Preparing for your program:
Outward Bound Expedition

Participants and parents, please ensure you have read the Participant Behavioural and Personal Competency Expectations. You are asked to confirm you have read and agree to these expectations in the Consent & Medical Form (see next step).

In summary:

• Disrespectful, physical or verbally abusive behaviours will not be tolerated.
• Participants are expected to co-operate and partake in the fundamental elements of the program, without deliberatively disrupting group activities.
• Participants must be able to self-manage living skills in an outdoor camping environment.

Behaviour:

We expect you to conduct yourself in a manner that embraces the intent of the program, and maintains behaviour that is respectful towards yourself, all other people around you, and the environment. You will be provided with instruction and guidance for all the tasks you are presented with, and we ask you to give 100% of your commitment and ability; and have the courage to ask for further assistance if you need it or are not comfortable with something you may be asked to do. All our activities are delivered with the philosophy of “challenge by choice”. This translates as we actively and empathetically encourage all participants to be involved in all activities. We will work with you to set your own standard for what is a challenge and facilitate your personal success.

Drugs:

No drugs will be permitted or tolerated during your stay, except for those medications declared in your Medical Form. This includes over-the-counter or non-prescription medications, including if you have brought these for non-specific / “just in case” use.

Ensure the digital Participant Consent and Medical Information Form is filled in and submitted. You will need to make one (1) form submission per Participant.

This form MUST be completed no later than 30 days prior to your program’s start date.

If the Participant is 17 years or younger, this form must be completed and submitted by the Participant’s parent or legal guardian.

If you are diagnosed as having anaphylaxis or chronic asthma you will be required to provide your management or action plan. If your plan is older than 12 months, please visit your GP to have your documents updated.

If something changes in your situation after you have completed this form, please contact us directly at mailbox@outwardbound.org.au 

Please complete the Public Program Travel Intentions Form, submitting no later than 14-days before your program start date. 

Arrival and Departure

Click here to access your packing list for the Outward Bound Expedition program:

• Expedition ACT only – Mid Expedition Packing List
• Expedition VIC & WA only – Mid Expedition with Water Activity Packing List

Participants are expected to come on program with all items, as indicated.

If you do not have any of the items below, try borrowing from friends or family or buying second hand. We have also partnered with Camp List, who provide many of the items listed for hire and/or purchase. To see what is available, go to www.camplist.com.au and in the central search bar type “Outward Bound Australia”.

We do want all participants to bring a phone with them, where they have one. Aside from being able to make contact if you are using the shuttle service to/from our Base, we also run a post-experience survey on the final day, which is accessed via QR code.

We do not permit bringing phones into the field, and Participants are required to hand over their phones on Day 1. This is for the security of your possession, and for the privacy of the other participants you will be working with.

All Participants’ phones will be stored securely in our office and returned at the end of program on Day 10.

If you require time to call home, please speak with our staff upon arrival, or during your program so we can arrange a suitable option within the program structure.

All Participants will be required to not have their phones with them during the program.

For general correspondence, or if someone at home needs to send a message to their Participant, please e-mail Outward Bound Australia at mailbox@outwardbound.org.au. Please reference the Participant’s name and program in the subject heading.

For emergency situations arising at home, where the Participant must be reached with short notice, please use the following numbers:

1. During business hours (9:00am – 4:50pm Australian Eastern Time) please call our Tharwa Office on 02 6235 5700 (option 5)
2. After hours (5:00pm – 8:30am) the Program Coordinator can be reached on one of the following numbers: 

• Expedition ACT only: 0402 342 571
• Expedition VIC only: 0419 913 611

If you have not already done so, inform your Award Leader of your intention to complete your relevant Section of the Award. Your Award Leader may also like to be given the link to this website.

If needed, your Award Leader can click here to see our insurance policies and risk assessment documents.

Gold Residential Project

Activity Detail

• Activity Type
  • Activity based
• Activity
  • Outdoor adventure courses
• Location
  • Tharwa ACT
  • Buchan VIC
  • Walpole WA
• Note
  • Outward Bound Australia “Expedition” program, as per your program’s location:
    • ACT 
      https://www.outwardbound.org.au/adventures/expedition-act/
    • VIC
      https://www.outwardbound.org.au/adventures/expedition-vic/
    • WA
      https://www.outwardbound.org.au/adventures/expedition-wa/

Assessor Details:

• Name
  • Outward Bound Australia
• Email
  • dukeofed@outwardbound.org.au
• Phone
  • +61262355700

Adventurous Journey

Please be aware that the Expedition program does not meet the requirements of the Adventurous Journey, as per the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Handbook. You must gain prior approval from your Award Leader to have this program recognised for this section. Outward Bound Australia will not assess this section as successfully completed without your Award Leader’s prior consent.

Journey Details

• Name
  • Outward Bound Australia: Expedition (ACT, VIC, or WA)
• Journey Type I
  • Practice OR Qualifying
• Journey Type II
  • Practical
• Suitable for Level
  • Bronze, Silver, Gold
• Mode of Travel
  • Other
• Journey Activity
  • Other
    • Multi-modal expedition: hiking (all locations) and paddling (VIC and WA only).
• Location
  • Tharwa ACT
  • Buchan VIC
  • Walpole WA

Supervisor & Assessor Details:

• Name
  • Outward Bound Australia
• Email
  • dukeofed@outwardbound.org.au
• Phone
  • +61262355700

Please refer to the following for your signed Assessor documents required to be provided to your Award Leader. 

NSW Award Participants

Volunteer Commencement Guide

NSW Department of Education (i.e. State/Government) Schools

Education Department Declaration for child-related workers

All other States and Territories (NOT NSW)

Volunteer Code of Conduct