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Category: Our AJ’s

Grazing Board

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

 Non-Cook Food Tip #5 – Grazing Board!

A grazing board or antipasto platter is a nice healthy and nutritious non-cook dinner option for anyone going out on a hike where there is a chance of a partial or total fire ban.

What you will need:

  • Shelf Stable Cheese (Can be found in the ‘Spreads’ section of the supermarket)
  • Cured Meats (E.g. Salami, Peperoni, Twiggy Sticks, Jerky etc.)
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Olives
  • Grapes or Strawberries

Method:

  1. Lay them all out on a plate
  2. Eat up!

It’s as simple as that!

Main image sourced from: https://www.laurafuentes.com/hummus-antipasto-platter/

Pizza Wraps!

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

Non-Cooking Food Tip #4 – Pizza Wraps!

Pizza Wraps are a nice healthy and nutritious non-cook dinner option for anyone going out on a hike where there is a chance of a partial or total fire ban (or you just don’t feel like cooking).

What you will need:

  • Wrap
  • Tomato Paste
  • Dried Oregano
  • Shelf Stable Cheese (Can be found in the ‘Spreads’ section of the supermarket)
  • Cured Meats (E.g. Salami, Peperoni, Twiggy Sticks, Jerky etc.)
  • Firm Lettuce (E.g. Cos)*

Method:

  1. Spread tomato paste and oregano on wrap
  2. Combine cheese, meat and lettuce
  3. Roll the wrap up
  4. Dig in!

It’s as simple as that!

*We suggest wrapping the lettuce in paper towel. This helps keep it fresh for a few days.

Main image sourced from: https://www.macheesmo.com/supreme-pizza-wraps/

Light Breakfast Options

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

Non-Cook Food Tip #3 – Fresh Fruits, Snack Bars and More!

Eating healthy, filling but light breakfast is always a must on an AJ. Our favourite options to get you started include:

  • Fresh Fruits – such as:
    • Apples
    • Pears
    • Oranges
  • Cereal / Muesli with Milk Powder
    • Easily sourced from the supermarket (E.g. Woolworths or Coles)
  • Granola Bars – some brands that are worth looking at are:
    • Kashi
    • Nature Valley
    • KIND Healthy Grains
    • Annie’s

Main image sourced from: https://thecooksgrocer.com.au/collections/fruit-veg-boxes

Granola Bar Brands image sourced from: https://feedthemwisely.com/choosing-a-granola-bar

Chia Pudding!

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

Non-Cook Food Tip #2 – Chia Pudding!

Chia Pudding is a great brekkie tip for anyone hiking when there is a chance of a partial or total fire ban. And the added bonus? It is a simple, healthy, nutritious, filling and absolutely DELICIOUS!

What you will need:

  • Chia seeds
  • Coconut milk powder (Woolworths or Coles)
  • Freeze dried fruit (blended)
  • Dried cranberries/ blueberries

Method:

  1. Blend the freeze dried fruit until it’s a powder
  2. Combine freeze dried fruit powder, milk powder, chia seeds and dried berries
  3. Add water to combined ingredients and mix well
  4. Leave overnight
  5. Enjoy

Easy and Delicious!

Main image sourced from: https://www.pinterest.cl/pin/534521049511132841/ 

Overnight Oats!

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

Non-Cook Food Tip #1 – Overnight Oats!

Overnight Oats is a nice healthy and nutritious non-cook breakfast option with only a few ingredients its light to carry as well.

What you will need:

  • Oats
  • Water

Optional extras:

  • Dried fruit
  • Honey/ Maple syrup/ Sugar
  • Nuts/ Seeds

Method:

  1. Combine oats with the optional ingredients
  2. Add water
  3. Leave overnight
  4. Enjoy

It’s as simple as that!

Main image sourced from: https://hedgecombers.com/overnight-oats-camping-recipe/

October AJ’s

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

We’re heading into a busy period for our programs which is SUPER exciting! So please double check the dates below of the programs to ensure you have the right dates:

OPEN Bronze Expedition: 6-7th October
OPEN Silver Expedition: 8-10th October
St Ursula’s Silver Expedition: 11-13th October
YouthAdvance Residential Project: 7-11th October
Crestwood Bronze Expedition: 18-19th October
Narrabeen Silver Expedition: 18-20th October

If you have any questions just contact us via email, phone or social media!

YouthAdvance Paddles into SA!

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

YouthAdvance have launched their first Adventurous Journey expedition into South Australia and we are so excited about it.

YouthAdvance is now both the Open Award Centre and an AJ Provider in SA to help deliver the award and provide AJ solutions.

Our first adventure planned is a paddling expedition taking place across 5 days. This allows our Bronze participants to complete both Practice and Qualifying Journeys and allows our Silver and Gold participants to complete one of their Journeys.

