Assessment of the Adventurous Journey
Assessment is undertaken by a suitably qualified or experienced adult volunteer who has been nominated by the Licensed Operator or identified by Participants, and approved by Coordinators, on behalf of the Licensed Operator.
Assessors both help Participants set goals for their chosen activity(s) and assess whether or not a Participant has undertakenthe required effort and has strived to achieve their goals. Group activities are to be assessed with regard to each individual's contribution to planning, execution and completion.
Assessors must have the necessary skills and experience to deliver the training and preparation based on safety and emergency procedures, First Aid, navigation and camp craft. They must also have skills related to the varying modes of travel. All Assessors should hold the necessary State, Territory or National qualifications where they exist, or be of equivalent experence and approved by the Licensed Operator.
It is important that all Assessors should have extensive experience in the kind of environment in which the proposed venture is to take place so that they will have realistic appreciation of the problems which Participants may encounter. Where the Assessor does not have current 'local' environment knowledge, they must obtain this information form relevant sources.
Assessors must be mindful that the journey belongs to Participants. They must also safeguard the integrity of the Award program.
Assessors are responsible for writing the final assessment report and signing off the Section for which they are assessing. The frequencing of contact and monitoring between the Participant and the Assessor during the planning and actual journeys will depend on the activity and the age/level of independence of the Participant.
Supervision of the Adventurous Journey
Supervision is undertaken by a suitably qualified adult volunteer who has been appointed by the Licensed Operator.
Supervisors must be familiar with the Adventurous Journey Section of the Award and must be highly competent in the activity/form of journey, and meet any applicable compliance/licence/qualification requirements.
They are responsible for ensuring the safety of the group and must make personal contact with them at least once each day of the Adventurous Journey, by either meeting up or via phone.
It is important that all Supervisors should have extensive experience in the kind of environment in which the proposed venture is to take place so that they will have realistic appreciation of the problems which Participants may encounter. Where the Supervisor does not have current 'local' environment knowledge, they must obtain this information form relevant sources.
The Assessor and Supervisor for the Adventurous Journey may be the same person, or they may be different depending on their qualifications/experience.
Stages of Assessment
There are two stages for assessment and sign-off for each Adventurous Journey (this means all practice and qualifying journeys):
1. Pre-approval/Journey plan
All journey plans must be approved by the Coordinator before each journey takes place, including location, dates, attendees, supervsion
2. Post-approval/Actual journey
At the completion of each journey, they mus tbe assessed to ensure that each Participant has fulfilled all of the relevant conditions.
Each Participant is to be monitored and assessed by their Assessor for:
1. Effort
2. Perseverance
3. Progress
A Participant satisfies the requirements of the Adventurous Journey Section in the Assessor is convinced that:
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Their commitment was substantially in their own time outside of shcool, university or work hours
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The Participant has met the training and preparation requirements, including the completion of at least one practice and one qualifying journey
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Progress has been made based upon their initial knowledge and ability
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Improvement has been made, and they have strived to meet their goals
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Minimum hours and time requirement has been met
There is no such thing as failure in the Award. If a Participant has not met the requirements of a Section, the Assessor should leave the assessment blank and discuss their concerns with the Participant. The Participant should then be encouraged to finisht he requirements of that Section in order to resubmit their Record Book for assessment at a later date.