Adventurous Journey Library Example

​​☒​ Appreciating the culture within the journey’s environment. 

​​☒​ Camp craft, including food and cooking. 

​​☒​ Competency in the mode of travel. 

​​☒​ First Aid and emergency procedures. 

​​☒​ Navigation. 

​​☒​ Necessary equipment and how to use it. 

​​☒​ Observation and recording skills. 

​​☒​ Route planning. 

​​☒​ Team building and leadership training. 

​​☒​ Understanding of the Adventurous Journey. 

​​☒​ Understanding the impact of the journey on the environment. 

All Preparation and Training will be completed by: ​​2024-11-01​ 

These date(s) will be what you enter on ORB and must all be completed before you undergo the Qualifying Journey. 

Discuss amongst your group and along with your Award Leader to decide what your group would like to do for your Adventurous Journey!

Do you want to go hiking or paddling? Cycle between cities? Explore historical landmarks? Investigate environmental features/issues? Be creative and decide as a team what will be challenging, realistic and enjoyable for you.

Journey activities can differ between Practice and Qualifying Journeys! If they do, it is important to include in your team goal and ensure your team completes necessary Preparation and Training to safely undertake all the activities you will be doing. 

These are some options you may choose:

☐ Exploring different rock climbing routes

☐ Following an ancient pilgrimage

☐ Retracing the path of an early explorer

☐ Sailing trip

☐ Hiking trip

☐ Paddling trip

☐ Cross country skiing trip

☐ Cycling trip

☐ Dogsledding trip

☐ Horse riding trip

☐ Cultural trips

☐ Historical trips

☐ Marine study

☐ Environmental/conservation study

☐ Orienteering

☐ Scientific exploration

☐ Surveying national/wildlife observations

x Other: Social Justice Trip

The team must set a clear and challenging goal that is achievable and defines what activities the team will be doing throughout the journey this may include researching, investigating and/or exploring the natural world.

What is your team goal?
We will visit a local community center in Toronto and volunteer at their soup kitchen. Our team will assist in preparing and serving food while interacting with community members to better understand the local social justice challenges. After volunteering, we will return to a nearby place of worship for a reflection session to discuss what we’ve learned and ensure we are ready for our Qualifying Journey. 

This will be submitted as your Practice Journey Goal on ORB. Your team goal needs to be reviewed and approved by your Supervisor/Assessor before your Practice Journey takes place.

If you need help in developing your Team Goal, you can find an AJ Team Goal Builder worksheet here.

When will you go and return?

Dates must take place before your Qualifying Journey.

Start Date: ​2024-11-04​ 

End Date: ​2024-11-04​ 

What mode(s) of transport will your team use for your Practice Journey?

• Bus – From our school to the community center parking lot. 

• Foot – Walking from the bus drop-off to the soup kitchen and throughout the volunteering activities. 

• Public Transit – Taking the subway or streetcar to the nearby place of worship for the reflection session. 

• Foot – Walking from the place of worship back to the bus stop for our return trip to school. 

If motorized transportation is used on your journey such as mobility aids, e-bikes, public transportation etc. it should be incorporated into your team goal and agreed upon with your Leader/Assessor. Motorized transportation that is used to get to a starting point or from an end point cannot count toward purposeful Activity time.

What will be your accommodation for your Practice Journey (if applicable)?

N/A – we will stay overnight for the Qualifying Journey only, as the Practice Journey for Bronze does not require an overnight. 

Where will you be staying? What do you need to stay there i.e. permits, tents, booking, etc. How much will this cost you? All accommodation should be self-sufficient, approved by the adult you are working with and in line with your Award Centre guidelines. Examples include tents, yurts, hostels, simple shelters, community halls/gyms/ fields, etc..

Your team MUST have emergency procedures and policies in place to deal with any incidents that may occur as a result of Award activities. Speak to your Award Leader and/or adults helping deliver the AJ to understand what needs to be included in your risk assessment and what emergency procedures are already in place or need to be created.

Group Emergency Contact Information:

Mrs. Beaver: (333) 222-1111 

Professor Kirke: (111) 222-3333 

Ensure you know how you will reach your emergency contact(s) when needed (e.g. phone, satellite phone/SPOT etc.). Your emergency contact(s) need to be aware of your plans, how to contact your team, when you will be checking in with them and what to do if anything goes wrong/they don’t hear from you.

