Scouts in tent pitching challenge on Radio Berkshire April 1

 

This morning, two Explorer Scouts from East Reading challenged presenters Jim Cathcart and Maggie Philbin to a tent pitching race on their Breakfast show on Radio Berkshire.

 

Yes, tent pitching on the Radio on the 1st of April but it was not an April’s Fool Joke.

 

The challenge for former Scout Jim and Maggie was to beat the Explorer Scouts, Claire and Michael in erecting a two person tent which the Explorer Scouts will be using at Eurojam this summer.  Jim and Maggie just managed to beat the two Explorer Scouts, albeit with some help from the experienced Scout Network Chairman Steve Taplin.  The Explorer Scouts were also on hand to contribute to some of the items including one of the morning’s stories on pocket money for children and on the regular Birthday Quiz.

 

The Explorer Scout Team, accompanied by Deputy County Commissioner for Berkshire Scouts, Geoff Mitchell, spent over an hour at the Radio Berkshire studios.  They were there to talk about the recent census that showed that over 6000 young people aged 6 to 25 across Berkshire are getting fun and adventure from Scouting.  The census shows that the Scout Network  a new programme for 18 to 25 year olds has increased its membership by a massive 250% since 2004.  There are  also significant increases in numbers in East Reading, Maidenhead and Pang Valley and numbers are more or less steady in South East Berkshire, Taceham Hundred, Windsor & Eton and  Wokingham.

Explorer Scout Claire said "You do loads of cool stuff - it is really really fun. We've been skating, hiking and we do water activities - since we joined the Explorer Scouts we have met loads of new people"

Deputy County Commissioner for Berkshire Scouts, Geoff Mitchell said “the increases showed that Scouting is providing what young people want across Berkshire whether they are 6 or 25.”

“With Eurojam, a huge international experience for 20,000 Scouts and Explorer Scouts this summer and the centenary celebrations in 2007 it is a great time to be involved in Scouting.  There are a number of opportunities for Adult Volunteers to get involved in a  number of ways, some as front-line leaders working with young people, others in support and backroom roles. Berkshire Scouts has a very successful Adult training and Support Programme to support new leaders.”

Press Releases

Scouts in tent pitching challenge on Radio Berkshire 1 April 2005

6000 Young People have fun and adventure with Berkshire Scouts 28 March 2005