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Dear Leader - Notice for Scout Leader (Accompanying a patrol on a Sionnach Adventure)

Dear leader,

Welcome to the Sionnach Adventure. Thank you for taking the time to accompany a patrol on a Sionnach Adventure. In order to ensure the safety of scouts on this adventurous activity and to enhance the fun and enjoyment for all we would like to clarify your role as leader accompanying a Sionnach Adventurepatrol.

It will be your responsibility to:

Ensure that your patrol is properly PREPARED. In particular that scouts have the correct personal equipment, especially proper rain gear and footwear. Scouts that do not have these will not be allowed past the gear check at check-in on Friday. In this event you will need to make arrangements to get home. To assist in the check-in process we would ask that all items such as rainwear, first-aid kit, bivvy bags, torches, hats and gloves as well as map and compass be packed at the top of rucksacks.

Ensure that an accurate route card is completed by the patrol beforehand and that all are familiar with the route to be taken.

Ensure that your scouts have been trained in the safe use of Trangia stoves and fuel.

Ensure that all members of your patrol are over the minimum age of 14.

Understand the minimal impact approach to camping, information on which is found in the handbook "Backpacking and Hill walking".

Ensure that the patrol members are up to the challenge. If a scout is unwell or unfit and not up to the challenge it won’t be much fun for them or for you.

In the interest of "child protection" there needs to be separate tent accommodation for males and females as well as for leaders.

On a Sionnach Adventure we expect the scouts to do most of the navigation and team tasks themselves. You as leader are there to provide back-up, adult direction and support. This is particularly important in relation to safety issues:

The avoidance of horseplay.

Helping to choose a "walk line" away from obvious dangers, crags, cliffs etc.

Keeping the patrol together.

Ensuring that the patrol navigate each leg of the route.

Proper compliance to the country code.

At high camp it is your responsibility as leader to:

Ensure the patrol has adequate food to avoid fatigue and hypothermia. Please make sure they eat at appropriate times.

Ensure that all members of the patrol stay as warm and dry as possible.

Ensure that scouts who wish to stay up late and chat do not create noise and nuisance for the other campers who might wish to sleep.

Remind them that they still have a strenuous day ahead, possibly in adverse weather conditions.

Ensure that all rubbish is brought down from high camp and that the site you used is left the way you found it.

Ensure that your scouts do not have any alcohol or substances of abuse.

The Sionnach Adventure Team will endeavour to make this adventure fun and educational. The Sionnach Adventure Team will also try to assist you in anyway possible and will aid you in safeguarding the scouts. In the event of an accident or illness please bring it to the attention of a member of staff. Please follow the advice and instructions of Sionnach Adventurestaff. If a patrol member should require hospitalisation the leader must accompany the scout to hospital. At the check in, on Friday night, please hand in the completed "Patrol Information Sheet". At this time any medical condition that may be relevant should be brought to the attention of the staff, it is important for you to keep a record of the medical details of your patrol members, such as allergies, medication etc. It is also important that you keep a copy of the "Patrol Information Sheet". In the event of an accident, emergency or if you get lost you will have an emergency telephone number that is for the Sionnach Adventure event mobile phone. There will be a leaders briefing on Saturday morning just prior to departure for the Saturday route.

Thank you for volunteering to bring a patrol on a Sionnach Adventure, we hope it is both educational and fun for you and your patrol.

-The Sionnach Adventure Team.

"But, of course, to enjoy camping and hiking, you must know how to do it properly". - BP