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DofE Expedition in 2022

DofE Expedition in 2022

24 Nov 2021

Do you know any Explorers thinking of doing a DofE Expedition?

South East Explorer Expeditions (SEEE), formed to provide expedition opportunities across the Region where Units and Districts cannot do so on their own, are recruiting for 2022.  We are asking Explorers who might be interested to sign up now using our Expeditions Form.  There is no commitment at this point and we will use the replies to develop our plans and offer expedition places by January.

It is important that Explorers should sign up now if they expect to continue to their next Award level with SEEE, perhaps by doing a canoe or bike expedition for Silver and/or Gold.

We are still accepting registrations of interest, so please encourage all Explorers to consider this.  

Adults interested in helping are also warmly welcomed to contact us.

The SEEE team

More information:

South East Explorer Expeditions (SEEE) is a team of over 60 volunteers from across South East Scotland Region who run DofE expeditions.  Over 250 Explorer Scouts successfully completed expeditions with us in 2021 at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

South East Explorer Expeditions are preparing DofE expedition plans for 2022.

Are you looking to do a Duke of Edinburgh Expedition in 2022? Sign up before the extended deadline of December 10th.

Whether you are starting out on Bronze or carrying on from a previous level, South East Scotland Scouts Region – South East Explorer Expeditions (SEEE) – offer Silver and Gold Hill, Canoe & Bike expeditions & Hillwalking for Bronze.

Want to know more? Watch our short videos on Hillwalking, Biking and Canoeing – at https://see-expeditions.org.uk – to get a flavour of what to expect and enjoy! They are great!

Note your interest via the registration sign-up form before before the extended deadline of December 10th, 2021.

Got a question – read some handy FAQs. You can also email the team – enquiries@see-expeditions.org.uk 

  • Full training is provided 
  • Learn new skills you may need for biking and canoeing, special gear is provided 
  • Try something new if you want – no previous experience needed 

Please spread the word!

New 2021 MSYPs elected

New 2021 MSYPs elected

22 Nov 2021

Following a nationwide election, we are delighted to confirm that Ewan Knight and Niamh Kirkland have been elected as Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) for the 2021-23 term.

“Congratulations to South East Scotland Scouts members Ewan and Niamh on their election. I know that you will both be great representatives for young people in Scouting and I look forward to working with you in your new roles.” said Martin Elliot, Regional Commissioner.

Niamh and Ewan will be MSYP-Elect until they attend their first sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament when they succeed Morven Bayton and Gregor Mitchell who have represented Scouts Scotland since April 2019.

 

Ewan Knight

Ewan is an Explorer Scout at Pink Panthers ESU & YL at 23rd Craigalmond Scouts. His priorities for the Scottish Youth Parliament is to increase the recognition of Scouting awards, encourage outdoor education and make sure young people aren’t being left behind in the recovery of the pandemic.

“I’ve got so much out of Scouting, I have made friends all over Scotland and learned skills for life that I couldn’t anywhere else. I’ve also been able to help other people in my community, which has always been something I’ve enjoyed.”

  • I’ll stand up for our Scout values.
  • I’ll stand up for equal opportunities for all.
  • I’ll stand up for quality, no matter who you are.
  • I’ll make sure everyone’s voice is represented.
  • I’ll seek for proper climate action from our leaders.

 

Niamh Kirkland

Niamh is an Explorer Scout in Pink Panthers Explorers and also a Young Leader with 30th Craigalmond Cubs. Niamh’s priorities in her role within the Scottish Youth Parliament are increasing outdoor education and focusing on mental health support within young people.

“Over the years scouting has encouraged me to develop my confidence and teamwork skills through phenomenal opportunities like camps and this. Being a young leader has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and it has been truly amazing to watch the young cubs develop their skills and grow.”

  • I am enthusiastic and hardworking.
  • I have experience representing Scottish scouting from the UK contingent impact team.
  • I’m passionate about issues that affect all young people in Scotland.
  • I am an experienced debater and enjoy discussing a variety of issues.
  • I understand the amount of work required to successfully represent you.

Top Awards for Explorers and Network

7 Sep 2021

Logo of South East Scotland Scouts 2018

 

First published in November 2017 and updated September 2021.

Information on all the awards is available below, and on the Scouts Scotland site. You are welcome to contact the Region to discuss the best way to support individuals or groups. It is worth noting that the Mencap Gateway Award is available for people (of any age) with a learning disability and that it can be done along with DofE.

DofE Bronze

DofE Bronze award badgeDofE Bronze can be the main part of CSA Platinum, and leads on to DofE Silver.