Paddling in both the Coorong National Park and the Murray River National Park, the scenery and wildlife, not to mention the waterways and wetlands and camping out under the stars will be both an adventure and beautiful.

The first planned paddle expedition is scheduled for departure Adelaide 19th Jan 2020.

For bookings jump on here: https://www.youthadvance.com.au/events/sa-open-bronze-coorong-and-katarapko-paddle-2/.

The early bird limited special tickets are on sale from Monday 7th October 2019. 

SILVER – PacknPaddle BROKEN BAY

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

THE PROGRAM VENUE – BROKEN BAY

Broken Bay is situated to the north of Sydney. The bay comprises of three arms, being the prominent estuary of the Hawkesbury River in the west, Pittwater to the south, and Brisbane Water to the north. This program traverses the calm waterway of Pittwater and the stunning Westhead which separated Pittwater and Cowan Creek. 

OUR PROGRAM STAFF

YouthAdvance prides itself on the fact that we only employ industry leaders. YouthAdvance is a company that is driven to create young leaders and the experience of our staff have in adventure-based education and recreation programs allows us to structure our programs so they are not only focused on participant experiences but heavily driven on creating measurable program outcomes.

Our lead program guides are employed with no lease than 6 years minimum experience and all qualified in the activity being undertaken.

SAFETY AND RISK

YouthAdvance’s partner company Remote Safety Solutions is a leading remote area risk and emergency management specialists. From this safety is foremost in all of our Adventurous Journeys.  

Pre-program you are supplied with our comprehensive Risk Management and Emergency Management Portfolio for the program venue. This portfolio is your reference guide to the associated program hazards and their risk profile and the management processes to limit these hazards. It also lists our emergency actions plans and emergency 

PROGRAM FACTS

  • Participant to staff ratios 7:1
  • Maximum number of participants for this program venue per trip  is 18 (Back to Back programs available for larger bookings)
  • Emergency communication equipment carried, VHF, UHF, PLB, Satellite Phone and Sat Messenger and Tracker
  • Maps and navigation equipment supplied to each participant
  • Transport to and from the program venue (Sydney) based School included in advertised price
  • Live tracking of all participant groups with web portal for parents and booking clients to view
  • All guides hold wilderness or remote area first aid qualifications
  • Modern, registered well-maintained kayaks and safety equipment
  • Powerboat support for paddling sections
  • FREE pre-trip briefing
  • Medical data collected using CareMonkey e-platform for paperless collection

PROGRAM ROUTE

This program starts and finishes at the Bayview Park, Pittwater. Day one consists of a morning of water safety and paddle technique training before heading out into the lower reaches of Pittwater. Traveling north the route takes you in and out of several small bays past Scotland Island and then up to Barrenjoey Headland, From there it’s across the bay to the Basin Camp Ground for the night. 

Day two takes you up and over Westhead where we’ll  enjoy a number of stunning views towards Cowan Creek and the west. We will also take the time to respect the Aboriginal culture in the area and time will be spent on learning about our country’s traditional landowners. With some trail walking and several off-track sections, map and compass skills will be required. The final leg on day 2 is back into Pittwater for the night at the Pittwater Youth Hostel which will be exclusively ours for the night. (Monday to Friday bookings only, dependent on availability)

EQUIPMENT

Your child using the appropriate gear is instrumental in ensuring that they have an enjoyable and comfortable experience. We have the following options available;

Purchase equipment up to  40% off via the RSS Online Equipment store

Hire via Camplist www.camplist.com.au

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

For organisations wishing for a door to door program option, we can arrange for our 25 seater mini-bus to pick up from any location prior the program and then return once the program has been completed.

Contact our staff to request a quote for this service.

PROGRAM FEES

$380.00 Per Participant

DISCOUNTS APPLY FOR GROUP BOOKINGS

FIND OUT MORE!

Call 0431 248 389 or email [email protected] to find out more

GOLD – Hike LONG PLAIN

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

THE PROGRAM VENUE – LONG PLAIN

Venturing off the Snowy Mountains Highway, between Tumut and Cooma, to discover this remote but rewarding corner of Kosciuszko National Park and discover Kosciuszko’s wild northeast corner. Lace up your hiking boots then set off amongst the treeless plains, snow grass valleys and mountain woodland, many of the slopes surrounding the high plains are covered in bright wildflowers in spring. Explore the limestone gorges, caves, waterfalls and the various huts that highlight this area’s rich colonial heritage.

OUR PROGRAM STAFF

YouthAdvance prides itself on the fact that we only employ industry leaders. YouthAdvance is a company that is driven to create young leaders and the experience of our staff have in adventure-based education and recreation programs allows us to structure our programs so they are not only focused on participant experiences but heavily driven on creating measurable program outcomes.

