Urban Odyssey Combo April
PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE PROCEEDING, PLEASE ENSURE THE FOLLOWING:
- You are currently enrolled in High School as a student
- You are enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- You have completed your Bronze and Silver Adventurous Journey requirements
- Your physical capability will allow you to complete a 6 day hiking expedition
- You have demonstrated competence in hiking in bush and urban settings
- You have your Award Leader's approval to undertake The Urban Odyssey as your Gold Adventurous Journey
EXPEDITION DETAILS
Dates & Locations
Start Day 1 Saturday 12th April 2025. 9am
Practice Hornsby Park, 203 Peats Ferry Rd, Hornsby.
Finish Day 2 Sunday 13th April 2025. 3pm
Practice Berowra Oval, Berowra Waters Rd, Berowra.
Please Note: The end of Day 2 indicates the end of the Practice Journey. Participants will return home for the night to recommence the next morning.
Start Day 3 Monday 14th April 2025. 8am
Qualifying Cowan Station, Pacific Highway.
Finish Day 6 Thursday 17th April 2025. 2pm
Qualifying Milsons Point Station, Corner of Alfred St South and Burton St.
Transport
Participants need to make their own transport arrangements to and from each start and finish location.
Both the Practice and Qualifying Journeys start and finish in close proximity to train stations; participants are welcome to arrive and depart by public transport with the permission of their parent/guardian.
Participants will be provided with an Opal Card for any public transport used while on their expedition.
Equipment
Our comprehensive list of recommended camping and clothing gear can be found here:
We provide:
- Opal Card lanyard
- Maps, compasses and route planning sheets
- Trangia stoves, pots and fuel
- Team mobile phone & iPad
- Adventurous Journey Log Book
- Toileting kit
- Comprehensive First Aid Kit & Emergency Communication Devices
You provide:
- Clothing and camping equipment*
- Food for the duration of the journey
- Any personal medication and toiletries
- Transport to and from the start and finish locations
* Packs, tents, sleeping bags & mats are availble for hire in the Online Registration Form below.
Please Note: The Urban Challenge is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal equipment.
Mobile Devices & Photos
We strongly suggest that Urban Odyssey participants use this opportunity as a chance to take a break from their phone. While we do allow devices to be brought on the expedition, we ask that participants please keep them tucked away, only to be used for urgent communication.
We also request that participants do not bring earbuds or speakers on the expedition. This journey is an opportunity for social connection and for participants to immerse themselves in an unfamiliar environment- we believe these devices hinder the access to these opportunites.
As part of the Urban Odyssey program, participants will take photos and have access to a shared album for downloading their captured memories. Participants are provided with a team iPad for taking photos and are welcome to bring a digital or disposable camera with them.
Photographs of the participants will be taken throughout the program and posted to the private online portal on our website for viewing by participants and parents/ guardians.
Selected photos may be used as marketing material on our website or social media pages. Please send an email to
Team Allocation
The Urban Odyssey expedition teams can range from 4-7 students. Participants are welcome to nominate ONE friend or fellow student to be put in the same team with them while filling out the Online Registration Form below.
We intentionally create teams to provide our participants the chance to connect with young people outside of their friend group and school environment. We recognise that part of the purpose of an Adventurous Journey is to foster "enhanced social connection" and so will purposely split up large groups of friends into different teams wherever possible.
Pre-Expedition Briefing Session
All registered participants are asked to join us for a Pre-Expedition Briefing Session in preparation of their Urban Odyssey Gold Adventurous Journey. Conducted over Zoom with our Duke of Ed Coordinator, this 1-hour session will cover a range of topics such as an overview of the journey, tips for gear and food, an introduction to job roles and Gold Adventurous Journey expectations.
Participants will also find out which team they have been allocated to and will be invited to introduce themselves and ask any questions they have regarding the upcoming expedition.
Registered participants will be sent an email with the date and time of their Pre-Expedition Briefing Session in the 3 weeks prior to their journey.
All participants will also be sent an email post-session with a recording of the Zoom, a copy of the slides, their team allocation details and helpful resources on packing and preparation.
Expedition Updates
Participants will recieve a confirmation email once registered containing all of the information provided in the Online Registration form.
In the weeks leading up to their expedition, participants will receive a series of emails including an invitation to the Pre-Expedition Briefing Session. These emails will include important information and should be read thoroughly to ensure the information is understood and any issues or changes have been addressed.
We recommend that you add
Parent/Guardian Online Interation
All parents/guardians will have the opportunity to watch the progress of their child/ ward's team by using our online portal. In the weeks leading up to the expedition, login details for our website will be sent out and parents will be able to read the teams daily blog, view photos and videos from each day and be a part of our parent challenges!
