Mud, maps, donoughts and teamwork
On Saturday evening our Scouts headed out to take part in the Grantham District Night Incident Hike, joining teams from across the district for an evening of navigation, teamwork and the sort of mud that seems to have a personality of its own.
We entered three teams, who set off at staggered times to tackle a 10 km route in the dark, navigating using only map and compass. Considering the reputation Scouts sometimes have for enthusiastic but creative navigation, we’re pleased to report that nobody got properly lost. A few “strategic route reassessments” may have taken place (one of these as they left the village hall starting point!), but everyone made it round.
Along the route the teams encountered a series of incident bases where they had to put their skills and teamwork to the test. Activities included:
Cooking campfire doughnuts
Demonstrating some proper knot tying skills
Working together to cross a “lava stream”
Untangling themselves from a human knot challenge
Tackling a map quiz
The weather was kind, staying dry all evening, although it was definitely on the chilly side once darkness settled in.
What the weather didn’t provide, the fields certainly did. The route offered an impressive selection of mud, puddles and slippery patches, all of which were investigated with great enthusiasm. Several Scouts appeared to make it their personal mission to find every muddy spot possible, with varying levels of success at staying upright.
After several hours of hiking, navigating and sliding around in fields, the teams returned to the finish to the welcome sight of hot dogs, hot soup and warm drinks, which disappeared very quickly.
Our teams finished in:
Team 1 – 2nd place
Team 2 – 9th place
Team 3 – 4th place
Most importantly, all three teams had a brilliant night, showing great teamwork, resilience and good humour throughout.
A huge thank you goes to the Grantham District volunteers who organised the event and ran all of the activities along the route.
Mud, maps, doughnuts and teamwork… a pretty good night of Scouting.
Some closing stats for you:
· 11 Teams
· 54 Scouts
· 10 Explorers
· 21 Volunteer Leaders
Scores on the doors
