Brilliant Beavan
The 40th Beavan Challenge, took place on the last weekend of September 2018, with 39 teams from across Merseyside Scouts camping at Tawd Vale Adventure Centre near Ormskirk. The Beavan consists of a group of popular challenges to test the skills of each individual in teams of four to ultimately win one of the trophies available to Junior, Senior and Explorer teams. The challenges range from Archery and Shooting, to Hiking, First Aid and Canoeing, to Muddy Funster and Camp Challenge Project. The Beavan Challenge improves each year through suggestions from the competitors themselves to ensure the challenge is as fun, wet and muddy as possible whilst testing the skills and abilities of the young people. A range of artificial and natural challenges requires groups to promote teamwork and leadership during the event.
We have not entered this event for some years so it was a new experience and learning curve for Leaders an
d Scouts alike. All the 4th Heswall teams worked well together and completed each task with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Their conduct bodes well for future camps and challenges, in coming years we will have lots of experienced, focused Scouts to compete, pass on knowledge, and achieve at the Beavan.
Senior A team comprised of, Thomas, James, George, and Max, the eldest boys in our challenge contingent, they independently conducted themselves with confidence and efficiency. Not only making certain they kept to their own challenge schedule without leader prompting, they all helped the leaders with the day to day tasks of running a Scout camp and directing the younger Scouts in camp duties, behaviour and of course Wide Games, in the woods after dark.
Senior B Team comprised of, Dan, Tom, Joel, and Chris, all of these boys can take great pride in being the only 4th Heswall Scouts to not put a foot wrong in the independent Hike at the challenge. Each team had a GPS tracker so leaders could monitor their progress live on Google Maps, and the organisers could call the team should they deviate off course, the Senior B team were one of only a handful of teams that perfectly silhouetted the designated route.
Junior team comprised of, Tim, Susie, Matthew, and James. The youngest four of our Scouts gave both of our senior teams a good run for their money and even completed the Camp Challenge in less time than both the senior teams. For most of them this was their first experience of being at Scout camp, unlike Cub Camp they had to be more independent and each time they had this opportunity, they all demonstrated to all that they will make fabulous senior Scouts.
The inter 4th Heswall Beavan Challenge was won by the Junior Team for their plucky determination and optimistic enthusiasm. The Juniors also placed third overall in the Beavan Challenge Juniors and already have that senior trophy in their sights for next time.
Congratulations Tim, Susie, Matt and James on winning the 4th Heswall Beavan Challenge 2018.