Welcoming the return of school tent camping

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Outdoors SA welcomes the announcement yesterday (2 March 2022) from the Department for Education instructing school principals and school staff that school camps will be permitted from the start of week 7.
This is exciting news for the many camp providers and students that have been waiting for their chance to get school camping happening.
Outdoors SA has been working hard behind the scenes with a range of government stakeholders from education, health and treasury to provide a clear understanding of the value that our sector provides and the many educational and health benefits camp brings to thousands of students across the state.
This is the first steps in seeing camps return in a staggered way and Outdoors SA will continue to advocate for the full return of all school based outdoor programs.
We are thankful for the support of many members that have been fully committed to the advocacy work of Outdoors SA whilst also trying to keep their organisations afloat.
If you are impacted by the cancellation of school camping programs please contact Outdoors SA via email at info@outdoorswa.org.au , we would love to have you on board.

Camps permitted from the start of week 7 

[The following excerpt is from COVID-19 Communications to all SA Department for Education Staff 2/3/22]

Additional camp operations in specific settings will be allowed from the start of week 7 following updated advice from SA Health.

In addition to day excursions and SACE based camps, overnight camps can be held if they comply with the following:

  • tent camping only (preferably single occupant, maximum 2 people)
  • held entirely in outdoor natural environment – no indoor communal settings (such as dorms)
  • single classes or entire year levels separated into class-sized groups
  • sole occupancy of the campsite by the school or cohort where possible
  • travel time not to exceed 2.5 hours.

You must confirm if the camp provider has a COVID Safe Plan in place and adhere to any additional requirements set out in the plan.

Importantly, classes should not go on camp if the class is temporarily closed or on a PCR regime on advice from SA Health.

Students and staff should not go on camp if they are symptomatic or feeling mildly unwell.

A contingency of rapid antigen tests should be taken on camps for the circumstance whereby a staff member or student becomes symptomatic and PCR testing facilities are not easily accessible.

Arrangements should be in place so that parents pick up any students who become symptomatic while on camp, and staff can return home if symptomatic.

See the Advocacy work involving Outdoors SA here

For School Camping updates see:

Department for Education link

Catholic Education SA link