Well 2002/03 has been a year of major change. What with the introduction of a new Scout section, The Explorers, and with a whole new Scout program to implement, the Scout leaders have certainly been busy.

2002 started as usual with the selling of the Donkey Derby programs, and this particular year was the best ever. We sold more programs and raised more money than ever before, well done to all the lads who took part.

In the summer, a number of Scouts went on the Malvern Challenge, a weekend of fun & games and other Scouting activities. A very successful weekend, with everyone who took part really enjoying themselves.

This was also the term in which a number of 2^nd Shirley Scouts met the royal family. Three Scouts and myself were part of the official greeting party when the Queen opened the Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull. We even had a chat with the Duke himself.

The rest of the summer term was taken up learning and using various basic Scouting skills, erect a camp, map work, camp cooking and rope work. This was all in preparation for our troop camp in September to John’s Lee Wood Scout Camp site near Leicester. On this weekend we would try to complete one of the new Scout Challenges, the ‘Outdoor Challenge’. What a weekend, we even invited those former 2^nd Shirley Scouts who had moved up to the Drake Explorer unit. The whole weekend was taken up with traditional Scouting activities such as pioneering where the small ditch outside our camp was spanned by no less than two Scout built bridges. Also built during the weekend was probably the biggest Scout Camp Gateway you are likely to see. Even using pulleys and ropes, it took 2 Scouts to open it. During the weekend we had a visit from the warden on the site, and seeing what was going on, commented, “it’s great to see a Scout troop doing proper Scouting, none of this namsy pansy stuff”. Sunday morning was spent on the climbing wall, before finishing off with the normal ‘witty’ prize giving. I would like to say that this was probably one of the best troop camps that I have ever taken part in, and congratulations to all the Scouts who completed their Scout Outdoor Challenge.

The autumn term theme then turned to Thailand and the Jamboree. With Luke Jeyes going to Thailand at the end of the year a number of activities on this subject were organised. Just ask the Scouts to perform the actions ‘ King’s Coming’ or ‘Thai Smiles’ and see what happens. Even the investiture of the new Scouts was based on the Thai autumn festival of ‘Loy Krathong’. Each Scout made an ornament, which could float and carried a candle. The investiture was carried out in the dark with only the candles for light. This was certainly different and successful. The culmination of this term was the usual cooking night. Some very successful, Thai green curries and other exotic dishes were concocted, and Harold who came to judge the dishes commented on their very high standard or was that chilli levels. The Scouts even ate what they had cooked afterwards, brave soles that they are.

The Christmas gathering was held at Laser quest as usual, followed by a party of fun and games back at the Scout hut. A particular mention should be made about pass the parcel, sorry parents if your son came home covered in glue and flour….

Now to the winter term. This term started off with the annual swimming gala, and for the first time in four years, we didn’t win it, we came second. Ah well we thought we would give someone else a chance. After this we started working on some of the other new challenges, in particular the ‘Creative Challenge’ and the ‘ Adventure Challenge’. Two of the creative activities were sweet making and candle making, both turned out reasonable successful and some lessons were learnt for next time. As for the Adventure challenge, the Scouts had a very enjoyable evening down at the Rock Face in Aston, spending 2 hours going up and down, up and down….. Also during this term, came 2^nd Shirley Scouts biggest expense… LEMONS. This year’s Lemon Hockey championship went to Stag Patrol, well done to them.

As can be seen 2^nd Shirley Scouts is a very active Scout troop, lots of fun and games but best of all, WE DO PROPER SCOUTING. I expect next year will as busy as ever with lots already planned and the 40^th Anniversary celebrations to come.

Yours in Scouting Dave, Andy, Adam, Harold & Matt