This weekend saw the culmination of months of practice and planning by volunteers and young people in the Group as we took part in the annual Downsman Hike.
We had three teams out on the hills, a senior scouts team (average age 13yo) doing a 25 mile team hike,a junior Scout team (average age 11 yo) in a 15 mile and a cub team (average age 9) undertaking an 11 mile, all over the Sussex South Downs. All teams smashed it, all completing their routes in good times and everyone that took part having a great time.
The event itself was planned and delivered by teams of Sussex Scout Volunteers, these from a central HQ covered all 55 miles of the possible routes – with services ranging from digital tracking, to First aid, to kit inspectors, to crossing Marshall’s and numerous checkpoint staff.
I had the privilege of walking with with our scouts junior team as they are under 12 need an adult with them and they covered the 15 mile hilly distance in good time , worked well as a team, were polite to all members of the public they met and had smiles when they crossed the line. I couldn’t ask for much more.🙏
As GSL of 1st Henfield it is great that we had the adults that volunteered to give up their time help in both the event and the practices we had run, but also and most importantly the young people wanting to challenge themselves to achieve things they thought they couldn’t do.👊
So please think about helping at 1st Henfield.. It doesn’t have to be every week, it could be the odd weekend to facilitate events like this that bring so much enjoyment and realisation of what can be achieved when you put your mind to it👍
The picture below of their completion medals and blanket badges👏