CSA Platinum

Chief Scout's Award PlatinumThe Chief Scout’s Platinum Award leads on to CSA Diamond.

DofE Silver

DofE Silver award badgeDofE Silver can be the main part of CSA Diamond.

CSA Diamond

Chief Scouts Diamond AwardThe Chief Scout’s Diamond Award leads on to the Queen’s Scout Award.

DofE Gold

DofE Gold Award badgeDofE Gold is the highest level of DofE and can be the main part of the Queen’s Scout Award.

QSA

Queen's Scout Award badge The Queen’s Scout Award is the highest in Scouting.

Explorer Belt

Badge of the Explorer Belt award The Explorer Belt is an expedition abroad for Explorers and Network aged 16-25.

SOWA

Badge of the Scouts of the World award The Scouts of the World Award is for members of Network, working individually.

Get advice on awards

E-mail us

Chief Scout’s Award, Queen’s Scout Award and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is complementary to the Chief Scout’s Awards and the Queen’s Scout Award, and both sets of awards fit perfectly within the Explorer Scout programme.

Scouting and DofE

The Adventure Begins: Explore and Achieve with the Scout Association and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Adventure Begins

Two awards at the same time

The requirements of the two sets of awards are very similar: for example, an Explorer who completes DofE Bronze has only a few extra requirements to complete Chief Scout’s Platinum. The best explanation is given in The Adventure Begins. Many Explorers count being a Young Leader for the Volunteering section of DofE. All Explorers, including Young Leaders, are encouraged to do both DofE and the Scouting awards.  Those who do DofE at school can ask their Explorer Leader to use it towards the equivalent Scouting award.  Network members who are Leaders can count this for Volunteering or Service.

DofE

Expeditions

Expeditions are part of most of the Awards and there is a lot of advice available.  Much of it provided by DofE but it is relevant to any expedition. See our Expedition Information page. All expeditions must be carried out in keeping with the requirements of The Scout Association, including Activity Permits and Nights Away; for Explorers this may involve the issuing of an Event Passport.

Scouting Awards

Information about CSA and QSA for Explorers, Network, Leaders and Commissioners

Reach the Top!

CSA Platinum

Chief Scout's Award Platinum logo

CSA Diamond

Chief Scout's Award Diamond logo

The Queen’s Scout Award

Queen's Scout Award logo

The Queen’s Scout Award

Please note that you must register for QSA to start, and have a mentor in place to help you.  If you are an Explorer, your leader is likely to do this.  Those over 18 should contact their District or the Region for help.

QSA and DofE Gold

DofE Gold Award badgeQueen's Scout Award badge

It should be remembered that candidates have until they are 25 to complete DofE Gold and The Queen’s Scout Award, so they should not give up if they have not completed them when they leave Explorers.  Any Network member can do the awards.

The other Awards

The Explorer Belt – an international experience

Badge of the Explorer Belt award The Explorer Belt is not just for Explorers!  In fact it can be done by Explorers aged 16 and over, by Network members and by members of Girlguiding aged 16 and over.

The Explorer Belt is a challenge of a lifetime. It is a chance to take part in a ten day expedition that brings you a real understanding of a different country, its culture and way of life. You will develop this understanding by travelling through your chosen country, working as part of a small team to complete a series of projects and most importantly by meeting local people. It is an experience and an achievement that you will remember for the rest of your life.

For full information and to register, see Explorer Belt on Scouts UK.

SOWA – Scouts of the World Award

Just for Network!

Scouts of the World Badge SOWA is an individual award, and the project can be completed at home or abroad.  It does not require an expedition. Here is a summary of what is required:

  • Be a member of Scout Network.
  • Attend a residential weekend Scouts of the World Discovery, based on the three themes: development, environment and peace.
  • With the support of your mentor, finalise your plans for your voluntary project based on the theme from your discovery weekend.
  • Undertake Scouts of the World voluntary service, either in the UK or abroad, lasting a minimum of 80 hours, recording and evaluating your experiences in the participant handbook.
  • Undertake a presentation locally.

For full information and to register, see SOWA on Scouts UK.

Bonaly Scout Centre September Update

Bonaly Scout Centre September Update

26 Aug 2021

Welcome back!

It is so good the see Scouts back camping at Bonaly following the relaxing of the Covid restrictions. If you are camping or visiting for the day why not give our new self-led “Camouflage Tracking” activity a go? Working in two teams, the first challenge is to lay a trail of tracking signs for the other group to follow into the “Hiding Area”. Then one member of the team is chosen to hide and is camouflaged by the rest of the team using the equipment provided and natural materials. The teams now follow each other’s tracking signs and attempt to find the hidden person! 

