Preparing for your program:
Outward Bound Leadership

Everything you need to be ready to go.

Welcome to Outward Bound Australia and thank-you for choosing us for your next adventure. Your program will be hosted from our National Base in Tharwa, ACT. You will be working both individually and as a small team in a series of adventure and leadership experiences, which may include high ropes, bushwalking, and team initiatives. You will be sleeping in cabins for three (3) nights and camping out for one (1) night. We will supply all the camping, cooking and activity equipment, and food. Please refer to the packing list for your requirements.

Please read carefully through each preparation section below and attend to each action as necessary. If you have any questions about getting ready, you can contact us at mailbox@outwardbound.org.au.

For all Participants
1. Understand our Behaviour Expectations of you

Participants and supporters, please ensure you have read the Participant Behaviour Policy. 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.

2. Complete the Participant Consent and Medical Information Form

Ensure the digital Participant Consent and Medical Information Form is filled in and submitted.

Your program dates will be activated in the medical form 12 weeks before the program start date.

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

The form will lock at 11:45pm on the following dates:

  • Saturday 21 December 2024 for 20-24 January 2025
  • Saturday 7 June 2025 for 7-11 July 2025

If you are 17 years or younger, you will need to have your parent or legal guardian complete and submit on your behalf.

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 

3. Inform us of your Arrival and Departure plans

Submit the Public Program Travel Intentions Form.

Your program dates will be activated in the travel intentions form 12 weeks before the program start date.

This form MUST be completed no later than 14 days prior to your program’s start date. 

The form will lock at 11:45pm on the following dates:

  • Monday 6 January 2025 for 20-24 January 2025
  • Monday 23 June 2025 for 7-11 July 2025
Arrival and Departure (self-driving)

On Day 1 please arrive at our National Base after 1000 (10:00am), ready to begin at 1030 (10:30am).

On Day 5 the program officially concludes at our National Base from 1400 (2pm)

Our address is 35 Naas Road, Tharwa ACT 2620.

Transport Assistance

Outward Bound Australia include a shuttle service for the following times and locations to assist participants to reach our Base.

  • Day 1 arrival options
    • Jolimont Tourist Centre (Coach depot) 0940
    • Canberra Airport 1000
  • Day 5 departure options
    • Canberra Airport, for check-in after 1430 (2:30pm)
    • Jolimont Tourist Centre (Coach depot), for check-in from 1500 (3pm)
4. Get your clothing and equipment

Please click here to download your packing list for the Outward Bound Leadership program:

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

If you do not have any of the items listed, 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”.

5. Phones on program

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 leave their phones in their cabins during the day and when on evening activities. This is for the security of your possession, and for the privacy of the other participants you will be working with. 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.

6. Contact During Program

All Participants will be required to not have their phones on during program activities. Participants will have use of their phones in non-activity time (primarily in the evenings, except on the overnight camp-out). There is moderate mobile phone reception at our Base.

During your program, for general correspondence, or if someone at home needs to send you a message, they can 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) please call our Tharwa Office on 02 6235 5700 (option 1)
  2. After hours (5:00pm – 8:30am) the Program Coordinator can be reached on 0493326310
Are you attending to complete the Duke of Edinburgh's Award: Gold Residential Project?
Your Award Leader may want to see these documents.

If you have not already done so, inform your Award Leader of your intention to complete your Gold Residential Project. 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.

Setting up your Online Record Book
Activity Detail
Assessor Details:
  • Name
    • Outward Bound Australia
  • Email
    • dukeofed@outwardbound.org.au
  • Phone
    • +61262355700
Assessor Commencement Guide / Code of Conduct

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

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