Scout Orienteering Night – Mount Stranger
Equipment list
Group to provide
The group will provide:
 Compasses (1 each)
 Maps (1 per pair)
 Route cards (2 per patrol)
Scout to provide (to be included in activity notification email)
Each scout needs to bring:
 Hat
 Enclosed shoes
 Long pants or gaiters
 Water bottle
 Sun block
 Whistle
 Torch
 Pencil and notepad
 Scout record book
Please do not wear your scout uniform shirt, just the scarf is required.
This is because we will be climbing through barbed wire fences and we
don’t want your uniform to get damaged.
Goal
Run an orienteering evening with an element of controlled adventure (a
creek crossing, some bush bashing, etc). Cover elements 4a thru 4e of
pioneer campcraft, as well as elements 4a thru 4c, 4e and 4g of explorer
campcraft.
And most importantly, have fun!
Logistics
Scouts dropped off at: Point Hut picnic ground (map)
Scouts collected at: locked gate opposite 14 Derrington Crescent (map)
Total length of walk should be no more than 4km.
Roles
 Bunyip: provide orienteering course markers, compasses (from Group
stores), maps and route cards. Lay out course before activity and tear
down after activity.
 Murana, KEG, Girrawa, Bunyip: one leader per patrol during actual
orienteering activity


Grizzly, Bilby: help with start of activity and initial briefings, and then
drive to planned end point and meet patrols as they arrive. Drive
other leaders back to their cars at the end of the evening
Explorer level Scouts: assist with teaching navigation skills to Pioneer
level Scouts as required
Emergency exit plan
The entire area for this walk is bounded by the Murrumbidge (and the
track that runs beside it between Point Hut and Pine Island), Woodcock
Crescent, and the suburban streets of Bonython. If you get lost, walk east
to Woodcock drive and await collection.
The entire area of walk is covered by mobile phone reception, so if you
are concerned and have a phone, you can call Bunyip on his mobile.
Skills being tested
Pioneer
Learn and demonstrate the following:
a) the eight principal points of the compass and their equivalent in
degrees
b) the use and care of a compass
c) the relationship between true and magnetic north
d) how to set and follow a bearing
e) how to read a map including scale, legend, date of issue, grid references
and contour lines
Explorer
Understand and demonstrate a proficiency in the following:
a) know the Pioneer level skills
b) care of a map
c) how to orientate a topographic map by both compass and physical
features
d) how to establish direction using the sun in daylight and stars at night
e) navigate between two points over at least one km in a bush
environment
f) with your Patrol, find out how to operate a GPS and how to use it in
conjunction with a map and compass
g) assist a Scout in passing the requirements of Pioneer level navigation.
Program for the night
18:30
Scouts arrive at Point Hut picnic ground
Opening parade including exercise and safety briefing
 Required first aid
 Exit plan
 What to do if separated from your patrol
 Expected return point and time
18:45
19:00
In patrols (one adult leader per patrol)
 Issue compasses, maps and route cards
 Describe the 8 principle points on the compass
 Use and care of the compass
 Care of a map
 The relationship between true and magnetic north
Start orienteering when patrol is ready.
Instructor’s orienteering route notes
Waypoint 1: GR 883748
 Follow the track, turning right at the signpost to the dog
yards.
Waypoint 2: GR 884751
 Walk along the fence line until the fence stops at a corner.
Waypoint 3: GR 884756
 Talking points with scouts
o How to set and follow a bearing
o How to orientate a topo map by compass and physical
features
o Navigate between two points over at least 1km in a
bush environment








Long distance bearing navigation over open terrain.
Follow track to right at fence corner
Attack point should be the mobile phone tower, noting the
gap in the trees in line with the mobile tower (later you can
only see the gap in the trees, not the tower)
Walk through the gate at the end of the fence line
Cross the creek using the stone and wood wall visible from
the gate
Follow route to attack point until you hit fence line skirting
the bicentennial horse trail (a fire trail)
Follow fence line to large hole in fence marked with
MacArthur colours
Backtrack down the fire trail to the right and cross the fence



on the other side of the fire trail at the first gate
Head up the hill towards attack point
When you hit the next fence, follow it to the left until another
hole in the fence marked with MacArthur colours
Cross both fences here, and walk to the trig, the trig is
evident once you’ve reached the crest of the hill
Waypoint 4: GR 888766
 Talking points
o How to read a map including scale, legend, date of
issue, grid references and contour lines

Downhill to the gate in the corner of the two fence lines
Waypoint 5: GR 884767
 Follow the horse trail to the locked gate
Waypoint 6: GR 884769
 This is the collection point for the end of the night
20:15
Closing parade
20:30
Parents collect scouts
Risk assessment
Activity: Orienteering, Point Hut and Mount Stranger Nature Reserves
Hazards: Lost, Injured, Bites
ID
Risk
1
Lost
2
Injured (sprain, strain)
3
Snake Bite
Analysis of risk BEFORE treatment
Existing Controls
Likelihood Consequences
A-B-C
1-2-3
Properly planned walk, take two sets of maps, two C
compasses
Stick to walking trails where possible, proper C
footwear
Awareness of snakes etc, first aid kit, close to C
urban area accessible to ambulances
Accept
Y/N
Priority
3
Risk
Level
H-M-L
L
Y
2
2
L
Y
2
1
H
N
1
Risk Treatment Schedule
ID
3
Risk
(In priority order from
the Risk Register)
Snake bite
Analysis of risk AFTER treatment
Treatment action taken
Walkers briefed on ‘Actions On’.




If bitten, don’t move
Quick application of pressure bandage
Record current position for passing to
Emergency Services
Call 000 from mobile phone
Likelihood Consequences
A-B-C
1-2-3
C
2
Risk
Level
H-M-L
L
Accept
Y/N
Priority
Y
1
Risk Treatment Action Plan
ID number:
1
Risk: Snake Bite
Treatment Options considered:
Walkers briefed on ‘Actions On’.
 If bitten, don’t move
 Quick application of pressure bandage
 Immediate execution of EPIRB
 Record current position for passing to Emergency Services
 Use of mobile phone to call 000
 Area of walk is accessible by ambulances to within 500 meters
Action Plan:
1. Proposed treatment: Briefing prior to hike departure.
2. Resource requirements: Pressure Bandage
3. Responsibility for implementation: Michael Still
4. Timings: Prior to hike departure
5. Reporting and monitoring required: As required
GRID
From
Starting
Feature
Bearing
Grid / Mag
(Deviation
14)
18
4
Distance
GRID
To
Collectable Features
Comments
(type of terrain)
400m
884751
Follow track through gate,
turn off track to right at
signpost for dog yard.
Handrail along fence line
to fence corner.
Select attack point (hint,
walk along the track to the
right a little to see a good
option). Cross creek, a
fence line, the bicentennial
horse trail, a fence line,
and then up the hill.
Downhill to fence corner
On track, slight uphill.
Follow horse trail to
locked gate at Derrington
Crescent
Straight ahead, do not turn
left or right at the T
intersection.
1
883748
Picnic area
2
884751
884756
884756
0
346
22
8
500m
3
Dog yard
entrance
Fence corner
1000m
888766
4
888766
884767
884767
284
270
0
346
400m
5
Stranger Trig
point
Climb through
fence
250m
884769
6
884769
Locked gate
Mown access road.
Long distance bearing
navigation over open
terrain. About 230 meters
of climb in last portion.