scouts

WIN

ders r Scout Lea fo e in z a g a The m eptember 2009 August/S

per The Bum very ra Book of B

In a spin?

Navigation for novices

Pack alert

The right way to stuff a rucksack

E V O M E ON TH dition Challenge

Expe e h t h t i w s Get to grip

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Your Scout Support Team Alasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section), Ed Wilson – Programme & Development Adviser Contact them at: programme@scout.org.uk Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818 Advertising Tom Fountain tom@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1258

WELCOME INTRO

Into the great wide open Over the last few months we have gathered some feedback on the Expedition Challenge, says Alasdair McBay. This edition we focus on making it easier for your Scouts to gain this important award – and get the bug for adventure

Front cover photo by Allan Baxter shows a Scout from 1st Teddington tent pitching in Bushy Park London.

Thank you to the young people and leaders from the whole Group for their help with this issue.

BE PART OF IT!

Good luck with your Big Adventure – don’t forget to tell us about your event at big.adventure@scout.org.uk Check www.scouts.org.uk/ thebigadventure to find out what others are doing.

Scouts who complete their Chief Scout’s Gold Award repeatedly tell us the Expedition Challenge provides them with their greatest memories and their funniest moments in the Troop. The hours of planning; the endless list of things that happen on the expedition and the time spent putting the presentation together are all positive and worthwhile. They form the essence of Scouting – teamwork, fun, opportunities for leadership and outdoor adventure to list just a few.

On the other hand, there is a lot of evidence – particularly from the Your Programme Your Voice survey – that leaders find the challenge difficult to deliver. Flexibility is the key here. The expedition does not have to be a huge undertaking over Terrain Two ground. Indeed, I have recently heard some imaginative and creative ideas for completing the challenge in an urban setting.

Some also say it can be a large investment of leaders’ time for a small number of Scouts or that Troops have a lack of resources (either in equipment or expertise). In many cases this can be turned into an opportunity to link with other Troops or Explorer Scout Units for support and to share experiences.

Like so many things we do, both in Scouting and elsewhere, it is so easy to find reasons not to do something. Consider again the huge value that the Expedition Challenge can offer your Scouts and I am sure you will see the benefit to both them and your Troop.

Happy exploring!

Contents 4 To boldly go Ed Wilson gets to grips with the detail of the Expedition Challenge and dispels one or two myths on the way

6 Navigation Scouting’s James Taylor gives a navigation masterclass for you to pass on to your budding explorers.

8 Programmes on a plate This issue’s theme is expeditions, of course

10 Meeting sparklers Whistling, clapping, squeezing – all in this latest batch from Andrew Corrie

12 Pack it in The inside guide to packing a rucksack

14 Route of kings A different take on the traditional expedition

16 Location, location, location Tim Dance’s tent pitching advice for a better night’s sleep

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To boldy go We often think of an expedition as a journey that involves travelling to the ends of the earth, says Ed Wilson. It needn’t be that way – as long as there is a clear purpose, the destination could just as easily be Newport as Nairobi

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hether we are talking about the voyages of Captain Scott or Charles Darwin, expeditions usually have one thing in common, and that is to find something out. This is what makes an expedition different from somebody travelling for travel’s sake.

The Expedition Challenge very much reflects this idea. It is not just about travelling as far as possible or through terrain that is a challenge to somebody completing their Queen’s Scout Award expedition. The most important thing about the challenge is to make sure there is a purpose to the journey.

I was recently talking to a Scout Leader whose Scouts had travelled from their home town into York, looked around, stayed the night in a hostel and then travelled back. However, two members of the group had to be in a wheel chair for the whole time. This is just as valid a purpose as any other but does go to show how creative we can be when running an expedition. There are two ways of completing the Challenge, which are outlined below.

Option A – A journey with a purpose Take part in an expedition over two days (including a night away) with at least three friends. Be involved in the planning of the expedition, complete relevant training and be properly prepared.

During the expedition: a. Play a full part in the team. b. Journey for at least four hours each day. c. Use a map to keep track of where you are. d. Stay overnight at a hostel or other suitable venue, or camp overnight at a suitable site. e. Cook the evening meal and breakfast. f. Achieve at least one goal, agreed with your leader before the expedition.

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THE EXPEDITION CHALLENGE

Option B – A purpose with a journey Take part in an exploration over two days (including a night away) with at least three friends, and report or present your findings. You must be involved in the planning of the expedition, complete relevant training and be properly prepared. You must have completed some initial research into the subject to be investigated. The challenge should take place somewhere you have never been before or don’t know well.

