Venture Scouts : Venture Scout Event Information

A group of Ventures on the Explorer Belt USA

So you are interested in applying for the Explorer Belt?

Then, read on for a flavour of the challenge.

As well as being a physical, mental and personal challenge, the aim of the Explorer Belt is to get to know a different culture. The participants do this by traveling to a foreign country and, in teams of two; they meet the locals and learn about their way of life, traditions and customs.

The basic elements of the Explorer Belt are:

  • Ten days of hiking covering a minimum of 200km of countryside through towns and villages
  • Keeping a log of your journey and experiences
  • Completing a set number of compulsory projects
  • Living on a limited budget

How you carry out these challenges is as important as completing them. You must do your personal best and demonstrate that you have done so through the spirit of scouting. Two Ventures on the road

You already know the destination but you will not know what region until you arrive. Once in the country, you and your partner will have ten days to reach base camp from your drop-off point while completing the necessary elements of the challenge, which will be outlined in detail at the compulsory training meeting and again at the training weekend before you leave Ireland.

Parents will be sent a letter on the day of your departure with the location of base camp and contact numbers at which the Expedition staff can be reached. Each team of Venture Scouts must phone base camp every second day and text every other day. If an emergency arises, messages from home can be passed on next time they make contact. Expedition staff are contactable 24 hours a day.

The Explorer Belt is not easy from a physical point of view but with plenty of preparation and training, it is an achievable goal. If you are still interested, sign-up for what will be one of the most challenging, rewarding and enjoyable experiences of your life!

You & Your Partner

Two Venture FriendsYou and your partner should be between 17 and 21 years at the time of the Explorer Belt’s departure. You both must have experience of camping and serious walking. You must be comfortable with spending 10 days on the road as a team. You will have to carry all you need on your back, plan your own route back to base camp and provide for yourselves from your limited budget. Staff at base camp are always available to come out to you at any time you need.

Pick your partner well! You will have to spend every waking and sleeping minute with this person for ten days. On all aspects of the Explorer Belt you are expected to work as a team, so who you go with is very important. You should also do as much training together before you go as possible as this will help you to work better as a team.

Previous Scouting Ireland Explorer Belts belt

2008 - Slovenia/Croatia

2007 - Poland

2006 - Portugal

2005 - United States

2004 - Germany

Previous Scouting Ireland (CSI)/Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland Explorer Belts

1980 - Normandy, France

1981 - No event

1982 - Vermont& New Hampshire, USA

1983 - Wales

1984 - Sweden(1st female team & 1st team to get a second Belt)

1985 - No event

1986 - Scotland

1987 - Bavaria(Cancelled)

1988 - Italy & Wales (The Welsh event was a joint CBSI/SAI event)

1989 - Le Conquet, France

1990 - Denmark

1991 - Scotland

1992 - England

1993 - Wales

1994 - Scotland

1995 - Hungary

1996 - Wales

1997 - Slovenia

1998 - Belgium

1999 - Northern France

2000 - Brno, Czech Republic

2001 - Italy

2002 - Lithuania

2003 - Spain

Previous Scouting Ireland S.A.I./ Scout Association of Ireland Explorer Belts

1988 - Wales (The Welsh event was a joint CBSI/SAI event)

1990 - Northumberland

1992 - Scotland

1996 - Wales

1998 - Spain

2000 - France

2002 - Spain

 

Reg. No. 397094, Charity No. CHY3507, Reg. Office – National Office, Larch Hill, Dublin 16.
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