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 Italy will be approximately two weeks.
Q? How old do I / does my child have to be to take part?
A! All participants must be over 16 and under 25 years in August 2016.
Q? Where will they / I actually be going in Italy?
A! We are going to be travelling to Florence in Italy and will be based in the Apennine Mountains in Tuscany. The exact area is still being confirmed but we are hoping in the area of Pratomagno.
Q? How much it going to cost?
A! The Expedition is budgeted to cost £800 per person. Previous Cornwall Explorer Belt Expeditions have been less than this and we hope Italy will be no different. However just to warn Italy is more expensive that previous locations.
Q? I would like to go / I would like my child to go but I'm not sure if I can afford it?
A! For the previous expeditions members have been able to receive grant funding from the Scout Association of £200 reducing the amount to be paid (however there are no guarantees). In addition to this grant all those going are encouraged to hold fund raising events and approach local groups such as the Rotary and Lions for funding donations. On previous Expeditions members did bag packing, raffles, sponsored events and fundraising events. Approaching your district for funding support is also an option. A large proportion of Scouts on 2012 and 2014 Expeditions raised most of their funds through fund raising activities meaning it cost them / their families very little if anything to take part.
Q? When will I / my child be expected to commit to the Expedition?
A! The selection weekend is 4th - 5th July 2015. Successful candidates will be notified within one week. They will then be expected to pay a non refundable deposit of £100 by the beginning of the end of July 2015.
Q? When will you want the money by?
A! The payments will be staged as follows ....
Amount Due Date Due
1. £100 26th July 2015 (Non Refundable Deposit)
2. £180 18th September 2015
3. £180 25th October 2015
4. £180 4th December 2015
5. £160 26th February 2016
Q? Will there be any additional costs?
A! The £800 includes Return Flights, Transport to / from the Airport, Food, Accommodation, Insurance, Cost of Explorer Belt, Expedition T-shirt, Transfers, Expedition briefings/training weekends and UK Scarf. 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 walk with during my expedition?
A! You will be in teams of four or five and the exact members of each team will be decided closer to the time. All members of the contingent will be assessed to identify who will work best in a team together.
Q? What experience do the leaders have?
A! The leadership team consists of four highly experienced and competent leaders. Collectively they have over 25 years experience of being scout leaders, have been leaders of overseas expeditions to Norway, Namibia, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland to name a few, include two qualified Mountain Leaders and a wealth of experience in overseas travel, meaning travel security, safety and logistics are well looked after. All four leaders are volunteers and are donating a huge amount of time organise the expedition and two weeks out of work to go on the expedition in 2016.
Q? How many people can take part in the expedition?
A! There is a limit on places, so make sure that you come as yourself and a place could be yours!
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 all the training weekends / days 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! Please feel to contact Expedition Leader Lia at [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 Italy will be approximately two weeks.
Q? How old do I / does my child have to be to take part?
A! All participants must be over 16 and under 25 years in August 2016.
Q? Where will they / I actually be going in Italy?
A! We are going to be travelling to Florence in Italy and will be based in the Apennine Mountains in Tuscany. The exact area is still being confirmed but we are hoping in the area of Pratomagno.
Q? How much it going to cost?
A! The Expedition is budgeted to cost £800 per person. Previous Cornwall Explorer Belt Expeditions have been less than this and we hope Italy will be no different. However just to warn Italy is more expensive that previous locations.
Q? I would like to go / I would like my child to go but I'm not sure if I can afford it?
A! For the previous expeditions members have been able to receive grant funding from the Scout Association of £200 reducing the amount to be paid (however there are no guarantees). In addition to this grant all those going are encouraged to hold fund raising events and approach local groups such as the Rotary and Lions for funding donations. On previous Expeditions members did bag packing, raffles, sponsored events and fundraising events. Approaching your district for funding support is also an option. A large proportion of Scouts on 2012 and 2014 Expeditions raised most of their funds through fund raising activities meaning it cost them / their families very little if anything to take part.
Q? When will I / my child be expected to commit to the Expedition?
A! The selection weekend is 4th - 5th July 2015. Successful candidates will be notified within one week. They will then be expected to pay a non refundable deposit of £100 by the beginning of the end of July 2015.
Q? When will you want the money by?
A! The payments will be staged as follows ....
Amount Due Date Due
1. £100 26th July 2015 (Non Refundable Deposit)
2. £180 18th September 2015
3. £180 25th October 2015
4. £180 4th December 2015
5. £160 26th February 2016
Q? Will there be any additional costs?
A! The £800 includes Return Flights, Transport to / from the Airport, Food, Accommodation, Insurance, Cost of Explorer Belt, Expedition T-shirt, Transfers, Expedition briefings/training weekends and UK Scarf. 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 walk with during my expedition?
A! You will be in teams of four or five and the exact members of each team will be decided closer to the time. All members of the contingent will be assessed to identify who will work best in a team together.
Q? What experience do the leaders have?
A! The leadership team consists of four highly experienced and competent leaders. Collectively they have over 25 years experience of being scout leaders, have been leaders of overseas expeditions to Norway, Namibia, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland to name a few, include two qualified Mountain Leaders and a wealth of experience in overseas travel, meaning travel security, safety and logistics are well looked after. All four leaders are volunteers and are donating a huge amount of time organise the expedition and two weeks out of work to go on the expedition in 2016.
Q? How many people can take part in the expedition?
A! There is a limit on places, so make sure that you come as yourself and a place could be yours!
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 all the training weekends / days 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! Please feel to contact Expedition Leader Lia at [email protected]