ScotJam@Bonaly was a great weekend with 120 Cubs and Scouts enjoying the sunshine and the Archery, Tomahawk Throwing, Low and High Ropes, Burn Scramble, Camouflage Tracking, and of course the Campfire.  We would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make the weekend possible.

Image: Burn scrambling in the Roman Bath. 

Our maintenance ASU have been hard at work keeping the centre looking good. The Chalet refurbishment is now well underway with new carpets, beds and vanity units. We are now taking bookings from the 1st of October for the new look Chalet and dates are filling up fast! To make an inquiry you can email info@bonaly.org.uk or use our online booking request form.

Image: The New Look Chalet

The Bonaly “Come and Have A Go Day” was very well attended and gave anyone interested in volunteering a chance to take part in some of the activities we have. Everyone had great fun enjoying the Low Ropes, Crate Stack, Burn Scramble, Pioneering skills or some of the Self-led activities we have on offer. Interested in joining our volunteer instructor team? Please get in touch by email or give us a ring on 0131 441 1878.

Image: Well done Sandy – that’s got to be a record! 

SEEE DofE Events – Borders

SEEE DofE Events – Borders

3 Jun 2021

D of E has normally been completed in the Scottish Borders District through the schools but a couple of years ago we decided to get some leaders though their expedition assessors’ course and start running our own expeditions and awards.  

Then Covid happened! Our Summer 2020 expeditions were cancelled, and we didn’t know when they would take place. Move forward to Autumn 2020 and temporary changes to the rules allowed expeditions without camping. Borders District joined other districts in the Pentlands to run Bronze qualifying & Silver practice expeditions.

Spring 2021, a new cohort of Bronze from the Borders were preparing for their expedition, but new Covid restrictions prevented them attending the Pentland Hills. So, a Borders based expedition was planned around the Eildon Hills.

The weekend of the 7,8 and 9th May saw 20 Explorers from the Lauderdale and Tweedglen units unite to form 3 expedition teams. Approximately 17km each day through the rolling Borders hills.

Friday night started the weekend with a last zoom briefing and quiz, Saturday took the expedition groups in a loop north of Melrose testing their navigation skills through a mixture of farming and open ground. The weather was as much of a test as the navigation, with heavy rain, winds and cold temperatures. 

The 3 teams all made good progress and coped with the tricky navigation of parts of the first day, they finished off with cooking tea in Melrose before heading home.

Sunday promised slightly better weather and the temperatures were certainly a few degrees warmer, the teams assembled from 8:30am. Two teams started along the banks of Tweed and the third with a sharp assent of the Eildon Hills, both working in opposite directions they would pass each other at lunch time.

The weather still had its surprises with more heavy rain, but it didn’t seem to dampen the participants spirits. With teams arriving back in Melrose just before 5pm they all look tired but very proud of what they had achieved.

To my knowledge this is our first Scottish Borders based Bronze Expedition planned and run by the Borders District Scouts but it won’t be the last, a great achievement and congratulations to all the Leaders involved, here’s to the next expedition.

Andy Beaumont
District Commissioner, Borders District

Explorers in 2020

Explorers in 2020

3 Dec 2020

2020 started with Explorers doing all the things they usually do, like a visit to Lochgoilhead by Wildfire, a Pentland District treasure hunt round the New Town, and a ski trip to France by Greenbank.

Wildfire Explorer Scout Unit

However, thanks to the imagination and effort put in by leaders, there has been a lot of Exploring this year, adapted to fit into the constantly changing constraints imposed by the pandemic.  Activity moved online, with Zoom providing a platform for Unit meetings and training, and this continues to form part of a hybrid model as some face-to-face Scouting becomes possible again.

As positives, we can highlight:

  • Games Where’s Wally? breakout rooms and many more
  • Training for Young Leaders and for expeditions
  • Investitures done online
  • Top Awards modified to fit the circumstances
  • Young Leaders assisting their sections
  • Involvement of young people to provide ideas and run online sessions
  • Expeditions for 59 Explorers in the Pentlands and a group preparing for Silver and Gold canoeing
  • New Units including Longcraig ESU
  • Moving on from Scouts to Explorers, including completion of CSA Gold
  • Network and adult roles encouraged, with input from Explorers

Above all, however, we should highlight the fact that there are still a lot of Explorers actively involved, and this is down to the commitment and effort of many leaders and young people.  Many thanks to all, and let’s hope that the report on 2021 will be much more normal.

 

John Buchanan
Assistant Regional Commissioner (Explorers)
explorers@sesscouts.org.uk

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