Overnight Camping
Overnight camping refers to the outdoor adventure activity of camping in a temporary or residential campsite, usually in a bush or remote setting. A range of other outdoor adventure activities are usually included in the excursion.
Temporary accommodation includes bush huts, tents, tarpaulin shelters, bush shelters, snow structures and arrangements with no shelter. If overnight camping takes place in snow shelters, please see the guidelines for Cross Country Skiing. If overnight camping takes place as part of a bush walk, please see the guidelines for Bushwalking.
Residential campsites are campsites which usually have permanent facilities (such as cooking and eating facilities, beds and an amenities block) and adventure recreation options. This definition does not include caravan parks, hotels/motels or ski lodges or Victorian government residential schools. Schools using residential campsites for overnight camping must use accredited sites. Further advice on residential campsites and recognised accreditation providers, may be found in the School Policy and Advisory Guide, see: Venue Selection
If a school organises an excursion involving overnight camping as an outdoor adventure activity, organising staff must refer to these guidelines. However, these guidelines do not apply to study camps held at residential campsites. Departmental guidelines are also available on this website, for other adventure activities. These guidelines must be followed when planning and conducting those adventure activities.