Registration
The trip to Hudøy is for the children attending Refstad primary school, from 2nd to 7th grade, and their parents. This years trip will be on the 23rd – 27th of May.
To join the trip you must register your child and the parent and pay a fee for each participant. This fee covers travel, housing, food and everything else on the island.
About the trip
The trip is organized by a foundation run by the parents of the children at Refstad primary school. We have a close dialogue with the school administration, but the school is not involved in any part of the trip.
Refstad school has travelled to Hudøy every year for the past 25 years, and the school administration say that it has a great effect on the children and their social environment. The trip brings us closer, both children and parents, because we get to know each other better.
About the island
The island of Hudøy is a small paradise that has been used for summer camps by Oslo municipality for many years. The island has 11 colonies/houses and we rent all the houses during our trip, which means that we are the only ones on the island.
Hudøy has many great places for playing in the water and swimming, suited for all ages. The island also has several small forests that are great for going on adventures.
In addition there are large areas for playing football and other games. If you feel the need to slow down and just read a book, there are great places for this too. The island has everything you need for a short time out with friends.
About the colonies (houses)
Each grade has their own colony (houses), and the boys and the girls have separate dormitories. The parents at each house take different responsibilities and they organize the tasks so that everything runs smoothly. Each house also has appointed a house manager with the overall responsibility, and this person will inform you of everything you need to know.
Each house has enough beds for all the children, and some of the parents. Most parents sleep outside in their own tents, and it is possible to rent at tent. The houses also have kitchen, dining room, showers and the toilets are outside.
Parents roles and responsibilities
Since the whole trip is organized by parents of the children at Refstad primary school, we also depend on everyone contributing and helping with what they can.
The primary role of parents at the island is to make sure that the children are safe and well. Every parent (except those who take on a specific role – see next section) get responsibility for 4-5 children along with another parent. Together you will make sure that you know the whereabouts of these children at all times, go with them on adventures and help them with practical needs they might have.
The house manager will set ut a group chat so that all parents at the same colony can communicate during the trip.
Specific roles you can take
Every house needs someone to follow up on specific tasks, just to make sure that everything runs smoothly and everyone can enjoy the trip. If you want to volunteer for one of the roles, please talk to your house manager.
The roles include responsibility for bus travels (to and from Hudøy), food and kitchen, cleaning, toilets, bedtime routines, fire safety, health and first aid, activities and contact person for the newspaper.
Packing for the trip
After almost 25 trips to Hudøy, we know what is necessary to bring. Two things we would like you to remember:
- Please pack everything in bags, not suitcases.
- Label everything with your or the childs name. Every sock, shoe, water bottle and stiffed animal.
This packing list applies for the adults as well, maybe except the stuffed animal. If you are planning on sleeping outside you must bring your own tent and everything you need for that.
- Clothes for 5 days. No need to change clothes every day.
- Some warm clothes: sweater, pants, wool socks, etc.
- Rain gear and rubber boots (even if we think it’s not going to rain).
- Sneakers (a lot of running and playing).
- Shoes for walking in the water.
(some shells in the sea can make deep cuts in your foot. We do not recommend flip flops, they’ll fall off!) - Swim wear.
- Duvet cover, pillowcase and bed sheets (everyone gets a bed with a duvet and a pillow.
- If you prefer a sleeping bag you must still bring a pillow case and a bed sheet.
- Tooth brush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo.
- Towel (one large and one small).
- Sunscreen and bug spray (mosquitoes).
- Favorite stuffed animal.
- A book or something to read.
- A small backpack for short adventures.
- Life vest
(mandatory for all children in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade). - A lunch and something to drink on the bus trip to Hudøy.
- Candy for maximum 50 kr. We collect all the candy on the bus to Hudøy and divide equally when we get to the island.
- Please make sure you label candy that is halal or other specific diet so we don’t mix it with the rest.
Travel
Participants travel by bus from Oslo to Tjøme before continuing to the island. Bus departure times are organized by class, with the youngest classes leaving last and returning first. Time fares will be announced a week ahead of the departure.
Baggage is clearly marked with colored tape and names so that it can be transported to the correct house on the island. You’ll receive tape outside Refstad skole before entering the buses. You should bring a small backpack and life jacket on the bus, lunch for the bus ride and sweets for max. 50 NOK.
Upon arrival at Tjøme, families transfer from bus to boat, and the boat ride to Hudøy takes about 10–15 minutes.
The process is reversed for the return trip: participants take the boat back to Tjøme and then buses back to Oslo, again with classes traveling together.
There are limited parking spaces at the pier. A parking permit must be applied for in advance, and private transport needs coordination with the transport team. Contact transport@aldrietaruten.org.
How we behave
After many years of experience, we have developed a set of rules that help ensure everyone has a great trip. If these rules are broken, there will be consequences. In the worst-case scenario, we may have to send the child home. In such cases, the parents are responsible for transportation.
Please read the rules and consequences below, and feel free to discuss them with your children.
We will always:
- Be kind, respectful, and helpful to one another
- Speak kindly to, with, and about each other
We do not accept:
- Violence
- Exclusion and bullying
- Vandalism and theft
- Offensive language, racist statements, or actions
Smoking or the use of snus (nicotine pouches) by students.
Alcohol and other drugs are strictly prohibited on the island.
General rules we follow
- Hudøy is a gadget-free zone:
Children are not allowed to bring electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, game consoles, tablets, cameras, or similar items. Any such devices will be confiscated immediately and returned upon arrival back home.
2. Adults must always know where the children are.
3. Children are not allowed to be in or near the sea without adult supervision.
- Students in Grades 2–4 must always wear a life jacket in and near the sea.
- Students in Grades 5–7 who have not been given permission to go without one must always wear a life jacket in and near the sea.
4. Children are not allowed to enter bedrooms with the intention of scaring or waking up children who are sleeping.
Consequences:
If the rules are broken, we will contact the parents by phone. In the worst-case scenario, the child may be sent home. If a child is sent home, the parents will be contacted and asked to pick up their child immediately. The Association will arrange boat transportation to the mainland at Budal Pier/Langvika, but parents are responsible for arranging transportation home from there. All costs related to sending a child home must be covered by the parents.
The decision to send a child home is made by the Hudøy General in consultation with the Cabin Manager, the Health and Welfare Coordinator, two board members, and a representative from REA.