Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre is an experienced provider and facilitator of the Adventurous Journey section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Journeys offered by BOAC meet the requirements of Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The guidelines for the Award state that the Adventurous Journey section represents an exciting challenge to participants who undertake a venture with a specific purpose in an unfamiliar environment. More than any other Section of The Award, the AJ is about team work and social connection.  

BOAC’s rich experience in outdoor expedition allows the facilitation of a variety of types of expedition. Participants can elect to Canoe, Kayak, Hike, Mountain Bike or any Combinations of the previous modes of travel, adding even greater diversity and challenge to their Journey.

For tailor made expeditions to meet your groups requirements click here. Send us details of your enquiry and lets begin to construct an amazing adventure together.

Individuals looking to join a journey. BOAC offers a number of expeditions and set activities during the year in NSW for all levels of the Award. These expeditions are made up of like-minded students from a wide range of schools and are run during the school holidays. Please see details of our upcoming adventures by clicking here.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program is an internationally recognised youth development program providing opportunities for personal and social development. The Award aims to introduce young people to leisure activities, and provide a challenge to the individual. The award has a long and reputable history in Australia as well as internationally; though in recent years, further strong growth in recognition has been made. Some tertiary institutions and employers are directly and publically rewarding the successful completion of the award. Demonstrating understanding of the personal growth achieved through participation in the award.
Teamwork, self-reliance, determination and cooperation are the hallmarks of each successful participant in this magnificent Award Scheme.

The scheme is divided into four main sections at each award level; Bronze, Silver and Gold.

These four main sections are:
1. Service
2. Adventurous Journey
3. Skills
4. Physical Recreation

BOAC’s approach in leading students through their Adventurous Journey begins with the understanding that to successfully complete the requirements, in the spirit of the award, skills development is essential. BOAC responds to this by ensuring close and careful coaching of the required outdoor skills are developed and reinforced in each of the practice journeys. In test expeditions participants will then have the required skills to plan and complete a journey entirely on their own, while under the knowing eye of experienced BOAC staff. At each level, bronze, silver and gold the level of challenge increases as does our direct instructional participation. Our assessors will provide continuous feedback during the program, making constructive comment on each participant’s progress.   

Rest easy with BOAC’s support in facilitating the Adventurous Journey component of the Award, parents and school staff can rest easy. Know that while the students will be fully involved in all aspects of the program, an experienced "eye" keeping a close watch on their activities.

Areas of Operation
Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre is based in the foothill of the Barrington Tops wilderness area, boasting arguably NSW’s best beginner white-water paddling on the Barrington River; as well as rich variety and number of marked and unmarked trails passing through forest types including alpine snow gums, wet rainforest, dry rainforest, open eucalypt woodlands,  and not to mention the rare and ancient Gwandanan Arctic Beech Forrest  also commonly known as the Ghost Forest. 

While boasting all this on our doorstep, we are not restricted to this area alone. BOAC offer expeditions through:
Barrington River, Manning River, Hawkesbury River, Myall Lakes, Snowy River, Nymboida River, Murray River, Barrington Tops National Park, Copland Tops State Conservation Area, Blue Mountains, Hinchinbrook Island, Port Stephens, Tasmania, New Zealand, Nepal indeed through BOAC’s vast network of experience we are able to carefully construct programs to operate in most destinations of adventure and wilderness around the world.

Perhaps even one day with the assistance and persistence of Sir Richard Branson, even beyond our world. Ok perhaps a long bow, but such is our commitment to safe, structured and ambitious adventure.