Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors

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Overnight Camping - Activity

Student skills

Student skills

Core skills and knowledge for overnight camping include the following:

  • group hygiene — water collection, safe food preparation, dining and cleaning
  • personal hygiene
  • cooperation and teamwork during camp activities
  • individual responsibility for personal and group safety
  • technical camping skills, including cooking and safe shelter construction
  • awareness of wildlife and potential for bites or stings
  • ability to react immediately and responsibly to emergencies.

The psychological preparation of students is as important as the physical preparation, especially for students who are anxious about the activity.  Under no circumstances should students be pressured by staff or peers to participate beyond their readiness.

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Equipment and clothing

Equipment, whether hired, borrowed or owned by the school or students, must be in a safe condition and suitable for the activity

First aid kits

First aid kits appropriate to the location and level of training must be carried.

Clothing

Clothing is the individual’s primary protection against severe and variable weather conditions.

Clothing lists need to be appropriate for the range of activities in the excursion, the environment and the season.

This includes catering for sudden changes in weather and should include appropriate sun protection and personal safety items for the activities planned (e.g. strong footwear, waterproof overpants, a woollen or sun hat).

When deciding which clothing should be worn for the activity, staff and students will consider the:

  • appropriateness of clothing materials
  • principles of layering
  • need for a wind and waterproof outer shell.

To protect against sunburn (see sun exposure) use broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen on all exposed parts of the body, applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Students who own sunglasses should be encouraged to bring and wear them when required.  In addition, the use of sun hats should be maximised.

Identification

Staff and students must be easily identifiable.

Staff must determine the most suitable identification system based on an assessment of the environment, students’ skills, the type of activities to be undertaken, and the age and number of students.

Equipment

Students must have equipment that is in good repair and matches the level of experience, remoteness, altitude, local environmental conditions and season.