Hill Walking

The County run a number of hill walking events over the year to support and encourage members to get their boots on and head for the hills.

Leader Walking Days

One day a month from November to April a walk in the hill is planned to encourage adults to get out and gain more experience hill walking.  Each day is run by an experienced Leader and is open to any adult from within the movement whatever their experience level.  Walks are advertised on the County Calendar or alternatively you can join the email listing and get full details sent out to you a week or so before each walk.  To get on the email list or to find out further information contact DCC (Activities)

Leader Walking and Climbing Weekend

Usually on the second weekend in May the County holds its Leader Walking Weekend in North Wales.  Individuals looking to gain a Permit for hill walking can be assessed on this weekend or come along for training/experience toward a Permit.  The weekend is again open to all adults within the movement whatever their experience level. The event is advertised on our events pages or contact DCC (Activities) for further information.

Scout and Explorer Walking Weekend

A weekend walking based in north Wales and usually on the first weekend in October. The event is advertised on our events pages.

For further information on Hill Walking please contact DCC (Activities) via e-mail dcc.activities@scoutshw.org.uk.

Climbing

The County runs a number of climbing events over the year to support and encourage members to get out and climb on manmade walls or on natural rock crags. Most of these events are run by the Activate Team who support the County Climbing Advisor and the County Climbing Assessors in providing this most enjoyable but challenging activity.

Whatever your climbing needs members of the Activate Team can fill them.  Session and training in all aspects of rock climbing can be arranged.  Venues for your sessions can be both manmade walls and outdoor natural rock crags.  The Team can cater for the complete novice to the experienced climber.

Over the year they run a programme of Leader Training courses: –

Instructing Manmade Walls and Towers  

These weekend courses are for those who are interested in working towards a Permit to instruct climbing on manmade climbing walls and towers.  Very little experience is required but candidates must be able to work comfortably at heights of up to 12 metres. Usually two courses are programmed in each year, but additional courses can run as required. Rhydd Covert Scout Campsite and Kinver Scout Campsite are both used over the weekends. These events are advertised on our events pages or contact the County Climbing Advisor for further information.

Natural Rock Crags  

These weekend courses are for those who are interested in working towards a Permit to instruct climbing on natural crags.  This course is not for the complete novice but is suitable for those instructors or trainee instructors with only man-made wall experience.  Participants will need to be comfortable working at heights of up to 20 metres and be competent belayers. Usually, this course is run as the need requires. If you require further information contact the County Climbing Advisor via e-mail at climbing@scoutshw.org.uk

Experience Days  

Over the year the Team also runs a number of experience days out on real rock or at one of the local commercial climbing centres.

These events are advertised on our events pages or contact the County Climbing Advisor for further information.

On Rock days are aimed at any adults wishing to gain more experience at climbing or for experienced climbers wishing to log some extra climbing time.  These sessions are usually run over the winter months.

Roc On days are aimed at giving parties of Scouts or Explorers a chance to climb on natural rock crags. Over the summer the Activate Team usually programmes in several of these days but extra days can be booked if your unit requires them.  In recent years the Activate Team has also run some evening sessions during the long summer nights at Symonds Yat Rocks. These sessions give a short but useful introduction to climbing on natural rock crags.

"I know no better physical exercise than this, since it not only trains and develops every muscle in the body, it also encourages healthy living and the development of nerve, endurance and resourcefulness, besides being a most enjoyable form of recreation.  It needs careful practice and instruction to begin with but once a Scout is good at climbing, it has a tremendous attraction. It offers never-ending variety and it cannot fail to keep him fit and happy."
Baden Powell