As a rule, smaller groups allow more flexibility and a richer learning experience.
With a group of up to 45 (say for example a class of 38 with 6 adults) we often do activities in smaller ‘activity groups’. We find it best to have around three to four activity groups but it depends on the size of the class and on how independent the students are. We often run a three or four activity rotation. We find an activity group usually works best with 12 students or less.
Some activities are undertaken by the whole class, such as day walks.
With a smaller class we might instead operate as a whole class for all activities.
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Parent help
Having an adequate number of adults to help manage the camp is essential.
All APOEC activities require an adult/student ratio of at least 1/8 and water activities require a ratio of 1/4.
If your group includes students with significant physical or mental disabilities then you may need to allocate an adult or teacher aide specifically to assist them.
If a group has students with behaviour management issues it is also wise to have a ratio better than 1/8.
The selection of parent helpers is the responsibility of the visiting school. If required a sample Parent Help code of conduct can be provided for you to adapt/use.
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Duty Groups
We encourage visiting groups to have the children involved in cooking, dishes, cleaning and the care of the lodge.
It can be useful to have duty groups for this.
Duty groups of around 6-8 seem to work well, larger groups often result in some children being able to leave the hard work to others!
It is sometimes possible to use the same groups as duty groups and activity groups.
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Planning meals
Food is provided for you at the lodge. Click here for details.
The following simple “bulk” recipes are also provided at the lodge to help if you need them:
Nachos
Apple crisp
Apple sponge
Caramel pudding
Cheese sauce
Chilli con-carne
Chocolate pudding
Custard sauce
Fruit cobbler
Golden sausages
Goulash
Lasagne
Mayonnaise
Potato bake
Sausage rolls
Savoury chops
Savoury mince
Scalloped potatoes
Spaghetti and meat balls
Spaghetti bolognaise
Tararua biscuits
APOEC provides milk powder. If you require fresh milk contact the store on 03 318 9235. They will deliver your milk order to the lodge prior to your visit.
Baking and snacks are usually brought by the pupils and pooled for morning and afternoon teas.
The kitchen is spacious, well laid out and all utensils are provided.
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Transport
If you visit Arthur’s Pass on the Tranz Alpine or via bus it is a good idea to bring at least one private vehicle as well. This allows you the flexibility to easily send a student home if the need arises and provides transport in non emergency medical situations. If required the lodge van (4WD) is available to transport pupils to the Darfield or Moana medical centres, but as this can disrupt the programme it is preferable to have a private vehicle on hand.
Tranz Scenic
Click on the Tranz Scenic link above to visit the Tranz Scenic website or phone them on 0800 87 88 98. Let them know that you are visiting Arthur's Pass Outdoor Education Centre to recieve a special discounted fare.
If travelling by private vehicles it is important that all drivers are competent and cautious. In winter especially, shady areas can be icy and snow can cover the road at anytime. It is vital that snow chains are carried from May to September (if hiring or borrowing chains check to see that they fit correctly and that the driver knows how to fit them!). If snowy conditions are expected it is wise to ensure that each persons baggage (inc sleeping bags) are in the car they are travelling in.
Road conditions can be obtained by phoning the AA road report 0900 33222 or by clicking on AA Road Report.
State highway 73 is rarely closed for more than a short period, with road grit applied regularly in icy conditions and snow ploughs based here permanently.
The responsibility for managing safety to and from APOEC rests with the visiting group.
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What to bring
APOEC is resourced to run all of our programme activities, plus trust/initiative games and indoor activities such as map skills and a technology challenge (good if very poor weather keeps us indoors). The lodge also has a small library.
It is wise to bring other indoor games/cards/activities for evenings.
Many schools bring camp diaries for the pupils so that they can record and recount their exploits and experiences here.
From spring to autumn (longer daylight hours) sports equipment such as soccer/rugby/tennis balls and cricket/baseball bats can be put to good use in the evenings on a nearby grassed area.
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Lodge layout
All APOEC activities require an adult/student ratio of at least 1/8 and water activities require a ratio of 1/4.
If your group includes students with significant physical or mental disabilities then you may need to allocate an adult or teacher aide specifically to assist them.
