EXPEDITIONS

GOALS

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

OBJECTIVE

REQUIREMENTS

1. All journeys should involve travel by personal effort without motorized assistance. In order to get to the departure point or from the completion point, motorized transport may be used. There are three types of journeys:
   1. Expeditions (A trip with a purpose) - An Expedition is a journey where participants stay at a different campsite each night. If obtaining different camp sites proves to be impossible, participants may use a base camp. This journey may have one of many purposes. For Expeditions, the required hours of planned activity are to be spent on journeying, navigation and route finding, setting up and striking camp, and on tasks related to the purpose of the Expedition.
   2. Explorations (A purpose with a trip) - An Exploration is a journey where participants may make use of a base camp, as long as their purpose involves some aspect of the natural environment (e.g. flora, fauna, land forms), or it may be historic in nature. All Explorations are to include an element of journeying and, in every case, at least ten hours is spent in this way. The remainder of the time is to be spent on the approved 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 on the findings contained in the log. All Explorations require prior approval from your local Award office.
   3. Adventurous Projects (Silver and Gold only) - An Adventurous Project is a journey which does not fit the description of Expedition or Exploration exactly, or which may be a combination of the two. An Adventurous Project must be discussed with the Divisional Director and approved on an individual basis. This is generally used by participants who would find an Expedition or Exploration challenging enough or if for medical reasons could not do either an Expedition or Exploration. All Adventurous Projects require prior approval from your local Award office.
2. All Expeditions, Explorations, and Adventurous Projects must have a clearly defined and preconceived purpose which may vary from the successful completion of a demanding journey to the satisfactory conclusion of a practical investigation.
3. The duration of the journey varies depending on the level of the Award:
   1. for Bronze - two days including one night away.
   2. for Silver - three days including two nights away.
   3. for Gold - four days including three nights away.
4. Required hours to be spent on planned activities:
   1. for Bronze - an average of six hours per day.
   2. for Silver - an average of seven hours per day.
   3. For Gold - an average of eight hours per day.

   Suggested distance for various modes of travel in Expeditions as follows:
   
   

   MODE	BRONZE	SILVER	GOLD
   on foot or snowshoe	25 km	50 km	85 km
   Nordic skiing	35 km	65 km	95 km
   Bicycle	85 km	165 km	250 km
   Horseback	50 km	100 km	165 km

   This list is only a guide and is not intended to restrict their choice of mode of travel. It is recognized that other modes of travel, such as canoeing, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing and dog sledding are best measured by duration rather than distance. Leaders and assessors should also take into account the nature of the terrain and climatic conditions.

5. Adventurous projects, which may be described as Expeditionary or Exploratory, may be allowed provided that prior approval has been obtained from an Award office.
6. The environment chosen must be appropriate to the purpose of the journey. For Silver and Gold participants, the environment chosen must be unfamiliar.
7. For any journey there must be a minimum of three (for safety) and a maximum of seven (to minimize environmental impact) in the party. If your group has more than seven, you would need to divide into smaller units. For water journeys, there must also be a minimum of two small boats or three canoes. For technically difficult Expeditions, a larger party may be considered necessary upon consultation with your Divisional Director, e.g. Fur Trade canoes.
8. In the planning/training stage for each journey, each individual must undertake a share of the general organization of the journey, including submission of the planned route to the assessor for approval. It is imperative that, for trips into unfamiliar territory, training for each participant be completed prior to the journey. Examples of appropriate training include safety precautions, map reading, map and compass use, first aid, cooking, and wildlife awareness. An outline of the training to be undertaken, and practice journeys, must be submitted to the assessor at the same time as the plan for the qualifying journey.
9. Due account must be given to seasonal and terrain conditions. Any assistance given to participants should be appropriate to the Award level.
10. For all journeys including practice journeys, suitable clothing and footwear must be worn and equipment and spare clothing appropriate to the nature of the journey must be carried. Participants should be knowledgeable in the proper use and care of all items and equipment.
    

    Note: A detailed Route Card outlining the planned route and time table of the journey, as well as an alternate emergency route, must be submitted to the assessor before the journey. Relevant medical information on each participant should also be given to the assessor prior to any journey.

    Nights away should be spend camping but, where appropriate, participants may make use of youth hostels, huts, barns or similar accommodations. Tents should be isolated or on small sites. Hostels and huts should be relatively remote. For Expeditions, different sites should, when possible, be used each night (see also paragraph 1 a). For Explorations, the same site may be used more than once if the nature of the journey so requires, in which case full equipment need not be carried on intermediate days.

11. When camping, food is normally carried by participants but fresh produce may be purchased during the journey. At least one hot cooked meal must be prepared each day.
12. Prior to their qualifying journey, all participants are required to carry out practice journeys which, may be accompanied by experienced adults. Practice journeys need not be of the same duration and must not be over the same route but conditions should otherwise approximate as closely as possible those anticipated for the qualifying journey, and should include at least one night out.
    

