REAL LIFE SITUATIONS

Q: How long is a practice journey?
A: Besides meeting the required night out (Gold Level), a practice journey should be as long as the Leader believes necessary. No distances are prescribed, but the leader must be satisfied that the participants are prepared to complete the proposed qualifying journey.

Q: Who signs the preliminary training section of the record book?
A: The leader or an assessor.

Q: Can two Bronze participants do their Expedition with a friend who is not taking part in the Award Program?
A: Yes, as long as the friend has taken the necessary training as well. Ensure that the non-participant has appropriate insurance coverage and that the parents are informed of the situation so that consent can be given.

Q: Does someone have to travel with my group when they are training on their practice journey?
A: Yes, an experienced adult should accompany a group on all practice journeys. It is the leader's decision whether he/she needs to accompany the group on a qualifying trip. This will be a judgment call by the leader based on the experience of the group, the nature of the journey and the Leader's requirement to assess. The leader must accept responsibility for the safety of the group in all situations.

Q: Does everyone have to carry a backpack?
A: No, but the participants must carry their gear. If they are traveling by canoe or horseback, each participant is responsible for their own personal gear. If medical reasons or special circumstances dictate, then a participant’s gear may be shared amongst the other members in order to enable the individual to participate.

Q: Our group has three participants, but one took sick. Can we still go on the expedition as planned?
A: No. There must be a minimum of three and in most cases a maximum of seven participants for any journey.

Q: Food is heavy. Can’t we buy it at stores we find along the way, or have someone deliver to our campsite?
A: No. Food is carried by the participants,as much as possible.

Q: Our group can’t get enough back packing tents for everyone so why can’t we use a cabin?
A: A cabin is normally unacceptable. Participants may make use of remote youth hostels, huts, barns or similar accommodations in exceptional circumstances, such as severe weather.

Q: Our group is doing a round trip Silver Expedition and we are planning to stay at the same campsite overnight. Is that okay?
A: Yes.

Q: We’ve only got two participants ready for the Bronze expedition, but there is another working on the Silver who could make up the third for the journey. Can this be allowed?
A: Yes. The Silver participant may use this Bronze expedition as a practice journey provided it relates to the type of qualifying journey they want to do.

Q: I’m going to visit friends on a back packing and camping holiday over two or three days. Can I use this as part of my Silver Award?
A: Yes, as long as the journey is supervised by a qualified adult, approved by your leader, and is the same type of journey as your qualifying one will be, you may count it as a practice journey.

Q: We have six girls in my group and are we’re all set to go on a qualifying expedition, but our Leader called yesterday evening to tell us she is sick and won’t be able to do anything for a week or so. My male cousin has a lot of camping and expedition experience. Can he supervise our group?
A: Yes, but where you are members of a youth organization, the supervision and safety requirements of that organization must also be met. Most youth organizations have a very strict code regarding male/female, leader/member ratios. Such an arrangement would have to meet all of the requirements of the group and have the permission of the parents/guardians.

Q: As a leader, what should I expect to be in a participant’s written report? Can I get him/her to give me a verbal report instead? Who approves this?
A: Yes. Normally a written report is required as outlined on pages 20 and 21 of the Record Book. A verbal report may be given in special circumstances at the discretion of the Division Office. This should be arranged beforehand, not as an afterthought, as it will generally be part of a modification to the requirements for an individual with special considerations.

Q: Does my group need parental consent to go on our qualifying journey?
A: Normally Yes, follow the rules of your organization. If the participant is under the age of 18, written consent should be obtained from the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian should be advised of the route and travel dates. It is also a prime opportunity to obtain up to date medical and contact information on the participants in case of an emergency situation.

Q: I have a lot of pain in my knees, but my doctor says I’ll be fine to go hiking. Can I do an exploration for my Silver Award? How many people do I need in my group and how far do we have to travel?
A: Yes. The duration must be three days and two nights camping. There must be an element of journeying; at least ten hours in total must be spent this way. The remainder of your required time must be spent on first hand investigation of the stated purpose of your exploration (natural, geographical, resource, historical, etc.). The group size for any journey is a minimum of three and a maximum of seven.

Q: How far would I have to sail if I did a sailing expedition for my Bronze Award?
A: You must sail for six hours for each of the two days. Appropriate qualification must be achieved before engaging in such an expedition.

Q: My group is large and we can’t get enough tents for everyone to use on our qualifying expedition and we want to use huts to sleep in on the journey. Can we?
A: Yes, but huts may be used only under extreme conditions. Why not make survival shelters, carry tarps and rope, or take on the "Construction of Outdoor Equipment" and make tents to meet the needs of your group?

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