What can I say about Scouts that is going to make you want to join and enjoy all the amazing things we do in scouting?
Last month, I had the privilege to take part in a scouting expedition weekend within my group out and about in the New Forest.
We had to plan our route, the length of the route we were taking and what we needed to take to make sure we were safe and had the right equipment. Nothing beats snacks and emergency rations, but things like first aids kits and plenty of water alongside a lunchbox is vital as well as the right footwear!
Doing things like this helps us build on skills for the future and helps grow our sense of independence and not rely on other people like our parents, guardians and other adults to do things for us.
I have been in the scouting community since I was a Beaver (6 years old) and have loved every minute of it. Going from Beavers, to Cubs to Scouts. I really loved being at Cubs, as you do build on your independence a little more then when your in Beavers and Akela and Red Wolf are amazing leaders (Don’t says it to loud or Red Wolf will get a big head!)
However, I noticed a big change when I came to Scouts. You are more independent on tasks that you’re expected to do, no hand holding. Well we are now 10 ½ to 14 years old, so we should be able to do more things ourselves right!
Anyway, with that said I was excited to be invited to take part in the Expedition weekend we had last month.
“With a day hiking and planning it ourselves what could go wrong!?”
Nothing did, don’t panic!
I led the navigating for day one. We had a great time taking in the area we were hiking, and talking about things we were doing outside of scouts like what options we were taking next year at school and how we were doing at rugby. We are a close nit group and enjoy being out together. We take time to get to know each other and support each other in and outside of our scouting community.
While on the hike, we shared our sweet treats we had for rations when we needed a bit of a buzz to get us going again and enjoyed the hike back to camp.
I love camping, its great! I always try to help setup camp and be one of the first to arrive if I can and help to pack away camp. My mum hates camping so we don’t get to do it as much as I would like, so I always dive in when a scout camp is available, as not only do I get to brush up on my skills, I get to camp!
At camp we made our own dinner on stoves for this challenge. Again, its all about supporting our independence and learning new important skills that we will need for the future in our adult life. I know someone who can’t cook and they are in their 30’s – I don’t want to be like that. I help my mum at home cook, and she teaches me things too, so scouting is another way to build on those life skills, and prepare me for adulthood.
The second day we had another hike, and someone else took the lead to navigate our planned route that we had decided to do the night before. We went a little off course, but we made it to our end destination ready for pick up, with time to spare.
This expedition weekend has helped me improve my navigational skills further, helped me to keep fit, got me outside and be out and about and not stuck inside on a games console all day.
It has taught me to think of other skills while out, think about other people’s barriers – how far can they go? Do I need to plan more rest stops or help with encouragement?
This weekend helped me to think about other things I might like to try to do within scouting, like other badges I might like to achieve, like orienteering, navigator stage badge next level, to look at badges in nature like naturalist and forester and next level in emergency aid.
“The leaders made this weekend great.”
Big Joe was great as always and always makes us laugh, I find him a great leader and he helps me to be a better person, as do all the other leaders.
I think Scouts has had a massive impact on my life and it’s a great thing to be involved in, and I wouldn’t change that. I’m currently working towards my Chief Scout Gold Award, and this Expedition challenge badge is one of the last two important ones I need to do to complete it.
Once I have finished scouts next year, I will be carrying on to Explorers which builds on independence and life skills further (as well as having fun of course), and I want to become a young leader at either Cubs, Scouts or both, as I want to help support others how I have been supported in scouting.
I would like to finish off my report with a thank you to the leaders for taking the time out of their own personal time to support scouting and us. Without all of you that give up and volunteer your free time, there would be no scouting so thanking you greatly.
Now, if you have read my report and like what I have had to say, why don’t you find out more about joining scouting? We would love to have you!
How do I join?
You can get involved in a variety of ways:
- Come along and ask one of our leaders. If you know someone already involved they can help pass you on.
- Email [email protected] with your details and questions and we’ll pass it onto the right leader.
- Fill in your postcode at www.scouts.org.uk, and fill in your details there.
- Phone our friends at Hampshire Scouts on 02380 847 847 and they’ll pass your details on to us.
Luke
#SkillsForLife