Easter Venture (EV) is a four day Branch competitive hike for Venturer Scouts, older Scouts and Guides.
EV is a team event and you will hike in teams of four to seven. The minimum of four participants per team
will be strictly applied for your safety. All members of your team must stay together.
EV 2017 will be held at the Caroona Creek Conservation Park near Mount Bryan East - a great
hiking area with plenty to challenge the best Guide, Scout and Venturer Hikers!
Team and entry requirements
Teams can be a made up of a mix of males and females from any of the thre eligible groups;
- Older Scouts;
- Venturers; and
- Guides.
All youth members participating in EV must be 14 or before Friday 14 April 2017 and under 18.
All Participants need to be competent in the Outdoor Skills required by the Venturing Skills Award or its equivalent.
Teams can be made up of participants from the eligible groups. For example, a team could comprise of Venturers from two different Units, or Venturers and Guides. Inviting a couple of older Scouts from your local Scout Troop might also be an effective linking activity.
Teams should comprise individuals with similar abilities and/or goals for Easter Venture. More information is available on selecting your teams.
Need a team? Let us know and we can place you in a team.
Theme
Every year Easter Venture has a different theme. For 2017, the theme is 'Lost at Sea' that will incorporate everything and anything that might be in, on or under the sea. Think outside the box!
Awards and trophies
There are eight trophies to be won over the course of the weekend.
- The Michael Woodward Hike Award (Day Pack) is awarded to the team that demonstrates the highest level of skill
in hiking, whilst only carrying a day pack. This is done by collecting checkpoints along the hike. There are three levels of
difficulty and hiking teams can choose to collect as many or as few levels as they want.
- The Hiker's Feat Shield (Full Pack) is awarded to the team that demonstrates the highest level of skill in
hiking, whilst carrying a full pack. This is done by collecting checkpoints along the hike. There are three levels of difficulty
and hiking teams can choose to collect as many or as few levels as they want.
- The Amanda Taylor Theme Award goes to the team that does the best job of getting into the 'Lost at Sea' theme and participates
in all activities presented by the EV Theme Team.
- The Camp Award is awarded to the team that achieves the highest standard of camping, including teamwork,
tidiness and food preparation.
- The Activities Award is awarded to the team that participates in and wins the most points at the activity check points along the hike route.
- The Rover Activities Award is awarded to the Rover Crew or Rover Team that provides the best activities as voted by Venturers..
- The Pick of the Teams Award is presented to the team that best epitomises the attitude and enthusiasm needed for Easter Venture.
- The Graham Hill Perpetual Easter Venture Award (Overall Winners) is the overall trophy to be awarded to the team that
demonstrates the highest levels of participation, skill and enthusiasm and generally participates in the spirit in which the event is run.
EV Rules
The Scout Law is the Law of Easter Venture.
View the rules
Checkpoints
There are 4 kinds of checkpoints:-
- Activity checkpoints: where Rovers run an activity related to the theme which takes a few minutes,
earns your team bronze level points. Activity checkpoints are MANDATORY and your team will severely
lose points if the checkpoint is missed. Some have the option to conduct initiative activities for
the Venturer Award Scheme, if you are undertaking this.
- Unmanned checkpoints: [Bronze, Silver or Gold level] designated by a bright orange marker with an
intention sheet for you to complete and a means for you to mark your team passport - typically a punch device.
No water is available for hikers at any of these checkpoints.
- Lunch Checkpoint is open from 11:30am until 1:00pm. All teams must visit this checkpoint. To earn
theme points, join in on the activities provided by Theme Team. Water and 1st Aid are available. After
your 30 minute compulsory stop you are able to check out.
- Campsite opens at 4:30pm. You must be in by 5:30pm. You must check in to the last activity checkpoint by 5:00pm.
Late penalties apply. Check in with your leaders. Hot water will be available, first aid, activities and sleep!!!!
You are able to leave the next day at 7:30am after checking out with your leaders. You will be given the
day's control points. You must leave by 9:00am. Again, late penalties apply.
Initiative Activities
Did you know that you can 'value add' your EV experience?
Value Add means that by successfully completing activities at selected Check Points [Controls], demonstrating good navigation, camping and cooking skills, and bringing the right gear for the event, you can gain your Initiative Activity Tape.
Check your Venturer Record Book for the requirements and view the assessment criteria.
You will need to get Unit Council approval before Easter to be able to count EV Initiative Activities in part of your award scheme.
For further information, please contact Michael Woodward.