Expedition Weekend

WELL DONE to all the Explorer Scouts who completed their Chief Scouts Expeditions at the weekend. Also another D of E Practice walk under their belts! Hike Tents had to be pitched in the pouring rain on the Friday evening and by the time the team left the campsite on Saturday morning the weather had worsened with extremely heavy rain. Some respite came with a break in the weather during Saturday afternoon. However the heavens opened again later and one again all were soaked to the skin. The rain still continued on Sunday morning but did clear for some sunshine in the afternoon. The Explorers route, which they had planned over the Summer Holidays on a number of training days, worked well. There was extensive flooding and lots of mud but all managed to complete the route in the allotted time.

The Explorers route crossed over with the Scouts route at a number of locations during the weekend, enabling the Leaders to complete spot checks and make sure everyone was safe.

The Explorers gained some very important lessons over the weekend, especially how to keep kit dry and more importantly how to work as a team to support each other. Once again well done - And I look forward to seeing what they achieve on their Assessed walk in the New Year.

The Scouts attending the weekend were assisted by the Leaders, unlike the Explorers who completed the expedition independently.

The Scouts all completed the routes and had the advantage of navigation training throughout. By the end of the weekend most could plot and follow the route without the help of the Leaders. The older Scouts also did a great job supporting the younger members.

A great but very WET weekend had by all...