DATES & TIMES:

Start : 7.00am on Monday, April 17, 2023                       Finish : 4.30pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023

• Participants will need to make their way to the YouthAdvance Head Office in Brookvale, Sydney.
• Drop-off and pick-up location for all students will be Unit 31, 42-46 Wattle Street, Brookvale. 
• Please park in either Wattle Street or Mitchell street, walk through either roller door entrance and make your way up the stairs to the top level and locate our warehouse.
• Ensure you monitor traffic conditions and that arrangements are made for a prompt drop off and pick up of participants.
• If you are going to be late, please call 02 9170 4655 and press #2, and leave a message.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Transport from the YouthAdvance Head Office in Brookvale, to and from the program location;
• 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;
• Access to Zoom Question & Answer sessions with our guiding team before your AJ;
• Participant map, map case and compass (1 per participant)

The Gold Duke of Edinburgh journey teaches an advanced level knowledge of camp craft, navigation and bush safety. The goal by the end is that the practice students should feel comfortable and demonstrate these skills independently of supervising leaders by the end of the journey. The YouthAdvance Gold AJ takes participants into Turon National Park, just west of Lithgow NSW. Navigating challenging ridge lines, walking along gorgeous river beds and trekking on and off the bush path.  There is lots of challenging terrain all amongst beautiful Aussie bushland that will yield stunning views of the surrounding area. The group will hike, rogaine style, on, and off track through the area, with overnight bush camps. With some challenging navigation and sections that will require teamwork.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS

MEALS: Participants will need to bring ALL meals and snacks for the duration of the four day, three night AJ.

Day 1  |  Lunch and Dinner
Day 2  | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3  | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4  | Breakfast and Lunch

• In addition to the above, participants should also bring their own snacks and an emergency meal (eg. a freeze dried/dehydrated meal).
• Please be aware that ALL YouthAdvance AJs are NUT FREE

CLICK HERE FOR MEAL PREPARATION IDEAS AND PLANNING

• Backpack
• Tent
• Sleeping Bag (suitable to the weather conditions eg. in winter you must have a minimum COMFORT rating of -5 degrees,  and in the shoulder and summer the COMFORT rating must be 0 degrees)
• Sleeping Mat
• Shoes/Hiking Boots (ensure these have been worn in)
• Stove & Gas Bottle (or fuel)
• Pots & Pans
• Mess Kit – Cutlery, Plate/Bowl & Mug
• 3 x 1L Water Bottles (must carry a minimum of 3L)
• Clothing, Shoes & Personal items (More details on our FULL Equipment List)
• Rain Jacket & Rain Pants (Waterproof, seam-sealed Gortex)
• Pen/Pencil & Notebook

YouthAdvance provides an option for participants for hire a backpack, tent or stove (with gas bottle, pots & pans). Should you wish you hire equipment, please email [email protected] with your request. Please note that this MUST be done a minimum of five days prior to the AJ departure date. All hire equipment will be available for collection upon arrival at the program venue.

Please note that the above list of equipment is mandatory. As such, should a participant attend program without the required equipment that is in good condition and suitable for use, for safety reasons that participant will be sent home and will forfeit their fee. It is imperative that appropriate and safe equipment is brought to camp.

GO HERE FOR EQUIPMENT PACKING INFORMATION & GUIDELINES

PRELIMINARY TRAINING & USEFUL INFORMATION:

• As this is a NSW Open program, registered practice participants 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-gold-practice-journey/
• If you are experiencing any issues with the online training, please reach out to [email protected]

HEAD TO YOUTHADVANCE PRELIMINARY TRAINING RESOURCES

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 moving into 2023. 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]

Post-Program: Assessor ReportLog in to your Online Record Book (ORB) and under Practice Journey add any relevant documents and observations from the journey (if you are unsure what to submit, speak with your Award Leader at school). Once complete, hit the Send Report button and YouthAdvance will provide assessor feedback. You will then need to get to final approval from your Award Leader.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

• 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.
• The minimum number of participants for this program is 14. We will advise you if there are concerns about the program being postponed.
• Please note that terms and conditions apply to this booking page. By processing this registration you acknowledge that you accept the Terms & Conditions.

• Programs Coordinator – [email protected]
• Hire Gear and Equipment/Meal Questions – [email protected]
• YouthAdvance General Enquiry – [email protected]