For the cold-fearing, there should be extra blankets in the recreation room. If you're still scared or you're the kind of person who has nightmares about where these blankets have been before it got to you, bring your own sleeping bag (otherwise there really is no need for it especially when you rug up in a few thick layers of clothes, and I assure you the blankets are quite clean!).
The rooms are all carpeted and there's central heating that comes out from the floor, so it means two things: no need to all crowd around one little electric heater shivering (I found it so warm on my last night there last week I was kicking blankets off!), and also don't put melt-able things (e.g chocolate) on the floor or at the bottom of your bag if that is on the floor. I've seen some pretty nasty consequences before!
There are two sinks in the room- one in the bathroom and one in the room itself. So you can brush your teeth/wash your face/wash your hands in the room when somebody is hogging the bathroom and also fill up your bottle easily. (so no need to bring a big bottle- you'll either always be in your room or recreation room and there are taps providing clean water at both places!)
The bathroom, I have to say, is the nicest, cleanest camp bathroom I've been to (although the tiles are freezing cold!) There's a sink and mirror, a shower cubicle and a toilet cubicle. My tip for de-fogging the mirror when someone else is taking a hot shower: rub soap on it! All clear!
My warning is to ALWAYS check the bathroom tap for hot water BEFORE you jump into the shower. As 3 lodges share one heater, hot water tends to run out when there are quite a few people in each bunk. Don't worry if your hot water does die on you- it usually returns in a few hours. My advice is to have night showers because the water is usually hot then (and if it's not, it will be in the morning when you can have a second chance to shower before your new day begins)- as opposed to finding the water cold in the morning then having to go about your day all stinky if you're too chicken to jump in. (In general, just be considerate and don't take long showers)
I love whoever came up with this shower cubicle design because camp shower cubicles are usually tiny and yucky with no pegs to hang your clothes or towel. This one has a little soap bar where you can put your little shampoo/shower gel bottles...and...get this...A SHOWER BENCH!!!!
BRILLIANT idea, is it not?!! You can dry yourself and change in the cubicle itself!! Of course, Caleb tells me the guys he's shared a bunk with during his Easter camp still manage to get the bench wet despite a shower curtain. No idea how that happens (and how the male species showers), but if you're a girl- then I assure you all is well.
The rec room is nice and big- bring board games and cards!!!! The room has two ping pong tables, a pool table, a huge heater, toilets...
...AND...the self-use kitchen itself!!!
In short, everything is in one place. Mugs, cups, dishwashing liquid and tea towels are also provided. (I'm assuming anyway...I don't know how different things will be since we're cooking ourselves. Anyway, even if they did provide everything, I'll still advice to bring extra stuff like dishwashing liquid 'cause we all know how THAT runs out!)Unforunately, there is no stereo system though and there's only a really small TV (if they choose to give it to us at all). Organisers- you'll have to bring your own radio and speakers!
There's also a soccer field just ouside the recreation room (which gets quite muddy when it rains but as long as you avoid certain patches like before the goal posts, it's fine).
Besides that, there's also other facilities like a trampoline, commando course, high ropes, low ropes, flying fox etc...
...but naturally I'm assuming everything is off-limits to us since you need to call in the professionals to run them. Things like the commando course and low ropes may seem "easy" but trust me, these are the two activities that have the highest injury rate. So don't attempt unless you have someone ready to catch you.
It's nice being out in the bush- last week at Rawson we got a lovely full rainbow! Yay!
...And every night that it's not busy raining, I can guarantee a magnificent night sky FULL of stars! So do bring your warmest clothing fit for skiing so we can all sit outside and admire it!!!
For emergency needs (e.g female matters), there's a couple of shops across the campsite. Also, the lowdown on the mobile network service at the campsite:
- Full reception for 3 (and Telstra, I THINK)
- Limited service for Optus (to actually make calls/send SMS you'll have to STAND BESIDE THE GOAL POST IN THE SOCCER FIELD- no, I'm NOT kidding!)
- Zero reception for Vodafone (you're dead a few km after you turn off the main highway)
Hope this guide has been helpful! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask (leave a comment) and me or people on the committee will answer! Of course, I would like to add a disclaimer because I'm only basing my experience on my Trinity College camps and assumptions and am NOT on the organising committee for the Flare camp- hence haven't a clue what they have in store for us and what I really should be saying to suit that! But of course, I'm trying the best I can to make this right and helpful! (Organisers- correct me if there's anything wrong here!)
See you all at camp! :)
Every year, Flare performs on this occasion to promote itself and bring a little fun, dance and music to the day!
(Can't believe Bud took my picture of my messy bed off my blog and put it on the website! Here's a much better before-we-attacked-the-beds pic I took at last year's camp =D)!
