Surrey’s comprehensive Award expedition programme
Surrey Scouts provides a comprehensive programme of expedition preparation, training and delivery at all Scout and DofE Award levels for older Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Network Scouts. This Award expedition programme is provided by a specialist unit called the Western Watch.
Bronze expeditions
Bronze level expeditions take place in February, June and September in the Surrey Hills or on the North or South Downs. They run over 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) and include 1 camping night (Saturday). Bronze level expeditions are for older Scouts carrying out their Expedition Challenge or Bronze DofE, and for Explorers carrying out Chief Scout’s Platinum or Bronze DofE expeditions.
Participants are responsible for getting themselves to the expedition start point and for arranging to be collected from its end point.
Forthcoming expedition dates are listed in the upcoming events section of the Surrey Scouts website and in the documents section below.
Silver and Gold expeditions
Silver and Gold level expeditions take place in April, August and October in UK wild country areas. Recent locations include Dartmoor, the Black Mountains, the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog, Snowdonia / Eryri, the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and the Pennines. Transport is provided from Surrey to and from these expedition areas.
Silver Practice and Qualifying expeditions last 4 days. They begin with either 1 or 2 days of training followed by either a 2 or 3 day expedition.
Gold Practice and Qualifying expeditions last 5 days. They begin with either 1 or 2 days of training followed by either a 3 or 4 day expedition.
These expeditions are for Explorers and Network Scouts carrying out their Chief Scout’s Diamond / Silver DofE expeditions and King’s Scout Award / Gold DofE expeditions.
Forthcoming expedition dates are listed in the upcoming events section of the Surrey Scouts website and in the documents section below.
How to join an expedition
If you’re an Explorer Scout, Network Scout, Scout Leader or Explorer Leader, contact Andrew and Helen, who lead the Western Watch, by email at WesternWatch@surrey-scouts.org.uk
They’ll ask which expeditions you or your scouts are interested in. They’ll help you register for an expedition and form a team. Registrations open 12 months ahead of an expedition and close between 2 and 3 months before the expedition.
How to join the Western Watch
If you already have hillwalking experience and / or a hillwalking permit or would like to develop your experience so as to support Western Watch expeditions contact Andrew and Helen by email at WesternWatch@surrey-scouts.org.uk
Expedition planning, training and expedition documents including README Safety
Expedition planning
You’ll plan your expedition before carrying it out. This includes setting the aim of your expedition, and planning your route, food and menu, equipment, and your training.
Expedition training
Expedition skills training often takes place as part of your ongoing scout programme. We provide specific training as part of the expedition programme including recommendations for how to prepare for a Qualifying expedition.
Expedition documents including README safety
Bronze Expedition README safety document
Bronze expedition planning 2024
Bronze route card template 2024
Bronze expedition personal kit list
Silver and Gold Expedition README safety document
Silver Gold expedition planning 2024
Silver Gold route card template 2024
Expedition teams
What size does my team need to be?
The ideal team size is 5 or 6. Teams can be from 4 to 7 people.
Who can be in a team?
Expedition Challenge teams must be Scouts.
Chief Scout’s Platinum / Bronze DofE teams can include both Scouts and Explorers.
Chief Scout’s Diamond / Silver DofE teams and King’s Scout Award / Gold DofE teams can include both Explorers and Network Scouts.
All King’s Scout Award / Gold DofE participants must be aged 16 or over on the first day of their Practice expedition.
What if I don’t have a team or have a part team?
We’re here to help you form a team. Contact Andrew and Helen, who lead the Western Watch, by email at WesternWatch@surrey-scouts.org.uk We’ll link you up with other scouts who are interested in similar Award expeditions to you.
When do I need to sign up?
Registrations open 12 months ahead of an expedition and close between 2 and 3 months before the expedition.
Expedition costs, what's included, and personal and group equipment
What does a Bronze expedition cost? What is included?
Bronze level expeditions typically cost between £20 and £35.
We provide support to your expedition planning and training. We provide supervision and assessment during the expedition. Camping fees and transport during the expedition are included.
You are responsible for getting yourself to the expedition start point and for arranging to be collected from its end point. You are responsible for providing your personal equipment and group equipment. We may be able to help you with equipment. You plan and provide your food.
What does a Silver or Gold expedition cost? What is included?
Silver level (4 day) expeditions typically cost between £190 and £230.
Gold level (5 day) expeditions typically cost between £235 and £270.
We provide support to your expedition planning and training. We provide supervision and assessment during the expedition. Transport to the expedition area from the start point in Surrey, during the expedition, and back to Surrey are included, as are camping fees.
You are responsible for getting yourself to the start point in Surrey and for arranging to be collected from the end point. You are responsible for providing your personal equipment and group equipment. We may be able to help you with equipment. You plan and provide your food.
What personal equipment do I need to take part?
The expedition personal kit lists are included in the expedition documents section above. Some important items are highlighted in red on the kit lists.
You must have the required waterproof jacket and waterproof overtrousers to take part. These items are essential. You cannot take part in an Award expedition without them. We may be able to arrange a waterproof jacket and / or trousers if you let us know.
What group equipment do I need to take part?
Group equipment, such as tents, stoves and cooking equipment, navigation and safety equipment, is identified when you plan your expedition. You’ll normally borrow it from your Scout Troop or Explorer Unit or use your own. We can provide some group equipment.
What if I can’t afford an expedition or the equipment?
We don’t want cost to be a barrier to your participation. If it might be, talk to us.
Questions or queries?
If you have any questions or queries or if you should need to contact us, we’re at WesternWatch@surrey-scouts.org.uk
