Frequently Asked Questions
Q – What is the Explorer Belt?
A - The Explorer Belt is the chance to undertake an international expedition over 10 days that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and its way of life. Often described as the “antidote to the package holiday” we guarantee that it will change your life forever. The actual length of the whole trip to the Czech Republic will be approximately two weeks.
Q - Where will I / they be going in the Czech Republic?
A - We aim to base ourselves in a small town to the North East of Prague, called Mlada Boleslav. We have made contact with the local Scout Group who will be on hand to support us. The Expedition will be in an area near this called Bohemian Paradise.
Q - How old do I / does my child have to be?
A – You / They must be aged over 16yrs and under 25yrs by 31st August 2014
Q - How much will I / my child have to pay to go on this Expedition?
A- The Expedition is budgeted at a maximum cost of £700. The 2012 County Expedition was also budgeted at this cost but actually cost £625. We pride ourselves in providing one of the cheapest and best value Expeditions in the Country.
Q- I would like my child to go but I am not sure if I can afford it?
A- For the last Expedition each child received a grant funding from the Scout Association of £200, so they only had to find £425 of additional funding (although we cannot offer any gurantees). We will be applying for this grant again for this Expedition. In addition to this Grant all those going are encouraged to hold fund raising events and approach local groups such as Rotary & Lions for funding donations. On the last Expedition members did bag packing, raffles in their own groups and sponsored events. Also the participants can contact their district for funding support. A large proportion of the Scouts who went on the 2012 Expedition raised most of their funds through such activities and so it cost them / their families very little, if anything at all.
Q- When will I / my child be expected to commit to the Expedition?
A - The selection weekend will be held on 5th-7th July 2013. The successful candidates will be notified by the end of July 2013. They will then be expected to pay the £60 deposit by the end of August 2013
Q - When will you want the money by?
A - Payments will be staged as follows.....
Amount Date
1. (Non returnable deposit) £60 30/08/2013
2. £160 28/10/2013
3. £160 17/02/2014
4. £160 04/04/2014
5. £160 04/07/2014
Q - Will there be any additional costs
A - The £700 price includes…Return Flights, Food Required, Transport to/from airport, Accommodation, Insurance, Cost of Explorer Belt, Expedition Polo-shirt, Transfers, Expedition briefings/training weekends, UK Scarf, & Adventurous activity costs. The only additional costs that you will need to consider are the purchase of a Passport, some personal equipment and spending money.
Q - Who will I / my child walk with on the Expedition?
A - The exact walking groups will be decided nearer to the date of departure. We canvas and assess those going to identify the best teams. There are usually 4 or 5 Scouts per team.
Q- What experience do the Leaders have?
A - We will be taking 4 very experienced Leaders, who collectively have a wealth of experience in International Expeditions, Mountain Leadership, Water Safety, Security, and Scout Association. They have been approved by the Cornwall Scout Council to lead this Expedition. We will also be taking 4 Trainee Leaders. All of these Leaders are volunteers and will be giving four weekends and two weeks annual leave to enable this Expedition to happen.
Q- How many people will be going?
A - There is no limit on the amount that we can take; however, our current estimate is between 24 & 30 Explorer / Network Scouts
Q – I have / my child has a disability/learning difficulty, can they go?
A - We have taken disabled children and leaders on previous expeditions and are happy to work with families to continue to do this where practicable. Please feel free to contact us to discuss.
Q - I am worried that this Expedition will affect my child's GCSE and A Level Exams.
A - We have scheduled the four training weekends so they do not conflict with the exam seasons.
Q - My child is doing the Queen Scout Award / Duke of Edinburgh Award so do they really need to do this Explorer Belt Expedition?
A - Yes. This Expedition is very different to any Queen Scout / DofE exercise. Also the Explorer Belt can be used as part of the International section of the Chief / Queen Scout Award. Our aim is to ensure that by the end of the Expedition your child will have the confidence and know how to travel independently in Europe and beyond. We have some fantastic testimonials from parents and young adults.
Q- Who should I contact if I have any other questions?