During the exploration: a. Play a full part in the team. b. Travel for at least 90 minutes to a hostel, campsite or other suitable venue. c. Use a map to keep track of where you are. d. Conduct the exploration within an agreed area (discussed with a leader in advance) collecting evidence and information for the report or presentation. e. Stay overnight at the venue and cook the evening meal and breakfast. f. Complete the exploration before returning home. g. Have the report or presentation ready within four weeks of the exploration.

Before they go Expedition planning is essential. However the good news is that all the forms are exactly the same, unless a specific Activity Permit is needed.

When deciding what equipment is needed think about what the Scouts are able to carry. Would it be better for them to stay in a youth hostel on each night? Both indoor and outdoor options are perfectly valid.

Adult supervision Another question I am often asked is whether Scouts should be accompanied all the way or watched from a distance. When making this decision you should consider their training and experience: have they ever done anything like this before? If you decide to walk with them you could walk 50m behind. This way you are able to keep in contact with them but are not close enough so that they can rely on you.

However, if you decide to supervise from a distance, make sure you see them at various points during the day. This might be at pre arranged check points or somewhere they are likely to take a wrong turning. I was recently talking to a leader who said that if running an expedition he would give them a route with a permanent feature that that they would stick to, normally a coast line or river. This way they have enough flexibility to get lost but always have a feature that they can find on a map.

Above all, Scouts should enjoy their experience. Remember this will form the foundations of a Scout’s future enjoyment of expeditions and adventure. scouts.org.uk/pol

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The right d Teaching Scouts the basics of navigation can be a challenging process. James Taylor introduces some great ways to make the process both easy and fun.

And yes, a GPS is cheating!

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ith Sat Navs (Satellite Navigation Systems) in every car and GPS (Global Positioning Systems) in so many pockets, it has been easy to overlook the good old fashioned map and compass. But like all electronic devices, high tech gadgets are not infallible: batteries can run out, terminals corrode and components can malfunction. This is one reason why maps are rarely surpassed in navigation terms. Maps can also answer many more questions than GPS: a map is a visual illustration of an area of land – it shows hidden stories, facts and figures.

Start with the basics To produce confident map readers, whatever the age, it is essential to start with the basics. To begin, I like to work with a local map where you can point out some familiar land marks. Ask the Scouts to imagine going up in a hot air balloon for a few thousand feet and explain that the picture on the map is what they would see if they looked down. Another good exercise is to ask them to make a map of, say, their campsite, imagined from above.

At this early stage you will need to introduce the compass and demonstrate how to ‘set a map.’ At an introductory level, all we need to point out is that a compass needle points North and that North is always at the TOP of a map! So, now we are looking at a map which reflects our surroundings perfectly – this is the time to start doing some symbol recognition. It’s very easy to turn such an exercise into a quiz, or maybe ‘Mappo,’ which is bingo using map symbols!

The scale of the problem As we start to venture around the map identifying churches, railway lines, campsite and so on, the subject of scale will come up. Again, it might seem difficult to 6

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NAVIGATION

t direction more info Please see The Scout Handbook (available from www.scouts.org.uk/shop) There is also a great deal of useful info at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone

explain but really isn’t. Everything is measured in the unit of a centimetre (cm), and this means that 1:25 000 actually means 1cm on the map and 25 000 cm on the ground.

The other concept to grasp is that if the scale is larger ie 1: 250 000, there will be more ground per cm on the map.

A conclusion might be that the larger the scale, the less detail on the map.

What about the blue grid lines on a map? The horizontal ones are called northings and the vertical ones are called eastings and they are always labelled with a two digit number. Explain that these numbers and lines are used for identifying positions on the map, the eastings number is always read first and the saying to remember this is ‘along the corridor and up the stairs’. The progression needs to be made so that although there are no more lines printed, we need to be able to imagine subdividing each square up by 10 units each axis. This enables us to ‘pin point’ a very specific location with a six figure grid reference. The best way to help grasp this concept is simply to play Battleships – this works entirely by using grid references, albeit only four figure ones.

