BRONZE PRACTICE OR QUALIFYING JOURNEY
REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS PROGRAM CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
If registrations for this program have closed, or the program has sold out, please email [email protected] to be placed on the waitlist.
YOUTHADVANCE ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS
YouthAdvance prides itself on developing challenging and rewarding adventurous journeys (AJs) for all participants. Our qualified and highly experienced program co-ordinator and guides will work with you through the required preparation and training prior to your first AJ, and beyond. They will teach you skills including navigation and camp craft on your practice expedition, and finally assess your skills on your qualifying expedition.
Our staff do not lead from the front, they mentor and instruct from the back of the group to ensure that you and your group have the opportunity to work as a team and make sound judgements based on your training and our staff’s leadership. You’ll be required to take responsibility and make decisions for yourself while under supervision from experienced and qualified outdoor professionals.
PROGRAM AIM AND CHALLENGE
YouthAdvance creates physically and mentally challenging expeditions for our participants. Each day, participants will hike the trails carrying their pack and all their own equipment. Participants are encouraged to start training and develop their fitness in preparation for these physical requirements, including weekly walks carrying their pack and wearing their hiking boots/shoes.
All of our programs satisfy the time requirements of the AJ stipulated in The Award Handbook by the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. In addition, we strive to make our AJs lots of fun as well as imparting knowledge about the Australian bush to help our participants make lasting memories, new friends and new experiences.
SAFETY AND RISK
YouthAdvance’s partner company Remote Safety Solutions is a leading remote area risk and emergency management specialist. Safety is paramount for all of our AJs.
Emergency communication and first aid equipment along with satellite tracking will be carried by each YouthAdvance staff member while on the program.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Transport to and from the venue;
- All camping and National Park/State Forest fees;
- Instruction and supervision from our experienced and qualified outdoor educators;
- Group communication devices i.e. InReach, radios and satellite phones;
- Group remote area first aid kit;
- Preliminary training (online or face-to-face);
- On trip pre and post briefing;
- Participant map, map case and compass (1 per participant)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW – MARRAMARRA NATIONAL PARK, NSW
PROGRAM RUNDOWN
All participants must be dropped off to YouthAdvance HQ: Unit 31 42-46 Wattle Street, Brookvale NSW.
DROP OFF: 7.30am, Day 1, at YouthAdvance HQ: Unit 31 42-46 Wattle Street, Brookvale NSW.
PICK UP: 4.30pm, Day 2, at YouthAdvance HQ: Unit 31 42-46 Wattle Street, Brookvale NSW.
If you are going to be late, please call 02 9170 4655 and press #2, and leave a message, so we don’t depart without you. Please ensure you monitor traffic conditions and that arrangements are made for a prompt drop off and pick up of participants.
NOTE: The expedition WILL NOT be postponed because of forecast “unsettled” weather. However, in the event of unseasonably bad weather, or if a severe weather warning is issued in the program venue, the expedition may be postponed to ensure the safety of our participants. You will be notified of this via email.
Please be aware that the program rundown may alter slightly, particularly drop off and pickup times, and these will be confirmed prior to each program via email.
| DAY 1 |
DAY 2 |
| 7.30 am – Participants arrive at YouthAdvance HQ |
6.30 am – Participants wake |
| 8.00 am – Bus departs for program location |
6.45 am – Participants prepare breakfast |
| 10.00 am – Bus arrives at program location |
7.00 am – Participants break camp (P) |
| 10.15 am – Participants morning brief (P) |
7.30 am – Participants morning brief (P) |
| 11.00 am – Participants start planned route (P) |
8.00 am – Participants start planned route (P) |
| 1.00 pm – Lunch |
1.00 pm – Lunch |
| 1.30 pm – Participants continue planned route (P) |
2.00 pm – Participants arrive at the finish point |
| 4.00 pm – Participants arrive at camp |
2.00 pm – Group debrief session (P) |
| 4.15 pm – Group debrief session (P) |
2.15 pm – Bus departs program location |
| 4.45 pm – Participants set up camp (P) |
4.30 pm – Participants arrive at YouthAdvance HQ |
| 6.00 pm – Participants prepare dinner |
|
| 7.00 pm – Night session – discussion on risk management and route planning (P) |
|
| 8.00 pm – Participants in tents |
|
| (P) – Purposeful Activity 6.0 Hrs |
(P) – Purposeful Activity 6.0 Hrs |
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Using appropriate gear is instrumental in ensuring that you have an enjoyable and comfortable experience – we cannot stress this enough! If you are unsure whether your equipment is suitable, please contact us for clarification at [email protected]
The full list of gear required can be found here – Equipment List
Please note the following items are mandatory and will be checked by guides on the morning of departure:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag (suitable to the season of the year):
- Winter – minus 5
- Shoulder Season & Summer – zero rating;
- Sleeping mat;
- Sleeved shirt (for walking and paddling in) – no singlet tops
- Waterproof Rain Jacket (preferable Gortex – no ponchos or wind breakers);
- Spare set of clothes (stored in waterproof bag – thermal top and bottom);
- First aid and blister kit;
- 3L of water (3 x 1L water bottles);
- Water purification tablets;
- Hat and sunscreen
For additional equipment, please refer to the following page on equipment for AJs (Equipment Resources). If you are hiring equipment, your order MUST be completed 5 days in advance of your programs.
