If you think sport and recreation camps are only for summer, think again.
Imagine lighting a camp fire on the beach at Broken Bay or listening to the crackle of the fire under the stars at Lake Keepit. There are plenty of reasons to book a winter camp.
You won't miss out
There’s no missing out by going to camp in winter. You get all our traditional activities such as archery, canoeing, ropes courses as well as the fun learning and development activities we specialise in.
A unique experience
With beautiful blue-sky days during winter, the temperature is great for bushwalking and enjoying the outdoors. Canoeing tends to keep campers drier than the summer surf-ski activity, and if the kids get cold we’ll light a fire to keep them warm while they take turns paddling.
It also gets dark earlier in winter so a camp fire and cookout is a great experience for the group. Cook damper or roast marshmallows over the fire while telling some stories before bed. Sunrise is a bit later too, so the kids get a good night's sleep and the teachers a sleep in. Even if you get up to watch the sunrise, it’s not too early.
Another benefit is there are less bugs in winter. There’s no flies and the mozzies seem to keep away. And not to scare you off a summer camp, but snakes don’t visit in winter either.
Winter comforts
Winter camps still have all the creature comforts, the main difference is what you pack in your suitcase. Just bring some warm clothes and you’ll be toasty warm all day.
There’s no waking up to a cold room in the morning because all of our accommodation has reverse cycle air conditioning. A warm shower in the en-suite bathrooms also helps to take the edge off the fresh morning air.
We even create a menu especially for winter. There’s nothing like a homemade pea and ham soup with thick crusty bread while gathering around the fireplace in our dining hall of an evening.
More privacy
Our centres are usually a little quieter during winter so you can take advantage of not having to share the facilities with another group, not that that’s a problem, but to have the whole place to yourself can be something really special.
It's cheaper
Camps booked between June and August* are available at cheaper low season rates. You may also be able to negotiate transport costs.
*Excluding Jindabyne. Low season rates available at Jindabyne from May to June and September to December.
More information
Give us a call on 13 13 02 to learn more about the Office of Sport's winter camps.
By Matthew Adamson, Marketing Officer at the Office of Sport