Overnight Camping - Environment

The environments chosen for overnight camping are often relatively undisturbed and require sensitive use and management.  These environments offer opportunities for personal challenge and reflection as well as for studying unique flora and fauna, however they are very susceptible to long-lasting damage from human activity.

Staff should consider ways to minimise the environmental impact of the activity, when preparing for overnight camping.  Further information is available at Environment and elsewhere on this site.

Location

The choice of location should be based on the recent and first-hand knowledge of at least one member of the planning and supervising staff.  Where this is impractical, planning and supervising staff should be thoroughly familiar with the general characteristics and conditions found in similar locations, and should have consulted with people who can supply recent and first-hand knowledge of the locations being considered.

When assessing the suitability of a location, consider:

• the potential to support the educational objectives
• the level of access to resources, services and facilities that may be needed, such as campsites, water, walking trails, toilets, shelter from extreme weather, or interpretive information
• the level of access to communications and external assistance in the event of an emergency or extreme weather conditions — the more remote the location is, the more self-contained and self-reliant the group must be and this must be taken into account in the planning of the activity
• the potential exposure to environmental hazards and difficulties
• the ability and fitness levels of students.

Contact with relevant authorities should be made in order to access current information and determine any access and permit requirements.

These authorities may include:

• Emergency services
• Parks Victoria or other land managers
• Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Marine Safety Victoria        

Staff need to be aware that severe weather conditions may develop before or during the proposed activity and should be prepared to cancel, modify or relocate the excursion or individual activities within the excursion at any time.

The excursion should include alternatives for activities that cannot proceed due to adverse weather, equipment failure or other reasons. 

The campsite should be inspected prior to the activity to ensure that the activity is appropriate to the venue and that the camp facilities and equipment are safe and suitable.

Communication

• Choose communication equipment based on current communication technology and the location of the activity.

• Develop a communication strategy for the group during the activity which enables communication with outside parties, including the school and emergency services.

• Be aware of the limitations of the communication strategy.

Weather

Weather forecasts should be obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Weather conditions can change rapidly.  Monitor and assess the weather throughout the activity and be prepared to cancel, modify or relocate at anytime.

Weather warning telephone services

• Coastal, Land Weather and Flood Warnings on 1300 659 217
• Full State Telephone Weather Service on 1900 955 363 (call charge applies)
• Coastal Waters Telephone Service on 1900 969 930 (call charge applies)
• Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

The above telephone numbers may be useful to have available during the excursion.

Web links

 

Transportation