Outdoor Adventure Skills FAQ's

The best way to map youth members skills and achievements is by using the S2P convertor as well as having a discussion with the Scout.

The S2P convertor will map old award scheme achievements across to the Outdoor Adventure Skills however Scouts will have skills that were not part of the previous award scheme that are part of the Outdoor Adventure Skills. To fill these gaps have the Scouts read through the Outdoor Adventure Skills stages and self-assess where they believe their skills are then take this assessment, along with evidence they may have, to their Unit Council for review. For younger Scouts leaders and parents can assist in this.

It is important to note that even though a Scout may have completed I-statements in a higher Stage they must have been able to show competency in all the I-statements of the lower Stages as well.

Stage progressions are the number of Stages that a Scout achieves across the Outdoor Adventure Skills, these are tallied within each Section.

As a Scout transitions to the next Section, they will keep their current Outdoor Adventure Skills achievements and will wear them on their new Section uniform.

Any Outdoor Adventure Skills Stage progressions above that required for a Scouts current Section peak award will contribute as Outdoor Adventure Skills Stage progressions for their next Section's peak award. Refer to Peak Awards Factsheet for more information.

A Scout will need to achieve a certain number of Outdoor Adventure Skills Stage progressions for their Section's peak award.

Refer to Peak Awards Factsheet for more information.

Any Outdoor Adventure Skills Stage progressions completed since achieving the Scouts current Section peak award will contribute as Outdoor Adventure Skills Stage progressions for their next Section's peak award. Can include the advancement of Core skills.

A Scout who is two Stages above can verifying other youth who are progressing through Outdoor Adventure Skills Stages, eg. If a Scout holds Stage 5 Camping they can verify the skills of those who are working on Stage 3 or earlier.  If there aren’t Scouts available, Leaders are able to verify as per the following. 

There are different requirements depending on the activity stream and Stages, please explore these requirements here.  Keep an eye out on the Adventurous Activity Teams’ pages for details of upcoming activities and training courses they are running. There are lots of opportunities and ways to get involved and pursue activities that you are interested in and even gain qualifications if you wish to.  

The Outdoor Adventure Skills is designed around Scouts (of all ages) verifying that the other Scouts hold the relevant skills. Scouts will verify others who are 2 Stages below them in an area, however Adult Leaders are still required for supervision of activities to ensure risk is managed and correct sign offs occur for the activity to run. Supervision of adventurous activities needs to be in line with the National Adventurous Activity Framework.

Absolutely, we should be encouraging this to occur.

It is highly likely that the Scout will have completed the early Stages within the skill area however they might only have some of the I-statements in the higher Stages. As Scouts progress through the Stages of the Outdoor Adventure Skills there are a number of requirements focusing on activity organisation, risk management and technical skills, as well as Provide First Aid skills required at Stage 5.

We/Unit Council would ask the Scout where they believe they are up to. They should provide evidence such as photos, video, witness sign offs for the I-statements they think they have completed. At higher Stages we would be looking for a logbook as well.

Ideally local support networks will build within Districts/Regions. These will have Scouts and Leaders who are interested and trained/training in particular activities and who are able to support the supervision of activities. Scouts 2 Stages above will be able to verify the skills of the other Scouts demonstrating skills.

This is to be assessed and adapted on a case-by-case basis, please refer to the Program Handbook.  ​

Scouts will wear one badge for each of the 9 skill areas they hold, the highest Stage achieved. Although they only wear one badge per area each of the progressions made in the specialist areas is still counted. Eg. In the vertical stream a Scout might hold Stage 4 Rock climbing, Stage 5 Abseiling and Stage 6 Caving, in this case they would wear the Stage 6 vertical badge on their uniform and the progressions for each are counted.  

Whilst it is important that Scouts are encouraged to lead outdoor adventures it is important for us to remember that Adult Leaders in Scouting have a duty of care for all activities that youth members undertake. 

As a general rule of thumb, Joey Scout and Cub Scout Leaders who have completed their Basic Sectional training as well as their Sectional Outdoor training are able to verify/oversee the core Outdoor Adventure Skills up to and including Stage 3.

For Scout, Venturer Leaders and Rovers who have completed their Basic Leader Training as well as a Basic Outdoor Skills (BOS) course, they can verify/oversee the core Outdoor Adventure Skills up to and including Stage 5 in the core skill areas. 

If you have completed your Scouting Essentials and Scouting Adventure training you can verify/oversee the core Outdoor Adventure Skills up to and including Stage 3.

Don't forget to keep an eye out on the Adventurous Activity Teams’ pages for details of upcoming activities and training courses. There are lots of opportunities and ways to get involved, pursue activities that you are interested in and even gain qualifications if you wish to.

View further details here.

The best way to map youth members skills and achievements is by using the S2P convertor as well as having a discussion with them. Have the Scouts read through the Outdoor Adventure Skills Stages and assess where they believe their skills are (for younger Scouts this can occur with the assistance of Parents or Leaders). The self-assessments should then be reviewed and approved by Unit Council. This process should consider previous activities completed, include discussion about activities that weren’t necessarily part of the old award scheme and for higher Stages there should be photos and or log of activities.  

It is important to note that even though a Scout may have completed I-statements in a higher Stage, they still must have been able to show competency in all the I-statements of the earlier Stages.

Some good discussion points for Scouts:

• Where do you think you were when you started in this Section (Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers)? (this is for Scouts | Terrain data import).
• Where do you think you currently are? (counts toward progressions in current Section).

Scouting Adventure Course = refers to a Youth Program Leader who has completed the Scouting Adventure course and holds a Certificate of Proficiency. 

The Scouting Adventure course prepares Youth Program Leader and others, to support and mentor young members undertaking the youth program award scheme, in particular Core Stages of the Outdoor Adventure Skills, generally up to and including Stage 3.

Safe participant = is a member who has undergone entry level training in an activity area and can operate under direct or indirect supervision depending on the activity area. On completion they possess elementary skills to participate safely with directions, understand the risks associated with the activity, and form part of an operational team.

Trained participant = is a member who holds all the Safe Participant requirements and has advanced through to the next level completing core units (Vocational Education and Training VET or Scouting Skills) and having logged additional experience in more than one environment. e.g. different locations, weather conditions, or ages of participants.

Assistant Guide (Branch Appointment) = is a member, having completed the requirements of Safe and Trained Participant who can assist with leading adventurous activities in their area of experience under supervision, as part of their recognition pathway to a Guide appointment.

Assistant Guides are required to hold a current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Unit of Competency with 3 Year Currency. CPR is recommended to be updated annually.

Guide (Branch Appointment) = is a member who, having met all the requirements of Assistant Guide, can lead adventurous activities in their area of experience. They have the skills, knowledge, and experience to assist youth members with planning and undertaking activities under indirect or remote supervision.

Assistant Guides must hold a current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Unit of Competency with 3 Year Currency. CPR is recommended to be updated annually.

Stages 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course (previously sectional outdoor course)

Pioneering

Stage 4-5 - Previously completed a Basic Outdoor Skills course or be a Safe Participant Pioneering (RoP available)

Stage 6 - Trained Participant Pioneering (RoP available)

Stage 7 - Assistant Guide Pioneering

Stage 8-9 - Guide Pioneering

Survival

Stage 4-5 - Previously completed a Basic Outdoor Skills course or Safe Participant Survival (RoP available)

Stage 6 - Safe Participant Survival

Stage 7 - Trained Participant Survival

Stage 8 - Assistant Guide Survival

Stage 9 - Guide Survival