Walking - A Key Part of the Guiding Programme

Enjoying the Out of Doors is a key part of the Guiding programme, and walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of getting out. As County Walking Adviser, I encourage all units to enjoy walking in safety and with confidence and I am happy to answer any queries you may have relating to walking.

Walking Opportunities

Walking doesn’t have to be a full days hike up Snowdon (though it can be!). Walks can be tailored to meet all needs; it is a healthy activity and can definitely be fun! There are plenty of possibilities. How about?

• Brownie wide game.
• Guide night hike.
• Rainbow picnic in an unusual place.
• Trefoil café walk.
• Senior Section walking between youth hostels.
• Guiders stroll on the Mendip moors.

Other Opportunities for the guides to do some walking are:

• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Ten Tors
• The Baden-Powell Challenge

[Click the Read More link below to read on, or to download this article as a fact sheet]

Out and About and Level 1

Unsure about taking your girls out? Then consider doing the Out and About optional training module. Been to the park or explored the local nature trail but now fancy walking across lowland farmland? Then Level 1 Walking optional training is well worth considering.

For relatively short, easy, local walks, ensure you know:

• Correct adult to child ratios for your group
• What clothing and gear to wear/bring
• How to use simple map or have walked the route before
• The Green Cross Code, Water Safety and Country Code
• What precautions to take and what to do in bad weather and darkness

Further Qualifications

In addition to the Level 1 qualification, there are further qualifications. Training at Level 2 is delivered several times a year through the regions and the Level 3 and Mountain Leader Award is delivered nationally. See the table for more details. Click here. Courses will be advertised on the web site.

Classification of Walks

Land is classified in levels of difficulty for walking as Easy, Lowland, Open, Remote and Extreme. For ease, a classification of walks is listed for you in the table. Click here.

Guidance

Girlguiding UK provides top class guidance and training information to help you, for example:

• Training Opportunities Walking Scheme (Revised 2008). Girlguiding UK (Purple Trading Service Code 6563). Girl Guides Walking Scheme: http://www.guidingessentials.org.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/GirlGuiding/6563/23393

• The Guiding Manual (4th Edition) Pages 107-114 and pages 166-174. Now available on line; go to ‘The Guiding Manual’, click on A-Z of Activities, 4 levels of walking activity are listed under ‘Ten Pin Bowling to Zorbing’ section!

Additional Sources of Information

More information can be found as follows:

• How to plan a Hike. Click Here.
• Classification of Countryside and Associated Qualifications Road Safety: http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/children/childpedestrians?whoareyou_id=/think/whoareyou/pedestrians&page=Overview
• Water Safety: http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/resources/water_safety_youth.htm and quiz: http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/resources/quiz.htm
• Countryside Code: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_know/countryside_code and funny 1 min video: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/content/download/521/3147/file/countryside_code_1min_isdn.mpg
• Up to date details on Open Access land: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_do/open_access/open_access_maps
• Countryside Access: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/content/view/full/75
• Running large-scale night hikes. Click here.
• Map reading: from the beginner to the advance map reader (booklet and downloadable) via Ordnance Survey website. OS Map Reading Made Easy Peasy: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education/pdf/Mapreadingmadeeasy.pdf
• The Navigator’s Dozen: the 12 most important mountain navigation skills via The Mountaineering Council of Scotland website. http://www.mcofs.org.uk/navigators-dozen.asp including map scales, symbols and grid references, route choice, estimating distance, compass bearings and setting the map.
• Energy for the hill Click Here
• Mountain Leader Training: http://www.mlte.org/ training
• Weather: http://www.mwis.org.uk/mountain/SU.PDF
• Weather: http://www.metcheck.com

Happy walking and exploring the great outdoors

Mike Leatt, County Walking Advisor, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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