Expedition 2024

Three Counties, Two Countries, and a Month’s Worth of Rain…!

 

Following another busy first half of the year, including our unforgettable trip to the Paris Olympics, the 2024 Autumn term kicked off with an expedition for 13 hardy Scouts.

2024’s expedition took place within the stunning Wye Valley, between St Braivels and Goodrich Castle. This epic journey was completed by 13 of the oldest Wednesday and Friday Scouts over a 2 day period. For the duration of their expedition, they were to be fully self sufficient, carrying all equipment required on their backs. Not an easy undertaking!

As is now tradition, we departed Bristol on Friday evening, arriving at our gorgeous campsite to complete essential expedition planning and training, before the Scouts were let loose on Saturday morning. The focus is independence; other than at checkpoints, us leaders hope to see the groups as little as possible!

Saturday’s route took in a more navigationally challenging course, however the weather stayed fair for the groups, who successfully made it to checkpoints with ruthless efficiency. So much so, that the tea breaks meticulousy planned for the leaders had to be aborted just to keep up with the teams! All teams made it to site in good spirits, with plenty of daylight remaining to set up their camp and prepare dinner. Sunday’s route largely followed the River Wye, with an initial steep climb up to Symmonds Yat rock. However it rained, and rained, and rained! This did not dampen spirits however, and all teams continued to make record time between checkpoints.

What an epic weekend! Each and every one of the Scouts excelled, and quite simply got on with everything that came their way. There were no complaints about the weather, and both mornings, the Scouts were up before the leaders, preparing their breakfast and packing away their camps.

A completely bonkers, but resilient bunch of Scouts! A massive well done to all who attended.

(There were lots of other expedition groups out over the weekend doing a very similar route. These were all Bonze DofE groups, at least a year or two older than our scouts, and all of whom looked considerably less chirpy than the 62nd teams!!)