    Requirements for practice journeys vary depending on the level:

    1. Bronze - one practice journey must be carried out: this need not be overnight, but at least a full day's activity is recommended where participants must set up camp in order to check all equipment (e.g. use of tents, stoves, canoes, bicycles, etc.)
    2. Silver - one practice journey must be carried out.
    3. Gold - two practice journeys must be carried out: those who have completed the Silver Award require one practice journey. One practice journey should include a night out.
       1. Reports are required and are to be submitted for assessment along with the Record Book, on completion of the Award level. We recommend the use of the Guidelines, outlined in this chapter, in preparing Expedition reports.
       2. All journeys will adhere to the Wilderness Code of Behavior as outlined.

WILDERNESS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

The enjoyment of outdoor pursuits is one of the fastest growing leisure activities today. This impact should make us realize the value of gaining new knowledge of the environment and how to minimize damage to these areas. Enlightened outdoor users are attempting to travel and camp with a minimum impact on the natural environment. Here is a code of behavior to help you ensure the "wise use without abuse" of wilderness areas.

PLANNING

1. Keep the group size small. Remember, however, that the ecological impact of a group is not necessarily a function of numbers. Two careless people can do far more damage than eight careful ones. Carrying capacity (the ability of an area to support life) varies, so the number of people should depend on the region of Canada involved.
2. Prepare carefully. Carry everything you need with you. If you pack it in, pack it out.
   1. Research the trip area; become familiar with federal, provincial, and local laws and regulations.
   2. Conduct pre-trip discussion and instruction with the group.
   3. Carry adequate food supplies. Do not rely on the environment.
   4. Carry proper equipment.

TRAVELLING

1. Use existing trails and portages and stay within their confines. Conduct a careful study of the environmental implications before considering new trails.
2. Use switch backs in trails. Do not cut a new trail to save 50 meters.
3. Limit the wearing of lug soled footwear (footwear with pronounced ridges on the soles) to the time when absolutely necessary because this type of boot tends to disturb vegetation to a considerable degree and generally leads to unnecessary erosion, especially when worn by a large group.
4. Respect private property. Obtain travel permits, or ask permission to traverse private property where applicable.

CAMPSITES AND SHELTERS

1. Use existing camp sites. Keep heavy use to a confined area (because of soil compaction).
2. Do not over stay. Do not expand the campsite.
3. Refrain from using natural materials for shelter, except in emergency situations. Use a tent or plastic tarp.
4. Refrain from landscaping the campsite.
5. Use natural drainage. Do not dig trenches, especially in delicate environments.
6. Change footwear to a lower impact shoe while staying in and around campsite.

FIRES

1. Use stoves where law and local regulations dictate; where there is a fire hazard; where serious danger to the ecosystem exists; where there is little or no firewood; and where the user wishes to have a minimal impact.
2. Obtain fire permits when applicable.
3. Keep fires small.
4. Use existing fire pits. If the area is untravelled, remove evidence of fire after use.
5. Where a fire pit is absent, dig to the mineral level of the soil, avoiding the combustible soil, roots and overhanging trees. Save sand to cover cold ashes. Replace top sod.
6. Use only deadwood for the fire, using wood no larger than 5 to 8 cm in diameter.
7. Burn all wood completely to a white ash. Retrieve non-combustibles such as foil, tin cans, glass, and pack it out.
8. Douse the fire thoroughly. Stir ashes and the area surrounding the ashes. Douse again. Eliminate fire scars where possible.

HUMAN WASTE

1. Use existing out houses.
2. If there are no out houses in the area, bury human waste in a small, shallow latrine ('cat hole') 15-20 cm deep (6 in. - 8 in.) at least 50 meters (150 ft.) from open water.
3. Use single ply white toilet paper and burn (or bury) completely.

OTHER WASTE

1. What is carried in must also be carried out. Burn it, bash it, bag it, bring it back.
2. Personal hygiene activities like brushing teeth and washing hair should be carried out using pans designated for such use. Different pans should be used for the washing of dishes and clothes. Cleaning of any type must not take place in a lake or stream. Water used for personal hygiene and water used to wash dishes and clothes must be disposed of in a pit located at least 50 meters from the bank or shoreline.
3. If using soap, use mild biodegradable soap, but never in a lake or stream.

WILDLIFE AND NATURAL FOODS

1. You are a guest in someone's home, so act accordingly.
2. Avoid over-fishing, over-hunting and over-trapping. Obtain necessary licenses, such as fishing license.
3. Obey all fish, game and forestry laws and regulations. It is also important to help challenge the laws which are environmentally unsound.
4. Do not pick edible wild foods except where they are clearly abundant. Never pick wild flowers, especially when there are not very many of that particular species in the area. Some species are killed when picked. Most species of wild orchids, for example, are killed when picked during the flowering phase.
5. Avoid camping or traveling through environmentally sensitive or ecologically unique areas.

