Form 1 Year End Hike Letter 2018

Tel: +27 (12) 348-1221 110 Clearwater Road
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www.stalbanscollege.com Lynnwood Ridge
Email: [email protected] 0040
South Africa

29 October 2018

Dear Parents,

With the end of year fast approaching and the hikes taking place at the beginning of December,
it is time for your son to prepare for the Form 1 hike. This year the Form 1’s will be exploring the basics
of camp craft while enjoying some outdoor fun at Kloofwaters Outdoor Centre, in the
Magaliesberg.

Mrs Mel de Kock and Mr Sean Smith will be managing the program and taking care of your sons.
They will be supported by our dedicated team of St Alban’s College staff as well as by our
contracted medical support company, Adventure Medics. Adventure Medics will accompany the
busses on the journey to and from the venue, and will be centrally based on site for the duration
of the camp.

The boys are expected to be at school at 07h00 on Monday the 3rd of December, assembling in
the Amphitheatre, and will return at approximately 13h00 on Wednesday the 5th of December.

It is compulsory for your son to attend the hike and it is considered part of our school curriculum.
The experience facilitates social development, the improvement of leadership and coping skills,
and is vital in helping your son to establish his position within the group.

Requests to be excused from hikes in exceptional circumstances must be addressed, in writing,
directly to the Headmaster.

EQUIPMENT:
In order to ensure the success and enjoyment of the experience, your son needs to be properly
equipped and prepared. The following equipment is necessary for the Form 1 hike:

Individual Individual or Group
A Whistle Tent
Walking shoes & socks (Sports trainers) Gas cooker/burner
Backpack 60-75l Lightweight pots
Strops/Water shoes/ Old sport trainers
(not slops)
Warm trousers and shorts
Waterproof jacket or a Poncho
Hiking shirts and warm top(s)
Swimming trunks
Water bottle
Sleeping bag
High density sponge mattress
Sunblock
Hat or Cap
Toiletries
Small towel
Mug, plate, knife, fork, teaspoon
Flashlight or Headlamp

All equipment should be purchased bearing in mind that it will be used during the Form 2 hike and
the Form 3 Journey as well. A backpack of between 60 and 75 litres with a padded hip belt is
recommended. Tents should be of good quality and purchased at reputable outdoor stores. Hiking
boots should also be of a good quality and provide sufficient ankle support.

It takes a school with vision to prepare a young man for life

The weather can change quite quickly and therefore it is important to take clothes that cater for
hot days, heavy rain, and cool evenings. I recommend that your son takes a change of underwear
and socks for each day, but wears the same clothes for the duration of the hike. One spare set of
clothes, sealed in a Ziploc® bag can be carried for use in the evenings or for an emergency. A
hiker’s aim should be to keep his torso dry and his temperature well regulated. A combination of
a long sleeve base layer, a warm long-sleeve fleece, and a waterproof raincoat serve as layers to
achieve this in varying conditions.

FOOD:

The boys must bring all their own food which they will carry with them on the hike. Food items should
be nutritious, lightweight, and easy to prepare. It is also a good idea to have your son do some
practice runs - both using his equipment as well as preparing meals beforehand.

Meal Suggestions:

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks
Oats O Easy Crackers, Rice cakes, Quick pasta, Jellies, Super C’s
Muesli or cereal with Pro-Vita, Rye bread Pre Cooked Rice, Peanuts and raisins
Powdered milk, sugar Peanut butter, Smash, Couscous, Dried fruit, assorted
and water Cheese triangles, Tuna and/or Chicken nuts
Biltong, Tuna, in a tin or packet, Energy bars, Protein
Chicken in a packet Salami, Corn beef bars
or tin Instant soup Drink
Back Country Cuisine Game or any powder
from Outdoor mix
Warehouse Coffee, tea, hot
chocolate

MEDICAL
Should your son have any severe allergies of which we need to be aware, or if any medication
might need to be administered, please notify Sister Rene Stone in writing and as soon as possible.
You can email her on [email protected].

GENERAL
During the course of the hike, your son will be given guidance in various aspects of hiking including:
how to pack his rucksack effectively, how to prepare his meals and how to pitch his tent correctly.

If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Des Turton
HOD Outdoor Education
[email protected]

It takes a school with vision to prepare a young man for life