The Camp Guide

Welcome to the Kengugró Kalotaszegi Tábor! We want to create a welcoming and enriching experience where participants of all ages can enjoy traditional music, dance, and cultural exchange in a supportive and inclusive environment. 


Kengugró Kalotaszegi Tábor is being held on the lands of the Dharawal people. We honour Country and Elders who have cared for Country, and shared wisdom, Culture and knowledge since time began. We are privileged to gather here to celebrate and share our own cultural traditions with one another. 

WHAT TO BRING

Clothing & camping gear

Sydney’s weather at Easter can be quite unpredictable. Please bring a raincoat and/or umbrella, warm clothes, an extra blanket and whatever you need to survive camping when it’s wet and windy.
It might also fine up so bring your swimmers as there is a creek nearby, and also sunblock and insect repellent.
For dancing, you should bring solid leather sole shoes that offer good support rather than sneakers. Ladies, skirts please.
The dancing gets energetic so in consideration of others, make sure you bring plenty of changes of t-shirt and appropriate toiletries. If you don’t want to do your own washing on site, there is a 24/7 self-serve laundromat in Engadine.

Bedding

If you are in a dormitory, you will need to bring a single fitted sheet (to cover your mattress), sleeping bag and pillow.

Other stuff

You will need to bring your own musical instrument for the music camp. However, if you would like to enquire about the possibility of borrowing, for a small fee, any musical instrument (e.g. double bass) please email Józsi (Joe) Kanti at jozsika@optusnet.com.au. Please provide a contact phone number in your email.
Bring a pen, exercise book and possibly blank sheet music for musicians. You might also consider bringing a laptop and/or a recording device. Don’t forget your charger(s). Note that there is no Wi-Fi at the camp.

GETTING THERE

ARRIVAL: Please feel free to arrive anytime after 2pm on Sat 12/4 for the start of the music camp or Wed 16/4 for the start of the dance camp.

 

Driving

Heathcote is on the Princes Highway which runs south from Sydney to Wollongong and then on to the South Coast. In navigating your way out of the centre of Sydney, the easiest thing is to get onto Sth Dowling Street which becomes Southern Cross Drive which then becomes General Holmes Drive, and is the main route from the city to the airport and Southern Sydney. Then around Brighton-Le-Sands just follow the signs to Wollongong, which will lead you onto the Princes Highway around Kogarah. In total, Heathcote is about a 50-minute drive from the city depending on the traffic.
Parking available around the perimeter of the camp.

Train

Heathcote station is within easy walking distance of the camp site. Heathcote is on the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line and trains run regularly from Central. The trip takes just under an hour. Make sure you board the Waterfall train and check the indicator board to ensure that the train stops at Heathcote (one station before Waterfall). More info here https://transportnsw.info

Pickups

We are happy to arrange pickups from the station. Please call us once you are on the train and let us know your ETA. When you alight from the train, please walk up and over the footbridge then through to the carpark on the corner of Heath and Byrnes Lanes. Here are the numbers of our organising committee who will all be onsite with their cars.
Iren ‭0402 085 037‬
Viola ‭0416 834 498‬
‭Monica 0475 841 637‬

Flying

From Sydney Airport, there are a couple of public transport options.
If there is one or two of you, go to the Airport station’s Platform 2. Catch the train to Wolli Creek (two stations from Domestic) and change to Platform 4 for the train to Heathcote. Travel time is approximately 50 minutes. If there are more than two adults in your group, it could be cheaper to take a taxi or ride share to Wolli Creek Station (about $20) and join the Heathcote train there. If you rent a car, find your way to General Holmes Drive, which skirts the south side of the airport, and follow the signs to Wollongong.

WHILST AT CAMP

Health & safety considerations 

As this camp is held at a scout campsite bordering a national park, please be aware that the location is remote. This means that there may be delays in accessing health services, and consequently only basic first aid is immediately available at the venue. We ask all participants to take this into account when engaging in activities and to make responsible choices for their own safety and wellbeing. 

We encourage all attendees to take care of themselves and participate within their own physical capacity. Whether dancing, playing music, or engaging in other activities, please listen to your body, stay hydrated, and rest as needed. If you feel unwell or sustain an injury, we encourage you to seek assistance from a First Aid Officer—they will be clearly identified at the camp and available to provide guidance. 

Finally, if you are prone to injury you might want to bring your remedial resources such as cool packs, knee/ankle braces or supports or muscle ointments such as Tiger Balm.

Medical conditions & first aid 

If you have a chronic illness such as asthma, cardiac disease, or severe allergies, consider informing the organising committee upon arrival. This information may be of assistance in the event you are unwell. Please bring any necessary medications (e.g., inhalers, EpiPens) and action plans and ensure that they are easily accessible at all times. 

