Night hike - 1st October

Tomorrow night will be the night hike with a game of manhunt. Please be at the church in Baschurch by 8.15 for a prompt start. Pick up will be back at PGL.

Remember to bring with you:
Strong shoes or boots
Waterproofs
Torch
Mobile phone
Water bottle

Kathmandu!

We've been talking about exploring in Nepal, ever since we had the Everest talk a while ago - if we are going to go we need to start fundraising now and start making plans!

The outline plan is to combine some volunteering at an orphanage which has been 'adopted' by our Asiapacific coordinator and his West Lancs scouts.


Experience Kathmandu and Nepal of course!


And do some trekking in the mountains. This would ideally take about 3 weeks and ideally be over the winter period (to get nice clear weather). Volunteering at the orphanage over Christmas would be pretty fun too... However, school hols are quite short so we may have to try and ask for a couple of days out of school or compromise on how much we do. 


We could do an elephant safari in Chitwan national park too if anyone particularly wants to be with elephants...


The alternative would be to go after many of you have left school - July - and have three weeks to do everything, but it would be wetter and so we would probably not be trekking in the Everest area. I've heard different stories about how nice/pretty/refreshing/wet/muddy... the monsoon is, but Asiapacific said groups that had gone at this time had enjoyed themselves, but had less good views of the high mountains (more like Richard's mountain walks then, I guess!)



Finally, we could go for the last three weeks of the summer hols - much the same comments as the previous option but flights probably a bit more expensive and less convenient for me at work. There are festivals in Kathmandu in Aug/Sept so that could be livelier!


The explorers set a price of £500 per explorer so leaving quite a bit of fundraising to do so we need everyone to be committed to joining in! (leaders pay full cost though)

Budgets for our last big trip worked out OK with a £300 price and a £2300 cost, the balance being met by voluntary contributions and about £1000 per head raised in the fundraising. I am expecting the cost to work out at about £2000 for this too, so the same approach should work!

I propose to hold an interest meeting at the hut on Thursday 1 October. After the drop hike for explorers (as soon as they make it back to the hut (if you get lost and don't get back to the hut, it is prob not a good idea to go exploring further afield!) and parents from 9:00 to 9:30pm.

Perfect practice makes perfect!

It's the next w/e practice this Saturday 26 Sept (because Sunday is a busy day!) with scouts at 10:00-11:30 and explorers 12:00-13:30 ('cos explorers aren't as good at getting up in a morning!)
Please bring the fees too if you haven't already! (I've had to pay your entry already, which is the main part of the camp cost).

Here is the permission for for the practices and please bring you completed Guest Day form (or take the blank one if you didn't last week).

Drum Corps dates..............

Some Drum Corps dates for your diary - times and meeting locations will be confirmed closer to the dates;




Sunday 27th September Baschurch Fun Run
Thursday 22nd October Bowling
Sunday 8th November Remembrance Sunday Parade
Wednesday 18th November Lanterns Parade Shrewsbury
Wednesday 16th December Christmas Carols in the Square, Shrewsbury





Drum Corps is on this Thursday normal place normal time :)

Navigation training

Aha! Ive finally got on the blog!

So just to add to Alans post earlier, please bring the following with you:

Clothing to go outdoors around PGL
Headtorch
Compass (if you have one as we only have a limited supply)

See you tomorrow!

Watch this spot!

The Boreatton Explorer Sub-unit prog sub-committee have sorted a draft prog for you! Coming soon! 

Meanwhile, after somewhat expansive navigation that entertained and kept the leaders busy during recent DofE expeditions, we have decided we need to step up the nav training....

Luke has a rigorous training plan that we will launch tomorrow, so bring a head torch I expect (and actually given the last DofE expedition's navigation, maybe a bivvy and a few night rations just in case!)

See you at the hut tomorrow usual time, usual place etc!

uh oh - these explorers didn't bring head torches for their night nav exercise - now they've got into deep water...

Tonight!

Yes - its Autumn already! We meet as usual (?) for our traditional first meeting of term - planning! (kind of like 'back to basics' but more mature and explorer led).
See you all soon!
(Hope you like the autumnal music, and play 'Spot the ageing explorer from when they were dids!' )

Pandy Rocks!

A chance to return to your DofE camp!

I need to know numbers asap as other groups are wanting to come to this... there are only 5 or 6 free places left!

SHROPSHIRE BORDERS SCOUT MOUNTAINEERING GROUP

All scouts are invited to the Climbing Day at Pandy Rock, Glyn Ceiriog. You need to book a place BEFORE Thursday 17th September.
Meet at Shottaton Crossroads at 09-45 (later than normal for regular SBSMG Scouts), return approx 17-45
Bring, boots or trainers for climbing, waterproofs. All other gear will be provided.
You also need a packed lunch, snacks and a drink.

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Autumn Rifles

Its Autumn! Those who signed up for the rifle squad need to get ready for the National Rifle Championships and make sure our shooting is sharp!

I propose to hold w/e practices with the first this Saturday 19 Sept (because Sunday is climbing day!) with scouts at 10:00-11:30 and explorers 12:00-13:30 ('cos explorers aren't as good at getting up in a morning!)
Please bring the fees too! (I've had to pay your entry already, which is the main part of the camp cost).
See you on Saturday!