Scout and Explorer Challenge

Scavenger Hunt

On Friday 17th of May, our Scouts and Explorers were challenged with navigating maps to find and retrieve bands from six different locations within Bushy Park in six small groups.

The bands were hidden around the park, attached to carabiners. The only clue to their locations was a roughly circled area on the map

White Team being briefed before heading out

The six groups each went off in different directions from Coleshill Road Gate. They were asked to send a picture once they had successfully retrieved a band from a carabiner.

Blue Team securing a band

For extra points, they could speak to park visitors about why they spend time there and which areas they prefer to use.

Additional points could also be earned by sending pictures of things commonly found around the park:

• A Pink Flower
• A Duck
• A Willow Tree
• A Bridge

As well as sending pictures, the groups had to regularly update their location using the What3Words app. This app splits the entire world up into 3 meter squares with unique 3 word names for each. For example, one of these squares at our HQ is “///spits.skills.lucky”

Purple Team posing with a Willow Tree

White Team with a VERY long stick

By 9:00 (almost) all teams had successfully returned to the Leaders Base and took the chance to relax a bit

The Scouts and Exploreres have earned their Orienteering Badge from this challenge which will be given out when we return after half term

This activity was planned and setup by Ellis. Since joining 3rd Whitton as a beaver in 2012 he has become a vital part of Scouting in the Richmond District and 3rd Whitton. He currently volunteers at 3rd Whitton as an assistant scout leader and was appointed District Youth Commissioner in 2023