Frequently Asked Questions
So that’s lots of information but you’ve still got questions?? We understand that knowledge is power, so we have put together the answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions.
Below are most of the questions we get asked on a regular basis. If your question is not answered here please email the Youthworks HSC Study Conferences Coordinator at hscstudyconferences@youthworks.net and they will endeavour to find the answer for you.
1. Who is Youthworks HSC Study Conferences?
2. What is involved in the Christian part of the conference?
3. Who looks after the students?
4. I don’t know anyone on conference, is that a problem?
5. What are the rooming arrangements?
6. Can I be in the same room as my friend?
7. Can the students be contacted while on conference?
8. What do I need to take with me on conference?
9. What is the program for conference?
10. Are the leaders trained to handle emergencies?
11. Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
12. Can you cater for my special medical requirements?
13. Do you provide financial assistance for students?
14. Can I transfer from one conference to another?
15. Can I cancel my conference registration once it has been paid?
16. Can I register more than one student online?
17. Is it safe to pay online?
18. Can I pay for the study conference in installments?
19. Are there other ways to book into a study conference other than online registration?
20. How do I find out about future study conferences?
1. Who is Youthworks HSC Study Conferences?
Youthworks HSC Study Conferences are part of the Outdoors division of Youthworks, the not-for-profit Youth and Children’s ministry arm of the Sydney Anglican Church. Youthworks HSC Study Conference have been running study conferences for more than 20 years and are committed to providing conferences of the highest standard.
2. What is involved in the Christian part of the conference?
Each day on conference there will be a Bible talk and then small discussion group time giving students a chance to talk about issues in more depth, and to ask the leaders questions about God and life beyond the HSC.
3. Who looks after the students?
Each Youthworks HSC Study Conference is run by a Christian director & leadership team that include teachers, university students and full-time workers. Directors generally hold a range of graduate and postgraduate qualifications. The conferences are a co-operative effort across the wider Christian community and involve leaders from many different churches and denominations from across NSW. All leaders are required to complete a number of child protection checks and attend training sessions and team meetings before attending camp.
4. I don’t know anyone on conference, is that a problem?
On every HSC Study Conference there are a number of students who have come on their own. This can often work in the students favour as they are less likely to be distracted during the study sessions. Youthworks HSC Study Conferences are also a great chance for students to network and meet others from many different schools across NSW.
5. What are the rooming arrangements?
The girls and guys rooms are separated from each other and there are leaders in each cabin block to ensure appropriate standards of behavior are maintained.
6. Can I be in the same room as my friend?
Prior to conference, students can request to be in a room with whomever they like so long as they are the same gender. This is done by simply writing the name of the friend on the Additional Camper Information Form where it asks “Who would the student like to share a room with?” The Director will allocate rooming according to these requests. Please note: in some circumstances the student may not get all their room request preferences due to camper numbers, size of cabins, etc. The Director may also choose to separate students while on conference for disciplinary reasons.
7. Can the students be contacted while on conference?
After you have finalised the study conference registration, you will be sent an information letter that outlines the address of the campsite and phone numbers where the student can be reached in an emergency.
8. What do I need to take with me on conference?
Details regarding what you will need to take with you on study conference is including in the information letter which you will be sent about 3 weeks before the start of conference.
9. What is the program for conference?
The program for each HSC Study Conference can vary slightly but the general program looks like this:
06:00 - 07:30 Optional study session
08:00 - 08:30 Breakfast
08:45 - 10:45 Morning study session 1
10:45 - 11:00 Morning tea
11:00 - 13:00 Morning study session 2
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 15:30 Free time / Activities
15:30 - 16:00 Afternoon tea
16:00 - 18:00 Talk & Discussion groups
18:00 - 18:45 Dinner
19:00 - 21:00 Evening study session
21:00 - 22:00 Night activity
22:00 - 22:15 Supper
22:30 Lights out
10. Are the leaders trained to handle emergencies?
All Youthworks HSC Study Conferences have at least 1 qualified Senior First Aid officer on the team who can offer immediate medical assistance if required. The conference Directors are also supplied with information on the location of the nearest hospital and medical centre’s to ensure swift action can be taken in the event of any injury or emergency.
11. Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
Yes we do. Once you have registered for a conference you will be sent an email that has two attachments. The second attachment is a Special Dietary Requirements Form. If you have special dietary requirements this needs to be completed and returned with the Additional Camper Information Form which is the first attachment. We seek to cater for special dietary requirements as much as possible and practical. In certain circumstances, you may need to provide special food to bring on conference.
12. Can you cater for my special medical requirements?
Dealing with medical requirements is common and the leaders can confidently administer medication if you have requested. Please ensure that all medication requirements are details in the ‘Medication’ section of the Additional Camper Information Form.
13. Do you provide financial assistance for students?
We don't want anyone to miss out on the opportunity of attending a Youthworks HSC Study Conference. While the conferences are certainly invaluable, they do cost a lot to run. Youthworks HSC Study Conferences have a financial assistance program available to students who cannot afford to pay the full cost of camp. Students are asked to contribute whatever they can to the price of the conference and then the balance is paid from the financial assistance fund which comes from donations from others who also understand how valuable Youthworks HSC Study Conferences are.
If you require help in paying for the cost of a conference you can download a Financial Assistance Form here or by contacting the Youthworks HSC Study Conferences Coordinator. You will be contacted to discuss your assistance after you have returned the completed form by email to hscstudyconferences@youthworks.net, by fax to (02) 9524 3810 or by post to:
Youthworks HSC Study Conferences
PO Box 705
SUTHERLAND NSW 1499
14. Can I transfer from one conference to another?
Yes you can. Just contact the Youthworks HSC Study Conference Coordinator to arrange this.
15. Can I cancel my conference registration once it has been paid?
For our cancellation policy please see our Terms and Conditions on the online registration site.
16. How can I register for a conference?
Registering for a study conference has never been so easy! Just go to the Register Now page, decide which holidays you want to go on a study conference in, click on the study conference you want to attend and then follow the directions to the online registration page.
17. Is it safe to pay online?
Youthworks will not take risks with your financial information. Our online form is designed to have the maximum security possible while still requesting the necessary information required to process your payment. Youthworks respects your privacy and does not store your credit card details on our server after the transaction has been completed.
18. Can I pay for the study conference in installments?
If you select to pay by credit card you will be unable to pay in installments. If you need some flexibility in paying for your study conference please contact the Youthworks HSC Study Conference Coordinator before registering and they can help make payment arrangements.
19. Are there other ways to book into a study conference other than online registration?
Unfortunately, at this time, registrations can only be completed via the online registration page. If you are having difficulties with your registration please contact the Youthworks HSC Study Conference Coordinator and they will assist you.
20. How do I find out about future study conferences?
You can visit the Register Now page to see the list of study conferences for the year. We also send out reminder emails at the start of each year and are happy to send out brochures once they are available. To receive these emails please follow the directions on the Connect With Us page.