Bivouac 2010

Bivouac 2010

Hi Scouts,

Definition

Bivouac (biv-oo-ak) n. – a temporary camp without tents or other cover. – v. (bivouacked, bivouacking) to camp in a bivouac. (Source The Oxford Dictionary)

A Bivouac shelter is a simple hut, which you can make quickly. (Source Scouting for boys)

During the weekend of 18th Sept, Skip and I took part in this year's Bivouac event in a forest somewhere in Gloucestershire.

Bivouac 2010 is an activity weekend that has been specifically developed for Scouts and Explorer Scouts of Birmingham County who not only wish to achieve the Survival Skills Badge, but to develop their skills further.

Furthermore each applicant is expected to build and sleep in a Bivouac, no matter what happens with the weather – there are no back up facilities!

There are 4 activities to do, taking 4 years to complete in the following order;

1. Bivouac Training Award

2. Bivouac Award - Assessment for Survival Skills Badge

3. Bivouac Junior Leader Award

4. Bivouac Junior Staff (Building a Bivouac is optional)

Skip and I helped out on one of the training sectors with a group of 6 Scouts, who will hopefully move up to assessment next year.

On the first day the Scouts had demonstrations on the use of a knife, shelter building, survival tin, fire lighting, cooking, gadget making, distress signals and the use of a survival bag.

The Scouts then built their own shelters, made a fire and cooked their meals on them. They slept in their shelters overnight.

On the second day the Scouts had demonstrations on first aid, tree identification, edible plants, knife care, water collection and purification.

At the end of the weekend the Scouts on our sector all received the coveted 'Bivouac Training' badges and Skip and I received the highly regarded 'Bivouac Leader' badge.

We hope to take part in the event again next year.

Yours in Scouting,

Skip & Chief