Swindon North District Explorer Scouts

The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime that is available to Explorer Scouts aged over 16 and members of the Scout Network.

It is a chance to undertake an international expedition over ten days that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and way of

life.

The Explorer Belt is often described as 'the antidote to the package holiday'.

It is designed to help young people develop a real understanding of another country by travelling through that country, working as a small team

to complete surprise projects, and meeting local people.

What is the Explorer Belt?

• plan and train for an international expedition as part of a small team. This should ideally be three or four people.

• travel to another country of your choice and travel through that country over ten days

• complete a major project of your own choice • complete around ten smaller projects • keep a notebook or diary during the expedition • take part in a debriefing after the expedition • make a final presentation about the expedition to be

assessed and gain your Explorer Belt

The Explorer Belt

Where are we going?

When are we going?

4th August 2013 – 17th August 2013

• Fly out from a UK airport on or about Sunday August 4th 2013

• Spend 1 day + 1 night together as a group• Explorer Belt starts – 10 days – Monday 5th August 2013• Return to Budapest on August 15th 2013• Debriefing day on the 16th August

• Group meal, chance to relax• Fly back to the UK on Saturday August 17th 2013.

Costings

• Total Amount = £600

Monthly training Support from the date you register to the post expedition presentation from an

experienced team Regular pre-expedition communication A training weekend (2013) A T-shirt and UK neckerchief Transport to and from Hungary Insurance Pre and post expedition food and accommodation Budget for the expedition. 24 hour support team while on the expedition Post expedition assessment Up to 2 weeks abroad

What’s not included:Personal kit and equipmentPassport costsExplorer Belt (paid by District)

Costings

Month Amount

November 2012 £50 NON REFUNDABLE

December 2012 £50 NON REFUNDABLE

January 2013 £100

February 2013 £100

March 2013 £100

April 2013 £100

May 2013 £50

June 2013 £50

• Total Amount = £600

Training Dates

• Friday 30th November – Sign up• Wednesday 5th December – Start TBC• Wednesday 19th December: 7:30 – 9:30pm Scout House• Wednesday 16th January : 7:30 – 9:30pm Scout House• Wednesday 30th January : 7:30 – 9:30pm Scout House

• After Jan once monthly meeting• Training weekend

• The Explorer Belt is assessed by a team who will base their decision on:

• how much the team have developed their knowledge of the country, people and way of life

• how much the team members have developed personally and as a team from the experience

• the quality of the expedition

Assessment

Explorer Belt expeditions may count towards the 'Other Adventurous Projects' requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Gold Expedition, provided that a notification form is sent to the appropriate National Headquarters at least four months before the expedition.

The Explorer Belt can also be used to fulfil the requirements of the Queens Scout Award expedition or parts of the other awards, but it may not be used more than once.