Raised awareness Aside from straight blue lines, we also find lots of rounded brown lines going in any direction. These are called contour lines and they join points of equal height (in metres above sea level) of land. They are a very important addition because they make interpretation of the map 3D. They carry a number which indicates their height and another line is added each 5m or 10m change in height. Therefore if the contour lines are close together, it indicates a steeper rise or fall in land level. A great way to make sense of this is to cut out gradually increasingly smaller changing cardboard shapes and sticking them on top of one another. Ask the Scouts to view the model from above. Hopefully the penny will drop! scouts.org.uk/pol

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Top 5 ideas from Programmes Online (July)

Ref

Activity name

27539

Scout Islam pack

39393

Human dominoes

43912

Pass the knot

46456

Relic hunt

39274

The silkworm walk

Activity

POP Programmes on a plate

Zon

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At the start of the planning process What shall we do?

This issue’s theme is expeditions, written by Tony Taylor

Time

15 mins

Ou Ad Tea act

Activities to put into a training programme Risk Assessment

30 mins

Ou Ad Vis visi

Equipment

60 mins

Ou Ad Ac wit

1 day

Ou Ad Ac ou

60 mins

Ou Ad Tea act

30 mins

Ou Ad Tea act

60 mins

Cre Ex Ac oth

Fitness training

Emergency procedures

Just before you go Final briefing

During and after the expedition Reporting back

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Zone/Method

Instructions

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Expeditions require careful planning. Leaders should first consult chapter 9 of Policy, Organisation and Rules. There are also factsheets available from the Scout Information Centre giving more detail about different adventurous activities. Throughout the planning process, Scouts should be consulted and their families kept informed so that they are happy to give written permission for their son or daughter to participate.

Outdoor and Adventure, Team-building activities

Hold a Troop Forum to discuss what expedition(s) the Scouts wish to undertake. Some may want to do overnight ‘hikes’ on foot, by canoe or cycle. They may also suggest a Troop expedition such as a camp abroad, canal boat trip or a journey in the UK using public transport. Try to reach a consensus about how, where, when and why.

Outdoor and Adventure, Visits and visitors

Before completing your chosen expedition, you must carry out a risk assessment. An important element of this is informing others. Invite your District’s Health and Safety Adviser to discuss risks with the Scouts.

Decide what the potential hazards are and how the risk of them causing harm can be minimised.

Emphasise that everyone has a responsibility for his or her health and safety.

Outdoor and Adventure, Activities with others

Arrange for adults to lead a series of bases, with the Scouts moving from one to another. These should provide an opportunity to practise packing personal kit and training in using any items of kit with which a Scout is not familiar. For example, on a canoe-camping expedition, kit must be stored in double bags in the boat. On a hike, the Scouts may be using compasses for the first time and will need map reading skills.

Outdoor and Adventure, Activities outdoors

Arrange a short practice expedition (or a series, if required) to familiarise the Scouts with their equipment.

Carrying a rucksack correctly can reduce stress on the back. Cycling long distances or getting used to the extra drag in a fully laden canoe builds muscles. Operating a canal lock as a team requires training.

Outdoor and Adventure, Team-building activities

Your risk assessment session should have identified hazards. Carry out some emergency simulations to deal with them. This will probably range from dealing with a cut or a burn from a hot stove to rescuing a Scout from water or rough terrain. If any Scout has a particular medical problem, the team members should know how to deal with it.

Outdoor and Adventure, Team-building activities

Before you set off, give the Scouts and their parents an opportunity to ask any questions they may still have. Inform them about the local contact and give them a final copy of your itinerary.

Creative Expression, Activities with others

After the event, arrange a session to report on the outcomes. Invite the parents, leaders from other sections and prospective members. Inform the Scouts before starting that they will be required to report back. This should encourage them to take photographs or keep a log. Also give them the opportunity to rehearse their report(s) before doing so with an audience.

For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol scouts.org.uk/pol

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e l k r a p s g n i Meet encouraging ity team game to a brilliant way of From a whistle-stop filler and a fru ght ideas drew Corrie is the man with the bri An , uts Sco en we bet ck dba fee al person

Electric Squeeze Have all the players hold hands in a cricle and designate one to start the ‘shock’ going by squeezing the hand of the player to either their right or their left. That player passes it on. The shock may move in either direction. At any time a player may send it back the other way. The person who is ‘it’ watches the faces and hands of the players closely trying to detect the location of the ‘shock’.

When they guess correctly, the player caught becomes ‘it’.

Get Rhythm Ask the group to follow your instructions: Everyone stand Now, hands on your hips, hands on your knees, Put them behind you, if you please.