MEALS AND WATER
Each participant will be responsible for planning, supplying and preparing their own meals for the duration of the hike. At least one day’s emergency rations should be carried by participants.
Information, including sample menus and meal planning, is available here: Meal Planning Resources. Pre-packaged meals are also available for purchase here: Meal Purchases.
NOTE: Pots and stoves are available for hire – YouthAdvance Store.
All participants must start with at least three full 1Litre water bottles. In dry weather periods, water can be difficult to source during the day so this is a minimum amount. Please be aware that YouthAdvance will make water available for participants to refill water bottles during the evening. You are required to bring water purification tablets for this program.
PRELIMINARY TRAINING – PRACTICE STUDENTS ONLY
As this is a NSW Open program, registered participants who are completing their PRACTICE AJ, will be required to complete the Online Preliminary Training work. To access and complete your Online Preliminary Training (OLP) you need to use this link – https://www.youthadvance.com.au/courses/master-bronze-practice-journey/
In order to access the OLP you will need to create a new registration profile. To help you do this, we’ve created a step-by-step tutorial to help you – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j80vskUEGM (NOTE: Fast track the video to 1 minute)
The OLP is free and must be completed prior to your AJ, if not completed you will not be permitted to board the bus for this journey. This training program is a generic training system that will cover off the following competencies in the online preliminary training session.
- Understanding of the AJ planned to be undertaken;
- First aid and emergency procedures (relevant to the type of environment for the Journey);
- Safety and safe practice;
- Route planning and navigation (use of maps, compass/navigation aids or street/urban directories);
- Camp craft/accommodation and hygiene;
- Teamwork, problem-solving and leadership training;
- Meal planning, preparation of food and cooking (options will be provided in the even of a total fire ban where cooking is not possible);
- Environmental awareness and care;
- Necessary equipment and how to use it;
- Technical skills in the mode of travel (i.e. knot tying, tent repairs etc);
- Observation and recording skills.
During your first morning on program, you will have further time to familiarise yourself with the maps and location of your AJ.
AWARD LEADER APPROVAL: PRE-PROGRAM
In order to partake in this Adventurous Journey, you are required to seek approval from your Award Leader on the Online Record Book BEFORE you get on the bus. This is a requirement of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and YouthAdvance will be strongly enforcing this.
Please use the following details as your supervisor for your practise and assessor for your qualifier:
Supervisor/Assessor: YouthAdvance Guide
Phone: +61 2 9170 4655
Email: [email protected]
AWARD LEADER APPROVAL: POST-PROGRAM
Supervisor and assessor sign-off will be completed in the ORB following your hike.
Once you have completed your qualifying journey award leader sign-off will occur when your AJ report has been submitted and uploaded into the documents section of the ORB. Templates are available on our website under the “Resources” section of your school or Open Award page.
REGISTER FOR AJ NOW – Please select the “Register” button at the top of this webpage and follow the prompts.
Please note that the minimum number of participants for this program is 10. We will advise you if there are concerns about the program being postponed.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note that terms and conditions apply to this booking page. By processing this registration you acknowledge that you accept the
Terms & Conditions.
BEFORE BOOKING, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE YOUTHADVANCE AUSTRALIA CANCELLATION POLICY, AS PER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ABOVE.
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