2. Explorer Belt – Going your own way - ScoutBase UK

Explorer BeltGoing your own wayFactsheet 2 of 6 in the Explorer BeltSeriesSItem Code FS452031 Apr/09 Edition no 2 (103572) 0845 300 1818IntroductionBoth Network Essentials and Unit Programmeprovide outline requirements on what needs to bedone to organise an Explorer Belt expedition.Your County/Area Scout Network Commissioneror District Explorer Scout Commissioner canprovide you with that information.The purpose of this fact sheet is to assistmembers, especially Scout Network members, inplanning a small, locally organised expedition.It will cover the following topics:Organising a Visit AbroadWhere and WhenRoute PlanningExpedition SafetyEquipmentRecording the experienceThe Explorer Belt FundDebriefingPresentationExplorer Belt and Girlguiding UKDuke of Edinburgh’s AwardIn addition, an outline planning checklist isprovided to assist you in your preparations.Organising a Visit AbroadPlanning for any expedition abroad takes time.You should consider your outline plans at least sixmonths in advance. As early as possible, talk withyour Explorer Scout Leader/District ExplorerScout Commissioner or Area/County ScoutNetwork Commissioner about your plans.General information and advice on planning visitsabroad is available from your AAC/ACC/ARCInternational or Area/County/Region InternationalAdviser and from the International Office at GilwellPark.Although there are no formal requirements fortraining exercises, a good level of fitness andsome expedition experience will obviously be ofuse.Where and WhenMany factors will affect your choice of country.You should start by selecting a country of interestto you, which can be visited in the time that youhave available and is within your financial scope.Your expedition should last about ten days but thelonger you can devote to it, the greater the valuefor money, because transport to and from thecountry will probably represent the largest item ofexpenditure. At this stage, you will need to drawup a budget and investigate various travel options.Then collect as much background information aspossible on the country and select an appropriatesubject for your major project. Alternatively, youmay already have determined to investigate aspecific subject, and this may indicate your choiceof country. The topic selected should not be toospecialised – it should enable you to conduct ameaningful study on the strength of chancecontacts with ordinary people.Route PlanningYour choice of country and region will naturallyinfluence your route. It is not envisaged thatThe Scout AssociationGilwell Park Chingford London E4 7QW Tel + 44 (0)20 8433 7100 Fax + 44 (0)20 8433 7103 email info.centre@scouts.org.uk www.scouts.org.uk

