Earlier this term we held an Autumn Survival & Hammock Camp at Paddocks Patch in Woodley, where we made a very special award to 3 of our older Scouts. The Chief Scout Gold Award is the highest award in the Scout section, and recognises a significant personal achievement and contribution to Scouting. At 1st Wargrave, for the first time in the groups 105-year history, we made a triple award to Christopher Fry, Jamie Howells and George Luckwell who all live within the village.

Mark Ballard, Loddon District Commissioner presented the awards, highlighting the individual effort required to complete the 8 Challenge badges (Adventure, Creative, Community, Fitness, Global, Outdoor, Outdoor Plus and Promise) which make up the Gold Award. As Leaders we are really proud of the commitment and effort Christopher, Jamie and George have demonstrated during their time at Beavers, Cubs and Scouts culminating in this award. We wish each of them well as they continue their Scouting at Loddon Explorers.

For many of our Scouts the Survival & Hammock Camp provided them with an opportunity to experience for the first time a night outside in a hammock between trees under a tarp.

The experience was particularly interesting given the heavy rain that fell overnight! Over the weekend the Scouts completed an orienteering exercise, ran an assault course, prepared and cooked their evening meal “backwoods style” on an open fire and learnt to safely use a hand axe and bow saw to chop and cut wood.

They also practiced Bushcraft, in-particular “friction fire lighting” using forest materials (that’s how to light a fire without a match!). Thanks to the Scouts and Leaders for making this such an enjoyable and fun camp for everyone that attended.