List any potential risks or hazards your group could encounter while on your trip (bad weather, terrain, injuries, wildlife encounters, getting lost, etc). Your team must discuss these risks with your group and AJ Supervisor and decide on preventative measures you will use as well emergency plans so the whole team is prepared in case anything happens. More Preparation and Training may be required based on the risks that are identified.

As a group, explore meal recipes and decide on options suitable for all members. For ideas and recipes, click here. Plan a full menu as a group for the length of your journey. Remember your team must carry the supplies and prepare all your meals including at least one substantial meal each day.

Plan as a group what you will need to take with you on the Practice Journey, keeping in mind that you must be self-sufficient. For ideas and tips, check out the example AJ Packing List.

Individual Gear: Gear that each member will bring their own of e.g. toiletries, water bottle, sleeping bag, etc.

• Refillable water bottle

• Personal snacks and meals

• Personal medication and health supplies

• Notebook and pen for journaling

• Extra water and snacks for breaks

• Backpack for carrying personal items

• Phone and charger

Group Gear: Gear that the group will share on their Adventurous Journey e.g. cooking utensils, tents/shelter, first aid kit, emergency equipment, map, etc.

• First aid kit

• Emergency communication devices (e.g., walkie-talkies, cell phones)

• Map of the area

• Shared food/snacks for group meals

Clothing: Items of clothing that each member should prepare to bring e.g. shoes, hats, jackets, etc.

• Sturdy shoes

• Waterproof jacket or rain gear

• Layers (light sweater, thermal shirt)

• Packed change of clothes (pair of socks, underwear, pants, shirt)

A team meeting with your Supervisor to review your Practice Journey and an opportunity to change or modify your Qualifying Journey plans and details with your Supervisor. Complete the Practice Journey Debriefing Report with your AJ Supervisor and Assessor. You can find the guide here.

Date of Debrief: ​2024-11-04​

After the Practice Journey, the team debrief should be completed as soon as possible.

Please note, it is up to the participant to ensure their Supervisor receives and completes the Assessor Report. The Supervisor is responsible for providing a group assessment for the team’s Practice Journey and communicating with the Assessor.

The team must set a clear and challenging goal that is achievable and defines what activities the team will be doing throughout the journey. This may include researching, investigating and/or exploring the natural world.

See our example goals for more ideas.

Team Goal:

We will return to Toronto to volunteer at a local community food bank. We will then return to our place of worship, set up our sleeping area with mattresses in the hall, and prepare dinner using our own portable cooking equipment. The next day, after making breakfast using our own stoves, we will walk to a nearby community center for a panel discussion on homelessness and social justice, where we will listen to local leaders speak on these issues. Afterwards, we will reflect on the social justice topics we encountered throughout the day and how they align with community values and teachings on equity and service. We will have a group reflection session before concluding the journey. Our goal is to leave with a greater understanding of local social justice issues and how we can contribute to addressing them through community involvement.

This will be submitted as your Qualifying Journey Goal on ORB. Your team goal needs to  be reviewed and approved by your Supervisor/Assessor before your Qualifying Journey takes place.

If you need help in developping your Team Goal, you can find an AJ Team Goal Builder worksheet here.

When will you go and return?

Start Date: ​2024-11-07​

End Date: ​2024-11-08​

What mode(s) of transport will your team use for your Qualifying Journey?

• Bus – From the school to the local community food bank in Toronto and returning from the place of worship back to the school after the journey concludes. 

• Foot – Walking from the food bank to the place of worship for setting up the sleeping area, walking to a nearby community center for the panel discussion on homelessness and social justice, walking back to the place of worship after the panel discussion for the group reflection session. 

If motorized transportation is used on your journey such as mobility aids, e-bikes, public transportation etc. it should be incorporated into your team goal and agreed upon with your Leader/Assessor. Motorized transportation that is used to get to a starting point or from an end point cannot count towards Purposeful Activity time.

What will be your accommodation for your Qualifying Journey?

Sleeping on mattresses in the hall at our local place of worship.

Where will you be staying? What do you need to stay there i.e. permits, tents, booking, etc. How much will this cost you? All accommodation should be self-sufficient, approved by the adult you are working with and in line with your Award Centre guidelines. Examples include tents, yurts, hostels, simple shelters, community halls/gyms/ fields, etc… 

Your team MUST have emergency procedures and policies in place to deal with any incidents that may occur as a result of Award activities. Speak to your Award Leader and/or adults helping deliver the AJ to understand what needs to be included in your risk assessment and what emergency procedures are already in place or need to be created.

