Bushwalk Australia

Q: Does any one know of a bushwalking club that's friendly to teenager kids?

Being a father with a 13 yo, it's just not possible to escape for a day or two without tagging him and the wife along. Looking through the clubs, it would appear that most have an age limit for membership. I guess the point is that I am not looking for membership for the kid, but looking for club walks that would permit participation of a decently strong 13 yo walker on their walks, if accompanied by one or both parents. In my mind, it's good for teenagers to start to develop experiences and to be able to learn and see from a wider range of walkers than just his parents. It'd also be helpful in preparing for the Duke of Edingburgh Award. I appreciate the potential liabilities issues, hence the point of always being accompanied.

Anyone have any knowledge of such? Solutions? Experiences?

I had a fair few issues trying to join clubs in the Sydney area due to my age. In the end I just waited until I was 18. I do believe that many clubs do have the previsions for people under 18 to come along on walks as long as they are with a guardian who is from the club, but I think membership under 18 is not possible due to insurance issues.

I know that SUBW has the following conditions for those underage:

There are two things that have to be in place.

Firstly, you need the written consent of the parents before the trip. For this, we have prepared versions of the risk waivers for the parents to sign before the trip. The forms usually show up as soon as someone under age joins the trip, but for your reference we also put them here:

SUBW data protection Waiver
SUBW Risk Waiver

The second thing conerns you. Law requires, that you as the leader fills out the Prohibited Employment Declaration and mail it to SUBW before the trip. You only have to send us this form once before you take an under-18 on a trip for the first time. After that, we will keep it in our records.

Good to know that SUBW have such a provision. Pretty good option. Thanks Alex.

Don't turn the kid into a clubby. When I was 14 I absconded with a mate and caught a train to katoomba after school. Katoomba, megalong creek, six foot track, coxs, blue pup, tarros, the neck, $2 chips and 600ml milk, home, school monday. And this involved one bottle of my mates dads grants (pinched, as you do) and a snake bite.

Let the kid have a go with a mate.

Thanks for the idea David. Unfortunately that will never fly these days, with mom nor his friends' parents. Turn the clock back 30 years and we might have something. I caught my first solo bus ride when I was in Year 2. He took his in Year 7...

SUBW may have those provisions on the books, but like any club, all trips are at the leaders discretion. Before joining any club, I'd make some detailed enquiries about what actually happens on the ground.

Personally, I run many SUBW trips. I refuse to take kids on any of my trips, unless it is an incredibly basic day walk that I have my own children on. I certainly wouldn't take other people's kids canyoning, on multi-day trips, or anything with scrambling. That's not because they can't handle it. It's just about arse-covering. With adults, it's easy to tell them they have to take responsibility for themselves. If they ignore direction or do something stupid and fall to their deaths, it's their own fault. With kids there's a whole lot of greater legal and societal expectations. As a trip leader, even if the kid's parent was there and they'd clearly stuffed up themselves, I'm certain a whole lot of heat would come down on me, from the law, from the media, and from the community. Personally, I don't want to take that risk. I'm sure lots of other trip leaders from various clubs are the same.

I'd actually suggest the NPA as better club to try out. Yes, the membership is older, but they do take kids on trips, many of their trips are at a more appropriate level for kids, and their style is very much to stick to the trip as planned, so you know what you're getting in to. They occasionally have canyoning trips run by the guy who first took me canyoning, and I know he allows kids as young as 12 on many of those.

Thanks FC. I perfectly understand your consideration. That "duty of care" clause, an unforgiving one in the legal and media circles, casting a shadow on all. But just as well, I'll have a hard time explaining to my Mr13 why everyone is nude on the walk.

Scouts?

Mark

buggeriamold wrote:Scouts?

Yes, being an ex cub myself, considered that a few years ago. But with his existing extra-curricular activities, it'll be of very limited access. Further, it's a kids only program when bushwalk/camping can be done as a family activity. The other option being considered at the moment is the school cadets, starting next year. I remembered I learnt a few useful things out of that decades ago. Not sure what they teach these days though.

Also, from the SBW website:

Under 18 year old Visitors on SBW Walks
To become a Member of SBW, a person must be 18 years of age or over. There may be times when a Leader may allow a younger person to attend their walks as a Visitor. In these circumstances, the following Risk Waiver Form must be completed by their parent and sent to the Leader prior to the walk. In addition to this, the Leader must complete the Government's online Check List and email it to the club's Secretary.

Risk Waiver for a Child (PDF 15KB)

Thanks again Allchin09. Looks like there are discretionary provisions in a number of clubs.

The Catholic Bushwalking Club, based in Sydney, has a Junior Walkers section for 10 to 16 year olds. A parent of the Junior Walker must be a member, and must accompany the Junior on any walk they do. At the moment, the Junior Walkers section has about 12 enthuiastic participants, and a special Junior Walk is held every month. Junior walkers may attend other club walks with the permission of the leader. By the way - you don't have to be a Catholic to join the Catholic Bushwalking Club!

Thank you Corker. The last line added relevance. Appreciated.

corker wrote:The Catholic Bushwalking Club, based in Sydney, has a Junior Walkers section for 10 to 16 year olds. A parent of the Junior Walker must be a member, and must accompany the Junior on any walk they do. At the moment, the Junior Walkers section has about 12 enthuiastic participants, and a special Junior Walk is held every month. Junior walkers may attend other club walks with the permission of the leader. By the way - you don't have to be a Catholic to join the Catholic Bushwalking Club!

But Pagan Satanic rites practiced around the evening camp fire are not encouraged!

puredingo wrote:But Pagan Satanic rites practiced around the evening camp fire are not encouraged!

The good Lord will strike that down in no time. All good!

Allchin09 wrote:The second thing conerns you. Law requires, that you as the leader fills out the Prohibited Employment Declaration and mail it to SUBW before the trip. You only have to send us this form once before you take an under-18 on a trip for the first time. After that, we will keep it in our records.

Even though this was Confederation's advice 10 years ago, it was incorrect then and is incorrect now. The only case where such a thing is required is where an activity is specifically planned for a group of children. It does not apply where it is an adult activity that children can attend, especially if they are accompanied by a parent.