Scouts & Explorers Walking Weekend – Eryri (Snowdonia)

When: Friday 27th  to Sunday 29th September 2024

Time: 5pm Friday to 5pm Sunday

Accommodation: Cae Groes House in Llanrwst

Sections: Scouts & Explorers accompanied by their Leaders

Cost: £50 – includes accommodation and food from Saturday breakfast to Sunday lunch; excludes transport to and from Snowdonia, food on Friday and Sunday evenings or while travelling.

Contact: Event Leader, Mark Graham at hillwalking@scoutshw.org.uk

Description

This is an opportunity for Scouts and Explorer Scouts to walk amongst the most iconic peaks in the National Park and, weather allowing, to climb to the tops. In past years we have walked the Carneddau, Glyders, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) itself, as well as outlier peaks such as Moel Siabod. There will be days of walking led by experienced, Terrain 2, Permit Holders.

The weekend is pitched at those who have some hill walking experience and a medium to good level of fitness as we’ll be in the mountains all day.

Scouting is an inclusive organisation so if you have anyone who is keen to come who may need additional support, please contact the Event Leader directly to talk through what accommodations can be made.

Accommodation is fully catered in the comfortable Cae Groes House in Llanrwst.

Scouts must be accompanied by their own leaders.

Booking is through leaders only.

It is important that everyone has all the kit on the list so we stay safe.

Additional Information for Leaders

The Event Leader, Mark Graham, will be the Nights Away Permit Holder and will contact Groups about specific Nights Away requirements.
We recommend Leaders download and adapt the first page of THIS DOCUMENT to promote the event to members and include the kit list and health form.
Places are limited to 50 so early booking is advisable; places will be allocated when payment is received.

Arrival

Groups can arrive any time after 5.00 pm on the Friday evening.

Programme

Two days of hill walking, a full day on Saturday and a slightly shorter day on Sunday to allow for groups to set off home by 5pm.
Different graded walks depending on the ability and experience of young people, weather conditions and time constraints. Walking groups will be between 4 and 8 people, led by a Terrain 2 Permit Holder and generally supported by another adult.
The programme will be decided on the Friday night once final numbers attending and weather conditions are known. Routes will be chosen by the Event Leader in collaboration with other Walk Leaders.
Please do not arrive for the weekend with any ambition to do a route you have personally selected.

Who is the weekend for?

The event is open to all Scouts and Explorer Scouts including Young Leaders. All young people must be accompanied by their leader(s).
The weekend is pitched at those who have some hill walking experience and a good level of fitness as we’ll be in the mountains all day. However, Scouting is an inclusive organisation so if you have anyone who is keen to come and who may need additional support, please contact the Event Leader directly to talk through what accommodations can be made.
Numbers are limited to a maximum of 50, including leaders. To enable as many groups as possible to attend we would like numbers of young people per group to be limited to a maximum of 8 with just 2/3 adults.

Badges and Training

If they choose, attendees can practice their navigation, and walk leaders will be happy to help young people earn navigation and hill walking badges
Anyone working towards hillwalking leader permits, King’s Scout or Duke of Edinburgh Awards can also request coaching and advice.

Food and Accommodation

Cae Groes House offers indoor accommodation for up to 50. Sleeping is in bunks with mattresses and pillows provided, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bags and pillowcases.
Food for the weekend (Saturday breakfast to Sunday lunch) is provided by a small and dedicated service crew. Any special dietary requirements can be noted on the booking form.
Please note there is no food provided on the Friday evening due to the different times groups are likely to arrive, nor on Sunday evening.
Plates, bowls, etc. are provided at the hostel, but participants will need to bring a sandwich box and drinks bottle for their packed lunches.

Conduct

Good conduct is expected at all times.
The Event Leader will be in overall charge for weekend. During the mountain walking activities individual members will be the responsibility of the T2 Permit Holder in charge of their group. Once an activity has finished, members are in the hostel or are travelling, they are the responsibility of their own Leaders.
Members and Leaders are expected to keep the hostel, particularly their own dorms, clean, turn out lights at a reasonable time, and to muck in with housekeeping duties as required.
The weekend will be alcohol-free for everyone.

Equipment

Attendees must bring ALL items on the kit list (see below).
For safety, we won’t allow people to go into the mountains without the appropriate kit so please could Leaders ensure their Scouts have everything required before leaving home.

Cost and Transport

Groups need to cover their own transport costs to and from Eryi. This will be in addition to the £50 cost for the trip.
You may like to consider sharing transport with other groups to save on costs and if you have spare capacity to offer to others, please let the Event Leader know.

Booking Process

1. Let the Event Leader know that your group is interested in coming and the approximate number of attendees. This won’t secure your booking, but means we can stay in touch.
2. Complete the Group Booking Form (Excel) and post or email to the Event Leader
3. We’ll send you an invoice to be paid within 14 days to secure your booking
4. Health/Permission forms are required for all attendees. These can be completed by leaders/ parents/guardians online HERE

The Event Leader will be the Nights Away Permit Holder and will contact Groups about specific Nights Away requirements.
We recommend Leaders download and adapt the first page of this document to promote the event to members and include the kit list and health form.
Places are limited to 50 so early booking is advisable; places will be allocated when payment is received.

Kit list for walkers

Clothes to walk in:
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof over-trousers
Boots with ankle support and good tread
Base layer x 2 (one for each day)
Mid layer fleece top or jumper x 2 (one spare)
Insulated jacket if waterproof jacket very thin
Walking/activity, quick-drying trousers (not jeans)
Walking socks x 2 (one pair for each day)
Warm/waterproof hat
Gloves (two pairs)
Scarf or buff
Light, windproof jacket (optional)
Gaiters (optional)

Stuff to carry when walking:
25-40 litre day rucksack
Sandwich box/bag for packed lunch
Emergency rations
Water bottle or bladder, minimum of 1.5 litre capacity
Flask for hot drink (optional)
Torch/head torch with spare batteries or a second torch
Compass (optional)
Personal first aid kit
Survival bag
Whistle
Watch
Spare warm clothes
Hand sanitiser
Face mask
**All kit to be in drybags or a rucksack liner to keep dry

Kit for back at base:
Sleeping bag
Pillowcase
Pyjamas
Wash kit
Towel
Changes of clothes – you could get wet on both days!
Lightweight footwear to wear in the hostel
Trainers or shoes for general wear