Introduction

'On Rappel!' Scouting is an adventure activity to introduce youth to the field of mountaineering. Rappelling or abseiling is the technique used to descend rope, the speed being controlled by friction between the rope and a braking device. This exciting activity is offered to Central Escarpment Council Troop and Venturer sections. The activity has an acceptable risk management level, a centralized location, a single day duration, and an affordable cost factor.

Rappel training can be part of a related field of mountaineering training, such as artificial wall climbing, top rope rock climbing, caving, and technical climbing (jumarring and prusiking); all of which offer interesting activities for youth.

The training starts with several hours of pre-adventure instruction. Ideally, this training is given indoors at your home location. Your regularly scheduled section meeting is the best locale for this training. This training gives you several meetings worth of ideas for planning your program. 'On Rappel!' Scouting suggests that this training be held as close as possible to the date of the rock face adventure. Fresh practice makes sharp minds, and excellent adventures!

Our Instructor

'On Rappel!' Scouting is made available through the efforts of Scouter Ron Currell. Scouter Ron has been a Scouter since 1994. Prior to that Scouter Ron spent 17 years with Army Cadets and has sent countless thousands of youth over the precipice without a single accident. He qualified as a rappelling instructor in 1989. Scouts Canada approved his qualifications in 1996. During CJ'97 he volunteered for program staff duties, and worked primarily as a dispatcher on an artificial climbing structure. A dispatcher is responsible for hooking up, monitoring and instructing climbers during descent. Scouter Ron also holds a current St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid qualification.

'On Rappel' Scouting Responsibilities

• Equipment, in good working condition, for up to 20 participants at a time. (Note: Larger groups can be broken into separate time periods at the rock face.)

• Qualified instructor.

• Training for youth and adult participants.

• Troop sized first aid kit for rock face activities.

Cost

• 'On Rappel!' Scouting will cost the section $300.00/day plus the responsibility of replacing equipment lost or damaged through negligence.  Note: 'On Rappel' Scouting is run by volunteers.  The $300 cost goes towards the costs to sustain the program including park entry fees for the instructors, ongoing replacement of equipment and other capital expenditures, volunteer training, and vehicle expenses.

• Equipment lost to normal wear and tear is not charged to individual sections.  Equipment is maintained and replaced through the normal section charge.

• Unique program crest is available at a cost price of $3.00 each.

• Conservation Halton will charge the group approximately $4/day/person.

• Sections may also wish to camp at Rattesnake Point, arrangements may be made through Conservation Halton