For those people who think that Scout Camps only take place in the summer -think again! In the first three months of 2006 we have participated in the National Pedal Car Olympics held at the Scout Camp in Brentwood in the middle of January. In February four Leaders walked with eleven Scouts and Explorer Scouts on a two day expedition in the Wivenhoe area. The group split into two teams with the younger Scouts walking 10 miles over the two days. The older Scouts walked a total of 15 miles. This was the first training expedition for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Bronze Expedition. The Scouts had to carry all of their equipment and food for the weekend. One Scout even managed to find a space in his rucksack for a dining table!
We now have five of our older Explorer Scouts working on their Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. These are important awards that are nationally recognised for the benefits that they give. The Scouts have to complete four different sections: Physical Recreation, Service, Skills and the Expedition. The commitment involves two or three hours per week for a period of six months. This is in addition to their school, family, Scouting and work commitments.
In March we spent an evening on the District Night Hike. For us this brought us onto familiar territory walking through Downham. We are currently planning another two day expedition in early April -this time in the South Downs.
We will be continuing our camping year in July where we will be taking 17 Scouts to the Essex Weekend Giga Camp -along with 1200 other Scouts and Guides from all over Essex. In July we have a Family Camp and a Scout week long summer camp. In the autumn we hope to participate in a Survival Skills weekend that is held in Kent.
If all of these activities have whetted your appetite you can find out more information by visiting our group web site: www.radscouts.org
John Hanson
Assistant Scout Leader