1st Forres Scout Group Explorers presented with silver Zodiac Award awards after series of extreme camping challenges

THE achievements of seven young Explorers were celebrated during 1st Forres Scout Group’s AGM.

Leaders and adult volunteers presented silver Zodiac Award awards to Explorer Scouts aged between 15 and 17 in recognition of their finishing of difficult challenges over the last few years.

Scouts secretary Louise Berry confirmed Faith Kenyon, Olivia Mcghee, Rachael Ballingall, Gillies Grant, Troy Wardley, Scarlett Britain and Fergus Kenyon earned the accolades by camping in extreme conditions.

She said: “With every challenge – be that Zodiac and/or DofE, our Explorers are given the opportunity to opt out, but none of them did. Many started them pre-pandemic so their awards were effectively on hold for two years but as soon as they could, they bounced back ready to resume.

“The pandemic and lockdowns affected everyone, including young people in their formative years. This, and the resultant disruption at school, placed them under pressure. We are exceptionally proud of our Explorers’ determination, enthusiasm and commitment.”

The Zodiac Award has 30 requirements, including camping in unfamiliar locations. The Forres Explorers spent nights on the water a bothy, under sail, rough sleeping, and in freezing weather.

Louise explained: “Aitnoch is our bothy on the Dava which we call ‘the stone tent’. It’s kitted out with bunks but there is outdoor space for camping too. The Explorers also sailed on a yacht from Lossiemouth, overnighting on board in Cromarty harbour before sailing back. They also learned about the plight of rough sleepers, spending a night outside our Scout Hut in sleeping bags on cardboard packing cases, under sheets of tarp in the rain. This experience began with choosing and setting up a sleeping area before being given soup and a roll. They then hunkered down for the night. In the morning, they were given breakfast before being sent on their way as they would in an overnight shelter.”

She added: “Snow and ice camping was at the bothy when it was -4C.”

Gillies Grant was also awarded the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award, having: been a member of the Explorer Scouts for more than six months; completed six nights away as an Explorer, including four camping; completed two activities from the International, Community and Values list, comparable to a Bronze DofE Award.

Louise said: “Gillies covered his six nights away at camps throughout the year. His community work included helping to invigorate paths at the bothy as well as its general care and maintenance. It had not been used for two years due to lockdown.

“For his international requirement, he cooked meals for his family and wrote a report explaining why he had chosen which countries, the recipes, history of the dishes and where they had originated. He also researched and wrote about the history of and modern scouting in his chosen countries.”

Explorer Scouts – shortened to Explorers – is the fifth section of the UK Scout Association for 14 to 18-year-olds.

Following on from the Scout section, Explorer Scouts are run in units at district level.

In addition to earning activity badges, Explorers can attain the highest awards in the movement, including the Queen’s Scout Award.

Part of the programme is the Young Leaders scheme, which trains Explorer Scouts in leadership methods before encouraging them to volunteer with the younger sections.

See https://1stforresscouts.co.uk/ for more information.