Overnight Camping - Common Risks

A student or group of students use equipment or facilities in an unauthorised and/or unsafe manner.

Students will be briefed on safety.  This will include areas or items of equipment that are out of bounds, may only be accessed or used under direct supervision, or require adherence to specific procedures.

This briefing will also refer to water courses or dams near the camp and how these will be managed to avoid drownings.  Similarly, where the campsite is in a steep environment, clear expectations shall be provided as to where safe areas are located and what the boundaries will be.

Pre-activity planning will consider ways of managing students who may endanger themselves and/or others.  This may include strategies that support students, isolate them from the risk or remove them altogether from the environment.  This should be documented in the informed consent material sent to parents.

Campsites and activities will be chosen with reference to the student group and their experience, maturity, age and abilities. 

Students will be informed that all school rules apply to a school excursion. Staff will also consider whether additional rules are required and communicate them to the students.

Systems will be established to avoid students and staff getting lost at night.

A student or staff member falls on steep ground or trips and sustains a soft tissue or skeletal injury.

During pre-activity planning, staff will consider students’ skills and experience to ensure that the campsite is suitable for the group.

Staff will have first aid training and first aid kits appropriate to the location of the campsite.

Students with pre-existing injuries or weaknesses will be offered support to reduce the risk of worsening the particular injury.

Staff will select campsites that offer a safe environment to move around. If there are specific hazards at the campsite (e.g. holes, exposed roots, loose rocks, bodies of water or steep terrain), staff will alert students and implement relevant control measures. 

Evacuation plans will be detailed in pre-activity planning.

Staff will research local vegetation to identify any tree species with specific risk factors.

Upon arrival at the campsite, staff will brief students about the danger of falling trees or branches and ensure that shelters are not pitched in potentially dangerous places.  Dangers include, but are not limited to dead branches or trees, large and heavy overhanging branches; hanging dead wood (loose branches stuck in tree branches), trees that have two or more main trunks, diseased trees, damaged or split trees, fire-damaged trees, trees with cavities or cracks, trees with storm damage, and trees that have grown around and included loose bark.

Where strong winds prevail, staff will consider changing the site or cancelling the camp.

A student or group gets sick due to unsafe food or drink or poor hygiene practices.

Staff will carry current and confidential medical details for each student.

Staff will be aware of food safety as described in the Victorian Government Schools Reference Guide, section 4.4.6.11.

Staff will ensure that safe food storage practices are followed. Staff will also be aware of any group members with food allergies.

Staff will ensure safe water sources are available for the group, and will refer to local land managers to determine sources of safe water where necessary.  Students will be advised not to share water bottles, cutlery and cups to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

Staff will ensure that students are appropriately trained in food safety practices, including hygiene after toileting. Staff will ensure appropriate washing systems for both hands and food equipment.

Staff will ensure that the group adopts low-impact travel strategies (particularly with regard to toileting and the protection of water courses) to reduce the risk of illness.

During pre-activity planning, staff will develop an emergency response strategy. This strategy will consider actions that should be taken if a group member requires outside or medical assistance.

During pre-activity planning, staff will consider students’ skills and experience and make sure that the campsite is suitable for the group.

Staff will monitor the weather and the communication strategy will include mechanisms to notify the group of approaching severe weather. 

Options for responding to severe weather will be planned and may include changing the venue, postponing or cancelling the camp.

All group members will have and wear appropriate clothing and have the required equipment and knowledge to respond to adverse conditions.  Staff will pay particular attention to students who are unwell, as they may be more susceptible to hypothermia.

All group members will carry high-nutrition food that does not require cooking.

Emergency food, warm and waterproof clothing, a first aid kit, a water bottle, a whistle and a torch will be carried on side trips away from the campsite.

During pre-activity planning, staff will consider students’ skills and experience and make sure that the camp site is suitable for the group.

Staff will monitor prevailing weather and consider adjustments to the activity as appropriate.

Students will be briefed on the need to drink water regularly when exercising and general strategies to stay hydrated.

All group members will have and wear appropriate clothing and have the required equipment and knowledge to manage adverse heat conditions. 

In hot and dry weather, the group will seek shade where possible.

When undertaking exercise, water consumption by students and staff will be monitored.  Care will be taken to ensure that sufficient water is provided.

Consideration will be given to exercising in the early morning and evening, to avoid heat and greater exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Students will be briefed on the safe siting and use of fuel stoves or other sources of heat, including cooking areas and cooking, disposal of matches, and extinguishing flames.

