IMPROVCAMP AUSTRALIA 2011!
IT’S GOING TO BE BIGGER, BETTER AND BADDER THAN EVER!

Download this FAQ as a PDF (updated at 22nd July 2010)
Download the latest IMPROVCAMP PACKING LIST (updated at 22nd July 2010)

 

 

• IT WILL BE THE BEST CAMP EVER! WHAT IS IMPROVCAMP AUSTRALIA ALL ABOUT?
• WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GOING TO IMPROVCAMP AUSTRALIA?
• WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE FOR IMPROVCAMP?
• WHAT IS THE STAFF/STUDENT RATIO FOR THE CAMP FOR THIS AGE GROUP?
• WHAT ARE THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS?
• DO STUDENTS HAVE TO STAY OVERNIGHT?
• WHO ARE THE CANADIAN IMPROV GAMES?
• WHO ARE THE AUSTRALIAN IMPROV GAMES?
• WHO OR WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR PERFORMING ARTS (AIPA)?
• WHO ARE THE STAFF SUPERVISING BEFORE & AFTER IMPROVCAMP?
• IF CAMPERS HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY; CAN THE CATERERS LOOK AFTER THEIR NEEDS?
• IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR MORE THAN ONE CHILD FROM THE SAME FAMILY?
• CAN I CLAIM THE CHILDCARE REBATE ON THIS PROGRAMME?

 

 

Are you ready for the best camp ever?

Do you love IMPROV?
Want to get away for a week?
Want to hang out with the coolest Canadians on the planet and sixty other high school kids?
THEN ENROL IN IMPROVCAMP AUSTRALIA!

 

IMPROVCAMP is an intensive, residential programme for high school students. It encompasses Improvisation, lifelong friendships and the outdoors all in one package! IMPROVCAMP AUSTRALIA is unlike any other camp out there – Australian teenagers don’t go to camp, unless it is a school ‘forced’ one, but IMPROVCAMP is starting to change this.

Improvcamp has run in Canada for nine years to rave reviews and sold out programmes. Australian’s got a taste in 2009 – 70 teenagers, 6 days, 9 trainers, 1 megaphone, 1 DJ, lots of dance parties, great food, workshops, classes, electives, performances equalled 100% success! – so it’s back! It was held in Winter last year so in 2011, we are going all out for summer – to add swimming, pool parties and shorts and thongs to the mix. It can only be even better!

In January 2011, camp will run at Myuna Bay. Cabins are ensuited and air conditioned, so you won’t have to rough it too much. There’s a camp fire, a flying fox, canoes, mini golf, archery, sailing, swimming, pool parties, dance parties and so much IMPROV that you won’t stop smiling for days. The food isn’t like camp food – it actually tastes really great and there is plenty of it.

 

Participants will be organized into ensembles (based on age and experience) and participate in multiple daily workshops, gaining skills and learning about their craft. There are performances or activities each night, and a heap of outdoor activities to choose from. They said that 2009 was the ‘best camp ever’, the 2010 Winter Intensive was hard to beat but just wait until you see what is planned for January 2011!

For more info please read the fact sheet (that is all the info here in a PDF for you)
Want to know what to take with you? Check out the packing list (print and check me off)
Want to know where Myuna Bay is and how to get there? Check out Travel Options and directions

 

TRAVEL OPTIONS (DROP OFF & PICK UP) AND DIRECTIONS.
Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre is located on the Wangi Road, Myuna Bay NSW 2264. There are signs that make it easy to locate. The centre is one hour's drive north of Sydney or 40 minutes drive south of Newcastle.
DOWNLOAD LOCATION DETAILS

Drop Off on 22nd January:
Students should be dropped at the grounds for sign-in between 7.15am – 7.45am on 22nd January 2011. Breakfast and our first session start at 8.00am, so please don’t be late.

For students from outside Sydney and surrounds or for parents who just don’t want to get up early and drive, there is a second option.

