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Tharwa - ACT

Junior Adventure

Are you about to go on school holidays? Junior Adventure is a 5-day introductory program for youth aged 12 to 15 years who want an exciting holiday camp. In the high country around Tharwa, you will participate in activities such as high ropes, abseiling and an overnight hike. You will also learn practical team building skills by completing a range of problem-solving initiatives. Your first Outward Bound experience will give you basic technical skills for safe outdoor adventures, provide opportunities to demonstrate compassion, environmental responsibility and resilience, and grow your social competence and self-confidence.

This program is suitable for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Bronze Adventurous Journey

Duration

5 days

Upcoming Dates

Ages

12 - 15

Join waitlist

Do you want to attend Junior Adventure ACT for your Bronze Adventurous Journey? You must have your Award Leader’s prior approval before signing up.

The details

This is a generic route and is subject to change

Choosing your Bronze Adventurous Journey

I am doing the Duke of Ed Bronze Award. I have no experience in overnight hiking or camping. I do not have all of my own hiking and camping equipment.

 

We recommend joining a 5-day Junior Adventure program. We have tailored this program to meet the requirements of the Bronze Adventurous Journey. We will also provide you with introductory training in how to plan for an overnight hike. The Junior Adventure includes food and major equipment, so you can trial one way of undertaking this activity.

I am doing the Duke of Ed Bronze Award. I have some previous experience in overnight hiking and camping. I have (or have access to) all my own clothing, equipment and food.

We recommend joining a 2-day Qualifying Bronze Adventurous Journey. This meets the requirements for the Bronze AJ. You will be required to supply all of your own clothing, food, and equipment, and come already knowing how to use this. We will provide introductory lessons to navigation using a topographic map and field compass, and full supervision for the duration of the journey.

Itinerary for Junior Adventure

Are you considering Junior Adventure for your Duke of Ed Bronze Adventurous Journey?

Junior Adventure is a suitable choice for those who are doing the Duke of Ed Bronze Award, have no experience in overnight hiking and camping, and do not have all their own hiking and camping equipment.

If you have some previous experience in overnight hiking and camping and have, or have access to, all your own clothing, equipment and food, you may be interested in a 2-day Qualifying Bronze Adventurous Journey.

Day 1

Welcome!
Know your group
Giant Ladder

Arrive at Outward Bound Australia’s National Campus in Tharwa for a 10.30am start. Meet your group and your Group Leaders, who you will be with for the duration of your program. We will issue your equipment and check you have everything you need for the week before getting straight into games and activities. Your first adventure activity will be Giant Ladder.

In the afternoon you will arrive at your first campsite, learn how to set up your tarp and cook your first group dinner meal.

Day 2

High Ropes
Environmental Service
Hiking

Wake up, prepare your breakfast, then pack down your campsite. Put everything away in your hiking pack and get set for your first full day. First activity, starting early is High Ropes, followed by Environmental Service along the Murrumbidgee River.

After lunch, progress off site to your new campsite with an introductory hiking and navigation lesson.

Days 3 and 4

Overnight Expedition
Navigation
Camping

The next two days are your overnight hike expedition. For those completing the Bronze Adventurous Journey, these are your journey days. Using the introductory skills and knowledge from yesterday, read a topographic map and incorporate a navigational compass to direct yourselves to the next two campsites.

Heading out on expedition is an exciting opportunity to truly build your own adventure. With your Group Leaders, discuss and decide on the best route to reach your checkpoints. Will you meander around every hill, or will you tackle a more direct route going up and down the summits? The group will practice leadership, decision making and communication skills to work together to decide on their chosen route into camp.

Day 5

Abseil
Showers
Blue Peter Ceremony

It’s the final day! Wake up, have breakfast, and pack down your campsite one final time. You will have an early start to include abseiling into your experiences before we will collect you and drive you back to Tharwa campus. We will take the time to reflect on the week together before it’s time for your only shower during the week, and then a celebration BBQ lunch.