page 2 of 3expeditions will take place in remote, hazardousterrain since the projects will necessarily involvecontact with local communities. Thus, a ten-dayhigh mountain traverse would not be appropriate,Your route must provide a test of your skill andinitiative whilst enabling you to make a study ofyour selected main project. Teams shouldnormally expect to camp at night, but chanceoffers of home hospitality may be accepted.The expedition should take place over ten daysand should involve about thirty hours of travel.Travel can be by foot, horse, canoe, cycle and,exceptionally, by public transport (although this isonly recommended for a small part of the totalexpedition).Expedition SafetyThe usual activity rules of The Scout Associationapply to Explorer Belt expeditions (See Policy,Organisation and Rules).Other special hazards, which might involve risk,range from extremes of climate to politicalinstability, and would make some areas unsuitablefor Explorer Belt expeditions.Explorer Scouts and Scout Network memberstaking part in an Explorer Belt expedition are alsorequired to complete the usual requirements forpermission to camp abroad. These are detailed inthe Visits Abroad folder, available from yourAAC/ACC/ARC International.EquipmentAt an early stage give serious consideration toyour equipment. You will be on your own foraround ten days, so it should be reliable. Bootsshould be well worn in, whilst adequate clothingfor the conditions anticipated and suitablelightweight tentage should be obtained.Living largely off the food of the country beingvisited greatly enhances the experience, but youmay also need to be prepared to take somedehydrated expedition foods as a reserve. Checkwhat fuels are readily available in your chosencountry. Your total pack should aim to carry nomore than 16kg or one-fifth of your own bodyweight.Recording the ExperienceYou are required to keep a notebook during theexpedition. A small notebook or loose-leaf file maybe suitable for use on the expedition. The purposeof the notebook is to assist you during thepreparation of your presentation, and it won’t beassessed. You will want to make notes onprojects completed, together with a daily diary,details of routes, personal impressions, details ofexpenditure and so on. It is surprising how soonyou will forget these details if you do not notethem! Plan for the type of presentation you willmake before you go. You may wish to makesketches en route, or record your journey on slide,film or video or audiocassette. Any of these mayhelp you to report back on your expedition.Explorer Belt FundThe International Office at Gilwell Park manages afund for individuals undertaking Explorer Beltexpeditions. Applications to the fund are made onan individual basis and should be made using theform, which can be found in fact sheet BP260006- ‘Fundraising and Grant Aid for Exchanges andVisits Abroad’ which can be downloaded fromScoutBase or obtained from the InformationCentre.Support normally takes the form of a grant, whichis paid to a local Explorer Scout Unit or ScoutNetwork on behalf of the applicant.DebriefingWith a large group expedition, a de-briefing withLeaders on the expedition can be achieved quiteeasily. On a small expedition, this can be a bitmore difficult. Ideally, on your return home youshould aim to meet with your local Leaders whowill be interested to hear how the expedition went– whilst all the information is still fresh in yourmemory. More information on this provided infactsheet 6 in this series – Explorer Belt – ‘Theend game’PresentationOn return home, you are required to give apresentation on your expedition to a suitable

page 3 of 3audience. Where possible, this should be done asa team.Explorer Belt and Girlguiding UKMembers of the Senior Section of Girlguiding UKcan be invited to join a large Explorer Beltexpedition. A mixed Scouting and Guidingexpedition can provide participants with a greaterunderstanding of each other’s organisation,perhaps leading to more joint activity at a locallevel before and after the expedition itself.The Core Team should be aware of differingpractices that should be accommodated. Thesecan be reviewed in The Guiding Manual (4 thEdition) on page 200.Early co-operation between Scout and Guidecounterparts is essential if considering anexpedition with Guide involvement.Explorer Belt and the Duke of Edinburgh’sAwardExplorer Belt expeditions may count towards the'Other Adventurous Projects' requirements of theDuke of Edinburgh's Award Gold Expedition,provided that a notification form is sent to theappropriate National Headquarters at least fourmonths before the expedition.Useful ChecklistChoose the country to be visitedDiscuss your plans with your ExplorerScout Leader/District Explorer ScoutCommissioner or Area/County ScoutNetwork CommissionerResearch on the country chosenObtain information from the tourist officeof the country chosenObtain information and advice fromAAC/ACC InternationalSelect your main projectCarry out background research on yourmain projectObtain local maps/informationPlan a routeEstablish the budgetObtain approval of your plans…Make travel bookingsBook any accommodation/camp sitesnecessary, mainly for before and after theexpeditionConclusionRemember that to a large degree your ultimateenjoyment will depend on your prior planning. Thisis especially so in relation to your main project –meaningful observation and understanding is onlypossible on the basis of thorough backgroundpreparation.FactsheetsThe factsheets in the Explorer Belt series are:1. Explorer Belt – Introduction2. Explorer Belt – Going your own way3. Explorer Belt – Organising a groupexpedition4. Explorer Belt – Project suggestions5. Explorer Belt – Useful contacts6. Explorer Belt – The end gameObtain passports (and visas if necessary)Prepare equipment, tentage etc.Learn some of the languageComplete Form PC (Abroad) and obtainan International Letter of IntroductionUndertake relevant expedition trainingArrange a home contactSend news releases and arrange for localpublicityPlan fundraisingArrange travel insurance, currency,travellers cheques etc.Complete any health precautions requiredOn return, complete a camping abroadReport Back form