Southport District Scouts

To round off our Scouting Summer, and for a bit of fun, we invited each Scout Group to form a Dragonboat team of Leaders and Parents so we could have a race night with each Group competing against each other. So, last Friday night, 7 teams (140 people) raced in what turned out to be a really fun night. Each team had two races and the winners were decided by the fastest time overall. Congratulations go to the winning team of Explorer / Network leaders and Parents, 2nd place went to the 1st Southport and 3rd to a combined team from the 2nd, 19th and 55th Scout Group.

Dragnet is not for the faint-hearted. It encompasses at least 35 miles of hiking through open country over 36 hours whilst being chased by 'searchers'. The aim is to make it back to Base Camp closest to 11am Sunday morning with the most lives remaining. You have to be made of strong stuff to even think about applying. 2018 was the first year that Spearhead ESU entered a team into the competition. In the weeks running up to the event our weekly programme had involved map work, navigation, first aid and a day hike to prepare the team with the skills they would need to take part.

District Cubs had loads of fun at their Annual water fun day yesterday. Around 130 attended split into a morning and afternoon session. Each session consisted of Bell boating, sailing, Kayaking and paddling a Viking Longboat. It was scorching hot and the Cubs had a great time getting wet without getting too cold. Many thanks to all our instructors, helpers and Waterside Lodge for making the day a big success again!

Saturday saw our District Beavers take over Waterside Lodge for their Annual Water Fun day. It was a fantastic day weatherwise and the Beavers had loads of fun Kayaking, sailing, Bell boating and also got a ride in the power boats when they went to explore 'Pirate Island'. Thanks once again to all the instructors/ leaders for putting on another great day.

It was a great day at our Annual Cub Sports Competition last Saturday. Well done to all our District Cubs for the efforts they put in on a very hot day. Congratulations to the 1st Tigers who won the whole competition, followed by the 58th and then the 19th. Even the parents , leaders and Young Leaders squeezed in a race for the 1st time! Many thanks to all the judges and helpers who made the event possible, on the day or prepping for it, and to Larkfield school for the use of their sports field. Well done everyone!

Southport District Beavers and Cubs had a fantastic time at Wingdings 2018 in the weekend of 15th June. This Bi-Annual County organised Camp saw 1200 Cubs camping and with the Beaver Scouts visiting on the Saturday there were over 1700 of us at Tawd Vale...fit to bursting. All the Cubs and Beavers went round choosing whatever activity they wanted to do. Southport also did really well in the County Tug of War Competition with 1st Tigers coming fourth, the 19th third and the 62nd second out of 32 teams!

On June 8th it was our Annual District Cub Dragonboat Racing Competition. We had a fantastic night with warm, calm conditions. Over 140 Cubs took part, forming 9 teams that each raced twice with the winners being determined by their fastest times. Congratulations go to the 58th Cubs who won overall, 61st Cubs for achieving 2nd place and, 1 second slower, the 1st Tigers Cubs who came 3rd. Our World Jamboree Scouts provided some side entertainment for the Cubs as part of their fundraising efforts so thank you for supporting them.

Last Saturday was the Annual Northwest Region scavenger hunt in Liverpool City Centre in aid of Shelterbox. Hundreds entered from Cub to Explorer age in Teams of 6 and spent over 4 hours going around trying to gain as many points they could from various tasks set them. Some sections from our district joined in the fun and had a great time.

It was our St.Georges parade and service yesterday and despite the chilly weather the District had a fantastic turn out....the parade went on for miles! On the way to the Church we were treated to a guard of honour from the fire brigade ( arranged by a Dad from 1st Tigers). During the church service lots of long service awards and Wood Badges were presented to our leaders ( well done Marjorie Kirk on her 50 years service!). Pack of the year was retained by the 58th Cubs so huge congratulations to them! One point behind was 1st Tiger Pack and in third position were the 48th Cubs.