Touch your shoulders, touch your nose, Touch your ears, touch your toes.

Raise your hands high in the air, At your sides, on your hair.

Above your head, as before, While you clap, one two, three, four.

Now, hands upon the empty space (head), On your shoulders, on your face.

Then you raise them up so high, And make your fingers quickly fly.

Then you stretch them out toward me, And briskly clap them, one, two, three.

Whistling Contest Each Scout is given a tune to whistle. If they laugh or lose the tune they are out of the contest. To add a little excitement, give each Scout a cream cracker or two first and then get them to whistle.

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Games and Activities

lers

Fruit Salad The group sits in a circle. Put everybody into one of four groups - apple, orange, pear and banana. One person (it could be you) stands in the middle and calls the name of one of the fruits. If you shout ‘apple!’ then all the ‘apples’ change places. If you shout ‘banana!’ all the ’bananas’ move. The caller can also shout ‘Fruit Salad!’ at which everyone moves.

4 Up The group sits in a circle. Tell them you are taking them to a strange planet with a very freaky atmosphere. There is no point speaking as the sound will not travel and gravity is such that only four people can stand up at any one time. It is also impossible to remain standing for more than ten seconds. You then challenge the group to go to this planet – you push the imaginary ‘start’ button and see if they can keep four people standing all the time. To stop the game push the ‘button’ again to reurn to Earth.

Palm Push

Positive Feedback

Two Scouts stand facing each other with forearms bent so that they can each press flat palms against the palms of the other. They push and the one who makes their opponent step back a pace becomes the winner.

Give everyone a piece of paper and a piece of masking tape. Ask the group to help each other stick their paper on their backs. Give everyone a felt tip pen. They should go round writing positive comments on each other’s backs. They may write messages of thanks, comment on contributions the person has made to the group, remind them of a moment they shared together, in fact anything that is good and positive. When everyone has had enough time to collect a good list of praise, stop the activity and let the group help each other to remove their lists and read them. scouts.org.uk/pol 11

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Pack it in!

Although every Scout has their own particular method of packing their rucksack, there are some sensible rules everyone to follow. Peter Brooks shares his top tips

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f course the type of event or expedition planned will dictate what kind of kit you take.

If it’s week of self sufficient camping in Greenland across rough terrain, then there is likely to be rather as lot. If it’s a one night expedition through Norfolk on established paths, then it will probably be just the basics. Follow these guidelines however and you won’t find yourself unpacking your entire kit just to find your compass.

1. Pack the side pockets first. That way you’ll get more in.

2. Pack the first things you will need last and last things you will need first (got it?). In practice this means that your raincoat or extra layer of warm clothing, is right at the top of your pack.

3. Your sleeping bag needs to go right at the bottom if there is no separate compartment for this.

4. Your fuel should also go at the bottom (if any fuel leaks, it will leak out the bottom of the bag instead of all over your clothes.)

5. Place a dustbin bag into the rucksack first and pack into this; your kit should stay dry even in the wettest weather.

6. Your sleeping mat should be rolled and attached to the outside.

7. Keep your wet weather clothing easily accessible in case of a sudden shower.

8. If you always pack your gear in the same places in your rucksack, you will always know where to find each item as you want it.

TOP Waterproof jacket and warm sweater

MIDDLE Spare clothes, clean underwear, hankies, socks, swimwear SIDE POCKET 1 Cutlery, torch, loo roll, matches, spare batteries SIDE POCKET 2 Wash kit, towel, First Aid Kit

BOTTOM Sleeping bag, plate and mug, stove and fuel, trainers

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RESOURCES

Resources

Are you confused about which resources are right for your role? The table below details which publications are essential, recommended or useful for each role in the Scout section The Troop Programme Plus

Scout Badge Book

Scout Record Book

Scout Skills Cards

Scout Handbook

Scouts Taking the Lead

R

R

R

U

U

U

U

U

U

Assistant Scout Leader

E

E

E

R

R

U

U

U

U

Scout Leader

E

E

E

R

R

U

E

E

Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)

E

E

E

U

U

U

U

E

U

Assistant Area/County Commissioner (Scouts)

E

E

R

U

U

U

U

E

U

U

Nights Away

The Troop Programme

Troop Assistant

Role

Young Leaders’ Essentials

Troop Essentials

scouts.org.uk/shop

R

E

essential - considered essential that an adult in this role has immediate access to this resource in order to fulfil the role

R

recommended - access to this resource will help an adult carry out this role more effectively

U

may be useful - an adult in this role may find it useful to access this resource from time to time

Scout Banner Item code: 1026914

scouts.org.uk/shop 01903 766 921

£8.81

i.Scout Hoodie

Item codes: 1026128R (Embroidered) 1026164R (Printed)

£19.57

Scout Belt

Item code: 1027056R

£11

A fun banner, with eyelets in each corner so it can be hung.

