ABOUT THE CAMP

DO YOU WANT TO COME?

FOR 2008 CAMPERS

FAQs

Who runs the Forensic Science Camp at Armidale?

A number of year 9,10 and 11 students from various schools from different parts of NSW and Queensland are the driving force of the Camp with the assistance of Mr Kelland Hardingham who conceived the ideas on which the Camp is based.

Who is the Camp for?

The Camp is designed for talented and motivated science students who are in Year 9 (Qld) or Year 8 in (NSW and other states). It is up to each school to determine whether their students have the qualities that will allow them to benefit from the Camp (see the |WHO THE CAMP IS FOR| and the |HOW WE SELECT CAMPERS| section of this website).

When is the closing date for applications?

There is no specific closing date. Applications will be received and evaluated until the spaces at the Camp are all taken up. When the Camp is full, a notice will be posted on this website.

What will participants achieve?

Children who demonstrate interest and ability in learning will benefit greatly from the extension that this Camp will provide. The focus for the Camp is complex problem solving with a forensic science theme. This area lends itself well to both the acquisition of specific scientific techniques and skills and opportunities for real-world problem solving. In addition, the residential nature of the Camp, together with an organised recreational program, will provide an excellent social context.

What will happen at the Camp?

Participants will be fully supervised. Each day will feature a carefully planned mixture of academic and recreational programs. In small groups, students will work together to solve a 'crime', learning a variety of skills such as microscopy, chromatography, database searching, fingerprint analysis, cryptography, collaborative problem-solving.

The goal of each group is to solve the crime, and then use the evidence they have collected to prosecute the criminal in a mock trial on the Saturday, which is open to parents and members of the public.

At least 2 hours of each day is spent 'resting the brain' with a recreation program that includes the use of a heated indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, other sporting facilities, and large open spaces. In addition, the evenings will include activities such as theatre sports and socials.

What does it cost?

$395, which covers full board, workbooks and the entire Camp program. NO EXTRA MONEY OR FOOD WILL BE REQUIRED by students, the Camp will provide everything that is needed.

How do I pay?

Click on |COSTS| and you will find the information you want.

Where is the Camp held?

The Camp will be held in Armidale, 550km north of Sydney and 500km south of Brisbane on the New England Highway. The campus of The Armidale School, is the venue for the Camp.

When is the Camp on?

The 2008 Camp starts on Tuesday 1st July 2008 and finishes on the following Saturday (5th).

How many students can a single school send?

There is a growing tendency for some schools to request more and more places. We appreciate the compliment but don’t want to see the Camp serving only a small handful of very keen schools. Reluctantly we must limit the numbers from any one school to 8. If a larger number is included in the original application we will accept a maximum of 8 then hold the remainder until close to Camp time when one or more may be accepted if there are cancellations. Cancellation spaces will be filled in the order that applications were received.

Where will Students be accommodated?

The Camp makes use of the boarding facilities of The Armidale School. Males and females will be accommodated in separate houses, with appropriate adult supervision from trainee and graduate teachers and Camp staff.

How do I apply?

Go to the |HOW DO I APPLY?| section of this website. All applications must be sent via email in the manner described in this website. Paper applications will not be processed.

How is transport organised?

Transport to Armidale is the sole responsibility of the camper. We will meet all trains, planes and buses in Armidale, and ensure that connections are not missed when returning home. To do this we must have travel details for any student travelling by train, plane or bus.

In previous years there have been large numbers of applicants from the Canberra, Wollongong, Southern Tablelands, Sydney, Gosford/Wyong and Newcastle areas, so the managers have arranged for chartered coaches, with adult supervision. See the |TRAVEL| section of this website for details.

What level of adult supervision is there?

The camp is essentially run by a group of school students (the Student Management Team). A part of their organisational role is to ensure that there is adult supervision in areas where this is appropriate or essential, eg especially in the laboratories and in the boarding houses at night. All adult Camp staff are screened for suitability by Camp organisers and have completed appropriate child protection declarations.

What do students need to bring?

Students need to bring and towel and toiletries, casual clothes. They also need to bring sporting clothing, including swimming gear for physical recreation activities. The Camp is held during the Armidale winter, which can be bracing at times, so students are advised to bring warm clothing. Different people feel the cold differently when they sleep so campers may also choose to bring a dooner (or substitute). Sheets, pillow slip, pillows and blankets are provided.

Do not bring expensive electronic devices (eg iPods, MP3 players, DVD players, electronic games) that are easily lost or stolen, or worse, will distract the camper from the business of the Camp.

The Court Trials

An important facet of the TAS Forensic Science Camp is the trial of alleged criminals from each of the crime scenarios. The trials will take place on the last day of the Camp, and all the roles in the cases will be played by campers who have been involved in solving that crime. The judges for each case will be professional lawyers.

The trials will begin at 9:00am on Saturday. Information about how to navigate among the courtrooms and how to locate specific campers will be available at the School entrance. Final summations and verdicts begin around 1:00pm (after lunch), everyone will be on their way home before 2.00 pm.

Lunch for family and friends after the Trials

Campers’ family, friends and the general public are invited to join the campers and camp managers for a sit-down hot lunch ($12/head for non-campers) while the juries consider their verdicts. Lunch tickets can be purchased before the Camp, at the time of Registration (Tuesday1st July), and on the day of the trials (Saturday).

What if I have more questions?

For more specific information please contact us via the |CONTACT US| section of this website.