North Face Explorers - some of our past activities

Thursday 8th September 2005 : First meeting of term

This was the first meeting of term and as all the old Explorers chatted and found out what they had been up to over the holidays, the new Scouts tried to get to know everyone. We divided into four random groups by making animal noises and then had to make up yells, songs, and greetings for our groups. We were then set the task of devising sketches for the Annual Review later in the term.

Thursday 15th September 2005 : Backwoods night

We all met at the camp-fire circle at Bonaly, where Martin gave us some backwoods recipes. These were not of the fish-gutting and pigeon-plucking variety but stuff like camp doughnuts, kebabs, baked apples with cinnamon (no-one made these), baked bananas with chocolate (most of us made these) and the ever-popular marshmallows on sticks. We were even allowed to use tin-foil!

Thursday 22nd September 2005 : Out on the town

This evening was spent doing the things we normally do on the first meeting! We played a few games and divided into three groups in order to plan activities for the rest of the term. Three evenings have been planned, ice skating, Laserquest and go-karting. Perhaps these will give some members who are working on their Duke of Edinburgh's Award ideas for new skills and activities to take up!

30th September - 2nd October 2005 : Zodiac camping weekend

This weekend saw one of those rare opportunities to go away and get two months in our Zodiac Award for the price of one camp! We went to Bonaly and the first night built bivouacs using tarpaulins. The following day, we set to and built a huge pioneering construction to hold a cargo net on which we were all to sleep six feet above the ground. All went well until Alan decided to see whether it would stand the weight of a leader as well as one of the Explorers. Of course, it hadn't yet been properly anchored and he and Niall (and half the structure) were suddenly deposited zero feet above the ground. We took the net and ropes into the woods and found eight trees that would do for supports instead — Nature had already anchored them and there was no further mishap, except for John falling out of his hammock! Some very tired Explorers slept well on Sunday night!.

Thursday 6th October 2005 : Annual review

Our third annual review took much the same form as the first two, except that there were no presentations by Explorers this year. Alan gave us a brief review of the year's activities and Martin presented the accounts, which seemed very healthy. We then divided all members and guests into teams for a code-breaking activity. We finished with refreshments and chat while a computer provided a slide show at the back of the hall.

Thursday 13th October 2005 : Ice skating

We all met at Murrayfield for the first of three meetings organised by the Explorers themselves to try different skills and activities. Some of the Scouts showed a great deal of skill while others had much to learn — but at least everyone had a go, unlike the leaders, who just stood and shivered on the sidelines.

Thursday 27th October 2005 : "Super Size Me!"

The evening started with a showing of the film Super Size Me, in which the 'hero' attempts to live on McDonalds' meals for a month. We were then given some questionnaires to fill out… had the film put us off fast food? For most of us, the answer was 'no'! Shortly after the film started, Jenna brought in some left-overs from the Cubs' Hallowe'en party… you've guessed it… chips! We finished with a quick game of Chinese Ladders.

Thursday 3rd November 2005 : 'Duty to the Queen'

We divided ourselves into four groups and Alan gave us each an envelope on the outside of which were instructions. The Queen is the Head of State of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland and we had half an hour to come up with a 5-minute activity for the rest of the Unit based on our nominated country. The evening ended with a game of jousting (England), a sketch on the cultural differences between Scotland's twin cities, an Irish pub quiz (without the beer) and a game of Pass the Leek, for which the prize was… a leek! We finished with the investiture of Cassie, Katy, Tony, Chris, David, Callan and Stuart, which brought our membership up to 36!

Thursday 10th November 2005 : Laser Quest

We all met at Laserquest (those who went to the old premises were a little late!). Players included Gers, 007, Ginge, Ginge 2, Ginge 3 and twelve others (send me your names if you want them posted here!). After many an alien shoot-out, Agent 007 was decreed to have won.

Thursday 17th November 2005 : Visit to the Gang Show

Twelve of us met to go to the Gang Show. Rachelle was starring and was cheered on apporpriately (as distinct from last year when one of the North Face Explorers was cheered on inappropriately!). The decision afterwards was that this was probably the best Gang Show that any of us had been to. How many of the Unit will be there next year?

Thursday 24th November 2005 : Award Progress meeting

This week was one of those meetings when the leaders try to find out what progress the Explorers have been making towards their Chief Scouts Awards and other badges. While some were being quizzed to ensure that they were not trying to pull the wool over the leaders' eyes, the others went shopping and then made smoothies, brownies and other culinary delights in the kitchen.

26th - 27th November 2005 : Zodiac Bothy Night

A dozen or so Explorers spent the night in the Zodiac Bothy at Bonaly. Some of them were there as part of a Young Leader Training weekend, so they can choose which challenge they want to use for this one.

Thursday 1st December 2005 : Scout Post

The younger Explorers met to sort out Scout Post collected, most of this having come from the Tolcross Pharmacy. Where were all the cards that the Explorers were supposed to have collected from family, friends and neighbours?!

7th and 8th December 2005 : Scout Post

Only four Explorers showed up on Wednesday to help to sort cards and this was not enough. We were there until late, despite help from Cathy Murray, Catriona and Bill Reid, and a number of family members of 25th Morningside parents who were along doing their own thing that night. On the Thursday, the older Explorers showed up to do the first sort of cards to be delivered. All went home with numbers and letters of the alphabet whirling around in their heads.

Thursday 15th December 2005 : Christmas Party

Those who were not at other Christmas parties enjoyed our own version with relays and games. We were pleased to see Calum Miller along and he was even tricked into running a game of Pass the Parcel. The prizes were chocolate oranges and the generous winners shared them out amongst their teams. Alan was amazed at the amount of cheating but Martin told him that this was par for the course at parties. Nevertheless, why would you want to cheat when your team was winning?!

17th - 18th December 2005 : December camp

Seven Explorers plus Alan made it out to Craigs, Torphichen for the last camp of the year. this was both on another area's camp site and below zero degrees (wasn't it just?!), so Explorers can decide which of the challenges they wish to claim for this night. While four of the Explorers got a good fire going, the others went off on a tour of Bathgate and the surrounding countryside before returning with food for dinner that night and breakfast the next morning. One of us had been given his Christmas present of a four-season sleeping bag early — and was very thankful for it.