We hope you are well. Your children will participate in at least two Adventurous Journeys (AJ) as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. They will walk in a mountainous area with their team using a map and compass carrying a rucksack with all their equipment with them. They will cook their food, set up their tents and will make the necessary decisions to achieve their goal. Participants must be properly equipped for all weather conditions according to Award guidelines so that their AJ will be safe and enjoyable. For the next three and a half years, at least six AJs will happen, two for Bronze, two for Silver and two for Gold (total 16 days and 10 nights). Participants have been informed regarding recommended personal and group equipment and their specifications during their training. Here is an overview of what they will need:

Clothing & personal KIT marked with VP in the equipment list:

• Quality hiking boots with good grip and ankle protection
  Recommended model: LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor Mid II GTX
  Description: Lightweight, Gore-Tex® waterproof hiking boots with sufficient ankle protection, rich cushioning and superb grip. The most important piece of gear will ensure safety of participants when hiking. We use a fitting method that ensures the size they get will be correct for all of their Award levels although their feet will grow a bit more.
• Waterproof breathable packable jacket with hood, sealed seams & covered zips
  Recommended model: Mac in a Sac Origin waterproof pack-away jacket
  Description: Waterproof, highly breathable, compact and lightweight the new Origin packable jacket is a necessity for cold, rainy days in the mountains.
• Waterproof breathable packable overtrousers with sealed seams
  Recommended model: Mac in a Sac Origin pack-away over-trousers
  Description: Waterproof, breathable, compact and lightweight the Origin packable overtrousers protect the hiker from rain and wind.
• Hiking rucksack with anatomic back
  Recommended model: VANGO Sherpa 60:70L Rucksack
  Description: Robust and comfortable trekking rucksack that distributes the weight evenly when walking protecting the spine of the hiker
• Sleeping bag, rated ≤2 °C Comfort according to EN13537 and with a weight ≥ 1.6 kg
  Recommended model: Vango Nitestar Alpha 250
  Description: Perfect for youth group expeditions and beyond, it punches well above its weight with a host of features, using lighter fabrics creating a small pack size. Extremely important for the safety of participants as it will keep them warm during cold nights.
• Sleeping mat with an R-Value ≥ 3 and with a weight ≥ 900 grams
  Recommended model: VANGO Trek Pro 3 Standard Mat
  Description: A lightweight, compact and packable self inflatable sleeping mat with an R-Value 4 for 4-season hiking, trekking and expedition use. Important for a comfortable sleep without the feeling of uneven ground and rocks.

Taking into consideration the recommended specifications of the products, the cost, the limited available time of parents and to avoid purchase of products that don’t meet the required specifications, we offer you the opportunity to purchase a VALUE PACK (VP) that includes all products that are extremely important for the safety of participants and their teams (mentioned above and marked with VP in the Equipment Kit List for the AJ) at a wholesale price.

Value Pack is available for pre-order at the price of €415 from €593 (you save €178).

To pre-order the Value Pack please proceed and pay a deposit of €115 with your card in the following link: https://pay.vivawallet.com/getout before Saturday, November 18th so that we will make sure we will have everything available on time and before our journeys will start. During payment, at the Description field please mention: Name and surname of participant, their size and their shoes size (i.e. Maria Georgiou, Small, 39). The remaining amount can be settled upon receipt of goods from Get Out outdoor store, 18A Arsinoes, 2006 Acropolis-Strovolos (Tel: 22311012 and Location pin click here). If you prefer you can visit Get Out with your child before you pre-order to have a look at the recommended products and try them on. You can also pay the deposit at the shop with your card.

Those participants that already have part of the required equipment marked with VP must bring their gear for inspection at our pre-practice meeting that will happen in the school as these items affect the safety of participants and their teams. Please avoid buying any product if you are not sure it fulfills the recommended specs, bring for inspection only gear you already have to make sure it is OK. All participants regardless of whether they purchased the VP or not, can get their gear with 15% discount from GET OUT outdoor store that stocks all recommended kit. The discount can also be used by the whole family for other products from the brands we import! When you visit Get Out please mention your name at the desk. If you prefer to buy online from getout.cy you can use coupon code AWARD15 during check out.

Group KIT: Please note that we will provide participants with the required quality tents, outdoor cooking stoves and fuel for cooking for all their Bronze journeys without additional charges. Participants must buy the following Group equipment from us because they should use these specific mentioned models for safety reasons as training was done with these:

• One VANGO Hard Anodised cook kit per team that includes pots and pan.
• One SILVA Ranger compass and one SILVA Field compass for navigation per team.
  Expenses of the above will be shared. The additional cost will be €20 per person (no matter how many members in a team so that will be fair for everybody) and can be paid upon receipt of these items by the team leader of each team.

To download and print the Equipment Kit List CLICK HERE.

Remember to complete the electronic medical and consent form HERE.

This announcement is also shared with participants. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

For more details / clarifications please contact us at award@onestepfurther.com.cy and/or 22254612.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the Award Team