Camping Trip - Free Risk Assessment Template PDF
This free Camping Trip risk assessment template is designed for youth group settings. It outlines typical hazards and suggests control measures, helping you tailor the document to your organization. Use it as a starting point, customise in our online wizard and download a professional PDF in moments.
Activity Summary
Participants will camp outdoors, taking part in activities such as cooking, hiking, and team tasks. The itinery may include supervised use of fires, tools, and equipment, alongside nature exploration and group challenges.
Purpose of Activity
To provide participants with the opportunity to experience outdoor living, develop resilience, and build practical skills through camping and related activities.
Benefits of Activity
- Builds resilience by navigating various outdoor conditions.
- Encourages responsibility by assigning roles and tasks to participants.
- Enhances teamwork as participants collaborate to set up tents and manage resources.
- Promotes self-reliance by requiring individuals to manage their own needs in an outdoor setting.
- Allows the trip to take place outdoors, giving participants the chance to experience and adapt to real environmental conditions, building resilience and awareness of nature’s impact.
- Allows participants to enjoy outdoor experiences and shared meals while developing awareness of allergens, safe practices, and respect for both dietary and environmental risks.
- Promotes awareness of the importance of staying hydrated outdoors.
- Enhances the importance of environmental checks before setup.
- Teaches responsibility in equipment management and proper usage.
- Gives participants the opportunity to learn valuable outdoor skills such as cooking and fire management, while developing responsibility and respect for working safely with fire.
- Encourages risk assessment based on environmental factors.
- Teaches hygiene and food safety in outdoor settings.
- Teaches the proper use of gas equipment in outdoor settings.
- Raises awareness about the effects of sun exposure and hydration.
- Enhances emotional resilience and coping mechanisms.
- Promotes responsible outdoor clothing choices and preparation.
- Allows participants to spend time in a genuine natural environment where they may encounter insects, plants, and wildlife, gaining real outdoor experience and awareness.
- Strengthens navigational and teamwork skills.
- Helps participants gain experience in navigating and managing tasks in low-light conditions, building confidence, awareness, and practical skills for outdoor living.
- Allows participants to take part in adventurous activities where accidents are possible, while learning to understand safety briefings and the importance of being prepared.
- Develops an understanding of personal space and comfort.
- Encourages inclusivity and accommodates diverse needs.
- Promotes mindfulness in managing personal belongings.
- Promotes responsibility with outdoor tools.
- Provides participants with the chance to build balance, coordination, and awareness of their surroundings by moving safely across natural and uneven outdoor terrain.
- Teaches sun safety and the importance of skin care.
- Enables young people to take part in trips away from home, giving them independence, trust, and valuable experiences while learning within a protected environment.
- Builds teamwork and practical outdoor living skills.
- Provides a learning experience in campsite security and privacy.
- Teaches the importance of clean water practices.
- Fosters practical skill-building in the outdoors.
Hazards and Control Measures
| Hazard | Control Measures |
|---|---|
| Adverse weather and changing conditions | Monitor weather forecasts before and during the trip. Provide shelters and emergency evacuation plans for extreme conditions. Ensure all participants bring suitable clothing and equipment for varying weather, including rain gear, warm layers, and sun protection. Adjust or postpone activities if conditions become unsafe. |
| Allergies (food and environmental) | Collect and communicate food allergies before the trip, ensuring allergenic foods are clearly labeled and separated. Carry epinephrine auto-injectors and ensure staff are trained in allergy response. Identify and mark local plants that may trigger reactions, advising participants to wear gloves and long sleeves when near them. |
| Dehydration | Provide water stations around the campsite and ensure participants have water bottles. Institute regular hydration breaks and monitor for symptoms of dehydration like dizziness or headaches. Offer water alternatives like sports drinks with electrolytes. |
| Falling branches | Conduct a pre-camp assessment of trees and overhead limbs, removing any identified risks. Avoid placing tents directly under trees with dead branches. Continuously monitor weather conditions that may exacerbate the risk of falling limbs. |
| Faulty equipment | Thoroughly inspect all camping and activity equipment prior to use, checking for damage or wear. Replace or repair faulty gear immediately. Ensure participants understand how to use equipment correctly and safely. |
| Fire and cooking hazards | Restrict fires to designated areas with adult supervision at all times. Establish clear fire safety rules, including safe distances, no running near fire pits, and secure clothing. Supervise cooking activities carefully, ensuring burn kits are accessible. Mark fire pit boundaries clearly and keep water or fire blankets nearby. |
| Flooding | Avoid setting up camp in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Regularly check weather forecasts and have an evacuation plan in case of heavy rains or flash floods. Set up a designated safe zone on higher ground for emergencies. |
| Food poisoning | Maintain proper food storage, keeping perishables in coolers. Implement strict handwashing before food prep and eating. Regularly clean all kitchen areas and utensils, ensuring no cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods. |
