Explorer Belt
The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime, open to Explorer Scouts aged 16 and over and members of the Scout Network. It is a chance to take part in a ten-day expedition that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and way of life.
Cheshire Scouts are organising an Explorer Belt expedition to Iceland due to take place in 2021. Discover what it’s all about here:
To complete the Explorer Belt Award, an Explorer Scout or Scout Network member must:
- be at least 16 years old and not older than 25
- be a member of either Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network
- plan and train for an international expedition as part of a small team
- travel to another country and travel through that country over ten days
- complete a self-selected major project
- complete ten smaller projects
- keep a notebook or diary during the expedition
- take part in a debriefing after the expedition
- present a presentation about the expedition
Travel
Most Explorer Belt expeditions are undertaken on foot, although other forms of transport including canoe, bicycle and horseback are equally acceptable.
Some teams may wish to use local public transport as part of their expedition and, as long as this provides real opportunities to meet and talk with local people, then it is acceptable. There is a limit on how much public transport is used. Teams may wish to mix forms of travel. Please note that hitchhiking is not permitted by The Scout Association.
Duration
The expedition should last for at least ten days. It is more of a marathon than a sprint! During this time, the team should spend at least 50 hours travelling from place to place and visit many different towns or villages, interacting with local people and experiencing their way of life. For a typical team, this would average out as about 5 hours travelling time per day. However, it is important that the route and distance take into account the local geography, methods of transport, physical ability of the team members, daytime temperatures and likely weather.
Time spent travelling to and from the country of the expedition should not be included.
