Open Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions

Thanks for registering with Southbound Adventures for your Open Duke of Edinburgh program. Your journey starts here. Below you will find information about the program. 

Bronze Program

An overnight hiking expedition to complete your Practice or Qualifying Bronze DofE. You will learn and start to develop an understanding for packing for overnight hikes, map reading and camp skills; all while having fun and meeting new people! You will also get to experience the beauty and the natural surrounds of The Royal National Park with many exciting activities.

Silver Program

A multiple overnight hiking expedition to complete your Practice or Qualifying Silver DofE. You will continue to develop your understanding for packing for overnight hikes, map reading/navigation and camp skills. You will also learn how to take ownership of your camp – developing you leadership and teamwork skills. You will also get to experience the beauty and the natural surrounds of The Royal National Park with many exciting activities.

Gold Program

A multiple overnight hiking expedition to complete your Practice or Qualifying Gold DofE. You will continue to develop your understanding for packing for overnight hikes. You will take ownership of map reading and navigation while continuing to develop and learn camp skills. You will also learn how to take ownership of your camp – developing your leadership and teamwork skills. You will also get to experience the beauty and the natural surrounds of The Royal National Park with many exciting activities.

Important!

Medical Form

It is a requirement to fill out a medical form to participate in this program. Please visit your confirmation email to fill out the medical form.

Date

Gold Special – Sat 12th April – Thurs 17th April 2025

Location

Gear List

It is import the right gear is brought on trip. Download your list and start packing. If you are missing anything try borrowing from friends or family. Southbound also has equipment for hire or sale on our online store.

Hire Equipment

If you do not have all the equipment for the program, you can hire gear from our shop. We deliver the gear to the participant at the program. 

Shop

You can also purchase gear from our online store. Use discount code: SBA10 and receive 10% off your purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend nutritional meals with a selection of carbohydrates, protein and vegetables.

Each dinner should be different throughout the week. Lunches can have bread, wraps & crackers with salami or a mexican lunch with corn, beetroot and chickpeas. All of these lunches can have tomato, cucumber, capsicums, cheese, vegemite, honey, crackers and mayonnaise.

Breakfast’s include a variety of cereal’s and milk (powdered milk for hiking) or fruit and banana bread.

Snacks may include a variety of muesli bars, shapes, rice crackers, fruit and more.

We are nut free due to our company being ‘Allergy Aware’. Do not pack foods such as Nutella, Almond Milk, Peanut Butter, Pesto and some Muesli Bars. These all contain nuts and cannot be brought on camp.

Parents will be provided with a 24 hour contact number for the allocated Southbound Adventures on-call Manager for the duration of the program. All contact with your son or daughter whilst on program should be directed through our on call representative or any designated school coordinator.

 

Our wonderful office staff screen participant medical information prior to commencement of the Program. We may contact you with any questions which will help us provide support for the child throughout camp. We regularly cater for a variety of dietary and medical needs and it is our best interest to support all students regardless of any ailments, impairments or other special considerations in their own personal growth whilst on program with us. We treat all information with respect and confidentiality. If your child is Anxious, has Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy or Diabetes, hearing or sight impairments or any other medical or dietary requirement we are here to help.

 

Duke of Edinburgh:

We have a list of hire gear that can be borrowed, please organise hire prior to the journey starting, you will receive this gear on the first day and will need to be returned on the last day of the journey.

If you do not have all the gear required you can visit our Shop and purchase items at a 10% discount using code SBA10.

On Duke of Edinburgh programs you will need to organise your own tent. Plan to share with 1 -2 other people, especially on a hike to share the load.

Tents can be hired as part of the booking process.

Why do we need to bring a ground sheet/ tarp?

This is for extra waterproofing if it rained on camp or for sitting on around the camp fire or at dinnertime.

Southbound Adventures does not take responsibility for any electronic devices brought to program. Most school’s have a policy of not bringing these on camp, but also why not ‘disconnect to reconnect’ this is saying that by disconnecting yourself from your phone, you can reconnect more with others and the beautiful environment.

Fire Restrictions mean no open fires allowed unless permitted by NSW National Parks. In areas in which Southbound Adventures are licensed to work, which have Fire Restrictions, we will not have open wood fires.

Total Fire Ban means no open flame allowed until the total Fire Ban has been lifted. Groups will be informed by their Program Director the day before if a Total Fire Ban has been issued. Conditions in and around the program area will be continually monitored by Group Leaders, Team Leaders and Directors and also by our 24 hour on call Manager.

Conditions are monitored by the on call Manager, office staff and the Program Director. If severe weather was occurring appropriate modifications to the program will be made in order of to keep students safe.

Instructional Videos

Waterproofing gear

How to Pack

Layering and Fabrics

Footwear

Backpack Fitting

Tent Setup

Questions?

We are here to help. If you have any questions feel free to contact the office.