Other Adventurous Projects
Other Adventurous Projects are of an equally or more demanding nature than the normal Gold Expedition or Exploration but depart from some of the specified conditions. They provide participants with even greater scope for imagination and enterprise for their venture and many distinguished enterprises have taken place.
Although there is great scope for innovation, Other Adventurous Projects must still comply with the spirit and philosophy of the Expeditions Section i.e. an unaccompanied journey which has been planned and prepared by the participants where they are self-reliant and sufficiently remote from habitation to be dependent on their own resources.
Participants must submit an application outlining their plans, via their Operating Authority, in sufficient time to reach the Award Head Office at least 12 weeks prior to the date of departure.
In giving approval for Other Adventurous Projects, the Award Office only confirms that the project is acceptable as a Gold qualifying venture in the Expeditions Section.
The Award cannot accept any responsibility concerning the suitability of the venture for the participants, safety aspects, the adequacy of the training or emergency procedures. These responsibilities must rest with the Operating Authority.
Before making their submission participants should read the relevant chapter in the Expedition Guide which gives guidance on the information needed for a successful application.
To improve the quality of submissions, the Award offers the following advice:
| Choice | The essential simplicity of the traditional Expedition or Exploration and its role in personal and group development is such that any departure from this format should not be undertaken without careful consideration. |
| Age | Other Adventurous Projects are best suited to older participants in the Award - those between the ages of 18 and 25. |
| Initiative | The Project should be initiated by the participants themselves and be their ÔbrainchildÕ. The concept should be distinguished by a boldness, imagination and enterprise. The planning and preparation should be carried out by the participants. A project which only modestly exceeds the expectations of a Gold Expedition, but which is entirely conceived and executed by the participants themselves, is preferable to a much more ambitious venture initiated and planned by Leaders. |
| Conditions |
Other Adventurous Projects must take place in the context of an Expedition. Reading the conditions of the Expeditions Section in the Award Handbook must always be a first step and those conditions which define the environment i.e. wild country, isolation, remoteness from habitation and the need for dependency on oneÕs own resources, are particularly important. Appropriate training for the mode of travel and thorough preparation are essential. Involvement in the customs, culture and life of overseas countries is vital in any visit. Time should be set aside for this, but always before or after the Project itself. |
| Skills | The participants must have the necessary level of skills and techniques to be able to cope with any demands made upon them rather than their safety being dependent upon outside intervention. All the training requirements and practice journeys must be fulfilled. |
| Joint Initiative | Operating Authorities and Youth Organisations run events to all parts of the world involving many young people. It is acceptable for Award Participants to plan and carry out an Expedition within the context of these major events. Providing it is properly supervised and assessed, it does not matter whether the venture is on foot in the Pyrenees or by dug-out canoe in the Amazon Basin. |
Any truly enterprising venture will be considered providing that the Operating Authority has approved and accepted the responsibility for the venture.
Proposals must state how all aspects of the venture will meet the requirements of the Award. Full explanations under the following headings will ensure the speedy consideration of an application:
1. The purpose of the venture.
2. The reasons why the venture will differ from the requirements and conditions of a standard Gold qualifying venture.
3. The location and nature of the environment in which the qualifying part of the venture will take place.
4. The mode of travel.
5. The nature of the accommodation and catering arrangements.
6. The duration of the qualifying part of the venture, with dates if possible.
7. The number involved in the venture with the names and ages of those wishing to use it for their Award.
8. The experience and skills of those involved which would justify their undertaking an Other Adventurous Project.
9. The planning, preparation and training, including any specific aspects related to the nature of the venture and details of the practice journeys.
10. Any special precautions or procedures in case of an accident or emergency.
11. How the proposed venture is to be supervised and assessed and who will receive the presentations.
12. The proposed departure date from home to the location where the venture will take place