Transitions - Small Schools Creative Arts Camp 2026

🦓 Welcome to WILDarts — where creativity runs free! 🎨🦁

Calling all curious creators, bold performers, and imaginative explorers — it’s time to answer the call of the wild!

You are invited to roam beyond the classroom and into an unforgettable creative safari.

At WILDarts, students don’t just visit the zoo, we move in! Get ready to fully immerse yourself in the wild wonders of Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Over three action-packed days, students will create, explore, and even sleep amongst the animals during the unforgettable ZooSnooz experience, where the night sounds of the savannah become part of the adventure. 🌙🐾

By day, students will explore the untamed landscapes of dance, drama, music, filmmaking, circus, and visual arts. From leaping into circus like a springbok, to storytelling that echoes across the plains, to crafting artworks worthy of a gallery in the wild — every adventurer will find their creative habitat.

WILDarts is all about having a go, supporting each other, and discovering what you can do when you step outside your comfort zone (and into the wild!). You’ll make new friends from small schools across NSW, work as part of a creative pack, and build confidence, independence, and teamwork — all while having an absolute roar of a time. 🐾

So, zip up your explorer vest, pack your curiosity, and get ready for a creative adventure like no other. WILDarts is where creativity prowls, ideas take flight, and imagination runs absolutely wild.

🌟 No compass required — just courage, creativity, and a sense of adventure!

See you on the savannah! 🐾🎭🌿

For all enquiries, please contact:

Sue Dawson - Arts Coordination Officer

Email: susan.i.dawson@det.nsw.edu.au

Mobile: 0402 992 897

About the camp

What is the Transitions Camp?

Transitions Small Schools Creative Arts Camp is a dynamic 3-day creative arts camp designed for Years 5 and 6 students from NSW public small schools. Open to all students interested in the creative and performing arts, the camp provides an inclusive space for artistic exploration and personal growth.

Why ‘Transitions’?

Starting high school is a big step - especially for students from small schools. Transitions is designed to help students develop the confidence, resilience, and collaborative skills they’ll need in a larger school setting.

Through an immersive creative arts experience, students will:

🔹 Work with a larger, more diverse peer group - building friendships and communication skills that will help them navigate high school social dynamics.

🔹 Step outside their comfort zone - gaining independence and self-reliance in a new environment.

🔹 Develop teamwork and problem-solving skills - learning to collaborate, negotiate, and contribute in a group setting.

🔹 Express themselves creatively - building confidence in their ideas, voice, and ability to adapt to new challenges.

By engaging in the performing arts, students explore and express their hopes and fears about high school in a supportive and inspiring space—helping them feel more prepared, connected, and ready for the transition ahead.

What will students do?

Participants will engage in a diverse range of art forms, including:

🎭 Drama and musical theatre

🎶 Music

🕺 Dance

🎪 Circus arts

🎥 Filmmaking and photography

🎨 Visual arts & creative crafts

Guided by specialist arts educators, students will develop their creative skills in a fun and supportive environment, leading up to a final showcase performance for teachers, friends, and family.

What will students gain?

✅ Independence & Confidence - Students step beyond their small school community to collaborate with a larger peer group, preparing them for the social and academic challenges of high school.

✅ Connection & Wellbeing - The camp fosters meaningful friendships and connections, enhancing self-esteem, teamwork, and resilience.

✅ Communication & Collaboration - Working in a larger, mixed-school group strengthens students’ ability to express ideas, listen to others, and contribute creatively in workshops and performances.

✅ Creative & Critical Thinking - Through imaginative exploration, problem-solving, and artistic expression, students develop skills that enhance both their academic and personal growth.

A greater engagement in the arts has been shown to positively impact students’ social, emotional, and academic success - this camp is the perfect opportunity to experience that first-hand!

Watch the 2024 Transitions Camp documentary to hear from students about their time at camp. This video was made by the students in the filmmaking project groups at camp.

Transitions Small Schools Creative Arts Camp 2024 - camp doco

Duration: 07:03

TSS Creative Arts Camp 2023.mp4

Camp information

Dates

Schools will be allocated to one of three camp dates:

📅 CAMP A: Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 July 2026 (Term 3, Week 1)

📅 CAMP B: Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 July 2026 (Term 3, Week 2)

📅 CAMP C: Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 2026 (Term 3, Week 3)

Arrival and departure times

Arrival time (on first morning of camp): 8:30 am to 9:00 am - Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Education Centre

Pickup time (on final afternoon of camp): 4:00 pm Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Savannah Function Centre (following the end of camp showcase)

Camp venue

Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Obley Road Dubbo

Accommodation venues

Students will spend one night at each of the following accommodations

Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Billabong Camp
Obley Road Dubbo
Discovery Park Dubbo - Discovery Lodge
154 Whylandra Street Dubbo

Students will be taken by bus to and from the Discovery Park accommodation on the night they are staying there.