Mrs. Beaver: (333) 222-1111 

Professor Kirke: (111) 222-3333 

Ensure you know how you will reach your emergency contact(s) when needed (e.g. phone, satellite phone/SPOT etc.). Your emergency contact(s) need to be aware of your plans, how to contact your team, when you will be checking in with them and what to do if anything goes wrong/they don’t hear from you.

List any potential risks or hazards your group could encounter while on your trip (bad weather, terrain, injuries, wildlife encounters, getting lost, etc). Your team must discuss these risks with your group and AJ Supervisor and decide on preventative measures you will use as well emergency plans so the whole team is prepared in case anything happens. More Preparation and Training may be required based on the risks that are identified.

As a group, explore meal recipes and decide on options suitable for all members. For ideas and recipes, click here. Plan a full menu as a group for the length of your Journey. Remember your team must carry the supplies and prepare all your meals including at least one substantial meal each day.

Plan as a group what you will need to take with you on the Qualifying Journey, keeping in mind that you must be self-sufficient. For ideas and tips, check out the example AJ Packing List.

Individual Gear: Gear that each member will bring their own of e.g. toiletries, water bottle, sleeping bag, etc. 

• Refillable water bottle 
• Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) 
• Personal snacks and meals 
• Personal medication and health supplies 
• Notebook and pen for journaling 
• Extra water and snacks for breaks 
• Backpack for carrying personal items 
• Phone and charger
• Mattress, pillow, sleeping bag

Group Gear: Gear that the group will share on their Adventurous Journey e.g. cooking utensils, tents/shelter, first aid kit, emergency equipment, map, etc.  

• First aid kit 
• Emergency communication devices (e.g., walkie-talkies, cell phones) 
• Backup battery packs or portable chargers 
• Shared hydration system
• Map of the area 
• Shared food/snacks for group meals 
• Reusable utensils and plate for meals
• Cooking stove and fuel
• Cooking equipment
• Dish basin, soap, and scrubbie if needed

Clothing: Items of clothing that each member should prepare to bring e.g. shoes, hats, jackets, etc. 

• Sturdy shoes 
• Waterproof jacket or rain gear
• Layers (light sweater, thermal shirt)
• Extra pair of clothes (socks, underwear, pants, shirt)
• Sun-protective clothing (lightweight long-sleeve shirts) 

A team meeting with your Assessor to review your Qualifying Journey and an opportunity to review the Qualifying Journey with your team and Assessor to learn more from the experience. Talk to your Assessor and team about how you will complete your Adventurous Journey Debriefing Report and what needs to be submitted.  Your Adventurous Journey Debriefing Report will need to be submitted to your Assessor before they can complete the Assessor Report on the ORB.

Complete the debrief with your AJ Assessor. You can find the guide here.

An opportunity to change or modify your Qualifying Journey plans and details with your Supervisor. The debrief should be completed as soon as possible after your Practice Journey.

A team meeting with your Supervisor to review your Practice Journey and an opportunity to change or modify your Qualifying Journey plans and details with your Supervisor. The debrief should be completed as soon as possible after your Practice Journey.

Date of Debrief: 2024-11-04

Please note, the Supervisor is responsible for completing the assessment for the team’s Practice Journey on the ORB.

What went well? What do you want to continue to see on the Qualifying Journey? – We worked incredibly well as a team while volunteering at the soup kitchen. Everyone was engaged, and we really felt a sense of purpose in helping others. The most rewarding part was interacting with the community members, listening to their stories, and learning about the challenges they face. This deepened our understanding of social justice issues, which is something we want to carry forward into the Qualifying Journey. 

One of our reflections was, “I didn’t realize how much of a difference just being present and listening could make. It opened my eyes to the real struggles people go through every day.” This level of empathy and awareness is something we hope to keep building on as we continue. 

What was challenging? (for individuals and the team) – One of the biggest challenges was stepping out of our comfort zones to connect more deeply with the people we were serving. Some of us found it hard to approach conversations about personal struggles, but we learned that sometimes just being there to listen can be the most powerful thing. 

One of our team members reflected, “At first, I didn’t know what to say, but I realized that it wasn’t about having the right words—it was about offering support through listening and showing compassion.” This was an important learning moment for us, as it highlighted the goal of the journey: understanding social justice from a human perspective, not just a task-based one. 

Are there any other training or skills your team needs to safely complete the Qualifying Journey?  – We think we could benefit from additional training on how to engage in meaningful conversations with community members, especially around sensitive topics like social justice. Developing our empathy and communication skills will help us connect even more deeply with the people we encounter on the Qualifying Journey. 

