Year 12 D of E Training Day 1

Year 12 D of E Training Day 1

Unit 2 • The Environment • Your Team • The Qualifying Expedition

The Environment ( Page 29 ) § It is important that we protect the expedition environment § Why? § § § So we can use it So it is there in years to come So everybody can enjoy it To maintain wildlife To maintain plant life § Anyone doing an expedition should put the following into practice

Litter u Leave absolutely none, not even a tiny sweet rapper u Try not to bring plastic, but if you do, take it home u Never bring glass u Everything you leave will play a part in destroying the environment

Fires n Do not light any type of camp fire – This will destroy vegetation and take years to recover – There is a risk of setting wild country on fire n Only Burn toilet paper – As long as there is no risk from doing so – It’s probably better to bury the toilet paper

Water • Add no pollution – Go to the toilet no closer than 20 m away from water – Washing up in streams is not acceptable

Vegetation and Paths § Don’t pull up plants/grass they will take years to grow back and it destroys the environment § Replace rocks if you move them § Follow all paths where possible

Noise and Final Thought n n Loud noise is not appropriate The countryside is peaceful, noise spoils it n Leave the place as you found it n Take only pictures n And enjoy

Your Team (Pg 30) • The only way you can complete your Expedition is as part of a team. • So – – – Walk at the pace of the slowest person Encourage one another Be tolerant Make decisions together (e. g. navigation) You may make new friends The things you remember most tend to be centered around what happened to you or others in the group

The Qualifying Expedition (Pg 31/32) • Planning – In groups of 6/7 (mixed groups are fine) – 4 days of walking (3 nights camping) each day has to be a minimum of 8 hours (about 18 -20 km) – Plan bad weather routes and escape routes – Produce a menu sheet for the trip – Use memory map to produce a route card and map This is all planned 5 months before the expedition

The actual expedition • You will be away for 6 days • You will spend the first day/night in accommodation (not camping) – In this time you meet your assessor – Do a full kit check – Practice navigation • After your expedition you will spend another night in accommodation

Conditions • There are 15 regulations you must fulfill – The venture must have a purpose – You must plan the venture – Group size between 4 and 7 – Aged between 16 -24 – If you have completed gold you can’t do it again – It must be in wild country – It must be 4 days walking – You must camp – Occupy 8 hours a day – You must have done at least one practice and you book signed to say you are competent – Take place between April and October – You must be properly equipped – You must be properly trained – You must cook at least one meal a day – You must produce a report

Leaders on the expeditions n Two types n n Supervisor – responsible for safety, will see you at least once each day, more if possible Assessor – Appointed by award scheme to check you follow the regulations, this person will sign your book

Report n This has to be submitted after the event – The assessor or supervisor will mark your report and sign your book – If you do not do a report your book will not be signed and you can not achieve the award – High standards are expected

General advice n n n n Start early each day Someone in the group take a camera – reports look better with pictures Plan regular rests Eat small amounts but frequently Keep a steady pace Work together If you satisfy the regulations in all areas you achieve the award