CLEAN UP OTHERS' MISTAKES

1. Pack out all non-biodegradable garbage that you find.
2. Fill in over sized latrines that are situated too close to the water.
3. Inform authorities of the mistakes of others if they are too extensive for you to cope with.

GUIDELINES FOR REPORTS ON EXPEDITIONS

Your report should include...

PREPARATION

What training did you have toward your qualifying journey?
(example: first aid, orienteering, other courses)
Describe your practice journey (distance, location, duration, etc.).
How did you prepare for your qualifying journey? Be specific.

QUALIFYING JOURNEY

The report should answer all of the following basic questions:

1. Why did you choose to make this journey?
   What was the purpose (e.g. to test equipment, or skill, to study the environment, to retrace the steps of an explorer, etc.)
2. When did you take the trip?
3. Where did you go?
   Geographic location (e.g. specific park, river, or city) include a map, hand drawn approximately to scale, with north point, or a printed map or copy as long as it clearly shows your route. You should, include camp sites, lunch stops, short descriptive notes on terrain, vegetation, wildlife, or unusual occurrences.
4. How did you travel?
   Method of travel from the start of the actual journey to its completion. Did you carry your pack the whole time?
5. Who went with you?
   Who (names) went with you (indicate leaders). Were they working on the Award? As part of your group or as independents?
6. What did you experience?
   What did you do and see? What did you learn? What would you do differently if you did it again? How did your qualifying journey challenge you? What advice would you give to someone doing the same Expedition?

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED:

• personal equipment list
• group equipment list
• first aid and safety equipment
• weight of equipment
• menu - at least one hot meal each day (should be nutritional)
• any other material of interest or documentation

SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Your report may be either in a style and form of your choosing, (e.g. in a ring binder with photographs), or presented using the "Expedition Booklet" provided by your Divisional office.
2. Written reports should be understandable and reasonably neat. Avoid slang.
3. Remember there is some flexibility in the time/distance requirements; e.g. 50 km in 3 days could be spread over 4 or more days, or 12 km per day in mountainous terrain would be roughly equivalent to 20-25 km per day hiking and level terrain, or 100-120 km per day cycling on level terrain, etc.
4. Applicants undertaking short distance Exploration e.g. study of natural environment, will be assessed on the quality of their in-depth study. The duration, however, must meet the requirements set out in the Record Book.
5. Where leaders determine that a written report is inappropriate, or that a verbal/slide/tape presentation is the most appropriate tool, make arrangements with the local Award Standards Committee for a presentation/interview.
6. Would the reading of your report prepare someone to meet the challenges and difficulties of this Expedition?
7. Are the preliminary training page and the qualifying journey page of your Record Book completed and signed?
8. Any other creative entry you wish to include in your report is encouraged, such as artistic expressions, photographs, poems or drawings.

SUPERVISION

An experienced adult must supervise all journeys, including practice journeys. The supervisor must accept responsibility for the safety of the group, and must be satisfied that you are fully trained and properly equipped to undertake the journey. It is the supervisor's decision whether he/she needs to accompany the group on any trip.

The supervisor must ensure that the group has prepared an emergency plan and a detailed route card, and that copies of these are given to the appropriate authorities.

Supervisors or assessors may cancel the journey if they are not satisfied that an adequate degree of proficiency in preliminary training has been reached, or if they believe the conditions to be such as to warrant cancellation. They should not hesitate to require groups to modify their proposed routes should they consider this to be necessary from their knowledge of the terrain and climate and their judgment of the capabilities of the group.

You often gain lifelong values from a journey involving proper planning, safety, adequate training, and meaningful programming. The opportunity to contribute, share and grow from such an experience will enhance your leadership development and enjoyment of the activity.

In accompanying the group on the journey to ensure safety, the supervisor may be the instructor or the assessor of another experienced adult. Where you are members of a youth organization, the supervision and safety requirements of that organization must also be met.

ASSESSEMENT

Your performance on the qualifying Expedition, Exploration, or adventurous journey must be assessed to ensure that all conditions have been fulfilled. For some Explorations, it may be desirable to have a special assessor to judge the quality of the investigatory work.

Whenever possible, for safety reasons, supervisors or assessors should be independent of those who have instructed the group during the preliminary training. They should be persons experienced in the type of journey undertaken and, for Gold Award journeys, should ideally hold a recognized qualification appropriate to the particular activity.

Finally, the assessor will decide whether you have qualified in this section or should be required to undertake a further venture. The Record Book may only be signed by the assessor when you have fully qualified in this section.

Note: It is not necessary that all members of the Expeditionary group undertaking the journey be Award participants, but all must adhere to the general guidelines of this section.

Return to Specific Conditions contents