First Steps on the Trail

A four-night introduction to bushwalking for Cub Scouts. Cubs learn to pack a daypack, dress for a walk, use a compass, build a first aid kit, and complete a real bushwalk of at least one hour.

Challenge Area
Outdoor
Award Type
OAS Stage Progression
Nights
4
Total Duration
6 hr
Equipment Summary
Australian flag, 20 assorted items (mix of essentials and decoys), tarp, 1 daypack for demonstration, 4 sets of mixed clothing items (boots, jackets, hats, etc.), weather scenario cards, food picture cards (30+), paper plates for displaying choices, 4 daypacks, 4 sets of 8 items (water bottle, snacks, hat, rain jacket, sunscreen, first aid kit, whistle, torch) and 42 more

About this trail

This 4-night trail is designed around the Outdoor Challenge Area, making it straightforward to program outdoor-focused nights that contribute to Milestone credit. Each night follows the Scouts Australia Plan > Do > Review cycle and is structured as a mix of indoor and outdoor nights.

Across its 4 nights, this trail maps to OAS requirements in Bushwalking. The requirements are specific — not just "do some bushcraft" but individual Stage requirements like fire-lighting methods or shelter construction techniques. Tussock pre-loads these requirements into each night's event plan so leaders can sign them off during the activity rather than transcribing them later.

The SPICES developmental domains covered by this trail are: Intellectual, Physical, Social, Character, Emotional. Programming across multiple domains in a single trail helps Groups demonstrate balanced youth development in their term plans and annual reports.

You can run the four nights in order for a coherent multi-week program, or pick individual nights to fill gaps in your existing term plan. In Tussock, importing a night from this trail pre-fills the Scout Night wizard: Challenge Area, SPICES domains, OAS requirements, and suggested segments are all set. Customise from there to suit your Section.

Import into Tussock

Import this trail into Tussock to run each night with attendance tracking and automatic OAS requirement awarding built in — no manual requirement lookup needed.

OAS Requirements Covered

The following Outdoor Adventure Skills requirements are mapped across this trail's four nights. Import this trail into Tussock to award these requirements automatically when Scouts attend each night.

Bushwalking

The Four Nights

Each night below is a standalone Scout Night session of approximately 1 hr 30 min and follows the Plan > Do > Review cycle. Run them in order for the full First Steps on the Trail trail, or adapt individual nights for your program.

Night 1: Planning & Packing

Cubs learn to pack a backpack for a day walk, choose appropriate clothing, and select food for a bushwalk.

Indoor Challenge Area: Outdoor Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Intellectual Physical Social

OAS requirements this night: bushwalking.s1.plan-1, bushwalking.s1.plan-2, bushwalking.s1.plan-3

  1. Opening Ceremony Ceremony

    Grand Howl and flag break. Akela introduces the Bushwalking trail — "Over the next four weeks you will learn to prepare for, navigate, and enjoy a real bushwalk!"

    Social Character
    Equipment (1 item)
    • Australian flag
  2. What Goes in the Pack? Instruction

    Akela lays out 20 items on a tarp: some essential (water bottle, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket, snacks, first aid kit, whistle) and some silly (teddy bear, pillow, frying pan, roller skates). In Sixes, Cubs sort items into "Pack it" and "Leave it" piles. Debrief as a pack — why does each essential item matter? Akela demonstrates how to pack a daypack: heavy items close to the back, water accessible, rain jacket on top.

    Intellectual Social
    Equipment (3 items)
    • 20 assorted items (mix of essentials and decoys)
    • tarp
    • 1 daypack for demonstration

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-1

  3. Dress for Success Relay Game

    Each patrol receives a pile of clothing items (long pants, shorts, t-shirt, wool jumper, rain jacket, wide-brim hat, cap, thongs, hiking boots, cotton socks, wool socks). Akela calls out a weather scenario ("Cold and rainy morning walk"). One Cub per patrol races to dress in the correct clothing. Pack judges who dressed best. Repeat with different weather scenarios.

    Physical Intellectual
    Equipment (2 items)
    • 4 sets of mixed clothing items (boots, jackets, hats, etc.)
    • weather scenario cards

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-2

  4. Bushwalk Food Planning discussion

    Akela explains the principles of bushwalk food: high energy, lightweight, no refrigeration needed, minimal rubbish. In Sixes, Cubs plan a menu for a day walk (morning tea, lunch, afternoon snack) using picture cards of food items. Each Six presents their menu; pack discusses and votes on the best balanced meal.

    Intellectual Social
    Equipment (2 items)
    • food picture cards (30+)
    • paper plates for displaying choices

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-3

  5. Pack-a-Pack Race Game

    Each patrol receives an empty daypack and a pile of 8 items. On "Go!" the patrol must pack the bag correctly (heavy items at back, water accessible, rain jacket on top) and have one member wearing it ready to walk. First patrol done with a correctly packed bag wins. Akela checks each pack.

