Raft Building

Location
On site - Lake

Description
Raft Building is an educational outdoor activity that invites students to build rafts from basic
materials. Students must try and design a raft that is fully functional to make it across to the
other side of the lake.

Age Suitability
Grade 5 and above

Ratios
Activity is not listed in the AAS, therefore supervision ratios and qualifications have been

Recreational Swimming Guidelines

Organisation Venue Type Staff Required Number of Participants

VIC Education 2 1 - 10
Department Type 3
3 11 - 15

Activity Staffing
** This activity is specialised and must be run by an ADANAC Program staff,
The ADANAC staff member will be the leader while the second teacher/leader will be the
assistant. The activity leader is responsible for the overall supervision, behaviour, safety,
transition to and from the activity and participant waiting their turn.

RAFT BUILDING Staffing

Organisation Staff Required Participant Numbers

ADANAC Staff 1 1 -10

Group Assistant Leaders 1 1 - 10

** If the number of participants increases the user group will need to provide extra staff to
cover the activity.

Activity Leader Required Experience

The activity leader must be able to teach basic swimming strokes and be aware of all safety
factors regarding raft making and follow the Safety Activity Guidelines. They should also be
qualified in Life-saving and resuscitation methods. (A St John’s first Aid Certificate,
Austswim, Teacher of Swimming Certificate, R.L.S.S.A. or Bronze Medallion would satisfy
this requirement).

Assistant Required Experience

Assistant needs no previous experience, although having a qualification in life-saving or
resuscitation methods is prefered.

Participant Required Experience

Participants need no previous experience, however is it recommended that students can
swim 50 metres with a buoyancy vest on.

Teacher Instruction

The teacher follows ADANAC Staff safety instruction ensuring all students are paying
attention and following staff direction at all times. The teachers need to make sure students
are following safety instructions in and out of the water.
Questions to ask students:
- What sort of materials will you need?
- Do you need a basic structure?
- What materials will you need to use to make it stay afloat?
- Will you delegate roles to each team member?