The Crean Challenge

The Crean Challenge Expedition takes place in February each year and is an expedition taking place in Iceland aimed at members of the Scout section.

As well as the physical and mental challenge of the Expedition participants also have to work with other to achieve common goals while also completing personal challenges.

There are 4 stages to the Crean Challenge Expedition
• Stage One – Application and Selection process 

With so many youth members wanting to attend this event and with only a limited number of places available this is your chance to demonstrate to the organisers of the event what you have achieved in scouting and what skills and talents you can bring to the event. It is important to highlight what experience you have on other Scouting Ireland events including Scout Group/County/Provincial/National Events. It is also important to clearly identify some of the goals which you aim to achieve by partaking in this event. These goals will be discussed as part of the Stage Two training and planning weekend in September and your new Mentor will assist you in achieving these goals throughout your six month expedition.

• Stage Two – Training and Planning weekend September

The second stage of the Expedition will be a planning and training weekend. This weekend will have a number of elements to it. It will be the first time all of the participants meet each other. As part of this weekend the Expedition Patrols and Expedition Mentors will be assigned. Thirdly we will discuss and identify the skill levels required to complete the Expedition and how to gain a sufficient standard in these competencies. Last but in no way least you will be taking your maiden voyage on the Expedition. The planning section of the weekend will involve the Scout developing the programme for the second training weekend. This will allow you to have a say in what training you feel you need.

• Stage Three – Training and Evaluation Weekend December

The third stage of the Expedition will be a training weekend where we will practice some of the essential skills necessary to complete the Expedition in February. We will also have a number of safety briefings discussing some items that will need to be considered prior to attending the Expedition such as safety, essential equipment, altitude sickness, extreme elements etc. On this weekend each Expedition Patrol in conjunction with their mentor will complete a progress review and work on their individual personal challenges.

• Stage Four – The Expedition February

The Expedition itself will be upon us and what a great time it promises to be. The Troop will depart Ireland and head for the Iceland where you will be challenged by the climate and terrain. Using the physical and mental training that you have completed in preparation for this Expedition you will overcome these challenges.
The initial few days of the trip will be a learning experience to allow you to familiarise yourself with some of the equipment that you will use throughout your Expedition including, Skies, Sledges and Safety Ropes. On top of this you will be shown how to build Snow Holes, Igloos and trek in the difficult snowy terrain.
You will then take part in your Two Day Expedition trekking to basic Mountain Huts high in the Iceland Mountains, spending a night in these basic lodges and returning to base camp the next day. The end of the event will involve a review and an assessment of the individual Scouts expedition and hopefully they will be awarded the Crean Challenge Expedition Award.

Although the entire six months of the Expedition process will be difficult you the Scouts will be trained to the highest standards to ensure that you are capable of achieving the Expedition requirements and most importantly this will all be done in a FUN way!!

Previous years information:

Initial Booklet

https://my.scouts.ie/uploads/files/National%20Events/2012/CreanChallenge/01%20-%20Crean%20Challenge%20Information%20Booklet.pdf

Poster

https://my.scouts.ie/uploads/files/National%20Events/2012/CreanChallenge/Crean%20Challenge%20Poster.pdf

Information Booklet

https://my.scouts.ie/uploads/files/National%20Events/2012/CreanChallenge/01%20-%20Crean%20Challenge%20Information%20Booklet.pdf