Scouts
TWO Explorer Scouts from the dale will be putting their skills to good use after being selected to attend the World Jamboree in South Korea next year.
Blake Milroy, from Cockfield, and George Anderson will be going to South Korea for three weeks in the summer of 2023 as part of the Durham County contingent.
The county party will consist of 36 Explorer Scouts with four leaders.
Once there they will be part of a camp that will accommodate nearly 50,000 Scouts from around the world.
Both Blake and George have been members of Teesdale District for quite a few years and have gone through both Staindrop Scouts and Butterknowle Sea Scouts.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are extremely proud of them.
They will have to carry out all their own fundraising to attend the jamboree, along with attending numerous training activities.
Their fundraising activities were due to start on Boxing Day morning with a dip in the sea at Seaham, but this was cancelled due to the stormy conditions.
We wish them all the luck fundraising and hope future events will be a bit warmer.
The theme of the jamboree, which is set by the host country, is going to be based on technology.
They will be spending their time camping for a couple of weeks in Sae Man Geum before travelling around the country of South Korea, carrying out home visits and meeting Scouts from South Korea.
Staindrop Explorer Scout unit celebrated more success when another five Explorer Scouts received their bronze Duke of Edinburgh and Chief Scout’s Platinum Award.
The awards are well overdue, however, to the Covid pandemic and constant lockdowns, all five had to wait for restrictions to be lifted to allow them to complete their expedition section.
What would normally take about nine months has taken nearly 18 months.
Again, we are very proud of these young adults for what they have achieved and especially during these trying times we find ourselves in.
The district runs a very successful award scheme with a small dedicated team ensuring we give the young people skills for life” .
The Explorer Scouts, along with completing their expedition, also completed numerous other activities and challenges which included photography, running, cycling, helping in the community during the pandemic with looking after vulnerable people and the old and helping with nature conservation to name but a few.
They have learned new skills and developed skills they already have.
Edward Butcher has also become a double British record holder for power lifting for his age.
All five, with the rest of the team, have taken part in two challenging expeditions for their bronze award.
This has tested their navigation, hiking and camping skills, along with fostering team spirit to work as a team and deal with various situations that arise.
All five are a credit and good role models for younger Scouts within Teesdale District Scouting.
They have all excelled and the district is extremely proud of their efforts to gain these awards.
All five have been involved in the Scout Association for a number of years within Teesdale and other districts within County Durham.
We hope they will progress on to complete their silver DofE and Diamond Chief Scout’s awards next.
Andy Carr
District Explorer Scout Commissioner
