Scouts from Devon complete 30KM Challenge Event

Scouts and Volunteers from Devon have been praised by Chief Scout Dwayne Fields for completing the Southern 50 30KM challenge hike event. This year’s event celebrates 45 years since the first Southern 50, with Scouts taking on routes passing through the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.

The annual Southern 50 Event is a prestigious challenge hike, one of the longest running events of its type in the UK. The event is a test of good orienteering skills as well as teamwork. The route is not disclosed until the day of the event so all teams entering have the same chance of winning a trophy.

Chief Scout Dwayne Fields praised the team’s unwavering determination and teamwork, as they tackled the impressive distance. “The teams from the 20th Torbay Scout Group showed real determination to finish the 30km course, I was delighted to meet them at the finish to hear about the skills they had learnt and challenges they had overcome. All the young people and volunteers involved in the event are a great example of what’s brilliant about Scouts. They worked as a team, had fun and learnt new skills along the way”

Taking part in the event, Ben, aged 13 said “We took on the Southern 50 as a team and our team spirit has been really important. I’ve really enjoyed the event, pushing on together through the mud using our map reading and navigation skills”.

Also taking part in the event Aidan, aged 17 said “It’s great to be able to explore a different part of the country and see lots of red kites while we were walking.”.