Devon County Moorland and Mountain Craft Pages

All requests for authorisation assessments must be made on application form (FS 120416) available from the Information centre at Gilwell or via Scoutbase.

Land Activities Authorisation [Form M]

Introduction

On 1st January 2005 the procedure for obtaining authorisation for activities on Mountains and Moorland [Form M] changed.
POR rule 9.31.e states “From 1 January 2005 all those seeking a new or renewed authorisation [Form M] must have attended the relevant formal training course, Walking Group Leader Award [WGL] for Terrain One or Mountain Leader Award [ML] for Terrain Two unless they have been formally exempted from it by one of the UK Mountain Training Boards.
The English Governing Body, Mountain Leader Training England [MLTE] has approved a number of local accreditation schemes, one of which, The South West Mountain & Moorland Leader Training Scheme [SWMMLTS] covers south west England and the Brecon Beacons, The Scout Association has agreed to accept the SWMMLTS as an alternative to WGL for south west England terrain One authorisations.

Terrain Zero

All commissioners and leaders are reminded that activities in Terrain Zero do not require Form M authorisation only the DC’s approval. POR rules 9.1.b; 9.26.b; 9.28; 9.32 refer. Large areas of Dartmoor, all of Exmoor and Bodmin Moor are Terrain Zero. Activities in these areas should be encouraged. Familiarisation training is available from the County Team should a DC think it is desirable.

Authorisation for Terrain One [T1] activities.

The Devon County Scout Council has entered into a partnership agreement with Cornwall County Council’s Delaware Outdoor Education Centre at Gunnislake for the provision of both SWMMLTS training and assessment. By using members of the County Team under the supervision of Delaware staff. It is hoped to keep the price of both training and assessment as low as possible.
Training courses will last a full weekend, 1900 Friday to 1600 Sunday. Assessments will last a full 2 days 0900 Saturday to 1600 Sunday.
SWMMLTS offers a number of levels of training and assessment, ‘Summer day walking’ and ‘Summer camping.’ It is anticipated that most Scout leaders particularly those involved with Ten Tors will require the ‘Summer camping’ level.
On satisfactory completion of the SWMMLTS training and assessment a recommendation will go to the participants District Commissioner for the granting of a Scout Association authorisation [Form M]
Applications for both training and authorisation should be made on Factsheet FS120416 obtainable from Scoutbase. Once sufficient applications have been received [minimum of 6] a selection of dates will be offered to applicants and a course arranged with Delaware Outdoor Centre.
Applications for training exemptions will be considered on receipt of logged experience. Details of minimum experience required will be available from the County Mountain Activity Adviser.
Upgrade from T1 [SW] to T1 [England] can be obtained on receipt of logged experience of other moorland or mountain areas.

Authorisation for Terrain Two [T2] activities

Training and assessment for Terrain Two can only be obtained from a recognised MLTB provider following the requirements of the Mountain Leader Award. [ML].
On satisfactory completion of the ML training and assessment a recommendation will go to the participants District Commissioner for the granting of a Scout Association authorisation [Form M]

Applicants will need to register with MLTE, training exemptions will be considered by MLTE.
The County Team will continue to run a Terrain Two familiarisation weekend in June each year so that leaders and Explorer Scouts can see at first hand the opportunities offered by Terrain Two country.

In special circumstances the County Team may offer T2 renewal assessments.
Advice and guidance on all T2 issues is available from the County Mountain Activity Adviser.

RHB March2005

Bob Ball
Devon County Scout Mountain Activity Adviser
“Idwal”
7 Hammond Croft Way Exeter
EX2 8FZ
01392 253297 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it