Centenary District Camp 2007
Newsletter No. 4
Hello and welcome to the fourth newsletter, keeping you up to date with what’s happening. Let me start by saying that as I sit down to write this newsletter (3rd March) our camp is now just 84 days away!
Numbers
We asked you for your estimated numbers by the 1st February. A very big thank you to those of you that sent these in on time. A thank you to those that responded when chased. As for those of you that just haven’t bothered you are making things really hard for the team that is trying to deliver this event. We do not ask for this information just for the fun of it but because we need it to ensure that we have laid on sufficient activities for all. Let me take this opportunity to remind you all your final numbers are due to me by 1st April. These need to be broken down into sections and number of nights. Also number of leaders and nights. It is essential that we have this information as we have put aside a whole Saturday in April to sort activity tickets. So if you have not got your numbers in we cannot allocate activity tickets along with everyone else. This may well mean that the best activities are booked out already. We expect that numbers may well alter by one or two after this date but this we can cope with.
Car Parking
This is one of our biggest problems. The car park is not anywhere big enough for the number of cars/vans/minibuses that are likely to be on site that weekend. Normally the site would use the Horse Field as an overflow car park but we need this as an activities field so we have arranged to use the school car park at the bottom of the lane. We realise that this is a bit of a pain but we will be issuing two passes to each Group for the top car park for your equipment vehicles. Please help us by following this simple request otherwise tempers will rise when people can’t get parked to unload their major kit.
Camp Fire
Camp fire can be an important part of any camp, but never more than at this camp. Camp fire will be on Saturday evening, based around the lighting of the beacon. Would you like to play an active part in this? We are looking for people who would like to come and lead a song or two. This way many people get to take part in this great moment. So if you think “that’s me”, please do let me know what songs you would like to do and also the words that go with the song. The reason for this is we want to send out in advance a copy of the words for as many of the songs as we can so leaders can run through any their sections don’t know. We need to get this info out as soon as possible so replies no later than Easter weekend please.
Security
Whilst we talk about numbers I will talk also about security. There are going to be a lot of people on site that weekend and we need to ensure the safety of all the young people on site. It is our intention to issue all participants with a wristband. In addition to this we will be creating security passes for all adults taking part. So what we require from you all is a picture (passport photo size). We will be more than happy for you to use a digital camera and e-mail them to us, as long as you put the names underneath each photo and either day visitor, 2-night or 3-night camper. This includes all adults. I am sorry if you think this a pain but with the likelihood of over 200 adults on site at any one time we need to be safe.
Site Access
It is our intention to be on site from Thursday 24th, so if any Group wishes to bring their kit in early you may do so from Thursday evening. By this time we should have the pitches marked out for each Group so you can even start putting up your tents, but please do let us know if this is your intention (for either Thursday evening or Friday daytime). We would ask that Groups camping only 2 nights (Saturday/Sunday nights) do not drop off kit on Friday evening. Daytime is fine but please ensure you are clear of the car park by 5:00pm. This is to ensure that Groups due in on Friday evening have access to the car park. Groups arriving on Saturday morning are asked not to arrive before 9:00am. This is so that we can send out people on their activities first.
Upon arrival at site all kit will need to be unloaded from the car park. There are a limited number of trolleys available so please bear this in mind. I will be speaking to the site to find out if they can assist with the moving of trailers around the site and I will let you know on this. If any groups have a large trolley or cart that they would consider loaning us for this weekend that would be much appreciated.
And Finally
Thanks to those Groups that have got parents on board to help us at District. I eagerly await your numbers by 1st April. Have a great Easter. Lookout out for the final newsletter shortly after Easter.