OR

Drop Off on 21st January:

For a grand total of $130.00, Improvisers can be dropped at The Formula One Hotel, Sydney Airport -  5 Ross Smith Avenue Mascot, NSW  between 3.00pm – 6.30pm or fly into Sydney Domestic Airport between 12.00pm and 6.00pm. We will meet flights and walk students back to the hotel. They will be supervised, accommodated, assisted with getting some dinner and then transferred to Myuna Bay early the next morning in time for sign-in and the start of a fantastic week.

 

Pick Up on 27th January Students will have a performance at 2pm on 27th for family and friends and will be all done by 4pm. They can be signed out and go on home with you
OR

Pick Up on 28th January For a grand total of $130.00, Improvisers will be returned to The Formula One Hotel, Sydney Airport -  5 Ross Smith Avenue Mascot, NSW  between 6.00pm – 7.00pm.  They will be supervised, accommodated, assisted with getting some dinner and then either transferred back to the airport or collected by parents the next morning. Flights should be booked to leave Sydney after 9.30am. If students are being picked up from the hotel, this should be done no later than 10.00am as all staff will sign off at 10.15am.

 

A Day in the Life of an IMPROVCAMP:
Here is an outline of a typical day at Improv Camp


WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GOING TO IMPROVCAMP AUDTRALIA?
There are simply far too many to list here, but we will have a go!
The feedback from 2009 was 100% positive. And the vibe was electric. Be part of a youth phenomenon.

• Learn the art of Improvisation from some of the world’s best tutors and performers.
• Meet and work with like-minded people from all over Australia, across Canada and perhaps other countries too!
• Learn life skills, group and team skills, how to lead and when to follow.
• Discover new ways to warm up and performance techniques that will take you to the next level.
• Make friends that you will have forever whilst having the best week of your life!

Improvcamp is an inspiring and life changing experience for any teenager who wants to act or simply discover more about themselves. Students who are serious about taking Improv to a professional level need to strongly consider regular training both in Australia and overseas. IMPROVCAMP AUSTRALIA brings the best overseas trainers to you!

 

WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE FOR IMPROVCAMP?
Improvcamp is open to male & female Improv students aged 12 - 20 years of age. All applicants must be currently enrolled in a registered high school or home-schooling programme or of university age.

 

Camper Program:
The camper program is the ultimate combination of outdoor activities and the best improvisational training the Canadian and Australian trainers have to offer. Each day at IMPROVCAMP, campers take intensive workshops from some of the most talented instructors from across Canada and beyond, which cover all facets of improvisational theatre. They also participate in camp-wide games, swim, lounge at the pool and work together on performance projects. At night, IMPROVCAMP becomes a venue for improv theatre and entertainment. Each evening there are performances by the campers, as well as campfires, a pool party extravaganza, and numerous other surprises. And dance parties. So many dance parties. This program is for improvisers of all skill and experience levels.

 

Leadership Program:
The leadership program is designed for young people who are ready to take the next step, both as improvisers and youth leaders. The members of the leadership program take workshops to grow their improvisation skill set, but they also take seminars designed to enhance their abilities as leaders and mentors of youth. This program is both challenging and rewarding, and vital for those improvisers who are interested in assisting in the growth of the next generation. Acceptance is by application only. Please apply by calling 02 9966 0353 BEFORE enrolling online. If you are accepted, you will be given a code to enter online.

WHAT IS THE STAFF: STUDENT RATIO FOR THE CAMP FOR THIS AGE GROUP?
The supervision ratio is 1:10

 

WHAT ARE THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS?
Students enrolled in both IMPROVCAMP and the leadership programme are housed in en-suited cabins, segregated into male and female rooms. Each cabin has a break out area and rec room.

