Recently we have been learning Morse code, Sign language, Tent pithching, and working on the climbing wall.

Badge Course
We completed some proficiency badge work and gained, DIY, Electronics, Hiker, Master at Arms and Chef.

Orienteering
Late December the Scouts and Explorers entered a joint Nottinghamshire Orienteering Club and Scout Event. We performed well, taking the Winners certificate. It is proudly on display in the entrance hall. Thanks to all those who organized the event.

On Sunday 16^th March Mat Singleton and Neil Hallam took; 11 Scouts and Explorers to compete in a Nottinghamshire Orienteering Club event in Thieves Wood.
The courses are colour coded with White being easiest, followed by; yellow, orange and light green.
In light green, out of 32 competitors; the lads entered as solo runners finishing:  Nathan Hind 23^rd, Jonathon Weldon 24^th and   Matthew Fearn 25th.
In orange, Running as a pair Edward Belcher and Emma Greenslade  finished 22nd out of 23 competitors.
In yellow out of 19 competitors, running as pairs Kyle Hallam and Ian and Hare finished 17^th, Luke Greenslade and Reuben Wiles 18^th and Rosie Belcher and Gill Hallam 19^th.
Ian and Kyle also finished with enough time to go back out to finish 16^th of 17 in the white course as well.
Each of the pairs included a novice orienteer, putting some teaching responsibility onto the shoulders of; Ian, Gill, Luke and Edward.
Edward, Matt, Nathan and Jono were all competing at a level higher than they had in previous events.
Well done to all the team who put in a lot of effort and showed off 5^th Mansfield well in this public event. Orienteering is a valuable activity to us both in preparation for the longer expeditions and also in fostering an important competitive spirit in the Scouts.

Church Parade
Thanks to those who attended the Mothering Sunday service. Nathan, Jonathan, Harry, Edward, Edwin, and Ian. Very smartly turned out.

Hiking
We have undertaken some big hikes recently.

The NESST hike, a thirteen mile night hike. We entered two teams in atrocious conditions and came home very tired. It never stopped raining all night. We did brilliantly, however. Our ‘A’ team, ‘Svens Barmy Army’ were the first Scout team and our ‘B’ team also did well. A credit to you all.  Thanks to Matt and Ian Ryder for helping.

We undertook a Winter Mountain Expedition in early March at Edale. We did a massive edge walk and encountered some very sticky peat bogs and hail storms. Well done to all. All good work towards your Hillwalking badge.

Equipment
Through excellent fund raising from the National Lottery Awards for All programme we have received a new Sailing Dinghy and outboard motor for the Safety. Many thanks to all those who secured this funding.

Summer Programme
As soon as the weather turns to spring and the nights start stretching out we will be taking to the water, rock climbing, camp caft and backwoods training as well as orienteering and mountain biking. I will give some warning as we may start earlier and finish later.

Please make sure you have done your 50m swim and competed a capsize drill at the swimming baths. These are the requirements for canoeing. 8pm every Friday evening at Sherwood Baths.

Diary Dates
31^st May – Rother Valley Triathlon Competition.
18^th May – Orienteering at Hardwick Hall.
8^th June – District Cooking Competition
14^th / 15^th June – Stone Kayak Novice Slalom Competition.
6^th July – Water station for Mansfield Half Marathon.
26^th July – 2^nd August - Summer Camp – Norfolk Broads.
17^th – 19^th October – National Scout Shooting Competition at Bisley.
20^th – 24^th November – Spain Trip. (Older Scouts and Explorers)
To Be Announced – Weekend Boating, Rock climbing, Youngsters training camp.

                                                                                                 Trev.