Fast track friendships, musical development and grow together as an ensemble – the annual SCYO camp is a fantastic way to kick start the year. In addition to working closely with conductors, tutors and alumni, SCYO brings in talented musicians and educators from a wide range of genres to provide a broad and rich experience for our musicians. Camp also enables the conductors to plan a musical repertoire, and catalyse the progression for the ensembles to more challenging music throughout the year.

Overview

Senior Camp (Sinfonia, WE, WS, YS)
Venue  —  QCCC Mapleton
Date  —  27 Feb – 1 Mar 2026
Arrival  —  Friday 4:30pm
Concert  —  Sunday 10:30am (free admission for family & friends)
Depart  —  Sunday 11:30am

Junior Camp (Amati, Concert Band)
Venue  —  Luther Heights Youth Camp
Date  — 13 – 15 Mar 2026
Arrival  —  Friday 4:30pm
Concert  —  Sunday 10:30am (free admission for family & friends)
Depart  —  Sunday 11:30am

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Costs

All costs are already covered in your annual Membership Fees.

The Camp concludes with a free concert for families and friends on Sunday.

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Transport

Musicians must organise their own transport to and from camp. Students cannot be dropped off prior to 4.30pm and parents must remain with students until they are checked in. Senior students are not allowed to drive themselves to camp and must be dropped off.

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Accommodation

Accommodation is in shared dormitories, with separate buildings for male and female students. Each dormitory has its own bathroom facilities. Parent supervisors are accommodated in the same buildings, in separate rooms.

Students are welcome to request to room with friends. Please email all rooming requests to the appropriate camp email address by the dates below:

For fire and safety reasons, dorm allocations cannot be changed after arrival at camp.

Please note that camp@scyo.org.au is no longer in use, so be sure to send requests to the correct email address listed above.

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Arriving late / leaving early

All musicians are expected to attend camp for the full duration, as this helps ensure the ensemble can rehearse and progress together. If a student needs to arrive late or leave early, written permission must be obtained from the Director of Music prior to camp. This is important for student safety and out of consideration for the conductors, who carefully plan the weekend’s rehearsals and activities.

For students attending their first SCYO camp, it is sometimes appropriate for them to return home overnight rather than stay on site. Families are welcome to discuss this option with us.

Please send all arrival, departure, and overnight requests to the appropriate camp email address:

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Uniforms

SCYO polo shirts will be distributed during camp registration to new members and anyone who has outgrown their old shirts. Members will perform in the SCYO polo shirt for the Sunday concert.

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Dietary

Vegetarian and special dietary requirements can be accommodated. To ensure these needs are met, please make sure all dietary information is up to date in the portal under your child’s profile by 15 January 2025 (Senior Camp) and 5 February 2025 (Junior Camp). Our Camp Coordinator will forward this information to the venue kitchen shortly after these dates.

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Medical

Medical conditions should have been declared during sign-up for audition. If you are unsure, please email the details as well as any medical action plans to camp@scyo.org.au.

All medications needed on camp and instructions for their use should be given to the First Aid Officer during camp registration.

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Parent volunteer

The annual SCYO camp relies on parent volunteers to provide duty of care, assist with organisation and supervision, and help maintain an appropriate adult-to-child ratio. In return, volunteer parents enjoy a weekend away with catered meals, live music as your constant soundtrack, and only slightly reduced sleep!

If you’d like to volunteer, please contact the relevant camp email: seniorcamp@scyo.org.au or juniorcamp@scyo.org.au.

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Further enquiries

Information is made available through this website, at rehearsals, and generally confirmed with emails prior to the camp. If you have any questions about camp, please contact the relevant camp email: seniorcamp@scyo.org.au or juniorcamp@scyo.org.au.

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Camp etiquette

Please go through the following with your child prior to camp:

  1. Dining:
    1. Please remember your table manners, wait quietly to be served and only take what you think you will eat.
    2. Everyone is responsible for leaving the table they use clean and tidy. Dirty dishes need to be scraped off and placed at the appropriate kitchen window for the kitchen staff to clean. Please don’t eat and rush off. Everyone is to stay in the dining hall until they are given instructions about what is happening next and have permission to leave.
  2. Free time:
    1. There will be some time during the day to socialise, chill out or study. Bring your favourite game, frisbee or ball games. Some members like to use free time to study so please respect their space.
    2. Whilst there are swimming facilities at this venue, SCYO does not have the necessary skilled supervisory staff. Therefore attendees are not permitted to swim.
    3. Attendees are required to remain in the camp grounds at all times.
  3. Appreciation:
    1. All the Conductors and volunteer parents at camp have given up their family time to give you this fantastic experience. Please show your appreciation by listening carefully, following instructions and treating them, and your fellow musicians, with respect. SCYO camp could not happen without them!