Camp Preparation Guide
Everything your child needs for an MSA camp — packing list, expectations, and tips.
Getting Ready for an MSA Camp
MSA camps are where some of the most transformative growth happens. Away from the routines of daily life, immersed in nature, and surrounded by their MSA community, your child will develop skills, character, and friendships that last well beyond the camp itself.
Good preparation makes all the difference. This guide covers everything you need to know — from what to pack to what to expect — so both you and your child can feel confident and excited heading into camp.
Clothing & Footwear
- Long pants suitable for bushwalking (not jeans — they're heavy when wet)
- Long-sleeved shirts for sun and scratch protection
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes (broken in — not brand new)
- Warm jumper or fleece
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Hat with brim for sun protection
- Spare socks (at least 3 pairs — feet get wet!)
- Comfortable sleepwear
- Underwear for each day plus one spare
- Modest swimwear (if swimming activities are included)
Tip: Dress for layers. Australian weather can change quickly — mornings can be cold, afternoons warm, and evenings chilly again. Layers let your child adjust comfortably throughout the day.
Essential Gear & Supplies
- Sleeping bag (suitable for the season — check camp details for temperature range)
- Sleeping mat or air mattress
- Pillow (compact camping pillow or a regular one from home)
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre — labelled with name)
- Torch or headlamp with spare batteries
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Insect repellent
- Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.)
- Small towel
- Any prescribed medication (in original packaging with clear instructions)
Nice to Have
- Camp chair (lightweight folding)
- Small notebook and pen for journaling
- Compass (if your child has their own)
- Camera (disposable or durable — not expensive electronics)
- Favourite snack to share with their group
- Prayer mat
- Small Quran or du'a book
Do Not Bring
- Mobile phones or tablets (unless specified by camp organisers)
- Expensive electronics or jewellery
- Large amounts of cash
- Lollies or junk food in excess (some treats are fine)
- Aerosol cans (fire risk in bush settings)
- Pocket knives (unless approved for Strivers by camp leaders)
Camp Life at MSA
Daily Routine
MSA camps follow a structured daily routine that balances activity with rest, and adventure with reflection. A typical day includes:
- Morning prayers and reflection as a group
- Breakfast prepared and cleaned up as a team
- Morning activities — outdoor skills, team challenges, or bushwalking
- Lunch and rest period
- Afternoon activities — sports, creative sessions, or exploration
- Evening program — campfire, Islamic discussion, group bonding
- Nighttime prayers and lights out at a set time
Behaviour Standards
At MSA camps, the same values your child practises at regular sessions apply — with even more opportunity to live them out. We expect:
- Respect for leaders, peers, and the environment
- Participation in all scheduled activities (with appropriate flexibility)
- Following safety instructions immediately and without argument
- Looking after personal belongings and shared spaces
- Kindness, inclusion, and sportsmanship at all times
- Representing MSA and Islamic values with pride
Islamic Program
Camps are a unique opportunity for deeper Islamic engagement. Your child will experience:
- Group prayers at all prayer times
- Campfire discussions connecting Islamic themes to the day's experiences
- Reflection time — personal and group
- Stories from Islamic tradition told under the stars
- Practical application of character traits like patience, teamwork, and gratitude
- A deeper sense of Islamic community and brotherhood/sisterhood
Safety & Supervision
Your child's safety is our absolute priority. At every MSA camp:
- All leaders hold valid Working With Children Checks
- Leader-to-child ratios meet or exceed Australian standards
- First aid–trained leaders are present at all times
- Emergency procedures are briefed on arrival and practised if needed
- Dietary requirements, allergies, and medical needs are catered for
- Parents receive emergency contact information before camp
Tips for a Great Camp Experience
Start Talking About Camp Early
Discuss the camp in a positive, excited way well before the date. For first-time campers, talk about what they'll do, who'll be there, and how much fun it will be. If your child is nervous, validate their feelings — "It's normal to feel a bit nervous about something new" — while gently reinforcing that they'll be safe and supported.
Practise Independence at Home
In the weeks before camp, let your child practise skills they'll need: packing their own bag, making their bed, tidying their space, and managing their belongings. For younger children, a trial "sleepover" at a relative's house can help ease separation anxiety.
Pack Together
Don't pack for your child — pack with them. Go through the list together, let them choose which clothes to bring, and make sure they know where everything is in their bag. A child who packed their own bag is far more likely to look after their belongings during camp.
Label Everything
Seriously — label everything. Shoes, water bottles, torches, sleeping bags, and every item of clothing. Things get mixed up at camp, and labels are the fastest way to reunite lost items with their owners. A permanent marker works fine.
Manage Your Own Anxiety
Your child takes emotional cues from you. If you're visibly anxious about camp, they will be too. Even if you're nervous about their first time away, project calm confidence: "You're going to have an amazing time, and I can't wait to hear all about it." Save your worries for conversations with other parents or the MSA team — not with your child.
Trust the Process
MSA camps are carefully planned and well-supervised. Your child may face challenges — homesickness, tiredness, not getting along with someone — and that's part of the growth. These moments, navigated with the support of caring leaders, build resilience and independence that can't be developed any other way.
When They Come Home
Ask Open Questions
Instead of "Did you have fun?" (which gets a yes/no), try: "What was the best moment?" "What was the hardest part?" "What did you learn about yourself?" Give them time — camp experiences often take days to fully process.
Let Them Share at Their Pace
Some children will talk non-stop from the moment you pick them up. Others need time and space before they're ready to share. Don't push — just let them know you're interested and ready to listen whenever they're ready to talk.
Celebrate Growth
Notice and name the growth you see: "You seem more confident" or "It sounds like you really helped your team." Connecting their camp experience to character traits reinforces what they've learned.
Expect Some Tiredness
Camps are exhausting — physically, emotionally, and socially. Don't be surprised if your child is tired, a bit emotional, or needs extra quiet time for a day or two after returning. This is completely normal.
Camp Is Where the Magic Happens
Ask any MSA leader what the most impactful part of the program is, and they'll say the same thing: camps. There's something about being away from the routine of daily life, surrounded by nature and community, that creates breakthrough moments you simply can't replicate in a regular session.
Your child will come home tired, possibly muddy, and almost certainly with stories they'll tell for years. They'll have grown in ways you might notice immediately — and in ways that will reveal themselves gradually over the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you for trusting MSA with your child. We take that trust seriously, and we can't wait to see them at camp.
"Travel through the land and observe how He began creation." — Quran 29:20
MSA Youth Academy Australia Inc. · ABN: 38 692 380 242