Approximate size: 158 x 89cm.

The new Scout leather belt has a detachable, two-piece, new design buckle. This belt is replacing the current Scout belt. Sizes Available S/M, M/L, L/XL.

Get the most fashionable Scouting item of the season, available either embroidered or with i.Scout printed down the sleeve.

All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

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s g n i k f o e t u o R So now we know there are two ways a Scout can achieve the Expedition Challenge: a journey with a purpose and a purpose with a journey, but what does this mean in practice? Ed Wilson sketches out an example that covers both options Staines

N

Hampton Court Shepperton

2 km Weybridge

Staines to Hampton Court Palace

Methods of travel

The Thames is a brilliant place to walk. Not only is it relatively flat, it is accessible, making it easy to manage the group remotely. It also has a footpath running from one end to the other. This expedition runs from Staines to Hampton Court Palace.

The route takes in a variety of landscapes and starts and finishes at a train station. It also passes a number of places to camp.

The expedition could be completed in a number of ways.

With a footpath running the whole way it could be done by foot or bike. However, there is also the opportunity to complete an expedition on the water. This would be a pulling expedition or by kayak. There are a number of Scout Groups along this part of the Thames that are able to offer these as possibilities.

Possible purpose The route of this walk is significant, not only because of the outstanding natural habitats, but because it is historically important, finishing at Henry VIII’s Palace at Hampton Court. Scouts could also use the expedition to complete part of the Creative Challenge and Photographer Activity Badge. Perhaps the feedback from the challenge could be done as a photo exhibition?

Find out more

For Expedition Challenge ideas and for further details, log onto Programmes Online and search for ‘Expedition Challenge’. Please also see the June/July issue of Scouting with suggestions for routes across the UK.

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COMPETITION

Only the brave WIN

up for Five copies grabs!

Expeditions into the unknown require a certain amount of bravery, which is why we’re offering five lucky (or should that be plucky?) Scouts copies of a fabulous new book on the subject

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he Bumper Book of Bravery by Charlie Norton is packed with hundreds of stories from brave people (and animals!) from around the world.

Whether it’s Ricky McGee, who survived in the Australian desert for 10 weeks, or the Tendai marathon monks who run over 25,000 miles to spiritual enlightenment, almost all kinds of bravery, great and small, are in this book.

We believe that there’s a hero in everyone, and we want your Scouts to prove it by sending their brave stories. We’ll then pick five lucky winners, who will each win a signed copy of The Bumper Book of Bravery and a chance to meet the author!

How to enter • Stories can be any length, but aim for about 100-200 words (half a side of A4) • The story can be any true act of bravery that the Scouts, a member of their family (or your pet!) has done – anything as long as it’s someone they know • Their story can be about anything. It could be: - performing on stage in front of a big crowd - a daring adventure they went on with their friends - facing their biggest fear - or a time they helped someone in need.

• Send the stories to The Bumper Book of Bravery Competition, Scouting magazine, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW or email them to scouting.magazine@scout.org.uk We may even print the best!

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Location, location, location

tent!’

‘There’s a river running through my Scout We’d all agree, these are not words p. Tim Leaders like to hear while on cam s of fall pit Dance looks at the perils and pitching tents

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f course water drainage is only one element of tent pitching to consider when you arrive at your site. Look for an obvious slope; if one cannot be avoided, ensure you sleep with your head up-hill.

Is the flat surface at the top or the bottom of a hill?

Sleeping at the foot of a hill is fine, assuming no rain water will trickle down. However no-one can predict the weather 100% so avoid if possible. Is there a body of still water or a river with tidal attributes nearby? At high tide, the powers of nature will not be stopped by canvas.

Think about your neighbours At Scout camps a lot of kit needs to be shifted. Can you park nearby? Is the site large enough? Tents don’t muffle sounds, so consider whether your group will disturb others and would other groups disturb you?

Consider the necessities: Does your site have a place to

cook, wash up, eat, go to the loo and, most importantly, somewhere for a campfire?