Open flames, including cigarettes, matches or stoves, will not be permitted in or near tents.

Pre-activity planning will include consideration of the possible fire risk and potential for bushfire in the relevant location.  Alternatives will be planned to allow for last-minute change in the event of severe fire danger.

Fires and open fire places will be used in accordance with the requirements of the fire and/or land management authorities.

Students will be briefed on the safe siting and use of fuel stoves and alerted to the risks associated with open flames in a bush setting.

The communication strategy will include mechanisms to ensure that the group is alerted to a potential Total Fire Ban or other communications from fire authorities.

In addition, staff will consider prevailing local conditions and adjust the excursion accordingly.  Adjustments could include further consultation with the school and/or land management authorities to determine course of action, evacuation, changing location or cancellation of the activity.

Staff will choose a campsite that matches the ages and experience of the students.

Care will be taken when establishing toilet facilities to ensure systems are put in place to define a clear path (or some other mechanism) to guide people to and from the toilet.

Students are asked to let someone know if they are leaving the camp area at night. Preferably they will go with a ‘buddy’ to assist with path finding.

Where possible, all water collection will take place during daylight hours to avoid the need to collect water at night.

Pre-activity planning will make sure the group has adequate access to water and the means to ensure that this water is potable.  Options should a water source prove unavailable, will also be considered.

Students will receive appropriate training in the planning and preparation of food for overnight camping.  This will include the selection of food of a suitable energy value and the provision of emergency options.

Staff will consider options should a food or water source be affected by weather or pest interference (e.g. feral animals, insects).  This may include sharing food, sending group members to source alternate water, rationing food or altering the activity.

Staff will notify local land managers of the intended activity, as part of the pre-activity planning.

Staff will have the contact information of local land managers and emergency services with them during the activity.

Staff will, where appropriate, consult with other user groups on location, especially if there is a conflict of interest.

Staff will collect and then review current confidential medical information for all students and staff.  Where uncertainty exists, additional information will be sought.

At least one staff member will have a minimum of a level two first aid qualification and a first aid kit, which is appropriate to the activity and the environments to be encountered.

Medical information will be carried by staff on the excursion and referred to as necessary.

At the start of the excursion, staff will ensure that there is no new illness that may have an impact on the ability of the affected student(s) or staff to participate.  Consideration will also be given as to whether that illness might spread to others in the group.

The emergency response strategy will include communication and evacuation procedures.

During the planning phase, staff will consider the skills and experience of students and staff and make sure that the activity is suitable.

The group will adopt appropriately timed rest stops.  Food and water breaks will match the activity intensity, weather conditions and the group’s abilities.

Food and water intake will be monitored during the excursion to ensure all participants are eating and drinking adequately.

Staff will monitor each student and consider strategies to support the group and individuals.  This may include altered intensity and loads, changing the activity, obtaining outside support, evacuations or cancellation of the activity.

Staff will consider the skills, ages, experience and maturity of students and staff when determining the activity, season and venue.

Clothing and equipment will be suitable for the planned season and venue.

Staff will plan and/or adjust the activity in response to foreseeable and prevailing weather conditions.

The emergency response strategy will include responses for when students and/or staff are affected by heat or cold.

The chosen venue, activity and season will be appropriate to the group.

Staff will obtain regular Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts for the specific area they will be in and, if necessary, adjust the activity.

Staff will observe the weather before and during the activity and adjust the activity accordingly.

Staff will consider exposure to tree and lightning hazards.

The emergency response strategy will include possible responses should severe weather or a thunderstorm occur.

The vehicle must be appropriately insured and maintained.  Where the vehicle is a bus, it must be regularly inspected by a licensed bus tester.

Drivers will have the appropriate drivers licence and certificates for the planned journey.  Drivers will perform a daily vehicle check (see the Victorian Bus & Truck Drivers Handbook, Chapter 4, Vehicle Checks).

In accordance with heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws, (see transport) all drivers will take sufficient breaks from driving.  Drivers will also be sufficiently rested prior to driving.

Drivers will allow sufficient time for the planned journey and adjust speed to suit the driving conditions.

Students and staff will have clear and relevant clothing/equipment lists which reflect the possibility of bites or stings, and have appropriate first aid equipment.

Staff will carry current and confidential medical information for all students and staff participating in the activity.  Staff will ensure there are appropriate medications available and an emergency response strategy to support a worsening condition.