Cost

$300 per student. This includes accommodation, meals and all resources for the camp. Students will be able to take home all artworks created as part of the camp.
Accepted students will be required to pay in full to their school by Friday 3 July 2026 (Term 2 Week 11)

Travel to and from camp

Travel to and from camp is not coordinated by the camp organisers. This may be coordinated by your school and/or be the responsibility of the parent/carer. organise.

Cost

$300 per student. This includes accommodation, meals and all resources for the camp. Students will be able to take home all artworks created as part of the camp.
Accepted students will be required to pay in full to their school by Friday 3 July 2026 (Term 2 Week 11)

How to apply

Open to Year 5 and Year 6 NSW public school students from regional and rural small schools.

Students will be nominated by their school principal.

Applications for selected students will open on Wednesday 4 March (Term 1 Week 6)

To secure your position in the herd at WILDarts 2026, a parent/carer will be required to complete the TSSCAC application form by Friday 27 March 2026 (Term 1 Week 9).

Camp showcase

At the conclusion of the camp, a showcase will be held at the camp to allow families and friends to see the fantastic creativity that occurred at camp.
Showcase performance: 3:00 pm to approximately 4:00 pm.
The showcase is free of charge to parents/caregivers, family and friends of all students attending the camp.
Students will be dismissed from the camp at the conclusion of the showcase.
Students will be provided with a camp shirt to wear in the showcase.
Students are asked to bring a pair of black/dark long pants to wear as part of the showcase. This could be black tights, tracksuit pants, dark denim jeans etc.

Workshop groups

We actively encourage students to challenge themselves and try new things as part of their involvement at the camp.

Project groups

Students will be completing 2 project groups throughout their time at camp. Students will spend time each day working with each of their project groups. During this time students will complete projects for the showcase gallery and/or performance.

Project groups on offer include:

Dance, musical theatre, percussion, drama, circus arts, visual arts, filmmaking, photography, creative crafts.

Interest groups

Each student will complete a variety of short workshops, getting to experience different art forms throughout the camp.

Whole camp activities

Students will also participate in whole camp activities.

All students are encouraged to give each activity their best and enjoy the opportunity to try new activities and experiences throughout the camp.

No mobile phones or devices at camp

This camp is a NSW Department of Education event and follows the same policies as schools - mobile phones and personal devices are not permitted.

For a truly immersive experience, we encourage you to leave your devices at home and fully engage in the creativity, collaboration, and adventure that WILDarts has to offer. This is your chance to be present, connect with new friends, and dive headfirst into the arts without distractions.

Importantly, this policy also helps ensure student safety. Without devices, there are fewer risks of lost or damaged items, distractions, or unauthorized photos and videos being taken. Our team is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment, and teacher phones will be on standby for any important communications.

We appreciate your support in making this a focused, safe, and enriching experience for all students.

Student behaviour

The Transitions - Small Schools Creative Arts Camp is a Department of Education event and as such, like at school, all students are expected to abide by the Department’s Behaviour Code for Students. Students are representing themselves, their families and their school whilst at camp.

In addition, the following expectations apply to all students:

Follow all reasonable directions of staff and peer mentors.
Respect one another, their teachers, other staff and other members of the community by listening to instructions, being polite, respecting privacy, respecting property and resolving any issues that may arise peacefully.
All students and staff have the right to adequate sleep during the excursion. Students are expected to be quiet at lights out and allow themselves and others to get a good sleep each night. Students are required to sleep in the cabins allocated and not leave their room at night except in the case of an emergency.
Sleeping quarters, activity and eating areas must always be kept clean and tidy. Students must report any accidental damage to a teacher as soon as possible.
While not expected to wear school uniform, it is important that students present themselves respectably and sensibly for each activity and that they keep clean and tidy, tending to personal hygiene.
On overnight camps, students can become anxious or nervous about an activity or miss home. This is normal. All students are expected to support one another to ensure that feelings of sadness or anxiety do not ruin the opportunities of the camp.
Provide encouragement and support to one another at all times.
Give the camp, and all activities, a fair go and practise resilience in order to get the most out of the camp.
Be aware of the camp timetable and be prepared and on time for all camp activities.
Adhere to their school’s policies regarding mobile phones and valuables.
No phones or devices permitted at camp
Breaches of these behaviour expectations while on camp can lead to parents being requested to collect their child from the camp and/or exclusion from subsequent excursions. The school principal will be contacted and further disciplinary action may be imposed.

Go to Camp accommodation details

Go to What to bring to camp

Go to Medication at camp

Third-party content attributions

No third-party attributions.

NSW Department of Education

Transitions - Small Schools Creative Arts Camp

https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-programs/transitions-small-schools-creative-arts

The Arts Unit
artsunit.nsw.edu.au

theartsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

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