You can find a blank template of the Practice Journey Debrief Report here.

A team meeting with your Assessor to review your Qualifying Journey and an opportunity to review the Qualifying Journey with your team and Assessor to learn more from the experience. Talk to your Assessor and team about how you will complete your Adventurous Journey Debriefing Report and submit it.  Your Adventurous Journey Debriefing Report will need to be submitted to your Assessor before they can complete the Assessor Report on the ORB. The debrief should be completed as soon as possible after your Qualifying Journey.

Date of Debrief: ​2024-11-08​ 

 Please note, the Assessor is responsible for completing the Assessor Report for the team’s Qualifying Journey on the ORB.  

What did you do?  – We returned to Toronto to volunteer at a local community food bank, where we helped prepare and serve meals to those in need. We also attended a panel discussion at a community center on homelessness and social justice, listening to local leaders speak on these important issues. Afterwards, we engaged in a group reflection session to process what we had learned and how it aligns with community values of equity and service. 

What went well? What are you proud of? Everything went smoothly at the food bank. We worked well as a team, ensuring the meals were prepared and served on time, but more than that, we are proud of how we truly connected with community members. Listening to their stories and understanding the realities of their daily struggles gave us a much deeper appreciation of the issues they face. 

 One of our team members reflected, “It’s one thing to know about homelessness, but hearing people’s stories firsthand made me realize how close it is to all of us. This experience has inspired me to look for ways to do more in my community.” This reflection speaks to the impact of our interactions and how they’ve shaped our understanding. 

What was challenging? (for individuals and the team) – The biggest challenge we faced was engaging in discussions during the panel. The topics of homelessness and social justice were sensitive and complex, and some of us felt unsure about how to contribute to the conversation. However, this experience taught us the value of listening and absorbing knowledge from others. 

One of our reflections was, “I didn’t know what to say during the panel discussion, but just being there, listening to people who are making change, made me realize how much more I need to learn about social justice and how I can be part of it.” This shows how even the challenges we faced were key learning moments for us. 

Did you accomplish your team goal? – Yes, we accomplished our team goal! We gained a much deeper understanding of the local social justice issues affecting our community. The panel discussion with community leaders was eye-opening, especially in highlighting the systemic challenges and personal struggles involved. We feel more informed and inspired to continue contributing to these causes in the future. 

What would you do differently for future journeys?  For future journeys, having more context or knowledge beforehand might make it easier for us to participate confidently in these conversations. 

What stood out? What did you learn? What are your take-aways from this experience? – What stood out the most was the resilience and strength of the community members we met at the food bank and during the panel discussion. We learned that social justice issues are incredibly complex and addressing them requires sustained effort and involvement. 

Our key takeaway from this journey is the importance of listening to people’s experiences and recognizing our role in advocating for change. As one of our members put it, “This journey wasn’t just about volunteering—it was about seeing the bigger picture and understanding how every action, no matter how small, contributes to a greater cause.” 

This experience has motivated us to continue exploring ways to help, whether that’s through volunteering, raising awareness, or advocating for those who don’t have a voice. We’re eager to carry this forward into our daily lives and future endeavors. 

Any other comments or notes?  – This Adventurous Journey was a transformative experience for many of us. We left with a greater understanding of the importance of social justice work and the impact we can have, even in small ways. Some of us are already thinking about how we can continue to contribute beyond this journey, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply being more aware of the issues affecting our communities. 

One of our team members said, “I used to think social justice was something distant, but now I see how close it really is. I want to be part of the solution, whether by volunteering more or finding other ways to help.” This reflects our growing commitment to making a difference, and we hope to build on this momentum forever! 

The Adventurous Journey (AJ) Group Assessor Report allows an Adventurous Journey Supervisor and/or Assessor to sign-off on the team’s Practice and Qualifying Journey once, instead of completing it for each individual participant through the ORB.

The following information is to be filled by your AJ Supervisor.

Adventurous Journey Group Assessor Report

Date(s) of Journey:   11-04-2024 to 11-04-2024 

Award Centre:   School of Narnia 

Award Leader:   Mr. Beaver 

Award Level(s): Bronze

Please select which component of the Adventurous Journey was completed (select one):  Practice Journey

Please indicate what type of  
journey was completed (select one): Virtual

Assessor’s Name:   Mr. Beaver 

Date Assessment is Completed:  11-08-2024 

Assessor’s Qualifications/Experience:  Award Leader

Names of participants on this Journey: Peter Pevensie , Susan Pevensie, Edmund Pevensie, Lucy Pevensie, Aslan, Reepicheep, Mr. Tumnus, The White Witch 

Assessor’s Report: Please provide comments on the improvement, challenge and effort of the group throughout the Journey (if this is an assessment for the Practice Journey, please verify if the group is ready to start their Qualifying Journey). 

