DofE G0624 Gold Training Weekend 15-16 June 2024

Kent Scouts are offering places to Gold participants, aged 16 or over by the start of the weekend, for training for walking expeditions.

This will be run at Lower Grange Farm Grange Lane, Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3DA

Participants to arrive for a 9.00am start, bringing with them their full expedition kit including tents, as you will be camping. Also bring all your food for the weekend, as if it is an expedition; i.e. lightweight, non-perishable, easy to cook, as well as trangias, with gas, on which to cook them.

The weekend will include navigation skills and theory, campcraft, kit, food, first aid and safety procedures. Part of the weekend will be taken up with a 3-4 hour hike to assess fitness and practical skills. If you have health or fitness issues, please discuss this with the leaders in advance. On the Sunday afternoon you will be in your teams planning the basic route of your practice expedition.

Please note: We have found it too challenging for participants to go direct to Gold, so if you plan to do your Gold expedition in wild country, you will need to have completed your Silver expedition section, and/or have other hillwalking experience. Those who do not have that experience are advised to maybe take part in a District Silver expedition, join a weekend with Invicta Mountaineering Club, https://www.theimc.org.uk/ or maybe consider other locations or methods of transport which are less challenging. However, it should be emphasised that wild country is not all about climbing mountains, and expeditions can be planned to walk at lower level, or a gentler pace to suit the teams’ ability, but even so, all team kit has to be carried in wild country, and it can be a very physically demanding experience!

The weekend cost is £15 per person

Booking is now open at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/s...