Walpole and Pitshanger Scouts swapped their usually separate evenings for a single joint meeting this week, the last session of the academic year. With both troops together in the hall, the evening had a proper end-of-term feel: busy, a little noisy, and there was some very good news to share.
The evening began with register and flag break, followed by a fast round of capture the flag to burn off some energy. A fire drill came next, before the serious business of preparing for summer camp began.
[Photo 1 — Scouts carrying Summer Camp equipment down from storage]
Patrols turned to hauling down the kit needed for Summer Camp, sacks and boxes carried down the stairs and stacked ready to go. Between loads there was time for a photo or two, and a bit of fun before the summer break.
[Photo 2 — two Scouts pause for a photo amid the equipment carry]
Outside, the evening moved to the park for a relay race. The Scouts did really well even with the hot weather.
[Photo 3 — ready to start the relay ]
Badges were handed out too, with several Scouts collecting awards. The real highlight, though, was Edward Jeffs being presented with his Chief Scout's Gold Award, the highest award a Scout can earn. It means completing all nine Challenge Awards and six Activity badges, an expedition weekend with an overnight camp, and at least six hours of community volunteering, each stage presented back to the troop as it's completed. It's a genuine challenge, and a fine way to close out the year.
Walpole and Pitshanger break for summer now, with the ten-day camp in Wales the next big adventure on the horizon before everyone's back together in the autumn.