- What qualifications do your Field Staff have?
- What is the quality of equipment supplied?
- What form of emergency communication do you use on your programs?
- What is the All Hours Contact System?
- Who does the cooking and what's the food like?
- What is the group size on programs?
- What roles do the School staff and Group Leaders have on the program?
- What is the School Manager system?
ANSWERS
1. What qualifications do your Field Staff have?
OEG Field Staff hold the appropriate qualifications which are in line with our Administrative Practices Manual, for the activity which they are conducting. This training is in line with or exceeds current industry standards. All of our Field Staff hold a First Aid qualification that is appropriate for the specific area in which they are working.
2. What is the quality of equipment supplied?
The selection and ongoing maintenance of equipment is an important Risk Management strategy at OEG. We select equipment based on its suitability for the activity, in line with our own Administrative Practices Manual, as well as it meeting various national and international standards (where they exist). We have a full time Operations Department who are charged with ensuring that equipment is sent out into the field in an appropriate condition. Regular tests and audits are conducted on our equipment, both by internal and external experts.
3. What form of emergency communication do you use on your programs?
All OEG programs are provided with the most appropriate communications device for the
specific area they are in. These may range from UHF radio, mobile phone or satellite phone, or a combination of these, depending on the specific area. Whilst it is uncommon that these types of communications capabilities will not function, it is impossible to guarantee that they will always work when and where we want them to. Radios and portable phones can sometimes be unreliable depending on terrain, atmospheric conditions and other variables.
4. What is the All Hours Contact System?
OEG employs a 24/7 communications system known as All Hours Contact (AHC). This is
manned by a senior staff member who is solely responsible for servicing the needs of the groups in the field and communicating with the School AHC. The OEG AHC also provides regular weather/fire information, organises evacuations and other assistance when required to the field.
5. Who does the cooking and what's the food like?
We have always been committed to stamping out the stigma of "camp food". Each centre-based program has experienced cooks preparing meals for staff and students. When on expedition, students cook for themselves under the supervision of OEG and School Staff. Our experienced catering department ensures all menus offer variety, taste, nutrition and enough quantity to satisfy an active group of people.
6. What is the group size on programs?
Groups of 12-16 students are an optimum size for the group process to take place in the outdoors. If a group is too small there is not enough diversity in discussion and if the group is too large, students are neglected during activities and discussions, or become 'lost' in the group. Group sizes are determined by OEG's Adminstrative Practices Guidelines and/or land management (e.g. State Forest or NPWS) requirements.
7. What roles do the School Staff and Group Leaders have on the program?
OEG staff and School staff work together to run the program. Typically a School staff member is assigned to each group. A typical program will include 12-16 students, a School staff member and an OEG Group Leader. (Some activities such as rock climbing, rafting and cycling, will be supported by another OEG staff member, who will assist the OEG Group Leader in the technical aspects of these activities.)
8. What is the Senior Manager system?
Senior Managers work with the School to identify the School’s particular educational outcomes, manage contractual negotiations and act as an advocate for the School within OEG. Depending on the size of the Outdoor Education Program OEG Senior Managers may be placed in the school on a full or part time basis.