If a group has students with behaviour management issues it is also wise to have a ratio better than 1/8.
The selection of parent helpers is the responsibility of the visiting school. If required a sample Parent Help code of conduct can be provided for you to adapt/use.
Back to tope of page
We encourage visiting groups to have the children involved in cooking, dishes, cleaning and the care of the lodge.
It can be useful to have duty groups for this.
Duty groups of around 6-8 seem to work well, larger groups often result in some children being able to leave the hard work to others!
It is sometimes possible to use the same groups as duty groups and activity groups.
Back to tope of page
Planning meals
Food is provided for you at the lodge. Click here for details.
The following simple “bulk” recipes are also provided at the lodge to help if you need them:
Nachos
Apple crisp
Apple sponge
Caramel pudding
Cheese sauce
Chilli con-carne
Chocolate pudding
Custard sauce
Fruit cobbler
Golden sausages
Goulash
Lasagne
Mayonnaise
Potato bake
Sausage rolls
Savoury chops
Savoury mince
Scalloped potatoes
Spaghetti and meat balls
Spaghetti bolognaise
Tararua biscuits
APOEC provides milk powder. If you require fresh milk contact the store on 03 318 9235. They will deliver your milk order to the lodge prior to your visit.
Baking and snacks are usually brought by the pupils and pooled for morning and afternoon teas.
The kitchen is spacious, well laid out and all utensils are provided.
Back to tope of page
Transport
If you visit Arthur’s Pass on the Tranz Alpine or via bus it is a good idea to bring at least one private vehicle as well. This allows you the flexibility to easily send a student home if the need arises and provides transport in non emergency medical situations. If required the lodge van (4WD) is available to transport pupils to the Darfield or Moana medical centres, but as this can disrupt the programme it is preferable to have a private vehicle on hand.
Tranz Scenic
Apple crisp
Apple sponge
Caramel pudding
Cheese sauce
Chilli con-carne
Chocolate pudding
Custard sauce
Fruit cobbler
Golden sausages
Goulash
Lasagne
Mayonnaise
Potato bake
Sausage rolls
Savoury chops
Savoury mince
Scalloped potatoes
Spaghetti and meat balls
Spaghetti bolognaise
Tararua biscuits
Baking and snacks are usually brought by the pupils and pooled for morning and afternoon teas.
The kitchen is spacious, well laid out and all utensils are provided.
Back to tope of page
Click on the Tranz Scenic link above to visit the Tranz Scenic website or phone them on 0800 87 88 98. Let them know that you are visiting Arthur's Pass Outdoor Education Centre to recieve a special discounted fare.
If travelling by private vehicles it is important that all drivers are competent and cautious. In winter especially, shady areas can be icy and snow can cover the road at anytime. It is vital that snow chains are carried from May to September (if hiring or borrowing chains check to see that they fit correctly and that the driver knows how to fit them!). If snowy conditions are expected it is wise to ensure that each persons baggage (inc sleeping bags) are in the car they are travelling in.
Road conditions can be obtained by phoning the AA road report 0900 33222 or by clicking on AA Road Report.
State highway 73 is rarely closed for more than a short period, with road grit applied regularly in icy conditions and snow ploughs based here permanently.
The responsibility for managing safety to and from APOEC rests with the visiting group.
Back to tope of page
What to bring
It is wise to bring other indoor games/cards/activities for evenings.
Many schools bring camp diaries for the pupils so that they can record and recount their exploits and experiences here.
From spring to autumn (longer daylight hours) sports equipment such as soccer/rugby/tennis balls and cricket/baseball bats can be put to good use in the evenings on a nearby grassed area.
Back to tope of page
You may wish to allocate
specific bunkrooms to pupils before you arrive. So that you know how best to seperate difficult pupil A from difficult pupil B, we have provided this floor plan.
The top of the plan faces North and the righthand side of the plan faces State Highway 73.
Room 1 sleeps 2 people
Room 2 sleeps 4 people
Room 3 sleeps 11 people
Room 4 sleeps 8 people
Room 5 sleeps 9 people
Room 6 sleeps 9 people
Room 7 sleeps 2 and has its own shower, toilet and power point
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