KidsOutdoors

2007 was a very busy year... for both the scout association, and for myself in the many others outdoor activates I like to do.

2007 with a big year in the scouting calendar marking 100 years since the founder took 20 boys on an experimental camp on Brownsea Island; I in fact was given the opportunity to go to Brownsea-island over the Scouting sunrise to help out with the PR team. (1-8-07)

Yet before all this, I can safely say I took 2007 for everything it had adventure wise.

Kayaking

Towards the back end of 2006 I joined a local kayaking team (SWAT- Scout Water Activity Team) I was given the opportunity to go kayaking every week, improving my skill, and started to enjoy it more than taster sessions we used to get on camps as cub that always left you wanting more. Since becoming a member I have participated in a few canoe polo matches, and made a lot more friends in Scouting. I have been kayaking a number of times with another scouting team, SAC (Scout Activity Crew) a small group of us went out on the river, and I was able to apply some of the skills I learnt in the pool. 4 days after coming back from Brownsea Island we took a trip to a white-water course near Tee side, this was a completely new experience for me, as i had been on the river a number of times, but nether had experienced the fast flowing waters. I enjoyed the day as we were in a safe, controlled environment. Some of the instructors that I went showed me how to and take on the rapid. On of the most valuable things I learnt form the whole day was, when you capsize keep hold of your paddle! as your boat is always easier to see (being big and orange.)

Duke of Edinburgh

I have previously completed both my Bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards, and 2007 was time to o Gold!I signed up at the centre and quickly found myself a team of people I knew from college. We did our training and planning on Wednesday nights, and had to complete · A day hike… hail storm · 2day practice weekend… sunny · 3day practice weekend…cloudy moist! · 4day expedition in may, Just before the Centenary camp: RAIN RAIN RAIN RAN This all in fact added up to doing the equivalent of the bronze exped weekend (two days), and silver exped weekend (3 days)as practices!!!

On top of all of this I volunteered to help another group complete their 4day expedition during the summer (in fact 2days after i came back from Tee-side!)On the plus side, the weather was a lot better, and the pace was good… but seriously people- doing plane wrecks as your logbook! …when they say plane, I’m expecting something a bit bigger than a few rusty pipes and a bit of metal, - gutted

A Week with the national Trust

During July 2007 I went away for a week with the National Trust. I Was part of a team of 10 on the “Youth Discovery working Holiday”I had an amazing week working with the trust, especially in one of my favourite places of countryside. I enjoy walking in the area and eel its good to put something pace into an area of interest. I would like to go away next year again to do another working holiday and meet more new people.

(...I have posted a separate blog about this)