Camping (outdoors)

Supervision

Note: Supervision responsibility cannot be delegated to others (e.g. external providers). These recommendations are intended to guide schools in planning arrangements. Schools should adapt them to their specific context and circumstances while prioritising student safety and wellbeing.

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults, determine supervision requirements based on the activity, students' needs and the local context.

Principals must give active consideration to the minimum safety standards set in the CARA guideline for the activity, the CARA planner and the identified context-specific hazards, risks and control measures when deciding on supervision numbers.

Ensure the number of supervisors accounts for emergency and supervision roles, considering the activity, students' ages, abilities, specialised learning, access and/or health needs. In some cases, a 1:1 supervision ratio may be required.

Ensure support for students of all sexes and gender identities.

Number of adult supervisors

At least 2 adult supervisors are required for a group of 20 students. Consult the camping Australian adventure activity good practice guide for supervision ratios.

Refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for further guidance.

Responsibilities of adult supervisors

Before the activity:

• familiarise themselves with the venue layout and facilities, including the plan for sleeping arrangements and supervision
• complete the required induction
• must be familiar with the department's reporting requirements in accordance with the allegations against workers in the area of child and student protection procedure.

During the activity:

• adult supervisors (workers) are required to act in a way that is consistent with relevant legislation, including the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld)
• actively and directly supervise participants for the duration of the stay (including during unstructured free time), remaining vigilant and attentive
• maintain a visible presence, conducting regular checks on students
• follow control measures outlined during induction and adapt to any emerging hazards.

The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).

Supervisor qualifications

These recommendations are intended to guide schools in planning arrangements. Schools should adapt them to their specific context and circumstances while prioritising student safety and wellbeing.

Qualifications support the minimum safety standard for this activity.

Principals determine supervisor capability, considering competence, relevance and currency of qualifications. Refer to the FAQs for further guidance.

Comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure.

Qualified adults for the activity

Recovery/emergency—CPR, first aid, rescue

• An adult with current emergency qualifications is quickly accessible.
• At least 1 adult supervisor holds CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity. These may include
• HLTAID009—provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• HLTAID010—provide basic emergency life support
• HLTAID011—provide first aid
• HLTAID013—provide first aid in remote situations.

An adult with concussion management knowledge or training is recommended. Consult concussion in sport resources.

High risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

• a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in showground camping, base camping and lightweight camping skills and the potential hazards
• an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with qualifications relevant to camping activities from the sport, fitness and recreation training package or similar.

Extreme risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

• a registered teacher with qualifications relevant to camping activities from the sport, fitness and recreation training package or similar
• an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership or Certificate III in Sport and Recreation or similar.

Refer to the competencies outlined in the camping Australian adventure activity good practice guide for guidance.

Facilities and equipment

These recommendations are intended to guide schools in planning arrangements. Schools should adapt them to their specific context and circumstances while prioritising student safety and wellbeing.

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken. Conduct a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability.

Avoid hazardous areas (e.g cliff edges, below cliff faces, under large trees, near restrained animals). Plan alternative routes in case of emergency situations (e.g. bushfire, thunderstorm, extreme temperature, king tide).

Ensure tents are not erected under large trees.

Use equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and establish a process for checking for damage.

Develop a retirement schedule to replace equipment by manufacturers' expiry date or when significant wear poses a hazard.

Participants to wear personal protective equipment as relevant (e.g. long-sleeved shirt and pants for all weather extremes, wind and rain jacket and suitable enclosed footwear).

All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Personal equipment for all participants including, but not limited to:

• individual drinking containers with 2–3 litres of water per person, per day
• food supplies exceeding the camp's duration, including emergency rations sufficient for an additional 24 hours
• insect repellent, sunscreen and personal hygiene items as necessary
• toileting equipment (if applicable)
• a bag for rubbish
• suitable sleeping bag/linen, as required
• suitable torch and spare batteries
  
• waterproof containers for all equipment that could be damaged by water.

In addition to the above, for unaccompanied extreme risk level activities, each participant to carry:

• navigation tools (e.g. compass and map) and have the skills to use them effectively
• fire starting tools (e.g. waterproof matches or BBQ lighter for cooking purposes).
• personal first aid kit tailored to the activity and location.

Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Additional links

• Outdoors Queensland
• The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award—Queensland