Hikes AwayStaged activity badge leader’s notes

In partnership with

scouts.org.ukcotswoldoutdoor.com

Cotswold has been helping people get outdoors for over 35 years and it’s their passion to make sure you have the best time on your hike or camping trip. The teams in store will happily provide kit talks and demos if you wish

as well as offering opportunities for you to fundraise for your hikes and

adventures instore.

Contact your local store manager here to find out more:

cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores

cotswoldoutdoor.com

The hikes away staged activity badge is a fantastic opportunity to equip cubs with the knowledge and experience to allow them to become confident in the hills and find out all there is to offer in the UK and further afield.

This pack aims to provide information for cub leaders. It will help you to prepare cubs on what to wear and carry in order to get the best out of their hike.

Route planning & navigationTop tips to planning

1. It should achieve the aims of the group.

2. How long do you want the hike to take?

3. Where will you stop for a break? Do you need to plan a picnic site, be near a road to meet support or look for shelter if you are self supported?

4. What weather might you have?

5. Make sure adults within the group have the correct skills for the hike, for example map reading or how to use a compass.

6. As a leader make sure you always have a back up plan in case you can’t use your planned route.

7. Just remember that the harder the terrain or incline, the longer it will take to do the walk.

•Maps

•Compass

•Mapmeasurer

•GPS

•MemoryMapsoftware

•Sparebatteries

•Torchshouldyouneedto nav at night

cotswoldoutdoor.com

When planning a hike you’ll need to think about some simple points. Remembering these will help you to have a well planned and enjoyable hike.

PreparationHikes have different purposes. You may want to visit a local castle, explore a town centre, or go for a long walk in the countryside. Before you go on your hike make sure you know where you want to visit and what you want to do.

As a group, list the places you want to go to on your hike. This could be an oldchurch,acastle,alakeorpark.Getthemtolisttheirsixtopfavourites.Also list what they would like to do on your hike, eg see wildlife, under-stand local history, compete in a competition, raise money or practise for a bigger event.

Activity 1

Kit list suggestions

Navigation

The nature of your hike will dictate the type of kit you need. A hike around town or to a local landmark may require a lot less kit than a trip into the mountains or across Dartmoor but here are a few basic suggestions...

The best way of dressing for a hike is by using the principle of layering. This method uses several thin layers to manage bodily warmth and protection from the elements. It’s flexible and allows you to stay comfortable all day long.

Show pictures of items of clothing – ie boots, hats, scarves, gloves and walking socks. Ask them to circle what they would need to wear if they were going on:

• awinterwalk

• asummerwalk

•“Wicking”T–shirt

•100wt(microfleece)fleece long sleeved top

•Walkingtrousers/shorts

•Waterprooftrousers

•Waterproofjacket

•Bootsorapproachshoes

•Hikingsocks

•Insulatedhatandgloves

•Sunhat

cotswoldoutdoor.com

What to wear

Activity 2

Activity 3

The activity sheet shows a maze that leads to the destination. Along the correctpaththereareimagesofitemstheywillneedtotake.Getthemtodraw their route.

Kit list suggestions

What to wear

•Rucksack

•Rucksackliner

•Rucksackraincover

Rucksack - a small pack is key. Look at simple kids’ packs and small packs to make life easier.

cotswoldoutdoor.com

What to carry

Fill a rucksack with items that may or may not be needed on your visit. Ask your cubs to pull items from the bag. If it is needed ask them to drawit/writeitintheboxprovidedontheiractivitysheets.

Short/day hike items may include:

• asnack/lunch • drink • waterproof • hat/gloves • routeguide/map • compass • emergencykit

How you pack your rucksack is key but two simple rules will help:

1. Packheavieritemsintheupperportionofthesacktocreateahigher centre of gravity making it more comfortable to carry. On rugged terrain pack heavier items close to the back in the middle portion to aid stability.

2. Packitemsyouneedregularlynearthetoporinpocketsegmaps,water bottles etc. as they need to be easily available. You will want to be able to get to your waterproof in a sudden downpour without unpacking all your dry clothes first.

Kit list suggestions

What to carry

Activity 4

Water is important, but so is what you carry it in. Make sure you have a drink and a suitable bottle that won't leak and has a wide mouth that can be easily cleaned.

•Waterbottle

•Readymeals

•Stove

•Fuel(e.g.gas/meths)

•Cookingequipment

•Healthysnacks– nuts, fruit

•Energyboostingsnacks– go bars, chocolate or Kendal mint cake

Food and hydration

Ask your pack to think about what food and drinks they would like to take on their visit. Ask them to look at the pictures in the resource pack and circle what they would take on a day’s hike.

Activity 5

Kit list suggestions

Food and hydration

Food Healthy food is great, but it must be tasty. A short walkmayonlyrequireafewsnacksbutifyouareplanning a longer day trip you will need to make sure the cubs have a packed lunch to give them lots of energy.

Snacks and treats Healthy treats are great for boosting morale as well as a sudden burst of energy especially if the going gets tough.

cotswoldoutdoor.com

The vast majority of hikes go without incident and are very safe. However accidents can happen. Make sure you're prepared by making an emergency plan and being aware of dangers.

1. Does someone know where you are going – leave a route card with someone or contact sheet if you expect to be out of signal for some time and remember to inform them when you have safely completed the trip

2. Take a whistle and learn the correct signals to use.

3. Carryafirstaidkitandknowhowtouseit.

4. Carryasurvivalbagincaseanindividualhasanaccidentoryougetstranded/lost.

5. Know how to contact the emergency services andcarrychange/phonecardincasemobilesdo not work.

6. Plananemergencyroute.

7. Have an emergency plan, make sure the whole group knows it and carry relevant contact numbers.

Safety tips

•Firstaidkit

•Survivalbag

•Groupemergency shelter

•Emergencywhistle

•Torch

•Sparebatteries

•Emergencyrations

Kit list suggestions

Safety

Safety

Activity 6

Getyourpacktothinkaboutwhattheywouldneedtohaveinafirstaid pack. Here’s a prompt list: gloves, plasters, wipes, medium and large dressings, triangular bandages, burns gel dressing, adhesive tape, shears, foil emergency blanket, eye wash. Ask them to practise some simple first aid like putting on plasters, how to cope with heat exhaustion and extreme cold.

Every hike is different and you need to personalise it. Go through all the kit list suggestions and get your cubs to take theirs home to their parents to prepare for their first trip.

Don't forget - Cotswold wants to hear about your hikes and adventures so send them a picture of your pack on your hike or write and tell them all about it in a piece for the local stores website.

Contact your local store manager here to find out more: cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores

Good luck!

cotswoldoutdoor.com

Be prepared

Navigation

Cubs list

What to wear

What to carry

Food and hydration

Safety

Hikes AwayStaged activity badge leader’s notes

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