Adventurous Journey

Encouraging a spirit of adventure and discovery whilst undertaking a journey in a group. Learn to work as a team and develop your leadership skills.

Participants are taken out of their comfort zone- in an unfamiliar environment but kept within a safe and secure setting, achieved through suitable training and supervision.

As part of a small team (4-7 persons), participants are to plan, train for and undertake a journey with a clearly defined purpose. This will require determination, physical effort, perseverance and cooperation to complete.

The journey can be an exploration or expedition or, if you are aged 18 and over, a more demanding Adventurous Project. Once the qualifying journey has been completed, you will have to present a group report on the venture, detailing your experiences and the results of your investigations.

Examples of Adventurous Journeys:

Exploring the natural world: flora, fauna, erosion, geology, coastal studies
Exploring river valleys, plant studies,
Exploring human impact e.g. pollution
Carrying out health surveys in remote areas
Kayaking the West Coast of the island.
Mapping out gullies and watercourses
An extensive sail across an ocean
Climbing mountainous peaks
Cycling from one part of a country to another

Time requirements:

*Purposeful effort means time spent towards accomplishing the purpose of the journey. Time associated with sleeping, cooking and eating is in addition to this time.

The numbers presented represent minimums to be achieved for each level. You may require additional time and effort to achieve your desired purpose.

The Three Types of Adventurous Journey

Expedition - A Journey with A Purpose (hiking, bushwalking, kayaking, cycling, horseriding, sailing)
Exploration - A purpose with a journey (scientific/geographic/ecological studies)
Other Adventurous Journey/Project - Gold Level Only (climbing an Andean/Himalayan peak archeological dig, remote studies of ecosystems)

All journeys include a travel and camping component away from familiar surroundings.

Distance travelled is dependent on the Award Level, type of journey and the mode of travel. Consult with your Award Leader for details.

Components

Initial Briefing - Sets expectations and outlines the nature of the Adventurous Journey
Preparation and Training - Ensures Participants are competent in the necessary skills to safely undertake their practice journey
- Training components include navigation skills, campcraft, country code, and first aid., in addition to the training applicable to the chosen method of travel.
Practice journey(s) - Prepares the team for their independent qualifying journey
Qualifying journey - Independent team journey
Report - Participants submit final reports and Assessor gives final approval

Assessment

Final assessment is undertaken by a suitably experienced and/or qualified Volunteer who has been approved by the Barbados Expedition Assessment Panel. This may be a Panel member or an Award Volunteer who has completed the Assessor Training put forth by the Caribbean Award Sub-regional Council.
Assessors are responsible for writing the final assessment report and signing off the Section which they are assessing. The frequency of the contact and monitoring between the Participant and the Assessor during the planning and actual journeys will depend on the activity and the age/level of independence of the Participant.
Each participant is monitored and assessed for at least the following:
- Effort
- Perseverance
- Progress
A Participant satisfies the requirements of the Adventurous Journey Section if the Assessor is satisfied that:
- The Participant’s commitment was substantially in their own time outside of school, university or work hours.
- The Participant has met the preparation and training requirements, completed at least one practice journey and has completed their qualifying journey.
- Progress has been made based upon the Participant’s initial knowledge and ability, and the Participant has strived to meet their goals and achieve the Adventurous Journey purpose.
- Minimum hours and time requirements have been met.
- An appropriate qualifying journey report has been submitted/presented.