Basic Skills Material Leaders Week 3

Notes

Here are some notes on the two sessions you will run.  Please use your experience to flesh them out.  The key is to leave the Explorers keen to learn more.  There will be more detailed training to follow for them and they will have access to materials online.

The preparation set for the Explorers for this week was for Compass and eDofE mapping, and does not directly affect the breakout sessions.

SESSION 1 – Hazards

Use first section of PPT and the Word document (3 pages). 

You may or may not wish to refer to the slides used in the initial presentation. (photo & definitions).

The main exercise uses the Hazards List on the PPT and on page 1 of the Word.  You can type in on displayed Word or OneNote etc, or use whiteboard where they all contribute.

1. Display blank list (4 columns) and tell them to come up with at least 5 items under each heading. I suggest dividing them between the columns, either 1/2 per column, or 2/3/4 per 2 columns, depending on your group.  Probably worth giving them time to think/make notes before collating answers.
2. When done, display populated list of Word (also on PPT) and ask them to mark in each column ‘L’ for most likely and ‘S’ for most serious.
3. Use page 3 and cover at least one additional hazard with entries for Risk and Control columns.  They will be asked to complete this at home.

 The discussion is what matters.

SESSION 2 – route card for a Bronze DofE route in Yorkshire

Use PPT and notes for leaders. 

Technical note

Ideally, open in PowerPoint.  If you use Presenter view (at least in Microsoft) you should have a zoom tool (magnifier) available that allows you to blow up the relevant section of the map.  Alternatively, you may be able to zoom in on the slide show screen using other methods.  It would be good to check this in advance.

We are focussing on the Leg Description column of the route card.  Start by looking at the ‘Recipe’ slide, but don’t spend too much time on it.

Skills already covered or mentioned today, to which you can refer:

1. 6-figure grid references, symbols used on OS maps, contours, directions, distance, time (Naismith, but don’t get bogged down with this).

Summary of approach

Start with the Recipe slide and discuss quickly. 

Then deal with each leg individually.

1. Display slide in PowerPoint, using arrow to identify the leg. 
2. Use the magnifier in Presenter view (or other means if you can) to enlarge the key section of the map.
3. Use your pointer to identify start and end points of leg.
4. Ask everyone to think about ‘ingredients from recipe for leg description’
   
   1. Type of path etc
   2. Direction
   3. Distance
   4. Distinguishing features
   5. End point – why does this leg end here?
5. Come up with a description, doing your best to involve everyone.
6. Click to show suggested description in blue text box (you may have to click first to come out of magnifier mode)
7. Click to move to next slide.

Extension

If there is time, look at the map in more detail (zoom in with magnifier etc) and discuss things like:

1. What things show that you are going up or down?
2. What hazards can you identify?
3. Where would or would not be good to camp?
4. Principles behind ‘Escape route’ – where is nearest safe point?