Our lead program guides are employed with no less than 6 years minimum experience and all qualified in the activity being undertaken.

SAFETY AND RISK

YouthAdvance’s partner company Remote Safety Solutions is a leading remote area risk and emergency management specialist. From this, safety is foremost in all of our Adventurous Journeys.

Pre-program you are supplied with our comprehensive Risk Management and Emergency Management Portfolio for the program venue. This portfolio is your reference guide to the associated program hazards and their risk profile and the management processes to limit these hazards. It also lists our emergency actions plans and emergency 

PROGRAM FACTS

  • Participant to staff ratios 7:1
  • Maximum number of participants for this program venue per trip is 18 (Back to Back programs available for larger bookings)
  • Emergency communication equipment carried, VHF, UHF, PLB, Satellite Phone and Sat Messenger and Tracker
  • Maps and navigation equipment supplied to each participant
  • Transport to and from the program venue (Sydney) based School included in advertised price
  •  Live tracking of all participant groups with web portal for parents and booking clients to view
  • All guides hold wilderness or remote area first aid qualifications
  • FREE pre-trip briefing
  • Medical data collected using CareMonkey e-platform for paperless collection

PROGRAM ROUTE

After spending the night at Cooinbil Hut Campground, we set off east around the mountain to the ruins of Harris hut, heading to Harris Waterhole continuing to Nichols Gorge Walk, exploring caves along the way. Following Blue Waterholes Trail to camp at Pockets Hut for the night. Day 2, we head off-track up to the Gurranglorambla Range, taking in the views of the day 3 hike and surrounding mountain ranges. Coming down to Sally Tree Creek, skirting around the sensitive marshland to Old Currango Campground. Day 3 takes us east as we tackle a 330m elevation and scrub to the top on White Hill to enjoy lunch and take in the views. Making our way down the hill to the southwest to Port Phillip Gap, passing Ghostgully campground following an old horse trail to camp at Millers Hut for the evening. Day 4 we exit Millers Hut via Port Phillip Trail and Mosquito Creek Trail. Stopping off at Hainsworth Hut for a quick morning tea break. Continuing on, we cross McPhersons Creek and conquer Skaines Mountain. Enjoy a well earned lunch before the home stretch down to Cooinbil Hut.

EQUIPMENT

Your child using the appropriate gear is instrumental in ensuring that they have an enjoyable and comfortable experience. We have the following options available;

Purchase equipment up to  40% off via the RSS Online Equipment store

Hire via Camplist www.camplist.com.au

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

For organisations wishing for a door to door program option, we can arrange for our 25 seater mini-bus to pick up from any location prior the program and then return once the program has been completed.

Contact our staff to request a quote for this service.

PROGRAM FEES

$550.00 Per Participant

DISCOUNTS APPLY FOR GROUP BOOKING

$550.00 Per Participant

FIND OUT MORE!

Call 0431 248 389 or email [email protected] to find out more

Bronze – Hike DHURAG

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

THE PROGRAM VENUE – DHURAG

Dharug National Park covers rugged bush land just north of the Hawkesbury River, with dramatic sandstone cliffs and a variety of natural habitats. The park is bursting with bird and animal life, you’re likely to see gang-gang cockatoos, satin bowerbirds and green catbirds on the mountain slopes and, for students camping overnight, be sure to take a torch to look for yellow-bellied and greater gliders and sugar gliders. If you can’t see the yellow-bellied glider, you may well hear their loud shrieking and gurgling calls.

OUR PROGRAM STAFF

YouthAdvance prides itself on the fact that we only employ industry leaders. YouthAdvance is a company that is driven to create young leaders and the experience of our staff have in adventure-based education and recreation programs allows us to structure our programs so they are not only focused on participant experiences but heavily driven on creating measurable program outcomes.

Our lead program guides are employed with no less than 6 years minimum experience and all qualified in the activity being undertaken.

SAFETY AND RISK

YouthAdvance’s partner company Remote Safety Solutions is a leading remote area risk and emergency management specialist. From this, safety is foremost in all of our Adventurous Journeys.

