Information on Girlguiding UK's walking scheme
You can order the booklet from Guiding Essentials,
code 6563. There has been an
amendment agreed to allow recording of training/assessment courses attended.
Enjoying the Out of Doors is a key part of the Guiding programme, and walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of getting out. We want to encourage all units to enjoy walking in safety and with confidence.
What Qualifications Do You Need
Class of Country | Description | Appropriate training and qualification |
Easy | Urban areas; parks; local woods, lanes, tracks and paths where there is no danger of getting lost; nature trails and way marked paths | Out and About is optional No qualification needed |
Lowland | Lanes, tracks and paths in easy country where might need to read a map but weather will be fair | Level 1 is optional |
Open | Paths below 600m with either - well-defined boundaries
- few features to assist route-finding
- little protection from wind/rain or cold
- isolation, height or nature of country could present problems
| Level 2 |
Remote | Open country without paths, but not steep slopes, rocky ground, scree, loose rock or exposed ridges | Level 3 |
Extreme | Open country without paths, but may include steep slopes, rocky ground, scree, loose rock or exposed ridges | Mountain Leader |
If your group includes young people and the walk is:
- taking place in Open, Remote or Extreme county and
- goes further than 30 mins walk from road or landline telephone
the leader must
- hold appropriate qualification
- appoint a deputy
- leave a copy of route and expected return time with home contact
- consider time of year and weather
In addition for
- Open country – hold ML or walk route before or submit route to ML holder
- Remote country – hold ML or know route and submit to GGUK Advisor
Walking in Winter
You may not go further than 30 mins from road or landline telephone with young people if
- Ice or snow are forecast/present in Open or Remote country
unless you hold a ML Winter award
For simple local walks ensure you know
- Correct adult to child ratios for your group
- What clothing and gear to wear/bring
- How to use simple map or have walked the route before
- The Green Cross Code, Water Safety and Country Code
- What precautions to take and what to do in bad weather and darkness
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Mountain Leader |
Required? | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Organised by | County Walking Advisor | Region Walking Advisor | GGUK | External or GGUK |
Training | ~2 evening sessions | one weekend | 5 days | 5-6 days |
Assessment | During training and on assessed walk | one weekend | 5 days | 5-6 days |
Log Book walks | 6 past walks, one as leader and at least one of 6km | 20 days of walks in at least 3 different open country areas, one in adverse weather conditions. All at least 10km or 5 hours and at least 2 as leader | 20 days of walks in at least 3 different wild country areas, one in adverse weather conditions. At least 2 as leader | 12 month experience and 40 quality mountain day walks |
Assessment walk | 6km in lowland | 10km in open country | 6 hours in wild country | N/A |
First Aid | current 1st Response | First aid qualification with at least 16 hours training | First aid qualification with at least 16 hours training | First aid qualification with at least 16 hours training |
Renewal | Three walks every 3 years | Six days of walks every 3 years | Six days of walks every 3 years, 3 must be at least 6 hours | Current 1st Aid and walking experience |
Assessed Walks
The assessed walks should have a group size of 5-8 people, including an assessor. Young people may not necessarily be included, but this is preferable. You need to show you can lead the group, complete the necessary paperwork; carry out a group briefing and kit check; maintain morale and interest.
Training Content
Clothing and Equipment; Guiding rules; Risks; Access and conservation; Route planning; Map and Compass; Navigation; First Aid; Emergency Procedures; Weather; Hazards; Water Safety; Leadership and group Management
Crib List and Checklist for Level 2 training are available and revised for the 2008 walking scheme book.
Verification for Level 2
Once Level 2 is completed, the following need to be sent to GGUK for verification:
Log Book
1st Aid certificate
Evidence of assessed walk - letter, permission form, emergency contact, communications to Commissioner, kit list, weather, route card
Funding for Qualifications
GGUK outdoor bursary nearly empty, but Region has some money and the County may be approached
Pick a route with some interest on the way
Try for a circular walk and pick a starting point with plenty of parking space
Start small – if they like it next time you can always go further. Girls who are chatty will walk 2-3km/h, but try with your unit to see how fast they actually go.
Look for escape routes in case of problems
Look for a sheltered low lunch spot
Walk the route yourself beforehand. You could prepare a questionnaire for the girls to complete to keep them entertained
Avoid river/stream crossings except at bridges, fords etc.
