Teen Hikes – Preparation, Safety & Participation Information

This page provides detailed information about how LifeTrail Teen Hikes operate, including preparation, safety, roles, and participation expectations.

It is intended for parents, schools, teachers, and Duke of Edinburgh Award coordinators who would like a deeper understanding of how these hikes are delivered.

Nature of the Experience

LifeTrail Teen Hikes are delivered as guided outdoor experiences.

They are real multiday hikes that involve:
• walking for multiple days,
• carrying personal gear,
• cooking meals together,
• participating fully in the day-to-day realities of being on the trail.

These hikes are not camps, programs, or therapeutic services.
They are structured outdoor journeys focused on safety, preparation, shared responsibility, and learning through experience.

Role of the Guide

The guide’s role is to:
• lead the hike and manage risk,
• provide safety oversight and decision-making,
• offer guidance to help participants meet the normal requirements of a multiday hike,
• encourage respectful group behaviour and shared responsibility.

The guide does not act as:
• a support worker,
• a mentor,
• a therapist, or
• a personal carer.

Guidance & Incidental Support

As part of normal outdoor guiding practice, individual guidance may be provided to help participants meet the expected tasks of the hike.

This may include:
• learning camp routines (such as cooking or setting up tents),
• guidance with packing and organisation,
• checking weather preparedness and appropriate clothing,
• normal reassurance commonly provided during group expeditions (such as encouragement during challenging moments),
• first aid within the guide’s training.

This guidance is:
• task-based,
• short-term,
• incidental to the activity,
• and provided as part of standard outdoor leadership.

It is not delivered as disability support, mentoring, or therapeutic intervention.

Independence, Choice & Responsibility

A core part of multiday hiking is learning through experience.

Participants are encouraged to:
• take responsibility for their own gear and decisions,
• make informed choices,
• learn from outcomes,
• and build confidence through doing.

Unless an item or decision presents:
• a clear health or safety risk,
• a significant impact on the group, or
• a risk to completing daily hiking distances,

participants are generally allowed to make their own choices and learn through experience.

Gear Checks & Pack Weights

Gear checks are conducted as part of preparation and safety.

• Individual gear checks occur during the second pre-hike briefing.
• Backpacks may be weighed during preparation or on Day One of the hike.

If a pack is assessed as excessively heavy, this will be discussed with the participant to support safe decision-making and reduce the risk of injury.

Final decisions regarding pack adjustments are made where necessary to manage safety, group wellbeing, and the ability to complete the hike.

Pre-Hike Group Briefings (Mandatory)

All participants must attend two pre-hike group briefings, delivered online via Microsoft Teams.

These briefings ensure all participants receive consistent preparation, safety information, and clear expectations prior to the hike.

Pre-Hike Briefing 1 – Planning & Preparation

This briefing covers:
• the hike plan and daily structure,
• required gear and food,
• safety and health considerations,
• physical, mental, and emotional readiness,
• understanding the demands of longer hikes (5–7 days).

Pre-Hike Briefing 2 – Gear Check & On-Trail Expectations

Held approximately one week before the hike, this briefing includes:
• individual gear checks,
• pack weight discussions,
• nutrition, hydration, rest, and recovery,
• track and campsite etiquette,
• shared responsibility and group expectations.

Missed Briefings

If a participant cannot attend a scheduled group briefing, a private pre-hike briefing must be booked to cover the same information.

• Private briefings are charged at $70 per hour
• A private briefing may include more than one participant who missed the group session

This requirement ensures all participants receive the same preparation and safety information.

Participation, Inclusion & Suitability

LifeTrail aims to be welcoming and inclusive.

Participation is based on an assessment of whether a participant can:
• meet the normal requirements of the hike,
• participate safely within a guided group setting,
• manage personal care and equipment,
• follow instructions and make reasonable decisions with guidance.

Needing additional time, reminders, or practical guidance with tasks such as packing or camp routines is common in teen groups and does not, on its own, indicate that a hike is unsuitable.

When a Hike May Not Be Suitable

A hike may not be suitable in its standard format if participation would require:
• ongoing individual supervision,
• personal or disability support,
• therapeutic intervention, or
• significant modification beyond what is described.

In some cases, a participant may attend with their own support person, who must be independently insured and capable of meeting the requirements of the hike.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Participants

For participants completing a Duke of Edinburgh Award Adventurous Journey:
• journey aims and goals are participant-led,
• Award requirements remain the responsibility of the participant and their school or Award coordinator,
• personal outcomes such as confidence, independence, or resilience arise from the experience itself.

These outcomes are not delivered as services by the guide.

Participants must also meet the additional planning, recording, and evidence requirements set by the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Full details are explained on our Duke of Edinburgh Award page → [link]

Questions & Early Conversations

Families, schools, and coordinators are encouraged to discuss suitability early.

A conversation can:
• clarify expectations,
• explore whether a hike is appropriate,
• and help identify the best pathway forward.

Final Note

Multiday hiking requires a balance between:
• safety oversight,
• shared responsibility,
• and allowing young people the space to learn, adapt, and grow through experience.

All procedures and expectations are applied consistently across participants to support safety, fairness, and group wellbeing.

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