Newark District Scouts take part in the National Monopoly Run, watersports training and the Expedition Challege in jam-packed spring programme

From life-size Monopoly to watersports, scouts in the area are springing into the new season.

Newark District Scouts have had a jam packed schedule of activities, training and events, with more to come as its camping season gets underway.

There has been no end of things keeping the district’s eight Scout troops and two Explorer units busy.

Deputy district comissioner for the young people, Tilly Muller, said: “We’ve been very busy. The first weekend of the Easter holiday, 16 leaders re-did their water training.”

Supported by a grant from the Royal Navy, the leaders brushed up on their skills ready for the upcoing watersports season at the Farndon Sea Scouts’ base.

The training was planned for the River Trent but, due to recent rain causing flooding and strong currents, was relocated to Hoveringham Lake, where the adult volunteers spent two days out on the water.

Tilly added: “It was a very busy long weekend, but good to get back out on the water.

“We’ve got such a good facility with the Trent, and this year we plan to open it to other groups so they can take part right on their doorstep rather than having to travel to Hoveringham.”

The training will allow the reintroduction of more water activities at the Sea Scout unit.

Elsewhere, on dry land, seven scouts took on their Expedition Challenge, one of the hardest challenges in Scouts which sees participants collate all their knowlege and skills as they take on a major hike.

It counts towards their Gold Chief Scout’s Award, the highest available in Scouts.

Participants must plan the entire two-day expedition themselves, from the route and navigation, to their food and equipment.

They were supported by two young leaders who attend the Raptors and Vikings Explorer Units and are working towards their Duke Of Edinburgh Awards and Chief Scout Diamond Awards.

The seven scouts took on the challenge in Norfolk, hiking 18.5km from Wells next the Sea to Holt in nine hours on day one, and 14.5 km from Holt to Felbrigg Hall in under seven hours on day two.

Their naviagtion skills were also put to the test to find an alternative safe route when a footpath had been closed by farmers as they had moved their bulls.

“It is not a small task and they did amazing, it is a massive achievement,” Tilly added.

“We take them to Cromer aftwerwards to celebrate.

“This year they came from a range of groups so some of them had never met. It put their teamwork to the test and they just exceeded expectations.”

The oldest group in Scouting headed to the capital for a life-size game of Monopoly.

The deputy comissioner explained it was a tradition for the Explorer units to take part in the National Monopoly Run each year — a challenge where the young people have eight hours to visit as many places as possible on a monopoly board created for the event.

This year it included finding the Model Tank outside the National Army Museum in Chelsea, finding Paddington Bear at Paddington Station, the Field Marshall statue in Whitehall and a window cleaner statue on Edgeware Road.

Bonus challenges included a group selfie on the Santander bikes, cramming into a phone booth and finding the hidden leaders.

Tilly said: “It’s quite an exciting thing to do and, being 14 and older, the Explorers like the independence of travelling around London putting their navigation skills to the test.

“This year the leaders were dressed as Where’s Wally characters and there were lots of interesting costumes from the Explorers.”

Now the district’s groups are gearing up for the new camping season — kicking off with the district cub camp this month, in Ancaster.

It is also putting a focus on mixing with other troops to build friendships and a network of support for the leaders.

As part of their coronation plans, scouts will be encouraging people to get involved and volunteer as part of the King’s Help Out initiative.

Tilly added: “We are struggling to provide for all the young people. We have got huge waiting lists for groups and the more adults we have voluteering, the more we can provide.”

Anyone interested in supporting the Newark District Scouts or becoming a leader can get in touch via the district’s Facebook page or contact Tilly on deputydcad@newarkscouts.org.uk