Re-starting scout caving.

phizz4

Member
Has anyone started taking scout groups caving since the easing of restrictions? If so, any issues, examples of good practice. Advice that I have received from HQ reads that you can, but do you have to, and, if you do and it goes pear shaped we will hang you out to dry. No wish to be controversial or start a long thread, just looking for advice as I am being asked for trips. My thought was to start in September with a small, trial, handpicked group and taking it from there.
 

sinker

New member
phizz4 said:
Has anyone started taking scout groups caving since the easing of restrictions? If so, any issues, examples of good practice. Advice that I have received from HQ reads that you can, but do you have to, and, if you do and it goes pear shaped we will hang you out to dry. No wish to be controversial or start a long thread, just looking for advice as I am being asked for trips. My thought was to start in September with a small, trial, handpicked group and taking it from there.

Sounds like a sensible plan to me.

My philosophy was always:

"I'm experienced, I'm happy, I've assessed the risks, have control measures in place, have full permission. If it goes Pete Tong then I'll stand my own corner and let common sense decide."
Granted I never had to deal with a global pandemic but if I risk assessed a Beaver/Cub/Scout underground trip today, Covid 19 would be about 5th on my list of hazards.

 

jimmo62

New member
Current guidance on restarting nights away experiences on the Scout Association website which may provide some useful reference guidance you could carry across to caving

- up to 6 scouts to share a tent or room overnight. You could argue that caving would be about the same level of risk in terms of covid infection. So maybe keep the groups to 6 including leaders.
- Take PPE in case you need to get close e.g. in the case of an accident?
- Also some measures to clean shared equipment between users.

I'm hoping to restart in Sept as well!
 

JoshW

Well-known member
aren't scout groups able to start meeting back inside in any numbers nowadays? - I really should be more up to date with it.

If that's the case, I'd say for sure caving is back on the menu - subject to the relevant risk assessments being taken and accommodation being available (assume this will be the big stumbling block for my caving team but PaulW may be able to add more on that subject).
 

JoshW

Well-known member
what an utterly pointless detour this post has taken. why is it that every post about scout caving becomes a bear grylls bashing contest.

Admin, can we cut the irrelevant stuff outta here and cut it to a new topic (or stick it on the end of every other Bear Grylls bashing topic on this forum)
 

phizz4

Member
Thanks to everyone for the advice. I will look to restart in September. I've done my covid risk assessment and added it to my usual caving RA. Have fun with the Bear thread.
 

A_Northerner

Active member
MendipScoutCaver said:
I'm also looking to restart taking groups

Did anyone manage to re-start?

Did you put any additional precautions or safety measures in place?

I've just seen that the Derbyshire North West Scout Caving Team (a very active and inspirational group of Scout Cavers) have taken their first group in a while. You can contact them through their website: https://www.dnwsct.org/about or email: derbyshirenwscoutscaving@gmail.com. They're also very active on Facebook as well.
 

mikem

Well-known member
Government just announced reduction in measures, so shouldn't be a problem (apart from all the paperwork)
 

Rhys

Moderator
I'm aiming to do a trip with my troop (based in Gwent) in March. I'm looking at what paperwork will be required and whether we need to consider covid tests beforehand and whether any kit needs cleaning between sessions etc.
 

jimmo62

New member
We've been back underground for a few months now, I updated our risk assessment to cover Covid. Happy to share that if it helps but as Mike says we should be back to Green today....
 
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