At the end of the journey, participants will be able to log in to the portal to download their blogs and photos from the journey, as well as continue accessing any expedition resources,such as maps and daily itineraries.
Journey Report & ORB Approval
The Duke of Edinburgh International Award requires participants to submit ORB Assessor Approval requests for both their Practice and Qualifying Journeys in order to complete the Gold Adventurous Journey.
When submitting a request for a Qualifying Journey, you will need to upload and attach your Journey Report file:
- If you are unable to upload your Journey Report due to size limitations, you can email the file directly to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can discuss the process from there. - If we receive an ORB Approval Request without your Journey Report attached (and we haven’t received your file yet via email), we will send you an email requesting you attach the file or email it directly.
- Your Qualifying Journey ORB Approval Request will not be approved from our end until we have recieved your Journey Report.
The Urban Challenge currently do not require a Journey Report for your Practice Journey but please check with your Award Leader as they may have different requirements.
The Urban Challenge Assessor Details are as follows:
Assessor Name: The Urban Challenge
Supervisor: Duke of Ed Coordinator
Email:
SAFETY INFORMATION
Safety & Staffing
As a leading professional outdoor organisation, safety is paramount in every program offered by The Urban Challenge. For our Urban Odyssey Expedition, participants are accompanied by a qualified Guide and receive support from a Program Coordinator and a Logistics Team. All of our staff members are qualified professionals, trained in relevant First Aid and verified according to the requirements of the NSW Working with Children Check.
The Duke of Edinburgh International Award stipulates that Adventurous Journey teams must consist of a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum of 7. Each Urban Odyssey Guide is assigned two teams (with a combined total of up to 14 students) and will accompany both teams for the duration of the expedition.
Our participant to adult ratios for bushwalking have been developed in line with the NSW Adventure Activity Standards, as well as with our own internal risk management policies. We maintain current and comprehensive Risk Management and Emergency Response Plans.
Medical Assistance
Any initial First Aid will be provided by the attending Guide. Parent/guardians will be consulted/ advised as appropriate and required.
In the event of a student requiring further medical assistance, The Urban Challenge will access care through either the closest hospital to the location of the incident, a local private medical practice, a private hospital or ambulance if deemed necessary. However, as parts of the expedition are conducted in remote areas, there may be significant delays until additional medical assistance can be accessed.
Parents will be contacted as soon as possible in the event of a student requiring further medical assistance.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
IT IS A REQUIREMENT THAT A PARENT/ GUARDIAN READS THE FOLLOWING:
Personal & Medical Information
It is worth emphasising that an Adventurous Journey, by its very nature, has an element of risk. It is important that this risk is properly identified, assessed, and managed to reduce the likelihood of an incident or emergency occurring, and to mitigate the consequences if an incident or emergency does occur.
By entering current and accurate Personal and Medical Information, you are assisting us to reduce the likelihood of an incident or emergency occurring that impacts the participant/s.
Please Note: We may contact you to obtain additional details and/or to make arrangements for the expedition. While we endeavour to make The Urban Odyssey accessible to all participants, we may not be able to safely accommodate some conditions due to the physical and remote nature of the journey.
Participant Competency & Physical Capability
The Urban Odyssey expedition includes sections of strenuous hiking marked by uneven surfaces, steep terrain, and significant distances which all contribute to the expedition’s challenging nature. Participants must be able to demonstrate self-sufficiency by carrying all of their essential gear and managing their sustenance and hydration effectively.
Furthermore, specific parts of this journey are held in remote areas, emphasising the need for participant preparedness, competency and physical capability.
Prescription Medications
Please ensure prescription medications are brought in sufficient quantities with instructions and spares to cover the length of the program. In general, medications should not be suspended or paused during the expedition.
Please enter details of any prescription medications into the Online Registration Form below, including if the participant requires adult supervision while dispensing medication.
Non-prescription Medications
An Urban Odyssey Guide may administer non-prescription medications when deemed appropriate. The non-prescribed medications we typically administer are paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamine, bite and itch creams, antiseptic creams, betadine and electrolyte hydration sachets.
Please send an email to
Privacy Policy
In order to run a safe and efficient camp for your child/ward, The Urban Challenge requires the collection of certain information. As we want to ensure this information is handled correctly, we have developed a detailed Privacy Policy:
PRIVACY POLICY
Further Information
For further information and helpful resources, please use the website's menu above to navigate through our detailed website.
You can also contact us with any questions or enquiries by emailing
Or follow our Facebook and Instagram page for regular updates on our programs!