Meals

Breakfast will be served between 7am and 8.30am. No fresh breakfast will be cooked in the last 15 minutes, so please aim to be there with plenty of time to spare. Please be prompt to these meals, as once everyone has been served, seconds will be permitted. Do not see the kitchen staff later and say you missed out. After meals, please discard your scraps in the buckets provided, place the dirty dishes on the ledge and the cutlery in the tub. Our kitchen people are really looking after us. Please show them respect at all times. Every attendee will be rostered-on to help clean-up the dining area after one meal, at some point during the camp.

Seminars

Our teachers are of a world-class standard. Please show them the appropriate level of respect at all times. Mobile phones and chatter are not acceptable during lessons. Participants are asked to be on time to all lessons. Late arrivals make it very difficult for the teachers and other students in the class. In the cases where the teacher only speaks Hungarian, there will be a dedicated person at each lesson who will translate as needed.

Büfé

A kiosk will be open for the majority of each day for you to purchase soft drinks, snacks and camp merchandise. Should you need something that the büfé does not stock, there is a good chance that you will find it at Heathcote or Engadine shops.

Alcohol

We have been granted permission to consume alcohol in the dining and büfé areas, provided people don’t go overboard. Please respect the owners’ wishes and refrain from drinking elsewhere on the grounds. Underage drinking will not be tolerated and will result in confiscation of the alcohol and possibly barring from the camp. Participants who choose to consume alcohol do si at their own risk.

Bushwalking safety 

If you plan to explore the surrounding bushland, please follow these safety guidelines: 

  1. Wear enclosed, robust and gripping footwear and long trousers to protect against scratches, bites, and ticks. 

  2. Stick to established paths to avoid getting lost or disturbing wildlife. 

  3. Exercise caution and calmly leave the area if you encounter a snake. Do not attempt to engage with it. 

  4. Go in groups of at least two for safety—never walk alone. Although mobile coverage may be unreliable, still take a mobile phone with you, and tell others at the camp where you are going and what time to expect you back.  

Younger children

There is no organised child-care and younger children are to be supervised at all times.

Swimming

There is a walk through the bush to the creek where you can swim. Beaches are 10mins drive away.

Smoking

Smoking is restricted to the “smoking areas” marked on the map. Please do not smoke anywhere else on the premises.

Noise

Please refrain from making noise in the dormitories and camping areas after 9pm. Others may be trying to sleep. The neighbours are actually quite close to the property, so all partying is restricted to the big hall only. Feel free to stay there as long as you like. No noise will be tolerated outside at night.

Inappropriate behaviour

To maintain a safe and respectful environment, we have a strict zero-tolerance policy for: 

  • Abusive behaviour (verbal or physical) 

  • Sexual harassment 

  • Disrespect toward fellow participants, teachers, and musicians 

Anyone found engaging in such behaviour will be asked to leave the camp immediately. In cases of serious misconduct, actions may be reported to the police. 

Issues

If there are any issues or problems, please speak to a Kengugró camp representative.
Music related: Sally, Büfé: Atti, First Aid: Viola or Vilmos, Dance-related: Mish or Irén, Jobs roster: Monica
All committee members can help: Sári, Mish, Sally, Irén, Atti, Vilmos, Viola, Kristi

Looking after each other 

We are all here to enjoy and celebrate music, dance, and community. Please look out for one another, be considerate, and ensure this camp remains a welcoming space for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation—we look forward to a wonderful and enriching experience together! 

Terms & conditions

The above sections are generalisations and only meant as a guide. See TERMS & CONDITIONS here, or refer to your signed registration form.

NEARBY SHOPS & SERVICES


HEATHCOTE
Heathcote has a small shopping centre where you will find:

  • Shell and Ampol petrol stations – both with small convenience stores and ATMs

  • IGA supermarket with an ATM – (closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday)

  • L&A Macinante Chemist – Mon-Fri 8.30am–6pm, Sat 8:30am–1pm, Closed on Sundays & public holidays

  • Massage – Mon-Sun 10am–8pm - 0488 688 612

  • Heathcote Bakery & Cafe - open everyday 5:30am–7pm, tel: 02 95208888

  • The Coffee House - Weekdays 6:30am–2pm, Weekends 7am–1pm, tel: 02 82088698

  • Chiang Mai House Thai Restaurant / tel: 02 95201103

  • Heathcote Fish & Chips https://www.heathcote-fish-n-chips.com.au/

  • Hambaagaa - fast food - open 7 days, 7am–3pm

  • Cellarbrations – Mon-Thu 10am–8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm, Closed Good Friday

  • The Heathcote Hotel – family friendly pub with a bistro and ATM

  • The Arbour – family friendly club with a bistro and ATM


ENGADINE (one station north)
Engadine has a much larger shopping centre which has EVERYTHING!

MEDICAL SERVICES


CLOSEST HOSPITAL - SUTHERLAND
Accident and Emergency at Sutherland Hospital - 9540 7111
For any emergency, CALL 000

Engadine Medical Centre
1107 Old Princes Highway, corner Boronia Ave, Engadine, Tel: 02 9520 9944
https://engadinemedicalcentre.com.au

Healthcote Dental Surgery
Dr Robert Targett Tel: 9520 2742
https://heathcotedentalsurgery.com.au/