Girlguiding London and South East England jointly with Girlguiding South West England are holding their annual autumn walking weekend in Dartmoor and we are looking forward to welcoming you to develop your skills in leading walks. All members of Girlguiding from Rainbows upwards can enjoy getting out into the countryside, and if you develop your skills, the girls in your units will benefit. You may also wish to come just to enjoy walking in beautiful Devon.
When? 22 - 24 September 2023
Where? Dartmoor Activity Centre, Broadleas, Haytor, Dartmoor, Newton Abbott, Devon TQ13 9XS
Who for? Adult members or other adults supporting walking in Girlguiding.
How much? £110 Training or Assessment (bursaries towards the cost are available), £75 Leisure Walking
The weekend will offer:
• Level 2 Training, and Level 2 Assessment course. If you wish to attend for Level 2 Assessment you must already have attended a level 2 Training Weekend.
• Or you may wish to use the centre as a base to plan your own walks with others. We would hope to provide someone to lead the Saturday walks. The level of difficulty would be tailored to those attending and their wishes. Maybe you are thinking of gaining the next level of the walking scheme qualification. If so, this is a good opportunity for you to develop your skills while preparing for a walking qualification. Or maybe you need to keep your skills current in order for your qualification to remain valid.
Click here if you want to know more about Girlguiding’s Walking Scheme.
The centre:
The centre is on Dartmoor situated close to Haytor Rocks from where there are magnificent views across the surrounding moorland. There is walking of all types from heather clad moors to gentle grassy slopes around the fascinating granite Tors and medieval ruins. There is an excellent visitor centre and tea room at Widecombe in the Moor for the leisure walkers.
The centre has room for 26 of us to stay comfortably in bunks in several dormitories, and has hot showers. There is a drying room in case it rains. The centre has been updated to make it as environmentally friendly as possible. It is now largely solar powered with an air source heat pump for hot water and heating.
The price of the weekend includes 2 nights’ accommodation indoors at Dartmoor Activity Centre and all meals from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime. A volunteer caterer will prepare meals and we request that you kindly take a turn please at washing up and small tasks such as laying tables.
Training:
The training will cover the main topics of the practical and theoretical sessions of the walking scheme, including:
- Route planning
- Navigational techniques
- Group management
- Hazards and risk assessment
- Day, micro and low visibility navigation
The course will involve some physical activities and being out in all weather conditions.
The Friday evening will be focussed on preparing for the weekend and getting to know the other people you will be with. Saturday and Sunday will be spent outside. Transport to and from the event is not included but if you need transport from a station we will see who is coming that way. Please contact the LaSER office if you would like to arrange this.
If you would like to do the level 2 training or assessment, you will need to supply your own:
- Copy of the Girlguiding Walking Scheme booklet, downloadable from Girlguiding website.
- OS map, number OL28 Dartmoor plus map case or a waterproof version.
- Compass (e.g. Silva Expedition 4 Compass would be ideal, otherwise this must have 360 degrees on it)
- Level 2 participants will also need a headtorch suitable for finding the way in the dark (e.g. Petzl Tikkina)
Don’t forget your discount in Go Outdoors. Other outdoor retailers may also give one if you have your membership card with you.
You will be required to submit your log book in advance if you wish to undertake the assessment.
How to apply:
Please book here. Bookings will close on 1 August 2023. Late applications will then only be considered if there is room and there are sufficient leaders to keep group sizes small.
Grants to support the cost of attending the course may be available from Region, County or Division. Remember if you are working towards a qualification you are doing it to benefit the girls so it is reasonable to see if any financial help is available locally.
If you have any questions regarding this event please contact the region office by emailing info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk. Alternatively, give us a call on 0208 675 7572.
Any specific walking questions can be sent to the London and South East England region Walking Adviser, Helen Smale at walkingadviser@girlguidinglaser.org.uk or the South West England region Walking Adviser, Val at walking@ggswe.org.uk.