TEST ENVIRONMENT: Last database refresh from PROD 11/3/2025
Surprise Hike and Survival Skills - Venturers
Event Details
When:
Sat 29th Mar 2025 (9.30am) to Sun 30th Mar 2025 (2.30pm)
Where:
Cost:
General participant - $15.00
Registrations:
Open: Sun 9th Feb 2025 (1am)
Close: Fri 28th Mar 2025 (10pm)
Close: Fri 28th Mar 2025 (10pm)
Capacity:
Maximum 15 people
Coordinator:
Callum Power
callum.power@nsw.scouts.com.au
callum.power@nsw.scouts.com.au
Account:
South Metropolitan Region
sm.region@nsw.scouts.com.au
sm.region@nsw.scouts.com.au
Brief Summary:
Join us for an exciting beginners bushwalk and develop
essential skills for hiking and navigation. Targeted at
Venturers planning on attending Dragonskin, this hike is
for Venturers of any OAS level or hiking experience to
come along and learn some important skills. There is also
a surprise for the participants at the end of hike so
register to find out what it is!
Based in Southern Sydney, the route extends along the
Uloola trail. The hike will begin at Loftus station,
navigating to Audley before hiking along the Uloola trail
to Camp Coutts, where we will be spending the evening
undertaking some fun activities
Expect intermediate-grade tracks, bushland and riverside
trails. Approx 6 hours hiking. Participants will be
accompanied by a Bushwalking guide from the SM Region
AA Team.
Additional Information
Surprise Hike and Survival Skills - Venturers
Formation: SM Region AA Team
Location: Uloola Track, Loftus to Camp Coutts
Activity Information:
Suitable for youth members who are learning to
bushwalk+ develop and utilise basic navigational skills.
This route is tracked walking in bushland and riverside
walking tracks. Track grades are beginner to medium,
with some minor ascents/descents. This hike will involve
physical activity . Suitable for OAS1 and upwards youth
members.
The hike is self-catered. It is important to bring sufficient food for the
duration. Choose hearty and nutritious foods that will
provide sufficient energy. A recommend food menu is
attached.
The ‘surprise’ portion of the hike is at the end once the
party reaches Coutts and acts as a reward for Venturers to
celebrate their achievements in a Dragonskin style event
to gain some excitement for the upcoming event.
1. Leaders on Site:
a. Tim Ryan (Bushwalking Guide – Tracked
Environments)
b. Callum Power (Bushwalking Safe Participant –
Tracked Environments)
2. Objective of Activity:
Develop essential hiking skills and utilising
navigational techniques. Aims to prepare participants
for more challenging hikes whilst fostering
self-reliance and resilience in an outdoor setting to
prepare venturers to undertake Dragonskin. The
setting is in a fun environment to ensure the activity
is engaging and well-regarded.
3. OAS/VET Areas Covered:
Bushwalking OAS 3:
- I can dress myself for a day walk
- I can list what food to bring on a day
bushwalk
- I know why it is important to stick to trails
when outdoors
- I know why to stop when I get lost in the bush
- I can explain the buddy system
- I can identify the four main cardinal points of
the compass
- I can identify the main parts of the compass
- I have attended at least one bushwalk of at
least one hour’s duration at this stage
- I can demonstrate behaving safely while
bushwalking
- I can talk about what I enjoyed or learnt from
going on a bushwalk
Bushwalking OAS 2:
- I can use a compass to find basic directions
Bushwalking OAS 3:
- I can talk about different ways of keeping a
group together while bushwalking
- I know how to avoid becoming lost, and I
know what to do if I get lost
- I can identify features of a topographical map
4. What do Participants need to bring:
Packing list to be attached on Scout Event
5. Route Description:
Start to Trailhead: Loftus Train Station to Loftus Oval
Hike Route:
❖ Loftus Oval to Audley Weir
❖ Audley Weir to Uloola Falls track
❖ Uloola Falls track to Uloola Falls
❖ Uloola Falls to Waterfall
❖ Waterfall to Camp Coutts
6. Contingency Plans:
- Injury or Illness:
o Administer first aid, assess severity,
and decide whether to turn back or
call emergency services
- Weather (Extreme):
o Seek shelter, reassess route, and
adjust accordingly – if need, evacuate
to closest township
- Lost/off course:
o Use map and compass/GPS to
relocate position; backtrack if needed
- Water Depletion:
o Fill up water bottles at;
▪ Audley
▪ Uloola Falls
▪ Waterfall
- Group Fatigue:
o Adjust pace
- Missed timing for Pickup:
o Contact trusted person with updated
timing; use emergency shelter if
necessary
7. Prerequisites:
- Purchase of OWN food/gear
- Packing of OWN gear (20% of participants
body weight)
- Completion & Submission of E1/EMS
Registration
8. Grade of Difficulty:
- Overall Grade = 3
Relatively easy terrain with sections of
ascent/descent. Track has multiple sections
with intersections which participants will be
required to work out the correct path
forward.
E-Permission Active
What is this?
Event Documents
The recommended menu for an overnight hike!
Registrations
Closed