South Petherton Scouts Win Fox Trophy Novice Award After Gruelling Two Night Expedition

Five members of the 2nd South Petherton Scout Group have won the Fox Trophy Novice Award after completing the event's full two night, 17 mile cross country navigation challenge.

The team, Orson, Austin, Elise, Anna and Robin, completed the expedition carrying full kit, navigating entirely by map and compass, pitching their own tents and cooking on portable stoves at each overnight stop. There is no guided route and no support crew. Teams are assessed on how well they manage themselves across the full duration.

Their expedition logbook scored 13 out of 15. The judges noted its honesty, humour and sense of character, which in a logbook assessment carries real weight. It suggests the team were paying attention and writing about what actually happened rather than what they thought the judges wanted to read.

It is a straightforward but impressive achievement for a novice group. Expeditions of this kind ask young people to operate without shortcuts and to account for every decision they make in the field. This team did that well.

Congratulations to Orson, Austin, Elise, Anna and Robin, and to the leaders and volunteers at 2nd South Petherton who put the preparation in to get them there.