Pancakes 6th February 2024 (updated 6th February 2024) | By Sean Edwards On Monday, the Explorers were tasked with shopping for and creating the perfect Pancake! Needless to say, the results were variable ranging from inedible, to barely edible! Some further cooking practise appears to be needed ahead of our summer expedition! A few photos are below:
County Awards Presentation 4th February 2024 (updated 4th February 2024) | By Sean Edwards Well done to our Explorers who attended the County Award Presentation at the weekend. We had members collecting their D of E as well as their Chief Scout Gold, Platinum and Diamond. We also had several collect their young leader belt buckle. The CSA Gold is the highest award a Scout can earn. To complete it, you need to complete all nine of the Challenge Awards, plus six Activity badges. The Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awars are open to Explorers and is linked to DofE. As well as completing some time volunteering, learning a new skill, getting better at a physical activity and a two day expedition as well as some activities from the International, Community and Values list. The Young Leader Belt Buckle is awarded on completion of the entire young leader scheme (completion of ALL training modules and missions). This takes a lot of commitment over and above just attending Explorers.
Pioneering – Catapults and Ballistas 29th January 2024 (updated 29th January 2024) | By Sean Edwards This evening, the Explorers practised their pioneering skills to build devices capable of projecting bean bags as far as possible. Each group designed and built their device with varying levels of success! Well done to the winning group who managed to fire the entire length of the main hall! A few photos are below:
Jan – April 2024 Programme and 2024 Events 4th January 2024 (updated 4th January 2024) | By Sean Edwards We are pleased to share our upcoming programme and 2024 events with you below. As this year our efforts are focused on the international expedition, we are unlikely to hold either Survival Camp or Winter Camp, so we encourage you to attend the events above still open to you! Programme Jan 2024 to April 2024 DateActivityLocationOther Details01/01/2024No Meeting – Xmas08/01/2024Scavenger Hunt4th WorthUniform plus outdoor coat15/01/2024Expedition Kit / Packing Guide / Games4th WorthUniform (you will need to bring your expedition kit in too)22/01/2024Night HikeTBCHiking Clothing29/01/2024Build a Ballista4th WorthUniform05/02/2024Pancake Challenge4th WorthUniform12/02/2024No Meeting – Half Term19/02/2024Compass Skills ChallengeGrattons ParkUniform26/02/2024Backwoods Cooking – PizzaStanfordUniform04/03/2024Rifle Shooting / Crossbows (Part 1)4th WorthUniform11/03/2024Skills Bases4th WorthUniform18/03/2024Rifle Shooting / Crossbows (Part 1)4th WorthUniform25/03/2024Easter Egg Hunt / Wide GamesStanfordEaster Fancy Dress!01/04/2024No Meeting – Easter08/04/2024No Meeting – Easter Key Upcoming Events (To add to your Diary!) DateEventOther Details02/03/2024Monopoly RunLondon – Bookings Closed29/03/2024 – 01/04/2024Mountain Activity CampCornel, North Wales04/05/2024 – 06/05/2024Silver D of E PractiseNew Forest08/06/2024Bronze D of E Training DayAshdown Forest22/06/2024 – 23/06/2024Bronze D of E AssessmentAshdown Forest25/07/2024 – 08/08/2024Sweden ExpeditionSweden24/08/2024 – 26/08/2024Silver D of E AssessmentNew Forest05/10/2024Downsman HikeSouth Downs31/10/2024 – 03/11/2024Gold D of E PractiseDartmoor / TBC Shackleton-Programme-Jan-April-2024Download
Chocolate Truffles 5th December 2023 (updated 5th December 2023) | By Sean Edwards This week at Explorers, everyone gave chocolate truffle making a go! The results were varied and much mess was made in the process of making them!
Winter Camp 2024 5th December 2023 (updated 5th December 2023) | By Sean Edwards Last weekend, we held our annual winter camp at Bentley Copse. We were all very glad to be in a warm building as temperatures dropped into the negative outside! On camp, the Explorers took part in variety of activities including wide games, incident hike, climbing, abseiling, caving and rifle shooting. We also had a traditional roast dinner (overseen by Phil!) and the infamous Saturday night fancy dress karaoke! A video highlight of the camp is available below.
Basketball 24th November 2023 (updated 24th November 2023) | By Sean Edwards On Monday, we visited Hazelwick School to play a game of Basketball. We started by practising our different shots including layups and free throws. We then split into play some mini games before we had a knock out tournament between all 4 teams. We also welcomed 5 new members moving up from Scouts. A few photos are below.
Drake MAW 2023 4th November 2023 (updated 4th November 2023) | By Sean Edwards Some members of Shackleton ESU joined Drake ESU for their annual mountain activity weekend in south Wales for three days in the Brecon Beacons. Having travelled down on Thursday evening, Friday they enjoyed hiking across Bannau Brycheiniog ridge. The cloud was below the summits so visibility bad, but YP navigated well and reached the finish ahead of schedule. Whilst the young people and mountain leaders were up in the clouds, the support team made use of the area with some cycling along the Brecon canal while others walked in the Dare Valley Country Park. Friday evening following dinner they enjoyed watching the bronze match of the Rugby world cup. Saturday morning the group went climbed at Craig y Ddinas, including a speed climbing competition, congratulations to Paul who was fastest. Saturday afternoon the young people spent on a very wet waterfall walk, including exploring behind a waterfall. Saturday evening following their roast dinner they enjoyed the Rugby world cup final. Sunday morning following tidying up the bunk house, was planned to be a climb up Pen y Fan, but due to the high wind forecast this was cancelled and a visit to Abergavenny was enjoyed before the journey home.
Halloween Evening 30th October 2023 (updated 30th October 2023) | By Sean Edwards This evening we met at Stanford Scout Campsite for our traditional Halloween wide games. We started the evening with a mummy making competition. This was quickly follow by capture the pumpkin, donuts from a string and finally apple bobbing. Well done to all the Explorers who dressed up – special shout out to Charlie for his flattering costume!!
Fencing and NPAS Visit 16th October 2023 (updated 16th October 2023) | By Sean Edwards Over the last 2 weeks, the unit has been split. Half visited NPAS in Redhill whilst the other half had a fencing lesson from Crawley Sword Club. A big thanks to NPAS and Crawley Sword Club for spending time to share their skills with our members. A few photos are below.
