2016: Another amazing year!

30th December 2016
It's time to take a look back at 2016 and all of the exciting things we have been up to this year.

It’s been another very busy year for Scouting in Thurrock, with lots of fun and varied activities going on and numerous achievements. Below are some of our highlights.

The Wildest Birthday Ever!

2016 saw us celebrate the Centenary of Cub Scouts with a whole host of Cubs100 events throughout the year.

  • Our District Cub Camp in May saw the Cubs take on lots of 100-based challenges alongside all of the usual fun, as well as design their own uniform to be worn over the weekend. We also held a thanks event for everyone who has been a vital part of the section in Thurrock over the years.
  • The main event of the year was a big celebration event in June at Thriftwood Campsite in Brentwood. We joined Cubs from Basildon and Brentwood Districts to enjoy a day of fun and exciting activities including pedal cars, water rollers, axe throwing, the cresta run and lots more! We were also visited by the UK Chief Commissioner, Wayne Bulpitt who even joined in with some of the activities.
  • The annual handicraft competition in November had a Cubs100 theme which saw the Cubs producing a birthday card, plasticine birthday cake and collage of the Cubs100 logo. The competition was very tight with only 13 points separating all of the teams.
  • The final event of the year was the Promise Party at the Backstage Centre in Purfleet. The young people joined others across the UK to renew their Promise at 19:16, the year Cub Scouts began, as well as having a big party!

Not to forget that the Beaver section was celebrating it’s 30th Birthday as well this year! Beavers across Thurrock have been enjoying lots of different activities and challenges to mark the occasion.

A Growing and Developing Movement

This year has seen not only new sections open in existing groups, which is fantastic, but we have also opened a completely new group in the west of the District.

  • Purfleet Scout Group opened in June this year and means we now provide local Scouting to every major town in the Borough. The Group launched with a Cub Pack and Scout Troop and will be joined by a Beaver Colony early next year.
  • 1st Corringham and Chadwell St Mary both opened new Beaver Colonies this year, and the Cub Pack at Belmont Castle Academy has now joined the District as a part of Thameside Sea Scouts.
  • Working alongside the school, this year we launched a Beaver Colony and a Cub Pack at Treetops, a special school in Grays. These sections allow us to provide Scouting tailored to the unique needs of the young people who attend and are a part of Orsett & Bulphan.

We also continued our work to ensure Scouting in Thurrock is youth shaped by launching our District Scout and Explorer Forums. These forums allow the young people to have their voices heard in the running of the District.

Awarding Success and Service

A huge congratulations to everyone who achieved an award during 2016, including all those who achieved their Chief Scout, Duke of Edinburgh, Length of Service and Good Service Awards.

  • This year saw 6 of our members receive the Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct. A huge congratulations to Kenneth, Glenn, Dean, Chris, Liam and Max for showing exceptional conduct well beyond what was expected of them.
  • A special congratulations to our 9 St George’s Day award recipients who were recognised for their distinguished service to Scouting, especially our District Commissioner Graham who achieved the highest adult service award, the Silver Wolf.
  • This year has seen 4 of our Network members achieve the highest youth award in Scouting, the Queen’s Scout Award. Congratulations to Lauren, Chris, Liam and Craig who have put in an enormous amount of work to achieve this. Liam, Chris and Craig have achieved double success as they have also completed their Duke of Edinburgh Gold award this year.

Amazing Activities

There was another jam-packed calendar full of District events, as well as the hundreds of Group and Section activities that took place in 2016. While we cannot list every single one, there were a few notable ones.

  • 33 Scouts, Explorers and adults enjoyed an amazing three-week expedition to Hong Kong and Australia. The group attended the 2016 Australian Jamboree and also experienced all that Hong Kong, Sydney and Cairns has to offer. They also saw the New Year in on the banks of Sydney Harbour.
  • A large number of Scout Troops and Explorers attended this year’s Essex International Jamboree in Chelmsford. Along with a big Thurrock presence on staff, the young people enjoyed a week filled to the brim with various activities and experiences, including a full water activities experience in the middle of a field!
  • In July, a group of Scouts, Explorers and adults took a trip across the Atlantic to attend the 2016 International Camporee in Michigan. As well as the week-long camp, they enjoyed a week of home hospitality with a local Scout Troop and also visited Niagara Falls and Toronto. Some even braved a new 2,300ft zip wire over the Niagara River!
  • This year’s DCs Challenge improved on it’s massive success in 2015 by this year inviting the two Thurrock Guide Divisions to join. This led to nearly 400 Scouts, Guides, Explorers and Senior Section heading into London to take on the challenge of visiting lots of landmarks and answering questions about them. The success of this event led to the Guides also taking part in the District Night Hike which took place in November.
  • Jamborama, our District Scout Camp, was yet again a big success. Organised by OATS Active Support this year, the camp saw the Scouts becoming budding businesspeople with an entrepreneur challenge. The Scouts had to set up a stall to sell a product or service and produce advertising to promote their wares to the roaming leaders and other invited adults.
  • Playscheme had another well-attended and successful year with lots of young people visiting and enjoying a fun day. This year saw a large number of Explorers and Network staffing the event and ensuring it ran smoothly. During the event 21 Young Leaders and 19 Network Members were invested into the District.

The Future

2017 looks set to be another busy and fun year for Scouting in Thurrock! There are new District activities planned as well as all the usual opportunities, and some very exciting international adventures.

  • Next July sees Scouts, Explorers and adults venturing to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland for an amazing 10 days in the Alps. With a hike up to a remote lodge where the Scouts will spend a night, and a refreshing swim in a glacier lake, it looks to be a very exciting experience!
  • In October, Cubs and their leaders will be travelling to Germany and the unique Rieneck Castle for a week-long adventurous experience. The Cubs will enjoy a torch-lit walk through the forest and a visit to Sensapolis, an indoor leisure park which includes high ropes and more.
  • In April there will be an expedition to walk the length of the North Downs Way. This is being led by 1st Corringham and will see Scouts spend 2 weeks exploring the path and experiencing a beautiful part of the country.
  • Next year’s Gang Show is a special one as they are celebrating their 50th year! The cast and crew are working hard to make their golden show a special one and it would be great to see every section in the audience! Visit www.thurrockgangshow.org.uk for more information.

Don’t forget to share all of the exciting things you are up to in 2017 with us using this form!