It has been another busy and exciting year for Queniborough Scouts, with our young people rising to challenges, developing new skills, and enjoying adventures both near and far. The dedication of our leaders, the support of parents, and the enthusiasm of our Scouts have combined to make 2024–2025 a year to remember.
Our year began last November with community service at the Queniborough Bonfire Night. Several Scouts helped marshal the event, while Anthony represented the group by assisting the onsite first aiders. Their efforts were greatly appreciated, and the committee kindly donated funds which have since been used to purchase vital new equipment. This was a perfect example of Scouts giving back to their local community, and the community in turn recognising the value of Scouting.
In the same month, our Scouts joined with Beavers and Cubs, for the annual Remembrance Sunday parade. This year, the group also helped create recycled plastic poppies, which were placed outside the war memorial to form part of a growing poppy field. It was a touching and lasting contribution that will continue to grow year on year.
The run-up to Christmas was full of variety and energy. Scouts enjoyed a Chip Shop Hike, a spooky Halloween night walk, Backwoods Cooking sessions, and a wide game and campfire at the Oaks Campsite. We finished the year with a festive trip to Laser Quest, which proved a great way to celebrate their achievements and friendships before the holidays.
The new year brought fresh activities. For Chinese New Year, Scouts worked in small teams to prepare and cook their own stir-fry meals. We also visited the Central Mosque in Leicester, offering Scouts an important insight into faith, culture, and community. Pancake making returned as a favourite, while our “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” evening was both messy and memorable — especially the Bush Tucker Trial where Scouts bravely sampled edible insects and unusual concoctions!
As spring arrived, we shifted our focus outdoors with training for the Expedition Challenge, part of the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. Scouts developed navigation, campcraft, and survival skills. The spring season also meant we could do more outdoor activities including rifle shooting, archery, and even rabbit skinning. Scouts also took part in the County Rambling Fox competition, a long-distance hike across North West Leicestershire using only map and compass. The determination and teamwork shown during this challenge laid the foundations for the expedition to come.
In April, Scouts successfully completed their Expedition Challenge. Over two days they hiked with full packs, set up and struck camp, cooked all their own meals, and carried everything they needed on their backs. This was the first time we used our new lightweight tents, which were funded through the generous support of the Queniborough November the 5th Committee, Queniborough Beer Festival and the group. Despite a yellow weather warning and occasional rain, the Scouts showed real resilience, refuelling an abandoned campfire to make s’mores and lifting spirits with songs and laughter. It was an inspiring achievement and a milestone in their Scouting journey.
The highlight of the summer was Norjam 2025, the international jamboree in Norfolk. For the first time in many years, Queniborough Scouts were represented, with 11 Scouts, 4 leaders, and 2 cubs, also known as Scubs, attending. Over 6,000 young people came together for a week that can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Scouts tried new activities including paddle boarding, glass engraving, climbing, and rifle shooting. Many overcame personal challenges — from conquering fears of heights on the zipline to pushing through in team competitions. Evenings were filled with food, music, badge swapping, and meeting Scouts from around the world. Highlights included the Festival of Velocity, the Sweet Shop Academy competition, and even appearances on JamFM radio and the camp magazine. By the end of the week, friendships had been formed across borders, badge collections had grown, and our Scouts had created memories that will last a lifetime.
In September, Scouts joined others from across the county for Splash Camp at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre. They threw themselves into paddle boarding, dragon boat racing, climbing, archery, shooting, and kayaking. A particularly special moment came when a new Scout was invested on a high balance beam 30 metres above the ground — not only overcoming a fear of heights, but also marking their welcome into Scouting in a truly memorable way. The group’s entry into the annual dragon boat race successfully placed them in the finals where they went up against a well drilled group but unfortunately only making second place which is still an achievement for the group’s first time in a dragon boat competing together.
Our section has grown steadily this year and now stands at around 21 Scouts, with more due to move up from Cubs. Behind the scenes, Andy Hunter, our Group Quartermaster, has been working hard to catalogue, repair, and replace equipment, ensuring we have reliable kit for camping and catering.
This year we have also seen the largest number of Scouts in recent memory achieve their Chief Scout’s Gold Award. This is the highest award a Scout can earn, and each recipient has shown real dedication and effort in working towards it. We are very proud of them. We also now have three Senior Patrol Leaders, Everlyn, Oliver, and Romeo, who have taken on responsibility and shown great leadership. As they move towards Explorers, we hope they will continue with the group as Young Leaders, helping to guide and inspire the next generation through scouting.
Looking ahead, we are excited to strengthen links made at Norjam with joint activities alongside Waltham Scouts, including Laser Quest at Christmas. With new challenges and adventures ahead, the future looks bright for Queniborough Scouts.
Finally, I would like to thank our leadership team for their tireless work in planning and delivering such a full and varied programme, the parents for their continued support, and above all, the Scouts themselves. Their energy, enthusiasm, and spirit are what make our group so special. Together, we look forward to another year of Scouting filled with friendship, challenge, and adventure.
