Deliverance -Overnight Canoe Trip- Objectives: Physical

• Do you have a balanced diet? Character

• Do you try your best at everything you do? Venture Scouts at SUAS Phase

• Discuss what skills and preparation would be needed for your Crew to complete a weekend canoe trip and decide on a timeframe for this programme cycle.

• Find out what Stage you are in the Paddling Adventure Skills. Form a Crew with other Venture Scouts with similar skill levels and discuss how to move on to the next level. Maybe there are Venture Scouts at a higher Stage that could give you advice,

• Divide the Unit into two Crews. Each Crew has to plan an equipment list for a light weight camp. The Crews than bring up their packed bags to the meeting and whichever Crew has the lighter gear wins (providing they have not left anything at home!)

• Discus water safety and how to raise the alarm in case of an emergency. Maybe invite a guest speaker to one of your meetings.

• Practice pitching your light weight tents in the dark, or rub Vaseline on an old pair of swimming goggles to blur the vision of the wearer. You could have races to see who is the fastest.

• Complete an equipment list and with the help of you Q.M. ensure it is ready for the water. Pack all equipment in dry bags or sealable barrels.

• With the help of an instructor, spend half day training on canoe basics and the second half paddling to your camp site. Camp over night and then paddle back to the start or on down the river to your next adventure.

• After your Canoe Trip have a review session, what where the best/worst bits? Did anyone move up a stage in the Adventure Skills?

Venture Scouts at TRASNA Phase • As a unit discuss how to prepare for an overnight canoe trip: what skills will you need? Do you need an instructor

or guide? What equipment is needed? Can you rent or borrow specialist equipment? • Contact one of the national campsites to discuss your Crews needs. • Discus the different stages in the Paddling Adventure Skills. Divide the Unit into Crews of similar skill levels.

Encourage these Crews to find out what needs to be done to move up a level in the Adventure Skills. • Plan a light weight equipment competition. Divide the Unit into two Crews, each Crew has to plan two

equipment lists for a light weight camping trip; one for group equipment and one personal equipment. The two Crews have to submit their lists to the Executive to ensure there is nothing missing. The Crews have to bring the packed items to the next meeting, whichever Crew has the lightest bags wins.

• Practice pitching your light weight tents under different conditions; dark, windy, one hand tied behind your back, etc.

• With the help of your Q.M. pick out what equipment would be most suitable for your canoe trip. Pack the equipment into dry bags or barrels.

• Organize transport to the campsite/centre you booked for your canoe trip. • Practice your new skills and enjoy your paddling. Ensure the group keep together; if someone is new to paddling

and needs extra time be sure not to rush them, they won’t enjoy it and they will be unlikely to try new things again.

• After the activity or around the campfire, have a review session: did everyone like the activity? Would you change anything? Did anyone move up a stage in the Adventure Skills? Maybe this would be a good time to hand out the badges?

Adventure Skills:

• Paddling • Emergencies • Camping

Special Interest Badges: • Personal Skill • Physical/Recreation • Adventure/Journey • Community Involvement • Environment

Web Resource http://www.scouts.ie/more/national_campsites_network/campsite_locations.html http://www.waterwaysireland.org/ http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/