Nine explorer scouts from Darroch Unit set their sights on trying new experiences last weekend by choosing to spend the night in a bothy as part of their Zodiac Plus Award and by taking part in a taster session of Curling. After hiking directly into heavy rain with full kit for a few hours to get to the bothy the explorers soon settled in and had a great evening by the roaring fire where many a song was sung amongst good general banter. After breakfast the Unit then headed off to the Waterfront for a swim to freshen themselves up before the Curling session. All explorers and leaders greatly enjoyed the Curling session and some took it too competitively (leaders). Many thanks to the 85th for the use of the bothy and to the curling coaches for their time and patience.  

explorers_bothy

Last weekend the Greenock & District Scouts Amateur Radio Club visited the 1st Gourock Scout Group & members of the Darroch Explorers who were camping at Everton.  The Explorers along with Leader Mark Gallacher & Bob, George & Kai from the radio club braved the snow and went Geocaching up near the Daff Damn.  This was the first time that the Explorers had tried this activity and had a great time.  Before setting out, Mark &  the radio club showed the boys how to plot the direction of the cache using map & compass, a GPS satellite Unit borrowed for the occasion and also a new Geo-cache application specially for the I-Phone.  The Explorers led the way up the hill through the snow to try and find the cache, closely followed by Mark & the Radio Team.  The Explorers were able to use all 3 methods to search and successfully find the cache.  A record of their visit was recorded in the book that was in the box and a District Badge was also left.  The Explorers then had some fun in the snow after their hard work.  They all had a great time and have already asked Mark if they can do this activity again.  During a break in a packed activity weekend, the Explorers and Cubs then passed a greetings message over the radio using a borrowed mobile Amateur radio station that was set up inside the lodge for the afternoon.

Darroch Explorer Scout Unit launched in October with the investiture of all its members. The unit launched with an action packed 24 hrs of non-stop activity and fun, starting how they mean to continue. No time for sleep as there was over 40 activities to complete, including kayaking, zip slide, swimming, golf, game show hour & casino plus many more. The new explorers didn’t only get a chance to taste what life as an explorer is like but also got to relive their past and go back to life as beavers and cubs with their old section leaders taking charge and running very entertaining programmes. The indoor campfire capped off a great day. Before finishing up on Sunday the unit participated in a gruelling cycle/photo orienteering competition. Well done to the 11 newly invested explorers, there is a great spirit within the unit. It was a great start and the unit looks forward to its next adventure. Many thanks to all who supported us over the weekend.

8 members of Darroch Explorers attended the joint Explorer/Network Global Awareness Partnership Project (GAPP) event at Fordell Firs. The Explorers had a great time making new friends and learning about various international issues through many games and role playing activities. Each participant was given a CD full of activities and resources which the unit look forward to using over the next couple of weeks as part of their Chief Scout Award and the International group award. They will also be assisting younger sections in the group with their Global Challenge.

12 Explorers scouts from Finnart and Darroch units linked up to attend this year’s Cally Rally on the banks of the Caledonian Canal at Dochgarroch near Inverness, camping with 350 other Explorer Scouts and Guides. The explorers participated in a wide range of activities including Clay Pigeon Shooting, Kayaking, Sailing, Rope Bridge and much more. A great time was had by both units who hit it off from the moment they met up in Greenock, singing non-stop campfire and gangshow songs all weekend. Very entertaining, good friendships made.

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