Over the weekend of 28th February and 1st March, with mild day ti
me temperatures, and hard frost at night, over 40 Explorer Scouts aged 14 to 18 and leaders from five units in the Borough camped under canvas at Woking Districts’ own campsite in Wisley, for their second camp of the year.
On arrival at the site on the Saturday, the Explorers were divided into teams; the aim being to organise a staged event for that evening. With Project managers, and Entertainment supervisors and taskmasters elected, they set about planning the evening’s entertainment. This included designing and constructing a 4 metre stage and covered seated areas around a campfire using traditional pioneering poles and lashing.
After a tasty and colourful Mediterranean style meal including prawn cocktail, the Explorers enjoyed some team games on Wisley common, before settling down around a blazing and hot campfire to an evening of traditional campfire songs, sketches, including a modern street version of Red Riding Hood.
The following day was spent on their final training session for their forthcoming 2 and 3 day expeditions for the Chief Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh Awards in the Brecon Beacons in May. They were put through micro navigation exercises. This will enable them to navigate out of challenging conditions, in unknown areas.
“ It is great that scouting has such enthusiastic teenagers, who will take on challenges, enjoy the outdoors and are keen to achieve” said explorer leader, James Darby the organiser of the weekend..
Article Contributed by Brian Pinto, District Explorer Scout Commissioner (Woking)