A NEW Explorer Scout group in Evesham has provided young people in the Vale with the opportunity to develop leadership skills whilst enjoying the Great Outdoors.
Since forming in February, the Nova unit has grown to 14 teenagers aged between 14 and 17 who have taken part in a huge variety of walking and camping expeditions.
Some of the activities they have been involved in include a county hiking day, completing a 21km walk over the Malverns, a climbing wall session at Redpoint Worcester, and a May Day stroll up Bredon Hill to enjoy hot dogs whilst watching the sunset.
Members have also enjoyed a camping weekend where they built shelters, climbed and abseiled, learnt about maps, before trying it all out on a night hike and sleepover, a summer camp weekend at Blackwell where they built and sailed rafts, and whizzed down zip lines.
Nova Explorers. s
Scout leader Neil Bention said: “The members of the unit are very involved in planning and organising the sessions – they chose its name, along with the colours on the scarf.
They have also learnt about autism and how it impacts some of the Explorers’ daily lives, completed their Level 4 emergency aid badge, and supported fellow Scouts in becoming young leaders within the district.
Volunteer Nigel Tayor said: “Scouting provides over 250 activities for children and young people which include toasting a marshmallow over a fire, planning, preparing and cooking a three-course meal, going on a hike around the local area, or planning, organising and going on a hike in North Wales.”
“Young people learn whilst having fun and develop leadership, teamwork, independence, resilience, problem solving, as well as social skills.”
Plans for the future include a walking weekend in Snowdonia, a winter Christmas Camp, learning to kayak or canoe so they can do a river-based expedition, and next year’s big summer camp.
The group is based at 1st Evesham Scout headquarters in Pershore Road, Hampton and has allowed 14-year-olds to continue their time in Scouting to develop more skills.
For more about joining or to get involved as a volunteer, contact Neil at [email protected] for details.
For information about other sections, Squirrels (boys and girls aged four to six), Beavers (boys and girls aged six to eight), Cubs (boys and girls aged eight to 10), and Scouts (boys and girls aged 10 to 14) or interested in volunteering, visit scouts.org.uk/join.
