Explorer Belt

The Explorer Belt is an award in many Scouting organisations which promotes adventure and self-reliance in an international context.

While specific rules on the award vary from one organisation to another, it is generally for older members of the Scout Movement and requires a group of Scouts to travel and conduct a set of projects through which they investigate the history, geography, and society of a foreign country.

Within the Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder the Explorerbelt Expedition is open to members from 17 to 24 years of age.

Prior to the expedition there are two weekend-meetings for planning and preparation. Each group/team consists of two people. Teams have to prepare a presentation, dealing with a subject in the country visited (cultural, historical, social...).

On the expedition participants travel the foreign country in the teams for 14 days, dealing with their subject. Afterwards there is a camp of one week, together with all participants and instructors.

The belts are awarded in a ceremony during the final meeting, after the expedition, usually a weekend.

The award is open to members of the senior section of Scouting, and candidates work in pairs.

As the pair travel over 200 km during the 10-day expedition, they maintain a diary and conduct between 10 and 18 projects.

The expedition pairs are required to make presentations of their projects and experiences before being awarded the belt.

Pairs of Rover Scouts are dropped off at an undisclosed location and are required over the course of ten days to return to basecamp. Participants must walk which a minimum distance of 200 km, but have the option of completing an extra 100 km by public transport. The expedition is open to Rover Scouts aged between 18 and 21.

The teams must complete a daily log as well as personal and group projects to an acceptable standard while living on a limited budget. The projects cover topics relevant to local life and culture, and are developed with the intention of having the teams interact with locals while learning about the history, culture and life of the region.

The teams must also carry all equipment needed to complete the expedition. Rucksacks can often weigh in the range 12 to 22 kilogrammes. This equipment can include tentage, sleeping gear, clothes, cooking equipment, first aid equipment, fuel, water, stationary, and whatever food has been purchased from the budget.

On reaching basecamp, the teams are given time to recover during which an assessment team read through the expedition logs and projects. They also examine whether the minimum distance of 200 km has been completed. Following the assessment phase, Rover Scouts deemed to have met the conditions of the award are presented with the Explorer Belt at a ceremony held at the end of the expedition. Traditionally, those who have received the belt do not wear it until after they have returned home to Ireland. In 1983 (Wales) those who received the belt wore it.

...
Wikipedia