BEL Award Training - Practice Expedition

The heroes have returned from their 3 day expedition out into the wilds of West Oxfordshire. Now experienced canvasationalists they slept through both ends of the temperature scale from the Baltic -5* on night one to the scorching 5* on night two. Bonus points to Marcus for 'tarping it' (we won't mention the extra sleeping bag).

They crossed peaks and valleys, trekked through woodland and over fields. They steered clear of raging rivers however as all good BELA leaders know 'you must never enter the water!'

Needless to say, there are more stories than can be covered in one blog update so, seeing as pictures speak a thousand words, here is a photo tale - 'a day in the life of'

Enjoy!

BEL Award training - Day 5

Units 5 and 9 - Lead a Walk in Lowland Countryside and Camp-craft for the Expedition Leader

With four days worth of walking behind us and the expedition ahead, today was more of a theory based learning day. Wrestling with tents, stoves and menus the team have put the finishing touches to next week's plans. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding...I wonder who's on for sorting dessert?

BEL Award training - Day 4

Units 1 and 2 - Plan and Prepare a Walk for a Group in Lowland Countryside

Matt, Marcus and Nick all chipped in today, Nick taking the lead on the walk and doing a grand job of setting some navigational tasks for the rest of the team. All of the guys are demonstrating that they are getting to grips with the techniques needed though it's still easy to miss those useful footpath signs!

BEL Award training - Day 3

Unit 4 - Lead Sessions that Impart the Knowledge and Skills for Walking in Lowland Countryside

Matt's turn today and what a good job he did! He really hit the nail on the head by putting what's taught in the classroom into context by practical application in the big wide world. Finding Narnia was a real highlight.

We are half way through the week and the team are looking good. We should have a good time on next week's practice expedition.

BEL Award training - Day 2

Unit 3 - Establish and Maintain Safe Practice During Walks or Expeditions

...or "what could possibly go wrong?"

Dave, again stepped up to the plate to deliver. We all lived to see day 3 but that, as they say, is another blog-post.

BEL Award training - Day 1

Unit 6 - Navigation for the Walk Leader

Planned as an introductory day, an opportunity to gauge where participants are at with regards to previous experience and abilities, day 1 was a literal romp through navigational techniques. Led by Dave himself, the team learned and developed strategies that safely got us out into the countryside and, more importantly, back again.

Hills...forests...steams (or at least bridges across them)...ruins and sheep were all encountered. Some of these features are reliable when it comes to navigating your way from A to B. Some...not so.

Happy New Year!

One week into 2012 and we are definitely back to work. With the BEL Award training kicking off next week the team are getting their heads down in preparation. Lots of info and photos to follow but until then we hope you are also having a great start to the year!