We are hoping to complete the Explorer Belt challenge (August 2017), which is one of the most renowned awards in Scouting. The Explorer Belt is an opportunity given to Explorer Scouts of age 16 and over to take part in a ten day expedition that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and way of life. The expedition has to be at least 100 miles, with explorers carrying all kit on their backs and camping every night. We are hoping to go the Germany, starting in Mainz and finishing in Berlin. It’s a personalised award where the group must organise everything for themselves, from fundraising, to route planning, first aid, and all the activities that need to be completed while we are there.

One of the requirements for the Explorer Belt is that throughout the expedition, we have to complete projects; this ensures that we really take in our surroundings and learn something from the experience, instead of just walking for 100 miles. We will complete 10 minor projects and 1 major project. Our major project will include a detailed investigation into the East/West Germany divide, with which we will be visiting different sections of the Berlin Wall and indulging in guided tours while we are there. Our minor projects will include: German fairy-tales (Brothers Grimm); German food; sport; contemporary art; visiting a Scout group; and a tour of a concentration camp.

As previously mentioned, we are planning to start our expedition in Mainz and finish in Berlin. To get to Germany, we will be getting a flight from Birmingham to Mainz. Our route will primarily be visiting smaller towns and cities on our way through to Berlin, including: Cologne, Siegen, Dortmund, Kassel, and Magdeburg.

In order to do this, we will have to cover the costs of: travel, food, equipment and insurance. Equipment that we will need will be specialist expedition equipment. To meet these costs, we have set a fundraising target of £10,000. We would be grateful for any donation.