    Physical Social
    Equipment (2 items)
    • 4 daypacks
    • 4 sets of 8 items (water bottle, snacks, hat, rain jacket, sunscreen, first aid kit, whistle, torch)

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-1

  6. Trail Snack Taste Test creative

    Cubs taste-test four bushwalk-appropriate snacks: trail mix, muesli bar, dried fruit, and crackers with cheese. Cubs rank them by taste and discuss which ones tick the "lightweight, high energy, no fridge" criteria. Fun way to end the planning night.

    Social Physical
    Equipment (6 items)
    • trail mix
    • muesli bars
    • dried fruit
    • crackers and cheese
    • napkins
    • tasting cups

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-3

  7. Closing Ceremony Ceremony

    Pack circle. Akela: "Next week — compass skills and safety. Bring your daypack!" Grand Howl.

    Social Character

Total night duration: 1 hr 30 min

Night 2: Safety & Navigation

Cubs learn the buddy system, what to do when lost, build a personal first aid kit, and learn to use a compass.

Indoor Challenge Area: Outdoor Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Intellectual Physical Social Character

OAS requirements this night: bushwalking.s1.plan-4, bushwalking.s1.plan-5, bushwalking.s1.plan-6, bushwalking.s1.plan-7, bushwalking.s1.do-1, bushwalking.s1.do-2

  1. Opening Ceremony Ceremony

    Grand Howl. Akela recaps last week: "Who can name three things that go in a daypack?" Tonight's theme: staying safe and finding your way.

    Social Character
    Equipment (1 item)
    • Australian flag
  2. Buddy System & Trail Safety Instruction

    Akela teaches the buddy system for bushwalking: always walk with a buddy, check on each other, stop together if one is tired. Then covers trail safety: why we stay on marked trails (prevents getting lost, protects plants), and what to do if lost — STOP (Sit, Think, Observe, Plan), stay put, blow your whistle in threes, hug a tree. Role-play: one Cub pretends to be lost, demonstrates the STOP procedure.

    Intellectual Character
    Equipment (2 items)
    • whistle
    • "Hug a Tree" poster

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-4, bushwalking.s1.plan-5, bushwalking.s1.plan-6

  3. Build Your Own First Aid Kit practice

    Each Cub receives a ziplock bag and selects items from a central table to build a personal first aid kit: 4 adhesive bandages, 2 alcohol wipes, 1 small gauze pad, 1 triangular bandage, 1 pair of disposable gloves, 1 emergency contact card (Cubs write their details). Akela explains what each item is for.

    Intellectual Character
    Equipment (8 items)
    • ziplock bags (1 per Cub)
    • adhesive bandages
    • alcohol wipes
    • gauze pads
    • small triangular bandages
    • disposable gloves
    • blank emergency contact cards
    • pens

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-7

  4. Meet the Compass Instruction

    Each Cub receives a compass. Akela teaches the main parts: baseplate, rotating bezel, magnetic needle (red end points north), direction-of-travel arrow, orienting lines. Cubs label a diagram of a compass with the part names. Then Cubs practise holding the compass flat and finding north.

    Intellectual
    Equipment (3 items)
    • 1 compass per Cub
    • compass diagram worksheets
    • pencils

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.do-2

  5. Cardinal Points Treasure Hunt Game

    Four envelopes are hidden in the hall, each at one cardinal direction from the centre. Akela gives each patrol a compass and a clue: "Walk 10 paces north to find the first envelope." Inside each envelope is a bushwalking trivia question and the bearing to the next envelope. Patrols race to collect all four.

    Physical Intellectual Social
    Equipment (3 items)
    • 4 compasses
    • 4 envelopes with clue cards
    • trivia question cards

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.do-1

  6. Buddy Check Game Game

    Music plays and Cubs walk around the hall. When the music stops, Akela calls "Buddy check!" Cubs must find their assigned buddy, link elbows, sit down, and call "Here and safe!" Last pair down does three star jumps. Practises the buddy system in a fun, active way.

    Physical Social
    Equipment (1 item)
    • speaker and music

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.plan-6

  7. Closing Ceremony Ceremony

    Pack circle. Akela: "Next week we're going on a real bushwalk! Bring your packed daypack, your first aid kit, and wear your hiking clothes." Grand Howl.

    Social Character

Total night duration: 1 hr 30 min

Night 3: The Bushwalk

Cubs complete a bushwalk of at least one hour, demonstrating safe walking behaviour, compass use, and buddy system skills.

Outdoor Challenge Area: Outdoor Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Physical Social Character Emotional

OAS requirements this night: bushwalking.s1.do-1, bushwalking.s1.do-3, bushwalking.s1.do-4

  1. Opening Ceremony & Pack Check Ceremony

    Cubs assemble at the trailhead. Akela conducts a gear check: hat, sunscreen, water (at least 1 litre), snack, first aid kit, whistle. Buddy pairs are assigned. Akela reviews walking rules: stay on the trail, walk with your buddy, stop at trail junctions and wait for the group. Brief flag salute.

