Explorer Level (Blue Cord) Journey Checklist
Task
a)
Select a date and confirm the availability of leaders.
(Nominate 6 other interested/potential scouts)
Timing
3mnths
ahead
approx.
b) Select a route or request a route from leaders
Prepare a general route plan / itinerary
 Day 1 From - To / Day 2 From – To
 General description and other instructions
d) Obtain the relevant topographic or waterways map(s)
for your hike. Copy and mark up your route (plus grid
references etc.)
e) Present Journey plan to Troop Council.
g)
2 mths
ahead
approx.
Prepare a detailed route plan including key locations,
grid references, approximate times and distances
between points (and escape routes in case of
emergency)
Prepare your Food Plan
Patrol gear list (Tents, Cooking gear, First Aid….)
k)
Check and arrange other necessary equipment
 Canoes / Paddles / PFDs / Repair kit
 GPSr (and spare batteries)
 EPIRB / PLB (Available from GWS Region for hire)
 Other (Walky Talkies etc.)
Arrange transport for scouts / leaders and equipment
l)
m) Arrange other logistics - book camp site and set a cost
for the hike.
n) Prepare A1 Permission Note (Part 1,2 &3)
o) Prepare Bushwalking Activity Notification Intention
Form
p) Promote the journey and get commitment from other
scouts to come along. Ensure they submit an A1 form
q) Review Scout Safe Risk Assessment with SL and send
to RAC & LAC
r) Send A1 Parts 1,2 & 3 to :
Regional Activities Commissioner (Mark Fell)
Local Activity Coordinator (Depending on location)
Emergency Contact (as nominated on the A1)
2 Leaders are required.
Book them in!!!
TC and Leaders must
approve the trip
Refer “Scout Hike Route
Planner”
Decide on team or
individual cooking
h) Obtain and review other necessary information:
 Tide charts
 Train/Ferry/Bus timetables
 National Parks Closures or special conditions
i) Prepare the recommended Personal Packing List
j)
Notes
Wildwalks.com.au &
NPWS are good
resources.
Min distances:
15km walk / 25km
canoe / 75km bike
Cartodraft – Bella Vista
(8850-1044)
c)
f)
Completed
/ Date
Use standard list and
adjust for route, season,
location.
As required
At least 4-6
weeks
At least 4-6
weeks out
This is the hardest bit!!!
So start early.
At least 2
weeks prior
At least 2
weeks
before hike
SL is responsible for its
preparation.
Also to Hills District DC
(Gavan Hall) & Hills
District Bushwalking
Coordinator (Kimba)
Explorer Level (Blue Cord) Journey Checklist
s)
b)
c)
d)
Conduct pre-journey check with all participants
a) Check pack weights
b) Check pack contents
c) Distribute any gear
d) Make any final food purchase arrangements
e) Confirm transport arrangements
Final Arrangements (a day before the trip):
Check for warnings – Total Fire Bans, Flood / Storm
Warnings
Pick up the EPIRB/PLB (if hired from GWS)
Send Bushwalking Activity notification to Police &
NPWS
Send final A1 – Part 3 to LAC, RAC & Emergency
Contact
Check weather forecast and print a copy of the
forecast, (or keep the weather report out of the
newspaper)
After the Trip
***Advise emergency contacts of safe return
(Police/NPWS/Emergency Contact)***
Clean and return any gear
Dry out and re-pack tents and check poles, pegs etc.
Return the EPIRB/PLB
v)
Prepare Journey Report
t)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
u)
a)
w) Submit / present Journey Report to Troop Council
x)
Have Green Book Explorer Campcraft Test #9 signed
off by SL
Within 1
week of the
trip
Ideally this is done on a
normal scout night.
Day Before
Amend the A1 to show
the final group
participants (and any
last minute changes.)
Immediately
ASAP
ASAP
Within 5
days
Within 2
weeks of
journey
Next Troop
Council
After TC
approval
Based on your “rough”
log notes.
Other notes and guidelines:
 The scout leading the journey (Activity Leader) is required to have Level 1 Scout Bushwalking qualification.
 Ideally the leader has completed Explorer Citizenship Section 2 & Campcraft Sections 4,5, & 6.
 Ideally the Activity Leader to have completed 3 day walks and 3 overnight walks (totalling 50-75km) prior
attempting the journey
 2 Adult Leaders are required as a minimum. If female youths are involved every attempt should be made
to ensure one of the leaders is a female.(Where this is not possible, ensure this is clearly shown on the A1)
 Only 1 youth is eligible for the award per hike.
 Troop Council must approve the Journey prior to the journey commencing.
 A written report must be presented at Troop Council and TC to approve signing off of the “test” /
Campcraft Section #7.
 Adult Leaders must supervise the journey. This means travelling with the group for the entire route and
camping in the vicinity. Where the assessment of risk and the competence of the scouts allows, Leaders
may shadow the group by travelling approximately 1hr (2-3kms) behind the group.
 Scouts should only seek advice from leaders or contact parents during the journey in the case of an
emergency.
 The minimum party number is 5 and recommended maximum is 8.
Glossary
LAC
- Local Activity Coordinator
RAC
- Regional Activities Commissioner (Mark Fell)
SL
- Scout Leader
TC
- Troop Council
DC
- District Commissioner