Calling all fathers and father-figures in the Berry area - you're invited to the 2025 Berry Dads Camp-Out at the Berry Public School!

This is an evening for local dads to hang out with their kids, cook dinner together, and sleep in a tent under the stars. The location is the Berry Public School oval, but the event is open to any local fathers or father-figures with primary-school-aged kids.

Tickets are free via this page. We suggest a donation of $20 per family, with all proceeds going directly to Berry Public School P&C.

When?

Saturday 15th November. Tents pitched from 3pm.

Where?

Lower School Grounds - Berry Public School.

We will be pitching tents on the soccer pitch. Use the lower east gate below the Plant Prop to bring vehicles onto the grounds and park on the lower field.

How much?

Tickets are free! We suggest a donation of $20 per family, with all proceeds going directly to the Berry Public School P&C.

What facilities are available?

We will all camp together in one area in the school grounds with the fires on the oval. The toilet block will be open, drinking water available from there. No showers. No power.

We'll have a BBQ available to cook your meals, or you may bring your own small camping stove.

Four half drum fire pits will be provided. Please bring a small amount of seasoned firewood to add to the drums.

There will be no school staff present. Dads and father figures will be responsible.

Breakfast and coffee will be available to purchase on the Sunday morning.

Can I take other kids along?

Yes, all ages welcome. And you can bring someone else’s kids as long as you are responsible for them for the duration of the camp and you have the permission of their carers.

Will there be planned activities?

There will be a communal campfire 7-9pm on the Saturday night (depending on fire conditions). Bring your own marshmallows and damper dough for toasting. We will have some games / songs / stories around the campfire. If anyone would like to read an appropriate story to the group then please let us know.

There will be also time for games during pack up after breakfast.

With the time we do have, the aim is to have fun, but also to bond. BE INVOLVED!! We are all here to have a good time with our children. This means being fully involved in doing stuff together.

Is there anything which is not permitted?

NO DEVICES – leave the screens at home please to avoid temptation. (phones to be kept on silent for emergency contact)

All campers are to be in their tents from 9pm on the Saturday night until 6am the following morning.

This is an alcohol-free event.

What about safety?

You will need to sign-on at the start of the camp and ensure your mobile number is on the central sign-in sheet.

Fathers/father figures are responsible for the children they attend with for the entire duration of the camp.

Please be mindful of other children's allergies if sharing food.

First Aid Kit provided.

What do I need to bring?

Camping Gear

Tent, including pegs, fly, groundsheet if required
Sleeping bags
Add extra blankets if you need to, being cold is not very pleasant.
Air mattress/inflatable mat/stretcher.
Pillow
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Torch / head-torch / lantern
Folding chairs
Drink bottles & water container
Plates / Cups / Bowls
Cooking equipment
Stove, hotplate etc. Coordinate with others to share
Marshmallows / damper mix for the campfire

Food

Part of the fun of the camp out is planning your Saturday night meal during the week with your kids and involving them with buying and preparing the food. If you don't have cooking equipment you can coordinate with others to share or consider a pre-prepared cold picnic.

Breakfast and coffee will be available to purchase on the Sunday morning.

Clothes

Enough for your children. Make sure you have:

Warm clothes for after dinner. This could include thermals for kids or ski jackets, beanies.

Be prepared for wet weather: jackets + large umbrella

Dry clothes for sleeping including socks

Activities

Equipment for sharing both inside and outside. Balls, card games, story books etc.

Guitars

If you can play a quiet instrument and know a few songs we can coordinate a singalong.

Firewood

If possible, please bring a small bag of seasoned firewood to add to the fire pits.

To sign up to the Berry Dads mailing list and receive information about future events click here to subscribe.

If you have any ideas you would like to contribute or are interested in joining the Berry Dads Group Leaders please email berryschooldads@gmail.com or anonymous feedback can be left via this form.