Expedition season is well and truly underway for young people across Berkshire looking for outdoor adventure and challenge as we settle into springtime Scouting.
Whether working towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, Chief Scout’s or King’s Scout achievements, or simply for fun and enjoyment, we’ve seen plenty of hiking, camping, and self-led expeditions over Easter and into the new term.
Despite the arrival of sunnier conditions, the typically unpredictable and volatile April weather demands thorough preparation no matter what expedition is being planned. 17 Explorers and Network members from across the county braved the ferocity of Storm Dave on a practice expedition in the Peak District as part of their Gold DofE over Easter.
Across three days and two nights, three teams – coming from different districts across Berkshire – navigated routes through the Hope Valley, travelling both east from Hathersage and west from Edale – and experiencing the full range of weather conditions from rain and hail through to bright sunshine. The expedition included steep ascents, and famous landmarks such as Mam Tor.
Explorer Nathan said: “As someone who has only completed their DofE Bronze before going straight to gold, going straight into these three days was definitely a challenge.”
Aaron, part of Scout Network, added “The weekend was a great opportunity to explore a beautiful area of the world. It was a physical and mental endurance test, but ultimately there was no challenge big enough that we couldn’t overcome.”
On a separate trip, Explorers from Kaizen and Scorpions Units teamed up to start their silver practice expedition in the New Forest, a challenging area that requires good map and compass work.
The group kept to their planned route and made great time over the two days, completing their required daily seven hours of activity. The Explorers had to demonstrate good camp craft and cook a shared meal, before settling into their tents as the evenings got chilly and the nights turned cold.
Rudy, Scorpion Explorer, said “My experience of the practice Silver DofE expedition was really positive. From the buildup and planning to packing my bag, the minibus journey, and of course, walking the beautiful New Forest landscape. The best bit is the camaraderie – the mutual trust and friendship that develops between the group.”
Meanwhile, 15 Explorer Scouts from West Berkshire carried out a successful weekend expedition around Lambourn as practice for their bronze and silver DofE.
Ten of the group working towards the silver level, where a practice expedition is mandatory, arrived on Friday night where they prepared their own meals in two separate groups. They also plotted the routes that they had mapped out with supervision from some of the group’s former Explorers, passing on the knowledge that they themselves had gained while doing their DofE at Scouts.
An additional five Explorers began their expedition on Saturday morning, the day of the Grand National, from Lambourn – the Valley of the Racehorse – as they worked towards the bronze level of DofE, which only requires one night of camping.
Following different circular routes, the Explorers used the practice to hone their navigation skills, with map reading, timing, teamwork, and communication all key to a smooth expedition. Each group carried out a project during their hike with time set aside to complete their tasks, which included an assessment of the impact that people have on the environment, as well as vlogging.
Chilly conditions were a feature of the weekend with real-feel temperatures close to freezing, putting every aspect of the Explorers’ preparations to the test, under the supervision of adult volunteers.
Explorer Jonah, a keen hiker, said: “It was an enjoyable weekend. We were thankful for the advice and guidance given by our former Explorers in preparing the route, making sure we factored in enough time for breaks, and useful checkpoints along the way.”
Isla, who was on her first expedition with Explorers, added: “I had a fun time hiking with my bronze group; we learned a lot. The only downside was the cold weather especially on Saturday night, but we were well supported and I enjoyed sharing the experience with the other Explorers.”
Berkshire Scouts supports its members with a dedicated team focused on The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with expeditions carried out by groups and by the county itself at bronze, silver and gold levels. By completing their DofE, Explorers also make important progress towards their Chief Scout Awards at Platinum and Diamond levels, as well as the prestigious King’s Scout Award.
Several recent recipients of the King’s Scouts from across Berkshire will be attending a special celebration event at Windsor Castle this weekend to be honoured for their achievement.
