Practice makes perfect

A team made up of Wetherby, Tadcaster & Scholes Explorers had a navigation practice hike in preparation for their DofE bronze & silver expeditions. They plotted the route from Kirkby Overblow to Sicklinghall.

Well done

Central Yorkshire Scout county had their first awards event for 3 years at the Bridge centre in Leeds. So there were many awards in the backlog due to the pandemic.

Well done to all our Explorers, both past & present, on their many awards, including Queen’s Scout awards, DofE gold awards, Yorkshire challenge gold awards and Lucy getting an inspirational leader award.

District DofE silver practice

Our unit joined with others from Tadcaster & Sherburn in Elmet (part of Wetherby district) to form a DofE silver practice expedition to allow those who hadn’t had chance earlier in the year to work (and walk) towards their silver award. Ellen took part from our unit.

Congratulations

For the first meeting of the autumn 2022 season we had a presentation which marked the final part of our 3 Explorers who will shortly “age out” when they turn 18. They presented their Scout journey as part of their Queen’s Scout award to an audience of both the unit and several invited guests & parents, including Carol, the County commissioner.

Then Carol presented our second Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award and 100 and 150 nights away badges; all major achievements. And finally, she presented Colin with his Chief Scout’s good service award.

Well done to all.

Last silver of 2022

Our third and final silver D of E expedition spent the last three days around Nidderdale travelling from Swinsty reservoir to Thornthwaite and Madge hill camp sites and back to Darley.

Tired & aching bones but they’ve now completed the expedition. Well done.

FINISHED!

Our 2022 DofE gold expedition team hiked a huge 80km from Lofthouse in North Yorkshire all the way to Rawthey bridge in Cumbria. The culmination of years of practice & qualifying expeditions saw some pretty grotty weather & sore feet but a finish in the sunshine and doughnuts made them feel better.

A team of 6 started, but a sprain meant one had to be extracted from Great Whernside so we’ll try find her another gold expedition to complete; a yarn to spin in future years.

Well done to them all; a great team effort.

DofE expedition take 2

Our 2nd silver qualifying expedition of 2022 took to Nidderdale over the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations, going from Swinsty reservoir via Thornthwaite & Madge hill campsites to end up at Darley. The team’s project was to monitor stiles along the route; some were in need of maintenance. Well done on completing the expedition section.

DofE expeditions

We had 2 DofE expeditions out; both gold practice and a silver qualifying hike (and the gold team also got in some navigation practice). Both covered similar ground in Nidderdale; from Swinsty moor plantation or Blubberhouses to Thornthwaite, Madge hill and finishing at Darley. Well done all for a good effort.

Top awards

You wait for one then two come together;

Colin has been awarded the Chief Scout’s commendation for good service following many years combining leading both 1st Collingham Kingfishers Scout troop, WWESU and also looking after Collingham hut & Scout group.

Morgan has been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award; hopefully the first in several with our gold team going on their expedition in July.

Emergency

The DofE gold expedition group had an “active” discussion about priorities in an emergency situation.