|
Welcome to the guide of the Venture section of The Presidents Award.
The aim of this guide is to offer you the PAL greater assistance
with this section of the Award by outlining a few suggested Ventures
throughout the country, along with some useful contact numbers and
tips.
Secondly, the guide contains a list of Adventure
Centres, which have agreed to work in partnership with The Presidents
Award to carry out expeditions in line with the specified criteria
of the Award programme.
These measures have been taken primarily to promote the best model
of good practice with specific emphasis on safety and supervision,
and also to comply with the International standard of Award programmes.
Notes on Adventure Centres
>>
Details of Explorations
>>
Why the Venture Section?
The aim of this section of the Award is to encourage a spirit of
adventure and discovery. The Venture must involve self-reliant journeying
in the countryside or on water, conceived with a purpose and undertaken
by the participants own physical efforts.
Through this section young people have the opportunity to:
-
Plan and execute a task
-
Demonstrate enterprise and imagination
-
Work as a member of a team
-
Respond to a challenge
-
Develop self-reliance
-
Develop leadership skills
-
Recognise the needs and strengths of others
-
Make decisions and accept the consequences
-
Reflect on personal performance
-
Enjoy and appreciate the outdoors
Format
The participants are required to select a suitable venture which:
-
Is sufficiently testing for them at their present stage of
development
-
Requires appropriate planning and training involving practice
journeys and skilled training where necessary
-
Is within the guidelines of the standards set our below
Standards
In all cases the expedition must involve:
-
Being away from home
-
Staying in a self-catering hostel, camping or in accommodation
approved by the Award
-
Cooking at least one substantial meal per day
-
Bringing all gear on the journey
-
The days on the venture are consecutive and must involve a
journey going from point A to B to C etc
-
Spending the entire specified period of time exclusively on
the expedition
-
Maintaining a detailed logbook of the expedition including
the planning
Minimum Requirements for an Expedition
Bronze Award - Two days and one night
Walking distance: A minimum of 24 km (15 miles)
Cycling distance: A minimum of 113 km (70 miles)
Canoeing distance: A minimum of 20 km (12.5 miles)
All the above over two days
Silver Award - Three days and two nights
Walking distance: A minimum of 48 km (30 miles)
Cycling distance: A minimum of 193 km (120 miles)
Canoeing distance: A minimum of 40 km (25 miles)
All the above over three days
Gold Award - Four days and three nights
Walking distance: A minimum of 80 km (50 miles)
Cycling distance: A minimum of 274 km (170 miles)
Canoeing distance: A minimum of 60 km (37 miles)
All the above over four days
Safety
The safety and welfare of Award participants is of the utmost importance.
This is particularly relevant when it comes to the Venture Section
of the Award.
The level of supervision required during an expedition will depend
on the level of the Award. At Bronze Award level, participants should
be walking on low level paths, such as sections of the Wicklow Way
and should be supervised at all stages.
All Bronze Award expeditions, whether walking, cycling, canoeing
etc must be supervised by the President’s Award Leader or another
suitable adult nominated by the Leader. This supervision also applies
during the ‘overnight’ element of the venture.
The level of supervision at Silver Award level need not be as intensive
but clear checks need to be in place to ensure safety, appropriate
behaviour etc.
At Gold Award level the participants should be fully trained in
first-aid and safety as well as map and compass reading in all aspects
of foot expeditions before embarking on their Gold expedition. Plenty
of practical experience is essential. The expedition at Gold level
should be abroad or in wild country with the minimum of pathways
used.
All groups embarking on a foot expedition should leave a clear
map of their route (route card) with at least one specified person
e.g. the school principal, before embarking on the expedition. The
approximate time required for walking each section should be specified.
This will obviously assist both from a safety point of view and
in case a Participant needs to be contacted urgently e.g. by a parent.
The leader must be satisfied that the route complies with the requirements
for the Award and that the requirements are being met in practice.
Caution
We cannot emphasise how important it is that Bronze and Silver participants
should not be allowed on the mountains without adequate preparation
and supervision.
Procedures for PALs and Employees involved in overnight activities
When taking young people away on their Venture Activity PALs and
employees should always be attentive to such matters as:
a. Safety: Activities, buildings, transport etc.
b. Insurance: Adequate to cover all aspects of the trip
c. Parental consent: Written consent should be obtained from
parents/guardians before taking young people under the age of
18 away
d. Medical concerns: Medical information which might be relevant
e.g. allergies etc should be known to Leaders and employees prior
to leaving for a Venture
e. Sleeping arrangements: Sleeping areas for males and females
should be in separate quarters and supervised by two (if possible)
adults of the same sex as the group being supervised
f. Maintaining standards and good practice in the relaxed atmospheres
of a trip away from home may be difficult as normal boundaries
and standards of behaviour can be inadvertently crossed over.
Agree a code of behaviour with the participants before embarking
on the venture.
g. The ratio of one leader to every 10 participants should be
adhered to and there should be a minimum of two leaders participating
in the actual activity (i.e. hike, cycle etc) in the event of
an accident/incident occurring, which could leave the group vulnerable.
h. Emergency contact numbers should be available to leaders.
Adults other than PALs involved in assisting with the Award
PALs should endeavour to make other adults who assist with the Award
aware of the code of behaviour and duty to care handbook. This handbook
is available from our head office.
Details of Explorations
>>
|
