JOURNAL

EXPLORER INPUT NEEDED!

I would like an explorer to take over the writing of this section, which would count towards the service of your Duke of Edinburgh's Award's. Let me know if you're interested. You dont have to upload onto the site, just write the reports and i could take care of the rest. Kate

Annual report 2007

As everyone is aware 2007 was the centenary year of scouting. I’m not going to go on about this, but rather how we, as a unit, spend our time during this historic year!

The start of the year saw us traditionally, (for us at the Brave Dragons anyway), getting up to date with our badges and awards. With many new and younger explorers we used it as a time to ‘enlighten’ them as to what the Duke of Edinburgh’s award entails. February saw the district explorer freezer camp at Miskin. A good weekend was had by all, with the quiz on the second night getting particularly heated! In March, as a first for us, we held a murder mystery party. The explorers were a little unsure about the dressing up, especially those who got the roles of women, however they all got into the dressing up and their roles, and we had an excellent evening!

During the summer term, we attended the Glamboree at Tredegar House. Despite the weather being against us, our explorers seemed to enjoy themselves! This term also saw the annual ‘Sun Run’, where we always have a fabulous weekend. Our explorers produced some excellent times, and Chris, one of leaders won the senior male moon run team, along with Pam, and Andrew. I think next year we could see some winning teams if they build on their success of this year!

Then of course came the Jamboree! Matthew, Nicolas, and Jason from our unit attended this and thoroughly enjoyed it. When they returned they gave an excellent, and passionate presentation on what they had seen and experienced!

Since September, we have worked hard on achieving individual sections of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and next year should see a fair few completing at both Bronze and Silver level. Finally, to complete the year we held our annual Christmas Meal, this year at Zio Pin Italian restaurant, where I must say all the explorers scrubbed up well!

So towards 2008? Where do we go from here? I’d like to see us undertaking dome more adventurous activities this year. With our age range expanding now right across the board, we have the added challenges of fitting in everything around exam and work commitments. However, we are up to the challenge and start the year with skiing in the middle of January! I say, just watch this space………

Kate Brooks (ESL Brave Dragons ESU)

 

SPRING / SUMMER - 2006

Much has happened since the last report. As a unit we did a survival camp in May, which turned out to be a survival of the british weather more than anything else! However, that said and done, everyone seemed to have a good time, the highlight of the weekend probably being driving the landrover around jubilee fields!

Following this we attended Sun Run. What a fantastic year! Everyone of the explorers completed either the Sun or the Moon run, with some really amazing times too. Well done to all of you who took part, it was a fantastic achievement, especially with so many of you doing it for the first time.

During the last few weeks of term we held a traditional school sports day which was so funny! Watching some of your attempts at reef knots for the three legged race was very entertaining!

Into the summer holidays then, we saw Sophie go off to Canada for a year. Best of luck to you Soph, I'm sure you'll have a great time, but please come back some time! We hope to set up links with a unit over there whilst we can, and work for our international group badge.

Finally during the hols Chris and I did the deed and got married! We had a great day and thanks to all of you for the great card and ikea voiuchers, what great taste! We shall bore you with the photos some time!

CANOEING WEEKEND ON THE RIVER WYE - APRIL 06

On Friday night we left Cardiff and made our way to Glasbury. Arriving fairly late evening, the tents were set up, and following a classic quiz from Denis we got a fairly early night!

Saturday morning saw an early start and by 9am we were in canoes on the river. After a very breif safety and teaching talk we were staright into a game of canoe football. Great entertainment! We then practiced our turns with a few running races, into and out of canoes, and hide and seek! It was during this time we had our first capsised boat, with David, Ian and Joseph from the scouts saying hello to the fishes!

We then had lunch on the riverbank in the glorious sunshine, (I have the sunburn on my face to prove it)! Following lunch we set of on our cruise down the rive towards Hay on Wye. We encountered rapids, jumping off rocks into the river, swimming down the river and yes, more boats capsising!

Overall, an excellent day was had be everyone. The instructors were fab (thank you Wye Valley Canoe Centre) and all, bar myself and Chris, ended up in the water at some point! Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Looking foward to going back next year!

Kate (ESL)

FREEZER CAMP, MISKIN - MARCH 06

We arrived friday night and set up camp. It was a little cold but nothing we couldn't handle! We played a few wide games and settled fairly early to bed!

Saturday arrived, chilly but remaining dry. The Explorers cooked breakfast for themselves and us leaders, and then went onto do some axe and saw work. This was in preperation for lunch, backwoods cooking on alter fires. I arrived back from a few hour in work to a delicious, well cooked to say the least, jacket potato! Following dinner explorers took on the challenge on building and racing mini rafts down the river. Team blue were the winners of the actuall race, but team yellow took the overal prize based on their creative design and second place in the race! Well done all everyone the race was thrilling with each team taking the lead at some point!

Then came Sunday, and with it, the snow! having never camped in the snow it was a new one for myself along with the explorers. I was woken at about 6.30am by excited screams from the girls! Most of the explorers, but no leaders, got up and started building snowmen and having snowball fights. This was great fun for a couple of hours, Then the drizzle started coming and everyone was soon wet and cold. However, after a short walk to get the blood flowing everyone packed up and the site was clear of tents, just random patches of green in the snow were left! We then held a quick presentation of badges and one invesiture, following which, the explorers soon disapeared back to the civilised world of central heating and hot baths!

Well done to everyone who recieved badges and awards. As a leader it was one of the most enjoyable camps I've been on. Thanks to Jared and Steven for organising the whole weekend!

 

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