Visiting Brookfield

What you need to know before you visit.

Please note that Brookfield is not a public place, visiting is by appointment only.

Kia Ora, welcome to Brookfield

The Brookfield Outdoor Education Centre, is owned by Scouts New Zealand and fully managed by volunteers. Without their efforts we would not exist.

Everyone, especially youth, grow through the challenges found in an outdoor environment. We provide an environment and facilities to facilitate personal growth and development for all.

We welcome a diverse range users, in the weekends we see many Scouts and Guides as well as community and religious organisations and private groups. During the week we become the base for school outdoor education, NZ Police training and various corporate groups. Our biggest client is the Wellington Folk Festival.

If you and your group are returning to Brookfield for another stay we thank you for your ongoing patronage. If this is your group’s first time we wish you an enjoyable stay and trust that your people fully experience our great outdoors and what it has to offer.

Our volunteer managers, and at weekends our Duty Leader, will do their best to ensure your stay is both safe and free from hassle. However given the nature and extent of Brookfield, the occasional challenge might arise and we ask you to report such matters so they can be addressed.

Safety

Keeping safe and ensuring others undertake their stay at Brookfield in a safe manner is an important consideration of everyone while at Brookfield.

Scouts NZ have a Safety Notice in regard to Overnight Stays.

At Brookfield we are very conscious of such matters and act to ensure that your stay at Brookfield is a safe one as follows:

Building Warrant of Fitness - we have a current BWOF and undertake regular checks to ensure our fire warning systems (call points and smoke detectors), fire extinguishers and exit ways are in order.
Evacuation - earlier this year we upgraded our procedures. Be prepared for a trial at any time.
Health & Safety Briefing - you should receive this from our Managers or Duty Leader on arrival.

Remember that keeping safe and ensuring others undertake their stay at Brookfield in a safe manner is an important consideration of everyone while at Brookfield.

Whether you are the only group staying or one of many, we ask you to familiarise yourself and your group with the Brookfield Rules of Use and to adhere to them. These are there to ensure all users respect our place and to facilitate a safe and enjoyable stay. Please also make everyone familiar with the evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency.

Rules of Use

On Arrival you must check in with the Duty Leader (Friday to Sunday) or the Site Manager.

Respecting our Place

Behaviour – Show consideration to other groups at all times, particularly late at night and in the morning during sleeping hours.

Speed Limit – All vehicles driving on the Property must not exceed the 20km speed limit.
Alcohol/Drugs are not permitted on site.
Dogs, Firearms and off road vehicles are not permitted on site.
Natural Environment – Look after our property including native flora and fauna, particularly by refraining from catching of eels, native fish and koura.

Animal Pest Traps – These are not to be touched or opened unless by an approved person.
Rubbish - Please put all rubbish in the bins provided and take your recyclables home.
Damage – All users must report any damage to Brookfield Property to the Duty Leader or Site Manager at the earliest opportunity.

Gate – Please close the main gate if it is closed on your arrival or departure.
Power & Phone Faults – Please see the Duty Leader or Site Manager if there is a power or phone fault.

Staying Safe

Incidents / Accidents - Must be noted and reported to the Duty Leader or Site Manager at the earliest opportunity.
Weather – All users are responsible for monitoring weather conditions. Users must ensure that they are aware of hazards such as falling branches during strong winds and higher than usual water levels after heavy rain.
Lake, Pool and Streams - Children must be fully supervised at all times at the pool or around the Lake and streams.
Lifejackets – must be worn when using kayaks or rafts.
Tramping/Hiking – When exploring our tracks ensure intentions are left with a responsible person.

Building Users

Bunk rooms – Please do not enter other people’s bunk rooms.
Mattresses - Must not be removed from or transferred between bunk rooms.
Amenities/Light Bulbs – Please let the Duty Leader or Site Manager know if you require any Toilet paper/Towels or Light Bulbs to be replaced.
Cleaning – Please refer to the cleaning schedule prior to checkout.

Camping Users

Fires – Are only permitted in the designated fire places.
Surrounding Bush - Do not cut down any trees or branches

Indemnity

In agreeing to use our facility ‘you and your group / organisation’ (your Group) acknowledge for the duration of your Group’s stay at Brookfield Outdoor Education Centre (the Centre) that:

Members/personnel of your Group will abide by the Brookfield Rules of Use;
Scouts NZ and the Centre will endeavour to provide a facility that is safe, in accordance with the Scouts NZ Health & Safety Policy, notwithstanding your Group agree that participation in the outdoors and outdoor activities involves anticipated and unanticipated risks, including injury to people and third parties;
Your Group are solely responsible for determining the suitability of the outdoors and outdoor activities for any of your members/personnel and are solely responsible for supervising all activities undertaken at Brookfield;
Your Group agree to indemnify the Centre and Scouts NZ personnel against any claim for accidental injury; or loss or damage to personal and your Group’s belongings;
Scouts NZ and the Centre is not responsible for the actions of your Group’s members/personnel , nor for providing any activities undertaken by your personnel during your stay at Brookfield;
In a medical emergency, when the Centre’s management or acting Duty Leader are unable to contact you and your Group’s personnel , they will make decisions on your behalf;
You and your Group will take responsibility for any costs incurred by Brookfield or our personnel as a result of the non-performance of the above resulting from actions of your Group.