Compass and Duke of Ed Award Activities

Trangia Stove Training

Our students embraced the task of having to learn to use the Trangia stove and cook a nutritional evening meal on it. They faced the classic issues of not being able to control the flame and the intense heat on the food. They also coped very well with the cleaning up afterwards; always a challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing more meals on their assessed exploration days.

Building Navigation and Exploration Skills

Being able to go on a hike into the bush is easy, but when you have to follow an unknown route and make decisions as a group, other difficulties come into the mix. Our students completed their navigating task in three smaller groups around Mt Lofty; it got colder and darker as the time went by. The students were great, managing to spot some amazing wildlife; wombats, a platypus and kangaroos living in their own habitats. It was a brilliant learning environment, building many aspects towards our future hikes. Well done to all!

Level 3 Compass Award – Assessed Exploration Day around Warrandyte State Park

Well done to all our new Compass Award students on their first assessment. They all coped well, passing all parts of their exploration.    It was a great day with so many fabulous moments. I was extremely impressed with the students' personal application and organisation of all of their equipment; they organised plenty of water, snacks and their meals for lunch and equipment to cook on the stove. They clearly listened to all instructions on the trail and really helped and supported each other over the day when they had to make map reading decisions.  In terms of challenges, navigation continued to be an area where students need to take time, look at the maps and connect it to what they see around them. They walked 12km throughout the day and started to understand different environment, appreciating the different history and Indigenous connections that Warrandyte State Park has.    Great to see, well done to all!

Level 4 Compass Award & Bronze Dukes Award Exploration around Phillip Island and Bass Coast

The students did really well during their exploration.  It was a massive learning experience for them; they realised they had to be consistently thinking, working and coping in the outdoor environments. They had a great time, even though they were very tired.  I was extremely pleased with the students' level of effort to navigate and make decisions as a group to complete the routes for each of the two days. They walked just under 10km on day 1 and about 12km on day 2.   The level of organisation of equipment and choices and preparation of their meals/camp cooking was excellent, with some nutritious meals prepared.  I have never had a junior group that was as self-sufficient as this one.    I look forward to reading students' reflections about their camp in their Award booklets.   Well done to all Awardees!