Welcome to the home of the Ardgowan Explorer Unit!
Bothy Back Road
While most of use were enjoying our Easter holidays, a hard-working group of labourers from our Explorer Unit set to work improving access to the bothy. Over two weekends we got digging to reinstate an old pathway through trees and then packed it down with several tonnes of stone. The finished article was opened and the access is now easier and safer than before. We all would like to thank Cardwell Nursery for providing the stone and the many others who helped with their time and machinery.
June 2015 Explorers Go Climbing!
The Ardgowan Explorers from Inverkip enjoyed a night up in Paisley District at "The Bield" last Thursday. The Bield is a converted church which is now a Scout meeting place with two halls. In the upstairs main hall there is a climbing wall with a series of different routes. As part of the Climbing Badge, the 15 Explorers took part in mastering several routes as well as belaying the other Explorers. Also they had a shot of the Archery to see who could get the best score individually and in teams. Thanks to the The Bield instructors who ran the climbing and archery for us. Another night has been organised for December to help complete their Climbing badge. Wow! 3 in a Row!
No pressure on the Scout section, but the Explorers have just put the icing on the cake by completing the hat trick of trophies, After a fantastic effort of timed hiking and competing in challenges in Inverkip and the surrounding area, they have won this year's Scottish National Explorer Competition! This follows both the Beavers and the Cub sections each winning their District competitions the previous weekend.The Explorer patrol fought off stiff competition from Units from as near as Greenock, to as far afield as Hawick, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Banff and Buchan to secure the trophy. They have been congratulated by staff at the event on their determination and their exceptionally strong teamwork. This is the first time the National competition has been based at Everton and the success of the event should put the District in good stead for hosting similar events in the future. Congratulations to all involved, and we hope the sleeping bags you each got along with your trophy keep you warm in the years to come. Photos are now available here.
Fishing
7th June 2008 - the Unit has spent a great weekend at Portencross beach and Pier near Seamill demonstrating their fishing skills to the local wildlife. At the end of the weekend a total of 4 mackerel had been caught and barbequed. Some photos can be found here using the password fishing.
Laser Station
Scouts and Explorers are ending the session with a zap at Laser Station in Xscape Braehead on 25th June. Boys should return their permission form on Wednesday 18th.The places are limited so they'll be allocated on a first-come first served basis.
Celebrity Spotting
We were on our way to our meeting place in the Ardgowan Estate when we were passing the home of the Shaw Stewart Family where we found to our surprise the Stars of the BBC programme "Still Game" This was the first time in the unit's history that we made front page on the Greenock Telegraph shown below.
In the early stages of the Ardgowan Unit forming we won the first explorer competition of the year. The District First Aid competition.Where four members of the unit received their "First Aid Stage Five" and their Young Leaders "Module K" |
Congratulations to our four Explorers!
The Ardgowan Explorer Unit are happy to hear that Catriona and Ciaran have been selected to attend the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015. This is a once in a life time event where they will spend two weeks camping with over 40,000 Scouts from all over the world. This will be followed with Home Hospitality where they will live with another family for a week.
Also some more great news, Catriona, Calum and Rhonan have been selected to attend the 34th Scottish International Patrol Jamborette in Blair Atholl next summer. The Jamborette is Scottish Scouting's premier international event. It brings together over 1,000 Explorer Scouts and Leaders from all over the world for a 10 day camp. We look forward to hearing about their experiences when they come back! Austria 2008
Four of our Explorers have just returned from the Greenock District trip to Austria. Over 50 Scouts and Explorers from around the District traveled by coach to Austria at the start of July to stay in the idyllic Alpine village of Stanzach in the Lecht Valley. They enjoyed Hillwalking, White Water Rafting, Canyoning, Castles and much more.
Thanks to David Storey, Mark Sinnamon and team for organising the trip. Check the District website here for a gallery of photos or here for Callum's photos. ps. 3 of them got dropped off at our own summer camp at Great Tower on the journey back. Now that's dedication! pps. Good luck to Darren Percival who will complete the Hat Trick by joining the International Jamborette at Blair Atholl next week. September 2008
Parachuting Again?
Here we go again! Not content with jumping out of an aeroplane from 10,000ft strapped to an instructor (March), the explorers have decided to return to try a solo jump or 2. The new visit will be on the weekend of 13th/14th September. Any explorer aged 16 or over and under 14st should return their form by end June.
Parachuting
Three Explorer’s from our Ardgowan Explorer Unit have successfully completed parachute jumps last week. Jordan, Graeme and Mark each jumped tandem from 10’000ft and enjoyed a 30 second free fall before their chutes were deployed. The boys had pitched their tents and camped out on the airfield and waited all weekend for a break in the weather before finally completing their jumps between 5pm and 6pm on Sunday evening. They’re now planning a return trip in August which may even see them earning their Parachutist badges. Anyone who would like to join them (including parents or other family over 16yrs and under 14st) should contact Andy Yarr using the details in Contact Us. More pictures and videos are available in the Explorer Gallery.
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