Wow! 3 in a Row!
No pressure on the Scout secton, but the Explorers have just put the
icing on the cake by completing the hat trick of trophies, After a
fantastic effort of timed hiking and competing in challenges in
Inverkip and the surrounding area, they
have won this year's Scottish National Explorer Competition! This
follows both the Beavers and the Cub sections each winning their
District competitions the previous weekend.
The
Explorer patrol fought off stiff competition from Units from as near as
Greenock, to as far afield as Hawick, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Banff
and Buchan to secure the trophy. They have been congratulated by staff
at the event on their determination and their exceptionally strong
teamwork. This is the first time the National competition has been
based at Everton and the success of the event should put the District
in good stead for hosting similar events in the future. Congratulations
to all involved, and we hope the sleeping bags you each got along with
your trophy keep you warm in the years to come.
Austria '08 
Four of our Explorers have just returned from the Greenock District trip to Austria. Over 50 Scouts and Explorers fro maround the district travelled by coach to Austria at the start of July to stay in the idillic Alpine village of Stanzach in the in Lecht Valley. They enjoyed Hillwalking, White Water Rafting, Canyonning, Castles and much more. Thanks to David Storey, Mark Sinnamon and team for organising the trip. Check the District website here soon for a gallery of photos.
ps. 3 of them got dropped off at our own summer camp at Great Tower on the journey back. Now that's dedication!
Parachuting - Again?
Here we go again! Not content with jumping out of an aeroplane from 10,000ft strapped to an instructor (March), the explorers have decided to return to try a solo jump or 2. Th enew visit will be on the weekend of 13th/14th September. Any explorer aged 16 or over and under 14st should return their form by end June.
Laser StationScouts and Explorers are ending the session with a zap at Laser Station in Xscape Braehead on 25th June. Boys should return their permission form on Wednesday 18th. The places are limited so they'll be allocated on a first-come first served basis.
Fishing
7th June 2008 - the Unit has spent a great weekend at Portencross beach and Pier near Seamill demonstrating their fishing skills to the local wildlife. At the end of the weekend a total of 4 mackerel had been caught and barbequed. Some photos can be found here using the password fishing. Or have a look in the gallery for a close-up of Twin's stunt.
Celebrity Spotting
We were on our way to our meeting place in the Ardgowan Estate when we were passing the home of the Shaw Stewart Family where we found to our surprise the Stars of the BBC programme "Still Game" This was the first time in the unit's history that we made front page on the Greenock Telegraph shown below.
In the early stages of the Ardgowan Unit forming we won the first explorer competition of the year. The District First Aid competition.
Where four members of the unit received their "First Aid Stage Five" and their Young Leaders "Module K"