    Character Social
    Equipment (2 items)
    • Australian flag (small, carried)
    • gear checklist on clipboard

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.do-4

  2. Bushwalk — First Leg practice

    The pack walks the first leg of the trail (approx. 30 minutes). Leaders position themselves at the front, middle, and tail. At two points along the trail, Akela stops and asks a pair of Cubs to use their compass to confirm which direction they are walking. Cubs practise safe bushwalking: staying on the trail, keeping pace with their buddy, not touching unknown plants.

    Physical Social Character
    Equipment (3 items)
    • 4 compasses
    • first aid kit
    • group mobile phone

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.do-3, bushwalking.s1.do-4, bushwalking.s1.do-1

  3. Rest Stop & Nature Observation discussion

    At the halfway point, Cubs sit in a clearing for a 15-minute rest and snack break. Akela points out three interesting things in the environment (a bird, a type of bark, animal tracks). Cubs use their senses: "What can you hear? What can you smell?" Brief discussion about Leave No Trace — pack out all rubbish.

    Intellectual Emotional
    Equipment (1 item)
    • rubbish bag for pack-out
  4. Bushwalk — Second Leg practice

    The pack walks the return leg (approx. 30 minutes). Different Cubs take compass readings. Akela rotates the tail-end Charlie role to a responsible Cub (with adult supervision). Cubs continue practising safe bushwalking behaviour. At one point, Akela simulates a "lost buddy" drill — a leader hides just off the trail and Cubs practise the response (stop, count heads, blow whistles).

    Physical Character Social
    Equipment (2 items)
    • compasses
    • whistles

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.do-3, bushwalking.s1.do-4, bushwalking.s1.do-1

  5. Closing Ceremony Ceremony

    Back at the trailhead, Cubs form a circle. Akela: "You just completed your first real bushwalk — well done!" Quick buddy debrief: each pair shares one highlight. Grand Howl to close.

    Social Emotional

Total night duration: 1 hr 30 min

Night 4: Reflection & Celebration

Cubs reflect on what they enjoyed and learned from their bushwalking trail, share highlights, and celebrate earning their Bushwalking Stage 1 badge.

Indoor Challenge Area: Outdoor Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Social Emotional Intellectual

OAS requirements this night: bushwalking.s1.review-1

  1. Opening Ceremony Ceremony

    Grand Howl. Akela: "Welcome to our final Bushwalking night. Tonight we celebrate everything you've achieved!" Flag break.

    Social Character
    Equipment (1 item)
    • Australian flag
  2. Bushwalk Photo Story creative

    Akela displays photos from Night 3's bushwalk on a screen or prints them out. Cubs gather around and point out moments they remember. Each Six chooses their three favourite photos and arranges them into a "story" on a poster: before, during, and after the walk. Sixes present their poster to the pack.

    Social Emotional
    Equipment (4 items)
    • printed photos from the bushwalk (or tablet/laptop to display)
    • A3 poster paper
    • glue sticks
    • markers

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.review-1

  3. Trail Reflection — What I Enjoyed & Learned Reflection

    Cubs sit in a circle with a talking stick. Each Cub answers two questions: "What did you enjoy most about our bushwalking trail?" and "What is one new thing you learned that you didn't know before?" Akela writes key themes on a whiteboard. Common themes are discussed together.

    Social Emotional Intellectual
    Equipment (2 items)
    • talking stick
    • whiteboard and markers

    OAS: bushwalking.s1.review-1

  4. Bushwalking Quiz Relay Game

    Patrols line up for a relay. One Cub per patrol runs to a leader, answers a question from the trail (e.g. "Name two parts of a compass", "What does STOP stand for?", "How much water for a 2-hour walk?"), and runs back. If the answer is wrong, the next Cub in the patrol tries. First patrol to answer all 8 questions correctly wins.

    Physical Intellectual Social
    Equipment (2 items)
    • quiz question cards (8 per patrol)
    • cones for relay lines
  5. My Bushwalking Pledge creative

    Each Cub receives a card and writes or draws their "Bushwalking Pledge" — one thing they promise to always do when bushwalking (e.g. "I will always carry water", "I will stay on the trail", "I will look after my buddy"). Cubs decorate their cards and take them home.

    Character Emotional
    Equipment (3 items)
    • blank pledge cards
    • coloured pencils
    • stickers
  6. Bushwalking Stage 1 Badge Presentation Ceremony

    Akela calls each Cub forward by Six. Cubs receive their Bushwalking Stage 1 badge (if ready) and a round of applause. Akela highlights one strength of each Cub during the trail. If badges are not yet ready, Cubs are told they will be presented at the next Group ceremony.

    Social Emotional Character
    Equipment (1 item)
    • Bushwalking Stage 1 badges (if available)
  7. Closing Ceremony Ceremony

    Final Grand Howl for the trail. Akela: "You are now bushwalkers! Next term, a new adventure awaits." Pack dismissed.

    Social Character

Total night duration: 1 hr 30 min

See also

OAS Framework Reference

Full breakdown of all 9 OAS streams and their stage requirements.

Browse OAS framework →

More OAS Stage Progression Trails

Find other trails with a similar Outdoor focus.

All Night Ideas →