When do expeditions take place – do I need time off school?

Schedule

Silver and Gold expeditions:

•  Training: February – March before SQA exam leave starts
• Practice expeditions – between late May ( following end of SQA exams ) and the start of school summer holidays.
• Qualifying expeditions – from the start of the school term in August to the end of September. 

Bronze training and expeditions are run by Districts – often in March – May, or September.

Duration and absence from school

All practice expeditions last two days and evenings – and do not normally need any time off school as they run from Friday teatime – Sunday teatime.

• Bronze qualifier expeditions last 2 days over a weekend, with no absence from school required.
• Silver expeditions last 3 days (Friday- Sunday). One day off school is often required.
• Gold expeditions 4 days ( Thursday-Sunday) – participants need to be at the expedition start location early on Wednesday evening.  2, or possibly 3 days absence is required. 
  

In our experience, schools are normally happy to grant permission for absence when informed in advance.