Permission for anyone under 18 with Information and Consent for Event/Activity form; leave copy of emergency contact details with home contact
Health Information Form for everyone
Inform your walking advisor and ensure you are qualified to walk your route
Inform your DC
Ensure all have sensible shoes / walking boots
Comfortable clothes for walking in
All equipment should be carried in a comfortable rucksack
- Waterproof trousers and coat
- Sun hat and Sun cream or warm hat and gloves
- Personal medication if appropriate and personal first aid kit
- Packed lunch
- Drink (at least ¾ litre of water to drink)
In group:
- First aid kit (Plasters, Crepe bandage, Safety pin, Triangular bandage, Protective gloves, dressings, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, antihistamine cream (if have permission to use), sanitary towel, blister treatment)
- Compass and Map in map case – might want extra if want girls to lead/learn
- Mobile phone with credit and money
- Emergency food rations (eg chocolate)
- Whistle
- Shelter / bivvy bag
- Warm drink
- Extra clothing
- Watch
- Paperwork – permission and health forms, location of hospital/doctor/dentist, contact details of home contact
- Route card
Record names of your Leader and Group
Record starting point – name and GR
Divide route into several legs
Pick first leg destination, record name and GR
Work out bearing to leg destination, measure distance, calculate time at 2km/hour and record any details of the route, including any escape routes you could use
Add up totals for the day
Take one copy with you and leave one with home contact
Get them to bring in kit before hand
Train them on basic map skills
Go out in evening on short local walk to get them used to it
Keep group interested; maintain morale; set appropriate pace; adapt to conditions.
Stop à Assess the situation
Danger à Prevent further injury to self, group or casualties
First Aid à Render First Aid to injured. Remember priorities and ABC
Shelter à Can the casualty be moved? If yes, remove to a sheltered spot and/or use group shelter. If not, use your group shelter or build a shelter around the casualty
Group à Check condition of rest of group
Reassure à Reassure casualty and the rest of the group
Plan à Plan what to do next: you may be able to continue after a short rest, you may
need to cut the walk using an escape rout, or you may need outside help
If help is needed à Write down:
Grid reference and description of exact location
Nature of ground
Time of incident
Name(s) of casualty(ies)
Brief history of incident
Nature of injuries or condition
Group details – number, average ages, condition
Equipment carried
Home contact name and phone
You may be able to use a mobile phone
Instructions à Issue clear instructions to both groups
Group divides
· Two people go to summon help with written message · Where? Telephone Kiosk, farmhouse, vehicle, other walkers · Who do you ask for? · Dial 999 for Ambulance or Police for Mountain rescue. Dial home contact for minor emergencies · Stay by the phone and await further instructions or to give more information · Inform home contact of situation · Be prepared to lead rescue party back to group | · Remainder of party stay with casualty · Perform any treatment necessary · Monitor casualty’s condition · Keep casualty and group as warm and comfortable as possible · Reassure and comfort · Make site as visible as possible · Attract attention using International Distress Signal: six blasts then a minute’s silence · Listen for reply: three blasts per minute · Maintain watch |
County walking site: http://lhobden.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx and County Walking Advisor: 8lhobden@yahoo.com )01665 713117
Suggested Walks
Guide books
· Walk Northumbria
· 100 Walks in Northumberland
· Walks in the Secret Kingdom North Northumberland
Hadrian’s Wall walks: http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall/downloads.asp?PageId=65
Details of other walks: http://www.cheviotwalks.co.uk/ and http://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/visiting/planningyourvisit/publications.htm
Training
Walking Scheme: Trading 6563 http://www.guidingessentials.org.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/GirlGuiding/6563/23393
OS Map Reading Made Easy Peasy: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education/pdf/Mapreadingmadeeasy.pdf
Guide Handbook 1992
Mountain Leader Training: http://www.mlte.org/
Top 12 navigation skills: http://www.mcofs.org.uk/navigators-dozen.asp including map scales, symbols and grid references, route choice, estimating distance, compass bearings and setting the map.
Weather:
· http://www.mwis.org.uk/mountain/SU.PDF
· http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp?zipcode=cheviots
Codes
Water Safety: http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/resources/water_safety_youth.htm and quiz: http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/resources/quiz.htm
Road Safety: http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/children/childpedestrians?whoareyou_id=/think/whoareyou/pedestrians&page=Overview
Countryside Code: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_know/countryside_code and funny 1 min video: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/content/download/521/3147/file/countryside_code_1min_isdn.mpg
Up to date details on Open Access land: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_do/open_access/open_access_maps
Countryside Access: http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/content/view/full/75