Expedition

Staff are reminded that those supervising any Expedition must be qualified by holding the Brigade Expedition Standard Certificate. Generally it is important that instructors are similarly qualified although it is acceptable to use specialists whose knowledge and experience in their specific area is at least of the standard required by the Certificate. No boy should attempt the test at any Grade unless he has already completed the training indicated and demonstrated a satisfactory degree of proficiency. In the case of Grade 3 he must have undertaken at least one training Expedition under the close supervision of a Certificated instructor. In any Expedition party there should be a minimum of two and a maximum of three, except in wild country where there shall be a minimum of four and a maximum of seven. All participants in a party need not be under test but must have received the necessary preparatory training. Those who have already passed a test should not be included in a party under test at that or a lower grade. The Group should plan all details of their expedition together, and the plan should be submitted to the assessor. In addition to the journey itself all expeditions should have a purpose e.g. a detailed survey, observations of wild life etc.

Grade 1
Awarded to boys who have attended a course of instruction and can demonstrate an ability/knowledge as follows:
a)	Casualty Code: a basic knowledge is required
b)	Plan a menu for a one day expedition
c)	Elementary map reading appropriate to the area to be covered
d)	Country Code : a basic understanding
e)	Undertake a walk of 12 kilometres or 7 miles in a day.
f)	Prepare sufficient meals on the expedition.
g)	Produce an interesting log giving details of the journey or give an oral report.

Grade 2
Awarded to members who have regularly attended a course of instruction and display practical skills/knowledge as follows:
a)	Casualty Code: be able to recognise and treat injuries which occur on expeditions e.g. burns, scalds, cuts, scratches, severe bleeding and general treatment of fractures.
b)	Packing a ruck sack. Types of rucksack. The equipment needed on expedition and how to pack and carry it.
c)	Simple cooking. An ability to cook a simple meal under camp conditions.
d)	Elementary map reading. (1 -.50,000 series Ordinance Survey map) scales, conventional signs, simple route4 finding.
e)	Camp craft, living in a tent.
f)	Country Code.
g)	Undertake a walk of at least 17 kilometres (lo miles) carrying own equipment in open country following a route selected beforehand and prepare an interesting log of the journey.
h)	Spend one night under canvas using lightweight equipment including the cooking of an evening meal and breakfast.
NOTE: the two practical elements can be carried out on the same or different occasions.

Grade 3
Awarded to members who hold Grade 2, who have attended a further course of instruction and can show a knowledge/ability as follows:
a)	Casualty Code. as in Grade 2 plus the treatment of injury to joints and muscles, fractures and shock and be able to give mouth to mouth resuscitation.
b)	Understand the safety precautions needed on expeditions, the need for discipline on the move, and the procedures for dealing with an accident in the type of country that will be used on the expedition.
c)	Understand the nature of the 1:50,000 series Ordinance Survey map, as in Grade 2 plus contours, map references, setting a map and route planning.
d)	Camp craft should include knowledge on the care of tents including pitching and striking, care and cleaning of camp sites, arrangements for cooking, sanitation, refuse disposal and fire precautions.
e)	Simple meals should be planned and prepared under camp conditions.
f)	An expedition on foot of at least 25 kilometres (or 15 miles) equipment across country such as agricultural, heath or common land should be completed in two days including one night spent in tents or bivouacs. Roads are to be used as little as possible. At least two hot meals are to be prepared during the expedition, no food may be bought or collected en route but drinking water may be drawn from houses. All the necessary equipment will be carried. Note that prior to the test expedition there must have been at least one training expedition.

Supervision and assessment of Expeditions.
1.	Groups under test will not be accompanied by adults, but all expeditions both training and testing must be supervised by Certificated Officers who are required to exercise considerable judgement and accept responsibility for safety. They should also be satisfied that the boys are prepared both mentally and physically for the task planned.
2.	Contact with the group must be made at least twice in each 24 hours, either by an assessor or supervising officer.
3.	Assessors should wherever possible be independent of those who gave instruction to the boys under test.
4.	The assessor will study the plans before the expedition and make any changes necessary, see the group at the start and end of the expedition, be present when the group arrives at least at one camp site and inspect at least one camp site after the group have left.