This year has seen a mix of sunshine and rain (sters) for the 2^nd Ewell Scout Troop.

In June we attended the now traditional Water Bottle Rocket Challenge at NPL Teddington, where both teams gave a good account of themselves on the height/distance challenge and successfully landed their raw eggs unscrambled in the egg challenge. We’re assured that there was no magical assistance.

           

In early July, on what was one of the warmest nights of the summer, we had a very enjoyable evening kayaking on the river Thames courtesy of our colleagues at 1^st Cuddington. Despite the assertion by some Scouts that they weren’t going to get wet we can confirm that they all did!

July also saw the Troop on Summer Camp at Ferny Croft activity centre. The weather on the first two days wasn’t kind – with a level of precipitation last seen by Noah!  However the Scouts never let their heads drop, maintaining their sense of humour throughout, resulting in some very damp but very proud leaders.  In the drier moments the Scouts enjoyed some green water rafting, caving in a bus, pioneering, abseiling and crate stacking, amongst other activities. In addition we had a day out at Beaulieu motor museum including a behind the scenes tour and seminar exploring their links with the Special Operations Executive in World War 2 – this having given us the theme of the summer camp – “His Majesty’s Rainsters Special Operations”

              

 

Shortly after camp one of our Scouts – Barney McCarron attended the Surrey Scouts Jamboree in Belgium. In order to qualify for this Barney had to go through a rigorous selection process with numerous training camps all the while fund raising to cover the costs. Upon Barneys return he gave the Scouts a full briefing of the event. This counted toward his Expedition Challenge Award, which was the last part need for Barney to complete the requirements of the Chief Scouts Gold Award – the highest award a Scout can earn within the section, which is a great achievement. Very well done Barney.

 

November saw us attending the Remembrance Parade in Ewell, as we do every year, paying our respects. A very well behaved and smart Troop we were indeed, even if we do say so ourselves.

This year the day was even more notable by the fact that after the Parade a member of our leadership team, Dave Dennis or DD as he is better known was presented with his 45 years service award by the District.

March saw us attempt to defend our Challenge Hike trophy, on another extremely wet day. In preparation the Scouts had led us on a night hike over Epsom Common. Luckily they chose to walk along the exceedingly muddy south side. This led to one Scout effectively swimming the course and for several of our newer members to discover that mud isn’t that bad. Despite the Team’s best efforts on the day of the competition we were unable to retain the trophy but a good shift of work was put in by all.

     

 

The Troop is currently in a very good shape with a great group of Scouts, the new influx of (S)Cubs having settled in well. However, at 25 strong (with 3 on the waiting list) the Hut does sometimes feel on the small side…

 

Luckily in the drier weather we are able to make full use of the outside space, along with the new pioneering poles acquired for the Group by the Exec.

With Scoutabout and Summer Camp 24 on the horizon Our 95^th Year promises to be as entertaining/fun/enjoyable/wet/challenging as the previous 94!

Simon Harvey (SL)

Paul Graham (ASL)

Ali, Tammy, Lisa and DD