Term 3 this year was, as usual, one of our busier terms (I’m sure you are all tired of reading/hearing this statement or an iteration of this statement by now, but it is simply just true..
The term started before the term even began with both Laura and Joel running their community services and Laura her camp during the June/July holidays. These were both very successful events and I was very happy to see so many of our scouts participating in multiple of these activities. Following on from this, Joel then ran his pioneering project during the term. This was another hugely successful event. The tower itself, being very intricate in its design, was raised and stable enough to be climbed. These types of constructions usually get up, but are often unstable and unsafe to climb, so it was really great to see Joel get his up.
As you all know, the troop also took part in a few competitions throughout the term. Starting with Doc Trophy on the first weekend of term. We sent two teams on this still relatively new and, therefore, small district training competition. Both did really well, coming 3rd and 4th out of 5 registered teams. Then, a few weeks later, we sent three junior and one senior team to the regional orienteering competition. Again, our teams did very well, with one of our junior teams placing 3rd in the junior category and the troop placing 8th overall. Finally, on the last weekend of term, we sent two teams to Gordon’s Shield (the regional camping competition). It was great to see both of our teams doing really well again in this competition (placing 5th and 25th out of 37 registered teams). In terms of competitions, it is great to see our troop doing so well. Everyone who took part in these competitions and even those that did not (who still played a big part in getting the troop to the necessary skill level needed to do so well in these competitions) deserves a massive congratulations.
Finally, this term was filled with many patrol events happening almost every weekend. These ranged from First Class Community Service Projects to First Class Camps and a few general patrol and discoverer activities. A big well done to all our patrol leaders for running said activities (many of whom were running these types of activities for the first time).
Before closing off, I should also mention that it was great to see our incredible scouter team taking part in so many courses and competitions that were run throughout this term. From pioneering scoutcraft to pioneering interest, survival interest and, as usual, a few first aid courses. All our scouters deserve a big well done and thank you for finding the time to run and be involved in these regional events as well as be involved in such an active troop.
That is all from me for now, but I don’t think any article from TS would be complete without a final reminder to check emails/WhatsApp for information on upcoming events and sign-up forms. After the success of this term, I am very much looking forward to another successful term ahead.
– Simon Bean
