Summer Character Camp 2024
We are delighted to be able to offer an additional Transition event this Summer for Year 6 students joining us in September. The Summer Character Camp will help prepare students for the start of the new term and will run between Tuesday 28th August and Thursday 30th August 2024.
Students are invited to attend a one-day Character Camp. This is a non-residential experience which helps students form new relationships with the teaching and support staff whilst giving them more time with their peers. Developing student Character is something we embed in the Cottesloe journey and this Character Camp starts this off nicely, allowing students opportunities to develop our Healthy Relationship Qualities and practice the 6Cs Learning Habits.
The day will start at 9am and finish at 8:30 pm following a campfire. Our partners at Outspark have delivered character camps for our students now for several years and feedback is always overwhelmingly positive following their events. You can look at how Outspark delivers on its philosophy to provide positive experiences of outdoor life for young people by following this link - https://www.hiddenleaders.com/
The day will be packed with outdoor activities such as pioneering, team building and archery. The total cost is £70.00. This can be paid in full or in 3 monthly instalments (£30.00, £20.00 and £20.00) via your ParentPay account. Should your child be in receipt of free school meals or pupil premium funding please contact us via email at charactercamp@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk to discuss how we can offer financial support.
If you would like your child to attend the Character Camp please complete and submit the following Google Form to help us organise groups.
Your child can identify up to three other students with whom they would like to be grouped and we will endeavour to put them together if they have selected the same day. For solo students, we will ask them again for names after the July Transition days as they may buddy up with someone new on these days.
We will require the £30.00 non-refundable deposit to be paid via Parent Pay by Friday 31st May 2024. The second instalment payment of £20.00 will be due by the 15th July 2024 and the final payment of £20.00 is due by the 2nd August 2024. If you would prefer to make the payment in full rather than in instalments, ParentPay will allow you to do so.
Further information including consent forms and your allocated date will follow.
Students would be required to bring a packed lunch and dress appropriately for the weather and a day of outdoor activities. The evening meal will be included in the camp. Details of any medication or dietary requirements will be collected when consent forms are completed prior to the event.
If you have any further queries you may contact us on the email address above.
Yours sincerely
Mr A Curtis
Character Camp Leader
Once you have sign-up you will receive an email for consent and your child's allocated day.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU SIGNED THE CONSENT FORM.
Contact
Please contact us via email at charactercamp@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk
What to Expect
This is a full-day event for your child, they will be with us from 8:30am to 8:30pm, and they will spend the day taking part in outdoor activities having fun with friends or forming new friendships. The activities are led by a professional team of instructors from Hidden Leaders with Cottesloe staff support.
The day is spent mainly on the school site but will include a Treasure Quest in the grounds of Ascott House followed by a picnic lunch beside the cricket ground.
Activities include:
- Archery
- Treasure quest
- Building catapults
- Pioneering
- Bushcraft
- Team building
- Oracy skills
- Meal preparation
- Campfire and games
What to Bring
- The kit list for the event is really simple:
- Packed lunch and plenty of water - dinner is included.
- Wear trainers or walking boots you can charge about in.
- Clothes for outdoors - sportswear of some sort, and definitely NOT JEANS.
- Waterproof jacket and a warm jumper for the evening.
- Energy and enthusiasm.
- Sunhat or baseball cap.
- A small rucksack/drawstring bag to carry your stuff in
- Suncream + Any personal medications (if you have an Epipen, please bring two; if you have an asthma inhaler, please bring it even if it hasn't been a problem for years).
- A few things NOT to bring are:
- Penknives
- Mobile phones
FAQs
When is Summer Character Camp?
The Cottesloe Summer Character Camp will run between Tuesday 28th August and Thursday 30th August 2024.
How much does it cost?
We will require the £30.00 non-refundable deposit to be paid via Parent Pay by Friday 31st May 2024. The second instalment payment of £20.00 will be due by the 15th July 2024 and the final payment of £20.00 is due by the 2nd August 2024. If you would prefer to make the payment in full rather than in instalments, ParentPay will allow you to do so.
What will my child do for lunch?
Packed lunch should be provided from home.
What time do I need to drop off my child?
Please drop them off at the coach park at 8:45am.
What time will I need to collect my child?
Please collect them from the coach park at 8:30pm.
What happens if my child is ill on the day?
If your child is unable to attend, please email charactercamp@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk so that we know not to expect them. If we can accommodate another day, we will endeavour to do this.
Can my child have their phone?
Mobile phones are to be left at home.
My child is not attending The Cottesloe School in September. Can they still come?
Unfortunately, the Summer Character Camp is only for students who will be starting at the Cottesloe School in September.
I am a parent. Can I volunteer to help at Summer School?
Thank you for your interest. However, the Summer Character Camp will be fully staffed by Hidden Leaders staff and Cottesloe personnel.
Does my child need to wear a school uniform?
No, your child does not need to wear a uniform. We recommend comfortable clothes and footwear suitable for outdoor activities.
What happens if my child feels unwell whilst in school?
They should report feeling unwell to a member of staff, who will then take the appropriate next steps and contact you if necessary.
My child has asthma/diabetes/allergies. Can they still come?
Of course! Please make sure your child has their inhaler/medication/EpiPen etc with them at all times, including the off-site activities, and please be sure to give full details of your child's medical needs on the enrolment and activity consent forms.
Can my child wear jewellery, e.g. a necklace?
We would advise against this. There will be a lot of outdoor activities, where wearing jewellery would be impractical and possibly dangerous. We are also not liable for any loss or damage to expensive items brought onto the school site.
Will my child need any spending money/pocket money?
There will be no need for your child to bring cash on-site. We are not liable for any loss of money brought onto the school site.