Pitch in If you can, put up your tent during daylight so you can see what you are doing without disturbing anyone or anything nearby. Choose a shaded and sheltered location, but avoid pitching tents beneath a tree. Lightning is attracted to it, branches do fall down onto tents and bird poop is a nightmare to clean off. Clear the ground of any rocks or stones and don’t sleep on tree roots.

Position the back of the tent into the wind, and secure with guy ropes. Use the correct pegs - titanium stakes for hard dirt and angle iron for sand and snow. Ensure your tent seams are aligned and secured. And don’t forget the golden rule – the inner tent will get wet if it’s in contact with the outer tent. Go to it!

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Promo

What a load of rubbish!

There was a huge response following the launch of the Serco Environment Partnership Award at the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Milton Keynes.

Now Scouts across the UK are taking up the recycling challenge

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re you helping clean up your community?

Litter is a major problem throughout the country, particularly with the increase in fast food outlets, the cigarette ban (smokers now drop their butts outside of pubs, restaurants and offices) and generally a lack of respect from many, for the environments we live in.

It is up to all of us to ensure that this problem is not allowed to increase. We all need to play our parts in demonstrating our willingness to keep our towns and countryside rubbish free.

On display In Breckland, Norfolk during April, Serco took part in Breckland Council’s Environment Week road-show. A Perspex tank was built and filled with a typical day’s litter, picked up by our street cleaning team. The amount of litter shocked many passers-bye who were amazed at how much Serco had to clean from the streets each day before people arrived for work or school. This type of display is very good at making people think before they litter.

Brilliant Belfast Meanwhile, South East Belfast Scout Group, joined other community volunteers to carry out an amazing clean-up exercise of the River Lagan in Northern Ireland in May. Over 70 members including Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, Explorers and Leaders from Saintfield and Lisburn, all chipped in to remove litter, logs and branches from along the tow path. Some even took to the water in canoes to retrieve litter from trees and branches. They were rewarded upon their return with hot dogs and burgers!

Mrs Carol Majury, District Commissioner for South-East Belfast, was one of the organisers: ‘It was a great day,’ she said, ‘with a great message to the public, great community spirit, and a great job by Scouts and their leaders.’ The event ended with the award of the Serco Scouts Environment Partnership Award to Scouts who took part on the day.

Order your pack now Visit www.scouts.org.uk/sponsor to order a resource pack to help you get recycling

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New term; new adventures Learn more about some of the activities Scouts can do with the Puffin Adventure Challenge Badge

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Enter the dragon

n case you didn’t already know, Scouting and Puffin have got together to produce a range of Activity Cards to help your Scouts gain the Adventure Challenge. Meet some of the characters and some of the great activities available.

When it comes to survival skills, look no further than Jack Fletcher, Puffin’s very own Young Samurai.

Ship-wrecked in Japan in 1712, Jack must rely on his natural instinct for survival and with deadly ninja pirates at every turn, Jack tests his dragon boating and coasteering skills to the max. Not for the faint hearted!

Land, sea and air Every adventurer needs a high-speed getaway and Artemis Fowl is no exception. The most ingenious criminal mastermind in history uses every vehicle he has to make his escape, including hovercrafting and hot air ballooning.

Did you know?

The first hot air balloon was launched in 1783 and the passengers were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. The balloon stayed in the air for a grand total of 15 minutes.

Riding the rapids Meanwhile, someone who’s on the right(ish) side of the law is James Bond. Even before he’d been recruited to the British Secret Service, he was never far from adventure and just some of the activities you can do with James are stunt kiting and rafting. But in the days before Q, no gadgets were required. Just Bond, James Bond.

Did you know?

Rafting was one of the earliest means of transportation on water. Today, white-water rafting is a popular sport and included in the Olympic Games.

Did you know?

An annual dragon boating competition has taken place in China, where it originated, for more than 20 centuries as part of folk ritual. It emerged as an international sport in Hong Kong in 1976.

Surf’s up Some might call Percy Jackson a troubled kid. But that aside, Percy does get to ride a horse with wings (aka Pegasus) and breathe underwater (very useful when surfing).

Did you know?

The biggest wave ever surfed is 80 feet (that’s 25 metres!) tall by Ken Bradshaw at Outer Log Cabins on 28th January 1998.

puffin.co.uk

more info Order your free pack now at www.scouts.org.uk/sponsor

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06/07/2009 14:20