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May 2021
News
Lockdown easing allows OSR Scouts to complete expedition By Andrew Phelps, leader, 1st Stoke Gifford Scouts he easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions from late March has allowed four Stoke Gifford Scouts to finally complete an expedition to satisfy one of the requirements of the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. During lockdown, the Scouts from the Old School Rooms (OSR) troop spent time on Zoom videoconferencing calls planning and organising their two-day expedition as they couldn’t use the usual expedition routes due to lockdown restrictions meaning no camping was allowed. However, a change in the regulations from government, the National Youth Agency and the Scout Association meant that we could now hold an outdoor activity, so the expedition was on! Friday 2nd April 2021 was Day One and the four Scouts met at the start point, which was Aust Services car park, at midday. The leaders checked equipment, issued tents, first
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aid kits, maps, compasses and hi-vis jackets & rucksack covers. Mobile telephone numbers were recorded in case of emergencies and, after the briefing, the Scouts walked off out of the service area and out of sight. Then came the leaders’ risk assessment and briefing, a quick chat and off they went shadowing the Scouts for safety – but at a distance so as not to offer any assistance unless in an emergency. Four checkpoints had to be visited during the hike, leading the Scouts to walk through Olveston, Tockington, Almondsbury, Bradley Stoke and back to Stoke Gifford, stopping at the Old School Rooms. The Scouts were in high spirits and they made each checkpoint ahead of time, finally finishing the day 25 minutes ahead of time. They then had to get home, put up their tents, cook a meal and then sleep out during a cold night. They started Day Two (Saturday 3rd April) at 9am in
Nearing the finish of the two-day expedition at The Green, Stoke Gifford
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