Hey Scout leaders! As we step into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past and celebrate the achievements that have shaped our Scouting journey. Five years ago, on December 31st, 2018, I sat down with a spark of excitement and wrote a bucket list of 36 adventurous tasks to accomplish. Fast forward to today, and I’m thrilled to report that 25 of those boxes have been joyfully ticked off!

Let’s dive into the highlights, shall we?

In the last 5 years , I’ve been able to tick off 25 ideas

1. Sleep in a hammock

2. Learn a new knot

3. Perform a campfire song at a district camp

4. Make armpit fudge

5. Build a bug house

6. Go abseiling

7. Learn a new wide game

8. Contact a new Scout group in another country

9. Design a badge for a campfire blanket

10. Read Baden-Powell’s Scouting for Boys book

11. Tie a Friendship Knot

12. Make your own Woggle

13. Spend the weekend at Gilwell Reunion

14. Gain your Wood beads

15. Camp at Gilwell Park

 16. Visit Brownsea island

 17. Start a fire using a Fire Steel

18. Carve a wooden spoon

19. Attend a Bushscout training weekend

20. Make a pizza in a cardboard oven

21. Meet a Chief Scout

22. Learn how to make bread on a campfire

23. Have a photo taken outside of 10 Downing Street

24. Carve your own Woodbeads

25. Make a sun compass

Knot Tying Extravaganza:

Knot tying – a skill that has eluded many, including myself. However, the determination to conquer this challenge led to a series of amusing trials and errors. From the classic Bowline to the intricate Alpine Butterfly, each knot became a triumph and a testament to the Scout spirit of perseverance.

Remember, it’s not just about tying knots; it’s about mastering the art and enjoying the journey along the way. So, grab those ropes, challenge yourself, and let the knot-tying adventures begin!

Windmill Wonders:

Ever wondered where Baden-Powell penned the iconic ‘Scouting for Boys’? I visited  the Windmill in Wimbledon, the very place where scouting history was shaped. Exploring the same grounds that inspired the founder adds an extra layer of magic to our Scouting adventures. Let the windmill whispers guide you through the pages of scouting lore.

Now, let’s take a glance at the remaining items on the list – the ones waiting to be checked off in the coming years:

1. Take your section on a Night hike

2. Plant a tree sapling

3. Sew on all your badges onto a camp blanket

4. Make a pinhole camera

5. Build the Da Vinci Bridge

6. Visit Kandersteg

7. Attend a Country jamboree

8. Meet all the Scout Ambassadors

9. Boil water in a paper bag

10. Make a paper boat and see if they float

11. Cook a Christmas dinner on a campfire

While 25 tasks have been conquered, 11 await their turn. Meeting all the Scout Ambassadors remains a challenge, but as they say, challenges are what make the adventure worthwhile. Ive been lucky enough to meet quite a few of the UK Ambassadors including Steve Backshall, Dwayne Fields and Julia Bradbury. I’ve dreamt of a handshake with Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis and the incredible astronaut Tim Peake. Perhaps fate will align at the next Scouting event.

Kandersteg, a haven for Scouts worldwide, beckons, and despite missed opportunities due to family milestones, the dream persists. As a Scout leader and a parent, the balancing act is part of the adventure.

And then there’s the grand finale – cooking a Christmas dinner on a campfire. 2024 promises to be the year when the aroma of roasted marshmallows mingles with the festive cheer, creating a Scouting memory for the ages.

So here’s to the next five years of Scout-worthy adventures, camaraderie, and the uncharted territories awaiting us. Let’s continue embracing the Scout spirit and inspiring the young minds under our care. Happy Scouting, everyone!