It has been another big year for the Howlers Explorer Scout Unit, packed with bouncing, battles, big skies and bigger friendships. From a sleepover with very little sleeping to a frosty January camp and a summer of international Scouting, our Explorers have been going further, together.
Nerf War and sleepover at Innoflate
Our overnight season kicked off in style with the District Explorer Nerf War and sleepover at Innoflate. The evening was packed with bouncing, a not-so-fiercely contested Nerf battle and a film, followed by what was technically a sleepover. There may not, however, have been quite as much sleeping as originally planned! After breakfast there was time for one more session of bouncing before everyone headed home, tired, happy and already planning the next one.
Christmas sleepover
Our annual Christmas sleepover gave the Explorers a lovely late-in-the-year chance to spend time together and celebrate the festive season.
Brass Monkey camp
January brought the Brass Monkey camp, with the temperature dropping as low as -1°C. It made a pleasant change from the stormy conditions of previous years, with the weather doing exactly what we hoped it would do. Crisp, clear and properly wintry!
Pentlands: Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition
The Explorers practised for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition with two days' hiking and two nights' wild camping in the Pentland Hills. It gave them valuable experience of navigation, carrying their own equipment and working together on the trail, and prepared those taking part for their future DofE expeditions.
Blair Atholl Jamborette
Summer brought another Scouting adventure, with some of our Explorers joining young people from across Scotland and overseas at the Blair Atholl Jamborette. With Scouts and Guides from a wide range of countries coming together, it was a fantastic opportunity to experience international Scouting, make new friends and take part in a huge range of activities.