal activities programs, depending on the capabilities of the individual student.

    • A radio base station is located in the MCE reception area and a repeater station is at the highest point of White Mountain Forest. All guides and instructors in charge of student groups at remote locations have a portable radio unit and can communicate with the base station and other groups via the radio or mobile phones. Reception is good in this area due to proximity to the Toowoomba Range.

    • Outside of MCE run activities, supervision of students is the shared responsibility of MCE and the Group based on arrangements between MCE and the Group's Camp Coordinator

    • MCE has Public / Products Liability insurance with AON Insurance.

    • Evacuation procedure. MCE has 2 road accesses into and out of the camp. The clearing in vicinity of the camp grounds are substantial, providing room for Care flight helicopter landing in the event of a medical emergency. All MCE instructors are briefed on the evacuation protocol. In the event of bush fire, where evacuation is decided to be inappropriate, students will be contained in the listed level 3 safe fire area - being the managements residence and reception building, This building is located in the centre of a large open area.

Accommodation

  • Accommodation consists of basic tent style for 4 students per tent.

  • Separate teacher tent accommodation.

  • The Camp site has male and female toilets and hot/cold showers.

    • Showers and toilets have wheelchair access.

  • Catering comprises

    • Home-style cooked meals.

    • 24hr one man ration packs - used when conducting activities away from the camp site.

    • Fresh fruit available at all times.

Our instructors and guides are accredited in Outdoor Education and are TAFE Cert 4 qualified or equivalent. Instructors also have current first aid qualifications (Senior, Remote Area and/or Wilderness).

We trust this information will be of assistance in your Risk Assessment and Management process and strongly suggest that school / group Camp Coordinators personally visit our venue prior to camp to familiarise themselves with the site and assist in this process.

Please contact us on 07 4630 5353 if further information is required e-mail.