Program overview

Brewongle provides an inclusive and supportive environment, making it the perfect setting for students with a wide range of needs to fully enjoy the school camp experience. Our primary and secondary support unit camp programs are thoughtfully designed to be flexible and adaptable, ensuring that all students can participate safely and meaningfully in a variety of outdoor activities.

These tailored programs focus on creating positive and accessible learning opportunities that cater to diverse abilities and interests. Whether students are exploring nature, engaging in hands-on environmental education, or connecting with the land through cultural experiences, our experienced educators work closely with visiting schools to accommodate individual needs and preferences.

At Brewongle, we prioritise inclusive practices that promote confidence, social connection, and personal growth. Our support unit camps provide a welcoming space where every student is encouraged to engage, learn, and have fun in a nurturing outdoor setting.

Brewongle has developed a dedicated inclusive education website to help all students prepare for their visit to Brewongle Environmental Education Centre. The site provides detailed information about both camp and day visit experiences.

The inclusive education website includes:

·         printable social stories

·         soundscape tour of Brewongle

·         photos and videos of our facilities and activities

·         accessibility and wheelchair information

Click on the image below for access to the Google Site.

students learning how to nature journal and do leaf rubbings
students dipnetting at the ponds
Camp activities
1

Traditional Indigenous games

Students take a short walk to our local oval where they will learn to play traditional Indigenous games.

2

Spear and boomerang throwing

Learn to throw returning boomerangs and spears

3

Kayaking

Learn to paddle and discover Aboriginal grinding grooves, caves and old churches while paddling on the Hawkesbury River (activity dependent on students meeting prerequisites).

4

Ochre and fire making

Students learn about traditional uses of ochre and tell their own story using traditional Aboriginal symbols. Students learn about cultural burning and then attempt to make a fire using traditional methods.

5

Dip netting

Students connect to Country by investigating the creatures in the Brewongle ponds.

6

Nest box survey

Students investigate the animals living in our nest boxes using cameras.

7

Cave walk and mindfulness

Students explore the bushland around Brewongle as they connect to Country.

8

Bush resource walk

Learn about Dharug bush resource plants, look for wildlife and other natural treasures ending up at our cave.

9

Gunyah building

Students learn about the importance of Country to Aboriginal people and build stick shelters (Gunyahs).

10

Team building & communication

Students rotate through ping pong challenge, magic carpet squares and helium stick games.

11

Nature journaling

Students will learn skills in nature journaling

12

Mission Code Break

Working in small teams, students will navigate around Brewongle using handheld GPS units and maps to find clues to break the hidden code.

13

Blindfold track

Test your communication and teamwork on our blindfold track.

14

1878 classroom lesson

Discover schooling in the past in our old classroom. Use a slate board for a literacy and numeracy lesson, but don’t upset the strict headmaster!

Recommended timetable

Sample of a 2 night/3 day camp, 1 group program

For multiple groups/classes, the same activities are run on an alternating schedule

DAY 1

9:45

Welcome to Brewongle

Safety briefing, set up cabins, toilets.

10:30 RECESS (students bring their own)
11:00 Team building & communication
12:15 Ochre painting
1:00 LUNCH (students bring their own)
1:30 Traditional Indigenous games
2:15 Nature journaling
3:00

AFTERNOON TEA (supplied)

3:30 Brewongle day staff depart

Evening staff (if booked) arrive and take over running of evening activities

3:30

Structured free time:

  • Nature play
  • Nature journalling
  • Board games
  • Sports
5:00 Showers
6:00 DINNER (supplied)
7:00

Evening activity options:

  • Campfire (weather permitting)
  • Spotlight bushwalk for nocturnal animals
  • A movie under the stars with our mobile display
  • Wildlife show (additional cost)
9:00 Prepare for bed - students to remain in cabins
9:30 Lights out - shh please

DAY 2

7:30

Rise and shine!

Tidy cabins. Dress and prepare daypacks for kayaking

8:00 BREAKFAST (supplied)
9:00 Kayaking
11:00 RECESS (supplied)
11:30 Mission codebreak
1:00 LUNCH (supplied)
1:30 Blindfold track
2:15 Bushwalk to cave, ngarra ngalga and nature journaling
3:00

AFTERNOON TEA (supplied)

3:30 Brewongle day staff depart

Evening staff (if booked) arrive and take over running of evening activities

3:30

Structured free time:

  • Nature play
  • Nature journalling
  • Board games
  • Sports
5:00 Showers
6:00 DINNER (supplied)
7:00

Evening activity options:

  • Campfire (weather permitting)
  • Spotlight bushwalk for nocturnal animals
  • A movie under the stars with our mobile display
  • Wildlife show (additional cost)
9:00 Prepare for bed - students to remain in cabins
9:30 Lights out - shh please

DAY 3

7:30

Rise and shine!

Pack bags & cabin inspections

8:00 BREAKFAST (supplied)
9:00 1878 classroom lesson
9:50 Dip netting
10:40 RECESS (supplied)
11:10 Gunyahs
11:50 Nest box cameras
12:30 LUNCH (supplied)
1:00

Final nature play, nature journaling or build a shelter for a

surprise guest

1:45 Depart Brewongle
2:00 Buses depart
Worksheet and pre-excursion activities
There is no worksheet or pre-excursion activities required for this program
Teacher information
Location Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, Sackville North
Transport

Buses are booked by the visiting school.

A map to the bus parking will be sent with the schools confirmation email. Please ensure you print the map and give to the bus driver the morning of the excursion.

Program costs Program costs
Student numbers

Maximum student numbers are 70-80 students (if utilising our additional accommodation options)

No minimum student numbers (instead possible minimum costs)

Supporting teachers and staff Minimum requirement is one teacher per attending class
Program start and finish times

Brewongle arrival time is 9:45 am - departure time is 2 pm

* discuss prior to your visit if you require alternate times

Medical and welfare notifications

Using the Brewongle medical and welfare form (sent with the confirmation email), inform Brewongle staff of any medical conditions or special requirements prior to the visit

This program can be adapted for teachers and students with specific mobility requirements

Adverse weather

Visit our visitor information page to view our weather trigger points for program changes

On days where the weather is unsuitable, a Brewongle staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangements

Booking and cancellation policy requirements

Brewongle booking and cancellation policy

Student attendance numbers confirmed 7 days prior to visit

Cancellation fees may apply

Inclusive learning support Visit our inclusive education website for further excursion support materials
Activity social stories Coming soon!

Booking enquiries

Get in touch to ask a question, plan a visit or find out more about what we offer