Adventurous Journey Planning 🧭

Research locations that match your skills and interests. Consider activity type (bushwalking, canoeing, cycling), terrain difficulty, duration, and seasonal conditions. Note any water crossings, rivers, or lakes along the route — these need extra planning. Check OAS requirements for your group. You are looking for a 3 day, 2 night journey.

Your mentor is a Qualified Leader OR a Youth member with OAS Stage 7. They guide you through the whole process and keep you on track. Think of them as your planning coach! 🎯

The Adventurous Journey Supervisor oversees your safety during the journey. They must hold the right qualifications for your activity type — e.g. paddling qualifications for a canoeing journey.

Download PDF topographic maps (1:25,000 scale) and print them on A0 size paper. Mark your complete route on the printed map. Draw your complete route on the topo map. Mark start/end, daily checkpoints, campsite locations, water sources, river crossings, and emergency exit points. Identify any water hazards — rivers, creeks, dams — and note them clearly on the map.

Create a route card for each day — include distance, estimated walking time, elevation change, navigation waypoints with grid coordinates, water crossing locations, campsite details, and emergency contacts. Also include notable landscape features that will help you locate yourself if you get lost (e.g: ridge, knife edge, cliff, saddle, valley, hill, power lines, river, fence gate). These are your daily roadmaps! Include escape routes for emergencies.

Use the 5×5 risk matrix to identify hazards. Rate likelihood (1–5) × consequence (1–5) for each. Don't forget water-specific hazards: river crossings, flash flooding, and changing water levels. Document control measures for every hazard. Update as plans change!

At 9 months out, research the typical weather conditions for your journey area and time of year using BOM.gov.au. Understand average rainfall, temperature range, and seasonal risks (storms, floods, snow). Use this to inform your risk assessment and planning. You'll update the forecast again as you get closer to the date.

Fill out the official Scouts NSW Activity Planning Sheet with all journey details, participant info, emergency contacts, and required sign-offs. This is your core planning document — keep it updated!

Present your journey plan to your Unit Council and get their agreement with signatures. This shows your whole unit supports the journey. Record it properly!

Every participant must have completed OAS Stage 4 in the Activity Area (e.g.: Bushwalking, Canoeing) before the journey. Log it in Terrain. This proves that they can navigate, set up camp, and stay safe when outdoors. Participants should also have OAS Stage 3 in Camping.

Participants need OAS Stage 4 in the specific activity area for your journey (canoeing, cycling, etc.). Check what level is required for your activity type and make sure everyone qualifies! If not, there is still time to participate in training activities and skill up to the required OAS level. Discuss with your mentor on how to facilitate this.

Reserve your overnight spots ASAP — popular sites book out fast! Confirm what facilities are available (water, toilets, fire pits) and note any restrictions. Keep your confirmation emails safe. Check if campsites are near reliable water sources.

Map ALL water sources along your route — drinking water refill points, river crossings, creek crossings, dams, and lakes. Note seasonal reliability of water sources. Identify potential flood-prone areas and plan alternate routes if needed. For water crossings: assess depth, flow rate, and footing.

Complete the official Scouts NSW Activity Planning Sheet with all journey details including the Emergency Management Plan (EMS). This combines your core planning document with emergency procedures — what to do if someone is hurt, evacuation routes, nearest hospitals, who to call, and communication protocols. The EMS is now part of your Activity Plan!

Plan how you'll Leave No Trace — waste management, human waste disposal, campfire rules, wildlife interactions, and staying on tracks. True Scouts leave nature better than they found it! Follow the Scouts Victoria Minimal Impact guidelines.

Plan all meals for every day. Think about nutrition, pack weight, cooking equipment, fuel, and any dietary requirements or allergies. Trail snacks are critical — you burn a LOT of energy! Aim for 2,500–4,000 calories/day on the trail. 🍽️

Sort out how everyone gets to the start and back from the finish. Confirm drivers, vehicles, and backup transport. Include cost per person and ensure parents know exact pick-up times and locations. Include if Opal cards are required.

Give every participant a detailed packing list — the right boots, rain gear, sleeping bag, first aid kit, water treatment, navigation tools, etc. Test your pack weight before the journey — aim for under 20% of body weight. No cotton — go synthetic or merino wool! Note down if any participants need to borrow group gear like hike packs. There is some group kit that can be borrowed from the Unit. 🧳

List all shared equipment (tents, stoves, ropes, first aid kit, navigation gear) and assign who carries what. Spread the weight fairly but also take into consideration who is stronger! Also prepare a detailed budget covering transport, food, campsite fees, permits, gear hire, and a 10–15% contingency.

Log into Terrain and enter all your journey details. Attach all your planning documents and submit for leader approval. Allow plenty of time — the approval process can take weeks!

Before submitting to ANS, conduct a final review of all your planning documents. Update information that may have changed (weather patterns, contact numbers, route details). Ensure your Activity Plan, Risk Assessment, and all supporting documents are complete and consistent. This review prevents last-minute issues!

Choose a reliable adult (not coming on the journey) who is reachable 24/7 during your trip. Give them the full journey plan, daily check-in schedule, and clear instructions for what to do if they don't hear from you. 📞

Submit the Activity Notification System (ANS) form for state-level approval. Mandatory for all adventurous activities. Don't leave it to the last minute — submit well before your journey date!

Hold an online video call with ALL participants roughly 3 weeks before the journey. Walk through the full route, daily schedule, safety procedures, emergency plan, and personal kit requirements. Answer every question — a well-briefed patrol is a safe patrol! 🖥️

As you get closer to the journey, check updated weather forecasts for your area. Review and update your risk assessment if conditions look different from historical norms. Set clear go/no-go decision criteria based on forecast severity.

Before the in-person meeting, make sure to purchase all the required food. Depending on your menu, some food items might need to be ordered online and will have a delivery time. Meet in person about 1 week before the journey. Check everyone's packs are correctly packed, allocate and distribute group gear, distribute food portions, weigh packs, check first aid kits, batteries charged, verify navigation tools are working, and sort out any final logistics. No surprises on the day! 🎒

Check the final weather forecast and send a complete information update to ALL participants and parents by 6:00 PM the day before. Include any last-minute changes, conditions, or updated meeting times. Also check National Parks alerts for any park closures, fire bans, or safety warnings in your activity area. This is your final go/no-go check! 🌤️

This is what all the planning was for! Follow your approved plan, check in with your emergency contact at scheduled times, monitor weather and group energy levels, and use your safety procedures if needed. Have an absolutely epic time! 🏆

Write in your journal every day — what you did, what you saw, how you felt, what challenges you overcame. Take heaps of photos! These memories last forever AND count toward your award review. Your journal can also count toward your DofE evidence! 📔

After the journey, complete your final review in Terrain. Upload your journal, photos, and personal reflections. This closes the loop on your adventure and counts toward your OAS progression — and your Australian Scout Award! 🏅