 

DO STUDENTS HAVE TO STAY OVERNIGHT?
We cannot stress how important it is that you do, however, if there is a reason that you need to return home each night, please note that on your enrolment form under “anything else we should know” section or speak to one of the admin team on 02 9966 0353. There is no discount for not staying at the grounds and we cannot guarantee an exact finish time each night, but an estimated time is possible.

WHO ARE THE CANADIAN IMPROV GAMES?
For the past 35 years Canadian Improv Games has created exciting, life-changing programming through the use of improvisation. CIG uses Improv as a learning tool to foster skills like Positivity, Leadership, Commitment and Teamwork, which are put to the test through a unique improvisational theatre tournament run in conjunction with the National Arts Centre and secondary schools across Canada. The National Tournament has been a huge success for many years and 2009 saw the first Australian teams play in a demonstration match with Canadian students, followed by two more teams in 2010.

IMPROVCAMP was created in 2003 as an opportunity to further promote the lifelong skills and artistic expression that the Canadian Improv Games is known for. Not surprisingly, it has done so—and then some! That’s why IMPROVCAMP AUSTRALIA was born - to give Australian students the opportunity to share in this experience.

The Canadian Improv Games is a ‘loving’ competition between teams of high school students trained to perform spontaneous, improvised scenes within the framework of the CIG's own 5 event competitive format.
Last year over two thousand students in hundreds of high schools across Canada played in the Improv Games. Over 26000 people enjoyed the excitement in 2009 as it unfolded in 165 different events!
CIG has a reputation for uncovering and training some of the world’s best improvisers. Their alumni have been seen on comedy and Improv shows (both live & televised) and include some BIG names. For more information about CIG, please go to www.improv.ca

 

WHO ARE THE AUSTRALIAN IMPROV GAMES?
The Australian Improv Games (AIG) is a new schools Improv tournament . It is an exact replication of Canadian Improv Games for Australian High schools.

WHO OR WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR PERFORMING ARTS (AIPA)?
The Australian Institute for Performing Arts is a company that provides training, management, performance opportunities and touring to talented, dedicated and curious individuals in all performing arts disciplines. See: www.aipa.com.au

As the camp involves a residential component; Performing Arts Tours (a division of AIPA) will be managing all the logistics for this year’s Improvcamp in Australia. AIPA has been taking groups of students on tour domestically since 1997 and internationally since 2002. AIPA has also hosted hundreds of interstate and international students at workshops with great success. There are several pages of testimonials that you would be more than welcome to look at and check. A selection appears on our website: http://www.performingartstours.com.au

 

AIPA is located at 40 Merrenburn Ave, Naremburn. Ph: 02 9966 5013 (Admin) 02 9966 4473 (Tours)
The ABN (AIPA Pty Ltd) is 55 093 235 057. The touring ABN (Performing Arts Tours Pty Ltd) is 92 122 280 111.  If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to call our office or make an appointment to come in and meet the team.

 

WHO ARE THE STAFF SUPERVISING BEFORE & AFTER IMPROVCAMP?
The staff are made up of AIPA teachers and tour staff. All have been screened for child protection, all are first aid trained and have worked with us several times before.

 

IF CAMPERS HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY; CAN THE CATERERS LOOK AFTER THEIR NEEDS?
As long as they know about it they can cater for it. They are very used to catering for allergies and intolerances (nuts, wheat, and dairy) as well as special diets for vegans, vegetarians, religious observers etc.. Please ensure that you put this on the enrolment form in the space provided. Don’t tell us on the first day of camp, it’s too late then.

IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR MORE THAN ONE CHILD FROM THE SAME FAMILY?
Sadly, no. We have tried to keep costs to a minimum to make this project accessible to everyone, so have calculated per head.

 

CAN I CLAIM THE CHILDCARE REBATE ON THIS PROGRAMME?
Yes! AIPA is a registered childcare provider. The rebate is available to assist working parents. Please check you eligibility with Centrelink and ask AIPA for a childcare rebate receipt when you enrol. The rebate is available to students under the age of sixteen per Government regulations.