Walk with a Bushwalking Club! Bushwalking Clubs have policies, processes and practices to ensure enjoyable and safe trips for their members. These typically include:
- A Trip program (or calendar) that provides information on a varied walks suitable for the club’s membership. Some clubs may choose to focus on day walks, while others may focus on extended trips.
- Trip leaders are appointed with appropriate skills and experience for the trip
- New leaders are supported through formal and informal mentoring and training
- Trips are well described and advice is readily available for intending participants to ensure that their decision to join the trip is informed. Some clubs use a trip grading system.
- Experienced walkers on trips provide support for new leaders and new members.
- Trip leaders check that intending participants have adequate skills and experience for a trip, especially on more challenging ones.
- Club members have collective “local knowledge” of walking routes and areas from previous trips.
- Emergency communications. Some clubs have or hire emergency communications devices for club trips.
- Incidents, accidents and near misses. Lessons learnt add to the experience and knowledge within clubs.
Training is provided by most clubs in skills such as navigation, leadership and first aid.