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Award Title

Adventure in Outdoor Pursuits doesn't stop after Treverton. Thus it is the goal of the Venture Award to encourage the development of a spirit of adventure amongst participants in the O.P. programme that will stay with them forever.

Most of the excitement and learning of the Venture experience occurs in the planning stage and buildup.

Requirements

You must conceive, plan and execute an expedition or exploration which has specific objectives of either traveling a certain distance or attaining a certain exploratory objective (e.g. attempting to find and map caves in a Drakensberg valley).

An expedition must consist of at least two overnight bivouacs and be of a minimum of 7 hours physical exercise duration each day.

An exploration must also devote at least seven hours a day to an exploratory activity.

Venture Awards are not automatically granted upon the completion of an expedition since an extremely high standard of planning, execution and reporting is expected.

Procedure To Follow For Organising A Venture Trip

  1. A full plan is to be submitted in the logbook of the administrator of the group a minimum of two weeks before the intended Venture activity.
  2. This plan is to be neatly presented in typed form for approval by the MIC. The headings given in the outline below must be seen as an absolute minimum. Any shoddy/scrappy proposals will not be considered.
  3. Depending upon the nature of the exercise and at the discretion of the headmaster and MIC an adult member will need to accompany the expedition. Note that Housemasters and parents' permission is required for venture trips during school term.
  4. Venture activities are ideal for holidays, so plan ahead!
    Get parents involved, many successful trips have included parents.

Outline Of Headings For A Detailed Plan

  1. Objective of expedition or exploration (What)
    • What is the aim of the planned trip?
  2. Location of planned trip (Where)
    • Where will the trip take place?
  3. Plan of action (How)
    • When (times and dates) - look out for possible clashes with other school activities - check the term calendar and check with the staff member responsible for the activity with which there is a possible clash
    • Transport
    • Skills needed and how these skills will be obtained (e.g. riding a bicycle)
    • Training needed and how this will be gained
    • Division of responsibilities amongst the group (i.e. who does what and when)
    • Equipment needed (maps, tents etc. - refer to Reach Beyond and other books for reference).
    • Detailed menu (from which you will make up your food list)
    • Checklist for final packing and activities before you leave
    • Possible risks, safety precautions
    • First aid measures

Award Info Title

Status

Difficulty

Skill Level

Food Organisation

Step 1

Prepare a detailed menu.

e.g.

  • Saturday breakfast: caviar, biltong and sauerkraut
  • Saturday lunch: bully beef, oats, litchis, etc.
Despite the luxurious examples used, caterers will supply only basic foodstuffs - a standard hiking ration. The rest is to be organised by you.

Step 2

Work out quantities.

e.g.

  • 3kg biltong
  • 2kg sauerkraut
  • etc.

Step 3

Fill these quantities in neatly on the school catering request form which you may obtain from the school secretary.

Step 4

Fill in all the details required on the form and double check.

Step 5

Hand to the MIC for checking and signature - this must be done at least two weeks before the intended trip. If the MIC is not available then get headmaster's approval directly. However, make sure you have your act together!

Step 6

Notify caterer of any changes.

Step 7

Collect food at the appointed time.

Step 8

Thank the caterer before and afterwards. It takes as much time to sort out food for one small group as it does to prepare a meal for 200 people!

This food request form must be submitted first to the MIC at least two weeks before the intended trip. The MIC will submit it to the headmaster and caterer.