Scout Activities

Scouts Swimming Gala 2005
Beachy Head Hike 2005
County Night Exercise 2005
Chobham Hike 2004
District Air Rifle Shooting Competition 2004
Five-a-side Football Tournament 2003

SCOUTS SWIMMING GALA NOVEMBER 2005

This District Swimming Gala was held at Pools on the Park in Richmond on a very very cold evening in November. Eleven groups had entered the competition and our group was represented by Ricky, David, Richard, Omar and Ali. Some of the groups fielded much larger teams of Scouts so our group did very well and we came eighth overall. Well done to all our boys who swam brilliantly on the evening. The certificates were presented by our new District Commissioner, Steve Miles.

BEACHY HEAD HIKE SEPTEMBER 2005

This was the final of 3 hikes to be completed by Scouts wishing to complete the Hikers Proficiency Badge. Each stage of the 3 hikes is that bit harder and for this the group are given an objective [take a photo of Beachy Head plus Eastbourne Pier plus a further 5 miles [15 miles in all], take appropriate tentage and equipment, food etc. with you.

They had to book the Friday night at Youth Hostel and the Saturday night at a campsite. We duly arrived at the Youth Hostel very late due to roadworks and did not even have time to go for fish and chips before the Hostel shut for the night. Like orphans, they scrounged around the kitchen for oddments people had left and an almost edible pasta/tomato/onion concoction arrived plus chocolate pud.

An early start to fill up the Route Cards for each day. This was a valuable exercise since it proved that the original route was too long – they could easily have covered the distance in a straight line but they had to go up and down the cliffs. The Minibus duly dropped them off and they went eagerly on their way. The range of cliffs to Beachy Head is called 7 Sisters [one for each cliff] and were very tiring. At Beachy Head the local Hangliding Club sportingly gave them a display of their sport and left me wondering why on earth anyone would want to do such a crazy thing! They landed up at Eastbourne Pier more or less on time, the photo was taken and grumbles that they ought to stay for the odd hour on the Pier but time was pressing and a meal was to be cooked.

Next day saw a 6:30 am start – much to the consternation of the other campers at this commercial campsite, virtually all of whom were woken up by the shouts and laughter from the Scouts making a cooked breakfast on the Trangia [meths] stoves. After a slight hiccup, we finally all met in Pevensey. As I reminded them, it is not the getting lost that counts [I am a master at that] but it is trying to work out where you are and how to move back on track that counts – which they all did very well.

Congratulations to Ricky, Gus, David, Alistair and Omar on a fine and well organised hike.

COUNTY NIGHT EXERCISE 2005

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The GLSW County Scout Night Exercise took place on Saturday 12th March 2005. Forty-five teams of between four and six Scouts each booked in to the start point in the barn at Bentley Copse Scout Campsite. Their kit was carefully checked, they were briefed, and then they were set off at five-minute intervals into the dark. Their mission was to navigate a course between checkpoints (which they had to find using grid references) and to complete various tasks at five bases.

Thirty-five teams completed the whole course (although some missed a base or two); the fastest took just over three hours while the slowest took well over six hours. On their return, all the Scouts were offered a hot snack and a hot drink. Many stayed for the rest of the night at the campsite.

First Richmond did extremely well and came fifth - Well Done to all the Scouts involved. Click here for another photo

On 2nd May four Scouts went for a hike in Chobham to practise their map reading and first aid skills. They were accompanied by our GSL Andrew, his daughter Natalie, Asst Cub Leader Konrad, a parent and Andrew's dog, Badger.

DISTRICT AIR RIFLE SHOOTING COMPETITION - MARCH 2004

Eight of our Scouts made it through to the finals of the District Air Rifle Shooting Competition held on 5th March 2004 at Twickenham Shooting Club. Although we didn't win, (13th out of 16 teams!) special mention must be made of Jamie, one of our Scouts, who came an amazing 3rd place in the under-14s Shooting Event. We must also not forget Konrad, one of our Leaders, who came 4th in the Leaders Shooting Competition. Well done to all our team and especially Jamie and Konrad.

Our team was made up of: David, Ricky, Jamie, James and Theo. We did not have the 12 a side because not enough people entered. The pitches weren’t very good. We were called C3. Our first match was against C1. In the first half we conceded an early goal. No other goals were scored throughout the match. There were rules saying things like: "Free kick if the ball is kicked over head-height".

Our second match was against C2. They scored in the first half and we scored in the second, a goal from James. We were then out, we had come 3^rd in our group and we had to come 2^nd or 1^st to go through.