Your family and friends are welcome to arrive at Tharwa campus for 1.30pm to celebrate your Blue Peter Ceremony, where you will receive a certificate of completion and an Outward Bound Australia t-shirt. Everything is finished at 2pm, and it is time to return home, planning your next adventure.

Program Details and FAQs

Start and Finish Times
  • Arrival First Day Please arrive at Tharwa Campus at 10:30am
  • Departure Final Day The program concludes at Tharwa Campus at 2:00pm. A certificate ceremony will be held at 1:30pm and families are warmly invited to attend.
Transport Options

If you are not self-driving, we offer the following transport services:

Pick-up on First Day

Drop-off on Final Day:

  • 2:30pm Canberra Airport

  • 3:00pm Jolimont (Canberra) Coach Station

To use these services, you must let us know on the Pre-Program Transport Form. You will be sent all pre-program forms 8 weeks prior to your program.

Here is your Junior Adventure Packing List

 

Should I wear hiking boots?
Hiking boots are recommended. Otherwise, try to find lace-up, fully enclosed shoes with rigid soles and good ankle support.

What about wet weather clothing?
Rain jackets are essential for warmth (especially against the wind) and rain protection. Programs continue in most weather conditions, so these items are an essential safety item. Rain pants are recommended but optional.

Will thermals be needed?
Thermals are required for programs running from May to September. For other times, thermals are optional but recommended as a lightweight jumper or pyjamas. Check your specific packing list for further details.

Can I bring my phone?
We anticipate that participants may bring a phone to program, however these will not be allowed on the participant during program. If you cannot leave your device at time our Group Leaders will keep them stored at our base until near the end of Final Day.

How heavy will my bag be?
Your backpack weight and group equipment is specifically designed to stay below 25% of your body weight, so extra items you bring may not be allowed on program. Your total packed hiking bag should be one third for personal clothing and sleeping bag, one third for group equipment and one third for food and water.

Outward Bound Australia provides a supportive environment for your child to thrive, regardless of their prior experience on an adventure like this.

We are committed to inclusivity and diversity and we cater to people of different ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities. However, our team are not trained disability support or trauma support workers and do not provide specialised diverse learning needs support. Programs are delivered in a group setting and we are unable to provide 1-on-1 ongoing support throughout the program for individual participants with complex additional needs. If your child is unable to self-manage basic tasks such as cooking, packing a bag, and following instructions, this program may not be appropriate for them at this time.

Participants need to:

  • Be respectful: physical or verbally abusive behaviours will not be tolerated.
  • Co-operate and partake in the fundamental elements of the program, without deliberately disrupting group activities.
  • Self-manage living skills in an outdoor camping environment.

Participants may be removed from the program if they fail to meet these standards. For a more comprehensive understanding of our minimum behavioral expectations, see here. 

Will there be a toilet?
Toilet facilities vary depending on your program. You may encounter:

  • Flushing toilets at established campsites

  • Drop toilets in more remote areas

  • An expedition toilet bucket

During hikes, groups will use a variety of toilet systems depending on the location and route. Each option ensures a hygienic sanitary option while maintaining environmental responsibility in remote areas.

What if I need to go to the toilet during the day while hiking?
While on expedition between campsites, participants may dig a small personal hole with a provided trowel. Group Leaders will give instructions on where and how to do properly.

What if I get my period on program?
You are not alone! Many people have managed their periods in the field before you, and many will after you. It is a very common experience in the field so please rest assured that you are not alone in this experience.

Please read our guide to Menstrual Hygiene here. This is our thorough guide on managing your period on program.

Privacy 
There will
a designated private bathroom area at every campsite to change. Throughout the day, time and space can be made each 4 hours or as often as you need to change. A small garbage bag is used to then carry the waste in your backpack until the trash bin at camp.

Still Have Questions?

Head to our FAQs page if you still have questions. Or chat with us today!