Overview
Bogong Outdoor Education Centre has a great deal to offer in terms of its facilities and equipment to groups, which allows it to offer programs using a wide variety of activities. These groups can be student groups (school or other) or professional development groups.
Accommodation
There are 3 accommodation areas; the main dormitory, Nelse Lodge and Kiewa Lodge.
Main Dormitory
This 2-storey building sleeps 60 people with student rooms being twin-share. Visiting teacher rooms (4) are set up for use by one person. All rooms are carpeted, heated, have curtains and ample storage space. All beds have foam mattresses, blankets, pillows, and a doona.
Within each level of this building there is a separate toilet and shower block for students and one on each level for visiting staff. There is also a TV room with video facilities, library room, and a general assembly room which doubles as a music/disco room with modern music equipment.
Attached to this block is a laundry wet area, and two drying rooms. The laundry area has 2 washing machines and tumble dryer for use by staff and cleaners. Outside facilities include a volleyball court area, and basketball area.
Nelse Lodge This self contained unit sleeps 10 people in twin share rooms, has its own lounge area including TV, kitchen, toilet/shower block, drying room, telephone and is carpeted and heated. It is separate from the main dormitory. Doonas, blankets and pillows are supplied and the kitchen is equipped with cooking and eating utensils for 10, electric stove with oven, microwave, fridge and drip coffee maker. This lodge has been recently fully renovated.
Kiewa Lodge This self contained unit sleeps 13 people (3 - 4 per room) and has its own lounge area including TV, bathrooms and small kitchen area, a small laundry and drying room. Doonas, blankets and pillows are supplied and the unit is carpeted and heated throughout. The kitchen includes electric stove with oven, microwave, fridge and cutlery / crockery and cooking utensils for 15. The unit also has telephone facilities. It is separate from the main dormitory. This lodge has been recently renovated and has been specially set up with facilities to accommodate persons with a variety of disabilities e.g. wheel chair access, large shower and vanity facilities etc.
Cooking and Dining
There is a modern large commercial kitchen with large preparation area, cool room, deep fryer, commercial food processor etc. The kitchen can comfortably prepare food for 60 people at a time and has a full set of cutlery, crockery etc. The dinning room accommodates 60 people and is linked to a wash up area which uses a modern commercial dishwashing unit.
Environmental Studies Centre
A new redesigned and renovated environmental studies area will be in operation in 2001. A class set of Elliott type cage traps is available for live trapping mammals which is carried out under government licence. Indoor Rockclimbing Centre In 1999 a new indoor rockclimbing facility was built and is used as part of the introductory session conducted at the Centre. It is also used on days when it is not suitable to rockclimb outdoors. more information
Permanent Orienteering and Rogaining Courses
The Centre has three permanent orienteering courses in the surrounding forest, one around the camp itself and a fifty marker rogaining course on the Bogong High Plains.
High Ropes Course
The Centre has a high ropes course (8 metres above ground) set amongst a manna gum forest on the opposite side of the lake. It consists of 11 activities in two sets of 4, in addition to the separate activities that include a flying fox, leap of faith, dangle duo. The session is based around 'challenge by choice'.
Information Technology
The Centre, in its office and staff room area, has 5 computers that are networked, 3 printers, a scanner, a fax and a photocopier. All computers are connected to the Internet via VIC 1. There is one computer in the student library that has a CD burner attached which is used in conjunction with the two digital cameras. These are taken on activities with images being downloaded to the students computer and a CD being burnt at the conclusion of the camp for the school to take back with them. It is anticipated that information technology will be used as appropriate in the new Environmental Studies Centre.
Library
This is located in the student dormitory and has a range of books, magazines and VCE study materials. on-line library resources
Buses and Toyota Troopcarrier
The Centre has two 23 seater buses and an 11 seater 4WD Toyota Troopcarrier that are used for activities scheduled for Falls Creek, the Bogong High Plains and Mount Beauty.
Outdoor Equipment
The Centre has a modern and comprehensive equipment list:
Gear to outfit 70 people in parkas and overpants (Gortex), gloves and daypacks.
Hiking gear (packs, tents, stoves, sleeping bags etc) for group sizes of 26 people.
Rockclimbing harnesses and equipment for 30.
Extensive array of rockclimbing hardware for various sites.
Ropes course harnesses for 28.
There are 8 rapid rider 2-person Canadian canoes and 2 kayaks, together with personal buoyancy aids, helmets, and paddles.
Comprehensive array of wetsuits and waterproof canoe jackets .
Alpine skis, boots, poles and goggles for 70.
Cross-country skis, boots and poles for 50.
17 mountain bikes and specialist trailer for carrying them.
Video camera.
Two digital cameras.
A wide variety of props useful for initiative activities.
Pioneering poles and ropes.
Radios and mobile phones for use on activities away from the Centre.
Recreation
The Centre has a large new recreation room with a number of games able to be done inside. This new room is ideal for indoor games, table tennis, badminton, bushdancing, etc. It has a modern and comprehensive sound system attached increasing its flexibility. Coupled with audiovisual equipment, overhead projectors, slide projectors it would make an ideal venue for conferences or seminars.
First Aid
The Centre has a dedicated room for this purpose which is well equipped with first aid treatment resources, bed, sink and hot water. All staff are trained and qualified in first aid and resuscitation treatments.
