Every time we run the Expedition Camp, the Scouts are reminded that it is a tough challenge! As Leaders we hope that the skills we teach as part of this experience are remembered as a life long skill.
As Leaders we are immensely proud of this years Scouts, they took the challenge in their stride and impressed us at every stage!
About the weekend
Each year we run the weekend over 3 days…
- Friday for planning
- Saturday the big walk
- Sunday the final navigation test
Having not used or followed route cards before, Friday was the most important night of the weekend to ensure the Scouts had a solid foundation which they would be heavily reliant on.
The Saturday route started from the Scout Hut and stretched all the way out to 5 Ways Lakes where they would setup camp, cook and sleep over. The route was a fair 11km walk over moderate but flat terrain, through villages and working fields.
The return on Sunday was an easier walk of 5km, covering familiar territory with a twist to test navigation whilst tired from the big Saturday walk.
The Scouts were expected to walk around 30mins for each km with several detours on the routes, however they went on to exceed our expectations.
Below are a few photos from this weekend…
Watching progress using the Trackers
On the expedition camp we used trackers supplied by Complexus.
These are incredibly helpful to watch their progress, see how accurately the Scouts completed the walk and so we know where to meet up with the Scouts if they need a top up of fluid or to prevent them walking too far in the wrong direction.
Below are the Saturday, then Sunday routes
The red line shows where they walked.
The purple background haze shows the intended route.
This year the Scouts completed the Saturday walk in 7 hours covering ~12km.
The Scouts took 2 detours:
1. Walking left out of the Scout hut, going the long way toward the Leisure Centre.
2. Walking around the edge of a field when faced with some very nosy cows!
The Sunday walk was completed in just under 3 hours covering ~7km.
The Scouts took 3 detours
1. Attempting to walk across an enclosed private working field.
2. Walking the long way around a field.
3. Cow avoidance, slightly less nosy than on Saturday.
From the Scouts
Question: Tell me something about the weekend?
We walked through cow fields
Got to choose our own food, that was really fun and the walk I was not expecting it to be so far but it was enjoyable in a way though
Well we got chased by cows which was fun and scary
Question: What was the biggest challenge for you?
Walking through the cow fields
The thorns and thistles, I hate them
Question: What was the funniest thing someone did?
Either stepped in a cow pat or spilt their sprite on a bacon sandwich
Question: What was the hardest thing of the weekend?
The walking
Probably walking through loads of over grown paths
Question: What do you think will stick with you?
My friends, my team
Cows chasing me and then coming over to pet and also making a tent as I’ve never done that before
How to fold a tent
From the Leaders on the camp
Well done Scouts, we are so proud of you all!
Fantastic spirit with the group of Scouts this year!
I’m really impressed with them, they’ve done great!