| Gas stove or lantern explosion | Inspect all gas cylinders and hoses before the trip for damage. Store gas containers outside tents in a well-ventilated area. Educate participants on the correct use of stoves and lanterns, and never allow them to be left unattended. |
| Heat exhaustion | Encourage wearing lightweight, breathable clothing and provide shaded rest areas. Monitor temperatures regularly and schedule strenuous activities for cooler times, such as mornings or late afternoons. Ensure water is available throughout the day, with frequent hydration breaks. |
| Homesickness | Provide a supportive environment by encouraging communication and establishing routines. Offer positive distractions through engaging activities and assign supportive buddies to help participants cope with feelings of homesickness. |
| Hypothermia | Ensure all participants bring warm clothing, layers, and waterproof gear. Set up warming stations with hot drinks available and encourage frequent breaks indoors if temperatures drop. Monitor for signs of cold stress and have emergency blankets on hand. |
| Insects, hazardous plants, and wildlife | Provide insect repellent and encourage wearing long sleeves and trousers in wooded or grassy areas. Carry out regular tick checks and treat bites immediately. Educate participants on identifying and avoiding poisonous plants, snakes, and local wildlife. Store food securely to reduce animal attraction, and supervise at times of increased wildlife activity. Ensure first aid kits and clear emergency protocols are in place for bites, stings, or contact with hazardous plants and animals. |
| Lost participants | Establish a buddy system, where no participant is allowed to leave camp or hike alone. Provide maps of the area and hold regular headcounts, especially before and after transitions. Ensure leaders carry communication devices at all times. |
| Low light hazards | Ensure common areas such as toilets, kitchens, and pathways are well lit using solar or battery-powered lamps. Ensure campers have personal headlamps or flashlights in and encourage their use after dark. Mark hazards like tent lines and pegs with reflective tape to improve visibility when appropriate. |
| Medical preparedness and safety briefings | Assign a trained first aider to be on-site at all times with fully stocked, accessible first aid kits. Establish clear emergency evacuation procedures and ensure communication devices are available. Deliver comprehensive safety briefings before the trip and before high-risk activities, giving participants the chance to ask questions and reinforcing key rules. |
| Overcrowding in tents | Limit the number of occupants per tent to ensure proper ventilation and reduce the risk of suffocation or overheating. Establish head-to-toe sleeping arrangements where needed and maintain clear air vents in all tents. |
| Participants with additional needs | Conduct a pre-trip assessment to identify participants with special requirements (physical, emotional, dietary). Adapt activities and provide additional support, such as extra staff or specific equipment, to ensure inclusion and safety. |
| Personal property theft | Advise participants to leave valuables at home or provide secure storage options. Assign leaders to monitor the campsite for any unauthorized individuals. Educate participants on safeguarding their belongings during the trip. |
| Sharp tool injuries | Allow only trained individuals to handle axes, knives, and saws, and supervise all woodcutting activities. Provide safety training on correct tool handling techniques and store tools securely when not in use to prevent accidents. |
| Slips, trips, and uneven terrain | Mark and highlight any slippery or uneven areas around camp, especially after rain. Use non-slip mats in high-traffic zones, particularly near kitchens and toilets. Ensure participants wear sturdy, supportive footwear and advise caution when moving around camp. Keep pathways clear and well lit at night. |
| Sunburn | Require participants to use sunscreen (SPF 30+), wearing hats and long-sleeve shirts when necessary. Provide shade areas during peak sun hours. Encourage frequent reapplication of sunscreen and hydration, especially during midday outdoor activities. |
| Supervision and safeguarding | Maintain strict adult-to-child ratios and assign leaders to small groups. Conduct regular headcounts, especially during transitions. Ensure all adults are vetted and trained in safeguarding procedures. Provide clear reporting systems, communication devices for leaders, and designated safe meeting points for separated participants. |
| Tent peg injuries | Demonstrate correct peg and mallet use. Supervise tent setup to ensure pegs are securely in the ground, angled correctly, and not in walkways. Mark them with brightly colored tape, and remind campers to avoid running near tent areas. |
| Uninvited trespassers | Clearly define camp boundaries with signs and visible markers. Set up a check-in/out system for participants, especially at night. Have adult leaders patrol the camp’s perimeter during high-risk times to ensure the group’s safety. |
| Water source contamination | Only use designated or treated water sources for drinking and cooking. Boil or purify any water sourced from lakes or streams. Clearly mark unsafe water sources, and educate participants on proper water purification techniques. |
| Wood cutting injuries | Supervise participants during woodcutting activities. Provide training on safe saw and axe use, ensuring participants know proper hand and body positioning. Enforce strict tool storage rules when not in use to prevent accidents. |
Related Risk Assessment Template Downloads
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- Bonfire/Firework Display
- Camping Trip
- Cycling Off Road
- Hiking
- Kayaking on a Lake
FAQ
How do I use this template?
Click “Edit Using Wizard” to customise the assessment for your organization, then download a PDF.
Can I edit the hazards and controls?
Yes, all sections can be adjusted in the wizard before exporting your final document.