A – Expedition Leader
Jonathan - Email: [email protected]
A - The Explorer Belt is the chance to undertake an international expedition over 10 days that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and its way of life. Often described as the “antidote to the package holiday” we guarantee that it will change your life forever. The actual length of the whole trip to the Czech Republic will be approximately two weeks.
Q - Where will I / they be going in the Czech Republic?
A - We aim to base ourselves in a small town to the North East of Prague, called Mlada Boleslav. We have made contact with the local Scout Group who will be on hand to support us. The Expedition will be in an area near this called Bohemian Paradise.
Q - How old do I / does my child have to be?
A – You / They must be aged over 16yrs and under 25yrs by 31st August 2014
Q - How much will I / my child have to pay to go on this Expedition?
A- The Expedition is budgeted at a maximum cost of £700. The 2012 County Expedition was also budgeted at this cost but actually cost £625. We pride ourselves in providing one of the cheapest and best value Expeditions in the Country.
Q- I would like my child to go but I am not sure if I can afford it?
A- For the last Expedition each child received a grant funding from the Scout Association of £200, so they only had to find £425 of additional funding (although we cannot offer any gurantees). We will be applying for this grant again for this Expedition. In addition to this Grant all those going are encouraged to hold fund raising events and approach local groups such as Rotary & Lions for funding donations. On the last Expedition members did bag packing, raffles in their own groups and sponsored events. Also the participants can contact their district for funding support. A large proportion of the Scouts who went on the 2012 Expedition raised most of their funds through such activities and so it cost them / their families very little, if anything at all.
Q- When will I / my child be expected to commit to the Expedition?
A - The selection weekend will be held on 5th-7th July 2013. The successful candidates will be notified by the end of July 2013. They will then be expected to pay the £60 deposit by the end of August 2013
Q - When will you want the money by?
A - Payments will be staged as follows.....
Amount Date
1. (Non returnable deposit) £60 30/08/2013
2. £160 28/10/2013
3. £160 17/02/2014
4. £160 04/04/2014
5. £160 04/07/2014
Q - Will there be any additional costs
A - The £700 price includes…Return Flights, Food Required, Transport to/from airport, Accommodation, Insurance, Cost of Explorer Belt, Expedition Polo-shirt, Transfers, Expedition briefings/training weekends, UK Scarf, & Adventurous activity costs. The only additional costs that you will need to consider are the purchase of a Passport, some personal equipment and spending money.
Q - Who will I / my child walk with on the Expedition?
A - The exact walking groups will be decided nearer to the date of departure. We canvas and assess those going to identify the best teams. There are usually 4 or 5 Scouts per team.
Q- What experience do the Leaders have?
A - We will be taking 4 very experienced Leaders, who collectively have a wealth of experience in International Expeditions, Mountain Leadership, Water Safety, Security, and Scout Association. They have been approved by the Cornwall Scout Council to lead this Expedition. We will also be taking 4 Trainee Leaders. All of these Leaders are volunteers and will be giving four weekends and two weeks annual leave to enable this Expedition to happen.
Q- How many people will be going?
A - There is no limit on the amount that we can take; however, our current estimate is between 24 & 30 Explorer / Network Scouts
Q – I have / my child has a disability/learning difficulty, can they go?
A - We have taken disabled children and leaders on previous expeditions and are happy to work with families to continue to do this where practicable. Please feel free to contact us to discuss.
Q - I am worried that this Expedition will affect my child's GCSE and A Level Exams.
A - We have scheduled the four training weekends so they do not conflict with the exam seasons.
Q - My child is doing the Queen Scout Award / Duke of Edinburgh Award so do they really need to do this Explorer Belt Expedition?
A - Yes. This Expedition is very different to any Queen Scout / DofE exercise. Also the Explorer Belt can be used as part of the International section of the Chief / Queen Scout Award. Our aim is to ensure that by the end of the Expedition your child will have the confidence and know how to travel independently in Europe and beyond. We have some fantastic testimonials from parents and young adults.
Q- Who should I contact if I have any other questions?
A – Expedition Leader
Jonathan - Email: [email protected]