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General
Should we bring first aid kits? top
OBOEC staff are qualified in first aid and will also have first aid kits with them. Bring your own first aid kit to use when our staff are not around.
How do we get help in an emergency? top
For emergency care call 111. Orton Bradley Park is 30 minutes from Christchurch Hospital.
Diamond Harbour Medical Centre is 10 minutes away at 32944902.
Consulting hours
Monday 1:30-4:45
Tuesday 9-11:45 & 4 p.m.-6:45.
Wednesday 9-11:45
Thursday 9-11:45
Friday 8:15-11:30
What if the weather is bad? top
We cannot guarantee good weather. If the weather is really unsuitable for the activity planned we prefer to reschedule activities to the most suitable day. In practice this usually means running water activities on the finest day available. If this is not possible we can substitute your planned activity with something more suitable for the weather, such as high ropes course. Sometimes the weather is too bad to be outside. We can run an indoor programme (or you might prefer to do this yourself) in the schoolroom, or in really bad weather you may choose to finish your camp early. If you are planning a day trip, schedule in a postponement day when you book. We do not charge a cancellation fee if, in discussion with us, you choose to cancel because of unsuitable weather.
Groups of 40 and over may choose to hire a marquee. We can suggest places to hire them from.
Can I use my cellphone? top
There is good cell phone coverage on all networks at the camping site, and reasonably good at all locations where activities are run. We strongly encourage adults to carry cell phones with them for emergency contact and groups to organise a central on-site person to contact in case of emergencies. Adults should also have OBOEC managers Pete 0212158989 and Kirsten 0211769640 phone numbers with them. There is a land-line available at the visitors' centre, about 500m from the campsite. This is locked after hours and use of the phone may need to be arranged with the park manager
Can I bring my dog into the park? top
Sorry, but unless it's a registered guide dog the answer is no. Orton Bradley Park is a working farm and domestic dogs can carry diseases such as Taenia Ovis (sheep measles) which has cause tens of thousands of dollars loss to the farm in the past and was almost certainly brought in by a visiting dog. The farmer only makes exceptions for registered guide dogs with full current vaccination certificates including Ovis. We also have to let the farm staff know that you're coming so you need to give us enough time to contact them.
What should we have for lunch? top
Most programmes require students to have a packed lunch, snacks and water bottle with them. Because packed lunches give us flexibility, it's a good idea to avoid cooked lunches even if you plan to be at base on a particular day.
Where can I get fuel?top
There is no fuel available anywhere in the Lyttelton Harbour basin. The closest petrol pumps are Christchurch or Taitapu. Please ensure all the vehicles you bring have enough fuel.
How long does it take to get there?top
Orton Bradley Park is about 25 min drive from Cashmere. It takes about 35 min from the city centre if there are no traffic hold ups. From Northern Christchurch it may be easier to drive through the Lyttleton tunnel, about one hour from Belfast. If you're coming from south of Christchurch, Gebbies Pass is usually faster, about 25 min from Lincoln.Click here for maps
Where is the closest shop?top
There are general stores at Church Bay (5 min drive) and Diamond Harbour (10 min drive), which have a small range of groceries, milk and newspapers and car repairs.

Park and Camping facilities
Do we need our own tents?top
Everyone will need tents. You can hire tents from EONZ gear pool. So far all schools have found enough tents among the students to avoid hiring them.
Groups of over 40 may choose to hire a marquee from St Martin Scouts
Where should we pitch our tents?top
We have a very large camping area, even the largest groups have a lot of choice where to camp. Here are some points to consider when choosing where your group will camp
The most sheltered site for camping is behind (south) the kitchen building.
Gum trees drop branches very easily. Please camp away from the very large gum trees behind the base.
Think about the expected wind direction during your camp so that your tents are pitched in a sheltered site.
There are toilets on either side of the campsite, but only the northern toilets have lighting
Some groups choose to separate girls and boys. We recommend girls in front and boys at the back, but if the weather forecast is for strong winds, it may be more important to have everyone at the back where it is sheltered.
What other groups will be there? top
Orton Bradley Park is open to the public during the hours of daylight, and the gates shut at night. The Park Manager (Ian Luxfordl 329 4730) lives on-site. You have exclusive use of kitchen, shower and camping facilities fenced off from the public park. Another school may be participating in an adventure programme as a day trip or camping in the picnic area while you are there.
What time can we arrive and when do we need to be vacated?top
If there is no other group using the camping facilities, you can turn up any time you like and leave any time. However, if another group is leaving or turning up the same day as yours, the change over time is 10am. You must be completely packed up and out of the camping ground by 10am. If you are arriving and another group is departing that day, you may not have access to the campsite until 10am. Of course, your group may stay the whole day in the park and do a full day's activities regardless. We can arrange shelter for your bags etc. if needed. It is rare for groups to be arriving on Fridays or departing on Monday mornings, but quite common mid week, especially Wednesdays.
How do we get the keys?top
Don't forget to ask us before you come for the combination number to get into the building. All keys you need are locked inside the building and accessible once you are in.
Is the water safe to drink?top
Orton Bradley Park has its own treated water supply. The stream is not safe to drink from.
What do we do with our rubbish?top
There is no rubbish collection available. All groups must supply their own rubbish bags and take their own rubbish away with them. If you would like your rubbish collected organise this yourself with Bay's Bin Hire 3550941
What facilities are available for campervans or caravans?top
A campervan power-point is located next to the building.
Is their recycling?top
We encourage groups to recycle. If you would like your compost removed we can do this for you on request.
Who supplies the gas?top
Orton Bradley Park supplies gas for water heating and 2 barbecues. If you are bringing your own barbecues, bring your own gas bottle too.
What kitchen facilities do you have?top
For your exclusive use
* 4 gas Hobs
* 2 ovens. There is a domestic electric oven and a small gas oven. The gas oven is small and best used for small quantities, or keeping food warm. Baking or roasting is not recommended. 2 microwaves
* 2 2-burner barbecues
* Assorted large serving bowls, pots, pans and kitchen utensils & cutlery, cheese grater, teapot
* 2 fridges
* Chest freezer
* Unlimited gas powered hot water
Each person must bring their own cutlery and plates
What showers are there?top
The shower blocks contains ten gas powered showers.
How many toilets are there? top
The northern toilet block has 3 pans in the ladies' and 2 pans and a urinal in the men's. The southern toilet block has 2 pans in the ladies' and 1 pan and a urinal in the men's.
Orton Bradley Park supplies toilet paper, soap and paper towels.
What cleaning supplies are provided?top
Orton Bradley Park supplies toilet paper, soap, paper towels and clean-up equipment.
You need to provide; dishwashing detergent, dish brush, tea-towels, chux cloths, big rubbish bags.

