Scouts from across the UK complete long distance challenge event

MORE than 500 Scouts and adult Volunteers from across the UK have been praised by Chief Scout Dwayne Fields for completing the Southern 50 challenge hike event. Participants took on one of three events 30KM, 50KM or 50 miles. 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 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. He said:

“The teams showed real determination to finish the 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 was Alex, aged 16, who said:

”Every scout should take the opportunity to take part in the Southern 50. It was wet and muddy but huge fun, I feel really proud to have taken on the challenge and used my Scout skills to make it to the finish.”