The group demonstrated strong teamwork and enthusiasm throughout their Practice Journey. Their time at the community soup kitchen was well spent, as they quickly engaged with the tasks and community members. The team showed improvement in their ability to work collaboratively, and their interactions with the community were thoughtful and meaningful. 

One key area of improvement was their increasing comfort in connecting with community members, especially around the sensitive topics of poverty and food insecurity. While initially some struggled with how to approach these conversations, by the end of the journey, several team members were engaging more confidently. This growth reflects their commitment to understanding social justice issues at a deeper level.  

The group put commendable effort into reflecting on their experiences throughout the day. Their reflection sessions were thoughtful, with key takeaways focused on the resilience of the individuals they met and the ongoing challenges they face. The team is motivated to learn more and take future action, which aligns well with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of local social justice issues. 

The group is ready for the Qualifying Journey. They have shown a good balance of teamwork, engagement with the community, and an evolving understanding of social justice issues. 

You can find a blank template of the AJ Group  Assessor report here.

The Adventurous Journey (AJ) Group Assessor Report allows an Adventurous Journey Supervisor and/or Assessor to sign-off on the team’s Practice and Qualifying Journey once, instead of completing it for each individual participant through the ORB.

The following information is to be filled by your AJ Supervisor.

Adventurous Journey Group Assessor Report

Date(s) of Journey:   11-07-2024 to 11-08-2024 

Award Centre:   School of Narnia 

Award Leader:   Mr. Beaver 

Award Level(s): Bronze

Please select which component of the Adventurous Journey was completed (select one):  Qualifying Journey

Please indicate what type of  
journey was completed (select one): Practical

Assessor’s Name:   Mr. Beaver 

Date Assessment is Completed:  11-08-2024 

Assessor’s Qualifications/Experience:  Award Leader

Names of participants on this Journey: Peter Pevensie, Susan Pevensie, Edmund Pevensie, Lucy Pevensie, Aslan, Reepicheep, Mr. Tumnus, The White Witch

Assessor’s Report: Please provide comments on the improvement, challenge and effort of the group throughout the Journey (if this is an assessment for the Practice Journey, please verify if the group is ready to start their Qualifying Journey). 

The group showed a significant level of growth and maturity during their Qualifying Journey. Volunteering at the community food bank and attending the panel discussion on homelessness and social justice gave them valuable insights into the systemic issues affecting the local community. They were highly engaged and reflective, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the social justice challenges they encountered. 

The most notable improvement was the team’s willingness to engage in difficult discussions. While they struggled with this in the Practice Journey, they approached the panel discussion with a more open mindset and were better able to process the complex topics presented. Their ability to reflect on these discussions afterwards showed maturity and a strong connection to the goal of understanding how they can contribute to addressing social justice issues. 

Throughout the journey, the group displayed exceptional effort in working together, both in the physical tasks of preparing and serving meals and in reflecting on the social justice topics they encountered. Their post-panel reflection demonstrated a thoughtful and compassionate approach to understanding the realities of homelessness and poverty. Several team members expressed a desire to continue contributing through community involvement, which shows the lasting impact of this journey on their worldview. 

The group successfully accomplished their team goal of leaving with a greater understanding of local social justice issues and how they can contribute to addressing them. Their reflections on the panel discussion and their interactions with community members showed that they have gained valuable insights and are motivated to continue engaging in social justice work in their own communities. 

You can find a blank template of the AJ Group Assessor report here.

Please complete the following steps: 

Pre-report Checklist for AJ Supervisors/Assessors:

• The AJ Supervisor completes the Practice Journey, and the AJ Assessor completes the Qualifying Journey. One adult may be both the Supervisor and Assessor.   

• Each participant will need to upload one assessment for their Practice Journey and one for their Qualifying Journey.   

Once this document is completed by the AJ Supervisor/Assessor, please send it to each participant so they can all upload a copy to their ORB (participant can upload the template on the “I already have my assessment” section). Follow the sequence of pictures below which are from a participant point of view:

• Participants can go into the PJ or QJ section on the ORB to click on report, and then send for approval.
• Participants will get a pop-up, and can then click on “I already have my assessment”. 
• Participants will get another pop-up where they can attach the Group Assessor Report and then send for approval.