Summer Term Programme
Please find below our summer term programme – apologies for the delay, trying to book external activities has proved more challenging then expected!
Shackleton ESU – Silver D of E Expedition Practice
Over the last three days, six explorers from Shackleton ESU successfully completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award practice expedition in the New Forest. The team camped at Braggers Wood and Wilverley Scout Campsite, covering a challenging route through woodland and open heath. Throughout the expedition, the group developed key skills including: Despite the physical demands, the explorers showed great determination and a positive attitude throughout. This successful practice sets them up well for their qualifying expedition later this year. Well done to all involved!
Celebrating St George’s Day in Crawley
Yesterday, Scouts from across Crawley came together to mark St George’s Day, a key date in the Scouting calendar. It was fantastic to see so many members joining in the celebrations and taking part in this important tradition. St George’s Day is an opportunity for Scouts to reflect on the values that unite us: courage, service, and doing our best. St George, as the patron saint of Scouting, symbolises the spirit of facing challenges with bravery and determination — qualities that we strive to live by every day. A highlight of the day was the renewal of promises, a tradition that invites …
Mountain Activity Camp 2025
From the 18th to the 21st of April 2025, 17 Shackleton Explorers took part in an unforgettable mountain activity camp based at the Cornel Scout Campsite bunkhouse in the heart of Snowdonia. With kit bags unpacked and bunk beds claimed, the team settled into a weekend packed with challenge, adventure, and unforgettable memories. Saturday: Hiking the Heights Saturday kicked off with a series of mountain hikes through the spectacular Snowdonia landscape. Explorers split into groups and tackled a range of routes, developing their map reading, compass work, and decision-making in real-world conditions. The climbs were steep and the weather mixed, …
Easter Fun at Shackleton ESU!
This week at Shackleton ESU, we celebrated Easter with an evening full of creativity, teamwork, and, of course, chocolate! Our Explorers got stuck into some fantastic activities that combined festive fun with a delicious treat. Egg-citing Easter Egg Characters The highlight of the evening was decorating our very own Easter egg characters. Each Explorer was given a chocolate egg and a range of decorations to bring their designs to life. From cute and quirky to funny and fantastic, the results were truly impressive! With a mix of edible decorations, icing, and a whole lot of imagination, the creations showcased the group’s …
Shackleton ESU’s Swing-Building Adventure
Last night, Shackleton Explorer Scouts had a thrilling meeting where they built swings using pioneering skills. The explorers worked together to master lashings, tying knots like square and diagonal lashings to create strong, safe swing structures. The energy was high as teams collaborated to troubleshoot and perfect their designs, all while learning key skills in knot-tying, teamwork, and safety. The best part? Once the swings were complete, the explorers got to test their creations and enjoy the fruits of their labor. The activity was a perfect blend of fun and learning, with everyone gaining confidence in their pioneering abilities.
Shackleton Explorer Scouts Enjoy Pancake Night!
This week, Shackleton Explorer Scouts in Crawley had a fun-filled evening making and cooking pancakes. The Scouts learned valuable cooking skills, from mixing ingredients to perfecting their pancake flipping techniques. With plenty of creativity, they topped their pancakes with delicious sweet and savory fillings. It was a fantastic night of teamwork, learning, and, of course, tasty treats!
Monopoly Run Live
Yesterday, 20 explorers from the Shackleton Explorer Scout Unit took part in the exciting Monopoly Run Live event in London. Divided into four teams, our groups embarked on a challenging race that combined strategy, teamwork, and a bit of adventure as we navigated the famous landmarks from the iconic Monopoly board. The event took us all around the city, where each team had to complete a series of tasks and challenges at key locations, just like in the game. Whether it was solving puzzles, taking on physical challenges, or finding hidden clues, every moment was packed with fun and excitement. A few …
Communication Challenge
On Monday, Shackleton ESU had a communication challenge evening. In groups of 4, they had to build a puzzle in teams however there was a twist. One Explorer was blind folded, one had the instructions, one had the puzzle pieces and one had the job of running and communicating between them all! There are some photos of the evening below:
Chief Scout & D of E Awards – Feb 2025
At Shackleton ESU, we are incredibly proud of the Scouts who have recently achieved their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards and Chief Scout Platinum and Diamond Awards. These accomplishments represent hours of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to personal growth. The DofE Bronze and Silver Awards require Scouts to push their limits and step outside their comfort zones. Participants have shown determination through volunteering, developing new skills, improving their physical fitness, and embarking on adventurous expeditions. From navigating remote landscapes to working together in challenging environments, these young people have demonstrated the resilience and teamwork we …
Crafting Adventure: Last Monday with the Explorers
Last Monday evening, our Explorers got crafty with paracord bracelets, woggles, keyrings, and leather pyrography. Scouts learned essential knot-tying techniques while creating stylish paracord bracelets and personalised woggles. They also explored creativity and design by crafting unique keyrings that could be used or gifted. For those seeking a challenge, leather pyrography allowed them to burn intricate patterns into leather, honing precision and focus. These activities helped build problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and teamwork, all while fostering creativity. It was a fun, hands-on evening that showcased how practical skills and adventure go hand in hand!
Shackleton ESU Winter Camp 2025
Shackleton ESU has just returned from a weekend winter camp at Parkwood Scout Campsite. Over the weekend, they got up to lots of activities including a night hike, angel throwing, assault course, model rocket building and launching, orienteering, karaoke / disco and lots of food! The video below put together by Jack showcases the camp – enjoy!