LifeTrail for Schools
Guided hiking, practical mentoring and tailored outdoor experiences for young people in the Great Southern
LifeTrail works alongside schools rather than replacing the important support already provided by teachers, education assistants, wellbeing staff and school psychologists.
I offer practical, flexible support through guided hiking, individual mentoring and, where appropriate, carefully planned mentored hiking experiences. Each arrangement is shaped around the young person or group, the agreed purpose and what is needed at the time.
How LifeTrail can support your school or students
1. Guided Hiking & Duke of Edinburgh
LifeTrail provides guided hiking experiences in the Great Southern, including day hikes, multiday journeys and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Adventurous Journeys. I can work with your school to plan a suitable route, group size and timeframe.
These are genuine outdoor experiences, where young people work as a team, take shared responsibility and learn through the realities of the trail.
2. Individual Mentoring
For wellbeing teams, education assistants, school psychologists, teachers and families seeking support for a particular young person.
I offer practical, relationship-based mentoring for young people navigating challenges, transition or periods of disconnection. Support is shaped around the young person, their circumstances and agreed goals.
Mentoring can support areas such as confidence, independence, routines, decision-making, education, community participation and taking manageable next steps.
3. Mentored hiking experiences
For a young person or small group who may benefit from a more supported outdoor experience.
Sometimes walking and spending time outdoors can provide a calmer, more natural setting to build trust, practise everyday skills and experience challenge at a manageable pace.
A mentored hiking experience is discussed and planned individually, with a clear purpose, appropriate support and safety arrangements. It is not a standard school hike, nor a fixed program delivered through a series of lessons.
Examples of How Schools Have Worked With LifeTrail
Schools and young people have worked with LifeTrail in different ways, including:
guided school-group hikes and multiday expeditions on the Bibbulmun Track
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Adventurous Journeys
individual mentoring for young people needing practical support outside the classroom
carefully planned mentored hiking experiences for young people who may benefit from a more supported way to spend time outdoors
Each arrangement begins with a conversation about the young people involved, the purpose of the experience and whether LifeTrail is the right fit.
Planning and Funding
LifeTrail is an independently owned, commercial sole-trader business operated by me, Didier Monot. Schools can engage LifeTrail directly for guided hiking, mentoring or a tailored mentored hiking experience.
Where a school is considering an externally funded or specially funded opportunity, I can provide a clear proposal and quote to support its planning or funding application. The school remains responsible for choosing and applying to any relevant funding pathway.
How I work with schools
My role is to contribute a different setting and way of working alongside the structure and expertise already provided by a school.
Guided hiking is a real outdoor experience, with shared responsibility, changing conditions and time for young people to work together. Mentoring is practical and flexible rather than a fixed set of classroom lessons. In both settings, I respond to the people in front of me while keeping the agreed purpose, communication, boundaries and safety arrangements clear.
Before any work begins, I take time to understand the context, goals and practical considerations, including how parents or carers and relevant school staff will be involved.
Experience and Safety
LifeTrail is led by me, Didier Monot: a licensed commercial hiking operator with more than 20 years of experience working with young people and people with disability.
I hold a current Working with Children Check and Remote First Aid qualification, and I am a volunteer member of Denmark SES. Hiking proposals include clear information about the activity, supervision, group size, safety planning and participant requirements.
Start a Conversation
Whether you have a specific young person in mind, an idea for a school group, or would simply like to explore what may be possible, you are welcome to contact me.
I will listen to what your school is considering and help determine whether LifeTrail is the right fit.