Pre-program you are supplied with our comprehensive Risk Management and Emergency Management Portfolio for the program venue. This portfolio is your reference guide to the associated program hazards and their risk profile and the management processes to limit these hazards. It also lists our emergency actions plans and emergency 

PROGRAM FACTS

  • Participant to staff ratios 7:1
  • Maximum number of participants for this program venue per trip is 18 (Back to Back programs available for larger bookings)
  • Emergency communication equipment carried, VHF, UHF, PLB, Satellite Phone and Sat Messenger and Tracker
  • Maps and navigation equipment supplied to each participant
  • Transport to and from the program venue (Sydney) based School included in advertised price
  •  Live tracking of all participant groups with web portal for parents and booking clients to view
  • All guides hold wilderness or remote area first aid qualifications
  • FREE pre-trip briefing
  • Medical data collected using CareMonkey e-platform for paperless collection

PROGRAM ROUTE

Starting from Mill Creek Campground, following along the Eleven Km Circuit. Heading off-track for some navigation practice along the ridgeline, rejoining the Eleven Km Circuit to continue back to Mill Creek campground for the evening. Day 2 we head straight up a stunning creek line, exploring the temperate rainforest environment. Continuing up to high ground, navigating rock shelves, knolls and saddles, passing a very important and spectacular Indigenous site. Joining the Eleven Km Circuit back to Mill Creek Campground.

EQUIPMENT

Your child using the appropriate gear is instrumental in ensuring that they have an enjoyable and comfortable experience. We have the following options available;

Purchase equipment up to  40% off via the RSS Online Equipment store

Hire via Camplist www.camplist.com.au

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

For organisations wishing for a door to door program option, we can arrange for our 25 seater mini-bus to pick up from any location prior the program and then return once the program has been completed.

Contact our staff to request a quote for this service.

PROGRAM FEES

$220.00 Per Participant

DISCOUNTS APPLY FOR GROUP BOOKINGS

FIND OUT MORE!

Call 0431 248 389 or email [email protected] to find out more

SILVER – PacknPaddle MARRAMARRA

Posted on by Keith McReynolds

THE PROGRAM VENUE – MARRAMARRA

Marramarra National Park is situated to the northwest of Sydney on the urban fringes. Marramarra is boarded by Berowra to the East the Hawkesbury River to the North.  The program route traverses a number of ridgelines and Marramarra Creek along with Berowra Creek

OUR PROGRAM STAFF

YouthAdvance prides itself on the fact that we only employ industry leaders. YouthAdvance is a company that is driven to create young leaders and the experience of our staff have in adventure-based education and recreation programs allows us to structure our programs so they are not only focused on participant experiences but heavily driven on creating measurable program outcomes.

Our lead program guides are employed with no lease than 6 years minimum experience and all qualified in the activity being undertaken.

SAFETY AND RISK

YouthAdvance’s partner company Remote Safety Solutions is a leading remote area risk and emergency management specialists. From this safety is foremost in all of our Adventurous Journeys.  

Pre-program you are supplied with our comprehensive Risk Management and Emergency Management Portfolio for the program venue. This portfolio is your reference guide to the associated program hazards and their risk profile and the management processes to limit these hazards. It also lists our emergency actions plans and emergency 

PROGRAM FACTS

  • Participant to staff ratios 7:1
  • Maximum number of participants for this program venue per trip  is 18 (Back to Back programs available for larger bookings)
  • Emergency communication equipment carried, VHF, UHF, PLB, Satellite Phone and Sat Messenger and Tracker
  • Maps and navigation equipment supplied to each participant
  • Transport to and from the program venue (Sydney) based School included in advertised price
  • Live tracking of all participant groups with web portal for parents and booking clients to view
  • All guides hold wilderness or remote area first aid qualifications
  • Modern, registered well-maintained kayaks and safety equipment
  • Powerboat support for paddling sections
  • FREE pre-trip briefing
  • Medical data collected using CareMonkey e-platform for paperless collection

PROGRAM ROUTE

With the program starting at the entrance to Marramarra National Park the first leg by foot will take us out into the untracked ridgelines. With some challenging navigation and sections that will require teamwork, the Participants will be rewarded with stunning views of days threes leg. The route takes us down into what the YouthAdvance Team calls “Jurassic Park” due to the old growth sub-tropic flora and then up and around several Indigenous sites. With a night at the “Orchard”.

Day two takes the Participants east, paddling downstream of Marramarra Creek into the stunning sandstone cliff-lined valleys of Berowra Creek. While in the safe confines of Marramarra Creek Participants will refresh their water safety procedures before heading out into the wider bay, before Camping at a pristine, water only access campsite. The final day takes the Participants South down Berowra Creek where time will be taken to explore the shoreline in several locations. Finishing the memorable program at Berowra Waters.

EQUIPMENT

Your child using the appropriate gear is instrumental in ensuring that they have an enjoyable and comfortable experience. We have the following options available;

Purchase equipment up to  40% off via the RSS Online Equipment store

Hire via Camplist www.camplist.com.au

 

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

For organisations wishing for a door to door program option, we can arrange for our 25 seater mini-bus to pick up from any location prior the program and then return once the program has been completed.

Contact our staff to request a quote for this service.

PROGRAM FEES

$380.00 Per Participant

DISCOUNTS APPLY FOR GROUP BOOKINGS

 

FIND OUT MORE!

Call 0431 248 389 or email [email protected] to find out more