Lengths and daily effort
| Level | Practice journey | Qualifying journey | Purposeful activity per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 1 day, 1 night (strongly recommended) | 2 days, 1 night | at least 6 hours |
| Silver | 1 day, 1 night (required) | 3 days, 2 nights | at least 7 hours |
| Gold | 1 day, 1 night (required) | 4 days, 3 nights | at least 8 hours |
The practice journey uses the same means of travel as the qualifying journey. Source: Award USA Open Award Center participant handbook.
The team and the adults
A team has four to seven members, or up to eight when traveling in tandem pairs. The participants plan the journey themselves and set a shared team goal. Two adult roles are required: a Supervisor, responsible for safety, and an Assessor, who evaluates the qualifying journey. Assessors cannot be family members of the participants they assess.
The paperwork for independent participants
Independent participants plan a journey that meets all of the Award's requirements and gain approval from their Award Leader. The application packet, with every required signature, goes to Award USA at least four weeks before the trip. After the journey, the participant records it in the Online Record Book with the activity plan and route cards, and submits a written report within four weeks: about 2 to 3 pages at Bronze, 3 to 4 at Silver and 4 to 5 at Gold, or the equivalent in another format.
Choosing a journey
The journey can be on foot, by bike, by paddle or by other means, in a setting that is unfamiliar and challenging for the team. A good journey has a purpose beyond getting from start to finish, such as recording wildlife, surveying a trail or exploring local history along the route, which becomes the team goal and the heart of the report.
How Tallyhurst helps
We coach the planning, the route cards, the kit and the paperwork deadlines, and help find qualified Supervisors and Assessors. Where families want in-person support, any adults we arrange follow our safeguarding standard, including two screened adults at all times. The report is always the participant's own work.
Sources
Questions
How many people are on an Adventurous Journey team?
Four to seven participants, or up to eight when traveling in tandem pairs.
Is a practice journey required?
Yes at Silver and Gold, and strongly recommended at Bronze. It lasts at least one day and one night and uses the same means of travel as the qualifying journey.
When must an independent participant submit the journey plan?
The application packet goes to Award USA at least four weeks before the trip, with all required signatures.
How long is the Adventurous Journey report?
About 2 to 3 pages at Bronze, 3 to 4 at Silver and 4 to 5 at Gold, or the equivalent in another format, submitted within four weeks of the journey.