Who does the cleaning?top
Groups are responsible for cleaning of the kitchen and shower facilities. Cleaning equipment is provided for the end of camp cleanup. Bring your own day-to-day cleaning supplies. The park periodically cleans the toilets, but due to the availability of park staff, your group may need to clean them during your trip.
Can we use the other buildings at the Park?top
The schoolroom is available for you to use it has electricity and can comfortably fit 30 people. Please contact Orton Bradley Outdoor Education Centre or the park manager to arrange to use it. The historic buildings including the mill house are usually open to the public during the day

Programme
Can we organise our own activities? top
The camping facilities are for groups using OBOEC activities, but camps often work best if there is a mixture of activities lead by our professional instructors and activities led by your staff. Most professionally led activities need low ratios which can be achieved through rotations with other professionally run activities or activities you organise and run.
What activities should we choose?top
That depends on your group and how much challenge you want to give them. We can tailor make a programme to suit your class's age, size and budget. Here are some links to our sample programmes for each age: Years 3-6, Years 6-8, Years 8-10 Of course most of our activities are suitable for senior high school pupils and adults as well. Please contact us for a custom made programme
How much does a programme cost?top
Fees for activities usually work out to be between $15 and $40 per person per day depending on the activity and the size of the group. Therefore activities like the Quest with high instructor ratios are much cheaper than coasteering which needs much lower ratios. Smaller groups can use an instructor in the morning to run one activity and the same instructor in the afternoon to run a different activity. If you have a typical class size of around 30, the links to the sample programmes in the above question provide exact cost information for each activity. If your class is considerably smaller or larger than this, please contact us and we can give you a quote that maximises your adventure. Click here for our April to September special offer for day trips
What qualifications and experience do your instructors have?top
Our chief instructor, Pete Ozich is one of the most experienced school camp instructors in the country. He has been running school outdoor education programmes since 1993. He has a plethora of qualifications and experience assessing and leading other instructors in outdoor programmes. Click here for Pete's CV. Pete takes the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that the instructors you get can deliver a safe and quality experience. The instructors we hire have recognised qualifications and/ or proven track records in the industry. They also must demonstrate site specific knowledge of any activity or work under supervision until such knowledge is gained. We also have an apprenticeship programme where new instructors work their way through a training and assessment programme under close supervision until they have demonstrated to the chief instructor complete competence in each activity. The apprentices bring energy and enthusiasm to our programme and represent a considerable investment in their training and assessment. Therefore once they reached the required standard, they are charged out at the same rate as our full instructors.
We have qualified instructors on our staff. Can they help run your activities?top
Yes, this is a great way of making your camp more cost effective, but we need to assess each outside instructor individually. Most of our activities require site specific training which means that even very qualified and experienced outside instructors can't just turn up and run an activity. Please discuss this with us.
Do we need transport to activities?top
Most activities are a short walk from the camping area.
Coasteering, kayaking and Smuggler's Cave are all based in Diamond Harbour which is a 10 minute drive away. If you wish to do these activities, you need to arrange transport for your groups. Even though it only takes 10 minutes to drive, shuttling students usually doesn't work, because a round trip often takes over 40 minutes due to pick up and drop off times. It's a good idea to have enough transport to take at least the first rotation all at once.
What can we do in the evening? top
Orton Bradley Outdoor Education Centre programme runs from approximately 9am-4pm everyday. The evening programme is up to you. Groups have successfully tried
" games on our huge flat grass
" finding and feeding eels in stream
" stargazing
" movies outside (bring your own data projector and big-screen)
" mud rugby on the mudflats at low tide (tape socks to feet to avoid shell-cuts)
" auction using camp money
" activities at historic area
" camp concert
" adventure playground
" exploring the stream
" free-time
What are your ratios? top
Our sheltered water activities have a maximum ratio of one instructor to seven students and participating adults. Coasteering, has two instructors, and a maximum of 14 students and adults for each trip.
Most activities require parents and teachers to walk small groups to instructors waiting at the site of the activity. Choose a ratio appropriate for your group age and ability.

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