Ripon Explorer Newspaper report - Summer 2005-07-28

The Explorers have been out and about on numerous adventurous activities these last few weeks, making the most of the summer weather.
As an ongoing training programme, many have been developing their kayaking skills on the River Ure in Boroughbridge. Jack, Tom and Stuart F have gained their 3 Star award and Scott and Matt gained their 2 Star. Jack, Tom, Matt and Stuart W have all been to the Tees Barrage to train further on white water rapids.
All this training is in preparation for the our Morocco Expedition in April 2006, where we will be trekking for 6 days across the Atlas Mountains, going over passes at 9000ft.
We will then kayak down white water for a further 5 days. In preparation for the trekking, the Explorers (along with some of the older Scouts from across the District) have been doing a Mountain walking course.
Since starting the course in March, the Explorers and Scouts have been on several weekends away in the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. Under the guidance of Mountain Leaders, they are learning how to navigate in the mountains and about mountain safety.
In July they spent a night camping at high level in the Lake District, having carried all their equipment over two days. To make it even harder, the temperatures where in the high thirty degrees! All learnt the need to preserve water and the importance of covering up in the sun.
Last week we had an expedition team and parent BBQ get together where everybody was able to meet Hamish, who is going to be in charge of the white water kayaking in Morocco. Parents and Explorers were able to ask questions and have their fears put at rest.
And then they saw a DVD of what to expect!! But this just made everyone more excited. On the last Sunday in July, most of the team went across to the Yorkshire Dales and did the Three peaks (Pen-y-ghent, Wernside and Ingleborough) as a sponsored walk.
One team did the 24 miles in under 9 hours which is very good going and another under the 10 hours. We raised about £550 towards our funds. To date we have raised just over £4000 towards our expedition.
If anyone is able to support us in our fund raising, please contact Phil Oakley 01765 601090.

We have also been rock climbing in the warm summer evenings at Brimham Rocks and Armscliffe, Archery at Clotherholm Farm, raft building (and then sinking them!) at the White Rose Sailing Club: Both who kindly allowed us to use their facilities for the evening. We have also been continuing with our conservation project for Great Ouseburn PC at Aldwark bridge. We have now completed the jetty and steps down to the river to allow boats launch and fishing.

At the beginning of July we helped the Ripon City Partnership clear out their garage full of bunting, banners and other various stuff from past, including several piles of Christmas cards that had gone organic sitting on a wet concrete floor for many years. For our help the RCP have kindly given us a donation for our morocco funds.