My Expedition Challenge Award-by Charlie

I completed my Expedition Challenge Award on the weekend 19 to 21 March 2010.  My Patrol’s topic to speak about was Britain at War. I was in a Patrol all weekend with Dominic, Lorcan and Nathaniel.

To complete the Expedition Challenge Award you must: Take part in an expedition over two days (including a night away) with at least three friends. Be involved in the planning of the expedition, complete relevant training and be properly prepared.

During the expedition:

1. Play a full part in the team.
2. Journey for at least four hours each day.
3. Use a map to keep track of where you are.
4. Stay overnight at a hostel or other suitable venue, or camp overnight at a suitable site.
5. Cook the evening meal and breakfast.
6. Achieve at least one goal, agreed with your Leader before the expedition.

On the Friday night we stayed at a The Kelvendon Secret Nuclear bunker and while there we had a good tour of it and were able to understand about the war and what kind of people stayed in the bunkers.

The next morning, we had breakfast and my Patrol were first to start hiking. We walked a long way. We got stuck at a river and it took us ages to find a bridge. However, we managed and hike on. About half way, we were to meet at a North Weald airfield. When we arrived we worked out that we had completed our four hours of walking so headed to our campsite for the night.

When we got to the campsite we set up our new tents. This was the first time the Troop used our new hike tents which we had bought using a grant from YOFI. In our Patrol we cooked our dinner which we had planned. We then had a wide game and went to bed.

We woke up on Sunday morning ready to do the last part of our expedition. We cooked our breakfast, washup and took down the tents. Everything was packed and we were ready to go. We hiked to the Epping Forest Conservation Centre. There was a path that went all the way there and we took that route. Of the two days hiking, the Sunday was better as it was sunny and we never got lost. But the route was a lot more hilly. We arrived at the Conservation Centre where we meet the rest of the Troop. We were all exhausted and ready to go home but all very all happy as we had all achieved our Expedition Challenge.

A Scouts the next week my Patrol gave a presentation to the rest of the Troop about our hike and our project. We all got our Expedition Challenge Award

Charlie - 23rd Southgate Scout Troop