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Introduction

GOAL

To develop self-reliance by doing an interesting journey of discovery and, to encourage participants to develop an awareness of the natural environment and the importance of protecting it.

OBJECTIVE

To have the participant undergo appropriate training, including safety precautions. The individual must then carry out a practice journey(s) and finally complete an Expedition, Exploration, or Adventurous Project having some preconceived purpose of discovery in the outdoors. The journey should present a challenge in terms of physical effort and fulfillment of purpose.

TYPES OF JOURNEYS

There are three types of journeys:

• Expeditions - A trip with a purpose in which participants stay at a different campsite each night. There are many purposes for this type of journey, for example, to build a foot bridge across a stream. The required hours of activity are to be spent on traveling, navigating, setting up and striking camp, and tasks related to the purpose of the expedition.
• Explorations - A purpose with a trip in which participants may make use of a base camp. The exploration should relate to the natural environment, for example,, flora, fauna, and land forms, or be historic in nature. All explorations are to include an element of travel for a minimum of ten hours total. The remainder of the time is to be spent on the investigation or special activity. An exploration must involve pre-journey research or study into the topic, an on-site study during the journey, and a report of the exploration in the official log on the findings. All explorations require prior approval from the Division Office.
• Adventurous Projects - These trips are available to Silver and Gold participants only. This type of trip does not conform exactly to the requirements of either Expeditions or Explorations. It may be a combination of both. An example of an Adventurous Project might be a trip to the Canadian north for an archeological dig. All Adventurous Projects require prior approval from the Division Office.

REQUIREMENTS

All journeys should involve travel by personal effort without motorized assistance. Motorized transport may be used to travel to the departure point and from the finish point. All trips must have a clearly defined purpose, which may vary from the successful completion of a demanding journey to a successful investigation.

The environment chosen must be appropriate to the purpose of the journey. For Silver and Gold participants, the environment chosen should be if possible unfamiliar.

For any journey there must be a minimum of three people for safety and a maximum of seven in a group. Groups of more than seven should be divided into smaller groups to minimize environmental impact. For water journeys there must be a minimum of two small boats or three canoes. For technically difficult expeditions, a larger group may be considered with permission from the Division Executive Director.

Training for each participant must be completed prior to the qualifying journey. Training includes safety precautions appropriate to the journey to be undertaken.

Seasonal and terrain conditions must be taken into consideration. Any assistance given to participants must be appropriate to the Award level, with safety foremost in mind.

Clothing suitable to the journey must be worn and spare clothing as well as equipment must be carried. Participants should be knowledgeable of the proper attire and the correct use and care of all equipment.

Nights away should be spent camping out. In exceptional circumstances, eg, severe weather, participants may make use of remote hostels, huts, barns, or similar accommodation. Different sites should be used by all groups each night. For Explorations, the same site may be used for more than one night if the nature of the journey so requires. In such a case, full equipment need not be carried on intermediate days.

Food must be carried by the participants, but fresh produce may be purchased en route. At least one hot cooked meal must be prepared daily.

Prior to the qualifying journey, all participants are required to carry out a practice journey accompanied by an experienced adult. These journeys need not be of the same duration. Conditions should otherwise approximate those expected on the qualifying journey. Requirements for practice journeys vary with the level of the Award.

• BRONZE - one practice journey that need not be overnight.
• SILVER - one practice journey is required and if possible include one night out.
• GOLD - two practice journeys must be carried out - those who have completed the Silver require only one practice journey - one practice journey should include a night out.

Reports are required and are to be submitted for assessment along with the Participant’s Record book on completion of the Award level. Guidelines for such reports are found in the Participant’s Record Book.

All journeys will adhere to the following Wilderness Code of Behavior.

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