Safety:

• Satellite phones (with every hiking group) - contact with H.Q. in Clanwilliam.
• Doctor Jas Strauss (GP in Clanwilliam) on permanent standby.
• Wildmedix on permanent standby at Jamaka – providing 4x4 access, a full paramedic outfit, including communications with all the necessary emergency services in the Western Cape.
• MMetro and Mountain Club advise on hiking routes and schedules.
• Each of the bases has either direct access to telephone-lines or has direct cell phone contact.

Staffing:

• There will be at least 4 Bishops staff members at each base, who will facilitate the programmes and activities. They will have been involved in setting up the bases’ programmes and will have a thorough knowledge of the area.
• There will be senior Scout staff as well as Bishops staff involved at the water base.
• Cycling is outsourced to a professional company.

Preparation during the year:

• Life Orientation fitness levels testing & advice given to those who require it
• Cycling testing & a further course for those who require it
• Mindfulness training
• History of the Cederberg talk
• First Aid training over 2 days
• Campcraft training
• Backpack setup & How-to-pack-your-bag advice
• 2 practice hikes
• Rope- proficiency and team-building training
• Leopard Trust talk
• Spider and Snake talks
• Map-reading skills training
• Satellite phone use briefing
• Cycling practice
• Fire briefing