Scouts Gold Expedition March 2025

On the weekend of the 15th and 16th March a mixed batch of eight Scouts from all three of our Scout Troops undertook a foot expedition from Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary to Ashworth Valley Scout Campsite.

We had a gloriously sunny and thankfully dry weekend even though the temperature, especially at night, was a bit chilly.

On the Saturday they navigated themselves on a 10Km route passing through several checkpoints, manned by Leaders, to their ultimate destination at the campsite.

The team carried all their personal kit and food with them on their journey.  With only one minor hiccup in navigation, they arrived on site in good time.

Having set up their tents they cooked themselves an evening meal and having recovered from the day’s exertions played manhunt into the darkness of night before settling down for bed.

The following day it was up early, striking camp, cooking breakfast and setting off on their second day’s route.  This took them from Ashworth Valley to Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom.

Again, the team navigated themselves through a series of checkpoints on their 9km route and the Leaders met the team not far from the finish to walk them in.

Spirits were high all weekend and considering many of them didn’t know each other they got on well and completed the task in hand.

There were some sore tired feet and aching shoulders, but all claimed to have enjoyed themselves although some were noncommittal about ever doing it again.

Many thanks to the Leaders who gave up their weekend to run around the hillsides checking the team were on track and well done to the Scouts for getting through this challenging event.