Who Can Oversee or Supervise a Core or Specialist Outdoor Adventurous Skills Activity

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.

As a Leader, What Can I Do if I've attended a Scouting Adventure Course (and hold a Certificate of Proficiency), or hold a Safe Participant, a Trained Participant, Assistant Guide or Guide qualification?

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.

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

A Leader will require a particular qualification as described above to oversee or supervise a Stage activity which will vary according to the Outdoor Adventure Skills Area as below: -

Bushcraft

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

Bushwalking

Stages 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 4-5 - Previously completed a Basic Outdoor Skills course or Safe Participant Bushwalking (RoP Tracked Environments available) * in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 6 - Trained Participant (level 2 course) (RoP Difficult Tracked Environments available)
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 7 - Guide Bushwalking Difficult Tracked
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Stage 8-9 - Activity Specialist Bushwalking
* in line with the snowline and track grading requirements

Please refer to Bushwalking specific policy and information here.

Camping

Stages 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course

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

Stage 6-9 - Hold a Wood Badge in a section or Trained Participant Camping

Alpine

Stage 1-2 - Scouting Adventure Course

Stage 3 - Safe Participant in relevant area (level 2 course or RoP)

Snow Camping/Hiking

Stage 4 - Trained Participant

Stage 5-9 - Guide Overnight

Cross Country Skiing

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Cross Country

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Cross Country

Stage 6-9 - Guide Cross Country

Downhill Ski

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Downhill Skiing

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Downhill Skiing

Stage 6-9 - Guide Downhill Skiing

Downhill Snowboard

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Downhill Snowboard

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Downhill Snowboard

Stage 6-9 - Guide Downhill Snowboard

Cycling

Stage 1-2 - Scouting Adventure Course

Stage 3 - Safe Participant in relevant area (level 2 course or RoP)

Stage 4-6 - Trained Participant in relevant area (level 2 course or RoP)

Stage 7-9 - Guide Mountain Biking or Cycle Touring

Please refer to Cycling specific policy and information here.

Vertical

Stage 1 - Scouting Adventure

Stage 2-3 - Safe Participant Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing (or refer to local climbing gym)

Stage 4 - Trained Participant Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing (level 2)

Stage 5 - Assistant Guide Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing

Stage 6-7 - Guide Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing

Stage 8-9 - Guide Multipitch Abseiling/Caving/Rock Climbing

Please refer to Abseiling specific policy and information here.

Please refer to Caving specific policy and information here.

Please refer to Rock Climbing specific policy and information here.

Aquatics

Stage 1-3 - Scouting Adventure Course

Snorkeling

Stage 4-5 - Safe Participant Snorkeling

Stage 6 - Trained Participant Snorkeling

Please refer to Snorkelling specific policy and information here.

SCUBA

Stage 7-9 - Guide SCUBA

Please refer to Scuba specific policy and information here.

Surfing

Stage 4-6 - Trained Participant Surfing

Stage 7-8 - Guide Surfing

Stage 9 - Activity Specialist

Life Saving

Stage 4-5 - Safe Participant Life Saving

Stage 6 - Guide Life Saving

Swift Water Rescue

Stage 7-8 - Guide Swift Water Rescue

Stage 9 - Activity Specialist Swift Water Rescue

Boating

Stage 1-2 - Safe Participant

Stage 3 - Trained Participant

Sailing

Stage 4-5 - Trained Participant Sailing

Stage 6-7 - Guide Sailing

Stage 8 - Sailing Activity Specialist Moderate to Fresh conditions

Stage 9 - Sailing Activity Specialist Open Coastal

Windsurfing

Stage 4 - Safe Participant Windsurfing

Stage 5 - Trained Participant Windsurfing

Stage 6-7 - Assistant Guide Windsurfing

Stage 8-9 - Guide Windsurfing

Please refer to Sailing and Boating specific policy and information here.

Paddling

Stage 1-5 - Trained Participant Canoe/Kayak/Sea Kayak

Canoe/Kayak

Stage 6 - Guide Canoe/Kayak

Sea Kayaking

Stage 6 - Sea Kayaking Guide Enclosed Conditions

Stage 7 - Activity Specialist

Stage 8 - Sea Kayaking Guide Sheltered Conditions

Stage 9 - Sea Kayaking Guide Exposed Coastal Waters

White Water Canoe

Stage 7-8 - Guide Grade 2 White Water Canoe

Stage 9 - White Water Canoe Activity Specialist

White Water Kayak

Stage 7-8 - Guide Grade 2 White Water Kayak

Stage 9 - White Water Canoe Activity Specialist

White Water Rafting

Stage 7 - Guide Rafting Grade 2 Water

Stage 8 - Guide Rafting Grade 3 Water

Stage 9 - Guide Rafting Grade 4 Water

Please refer to Paddling specific policy and information here.

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