To enroll in the  Explorer Scout Section contact 

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Shannon McWilliam, an Explorer Scout from 13th Fife (Rosyth Methodist) Scout Group, has been selected to take part in a once in a life time opportunity to sail on the Gipsy Moth IV on the Thailand to Sri Lanka Leg.

The 17 year-old was picked following a chosen after a selection weekend, which included team-building activities and sailing on Laser Pico  and Keelboats held at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA) on 25-26 August.

Scottish winner Shannon, has no previous sailing experience and was thrilled when he received the letter informing him that he had been chosen to participate in the voyage. As soon as I opened it and saw the word Congratulations I was in tears, the feeling was amazing. I called my girlfriend, my mum and even my dad (who is working in America) and yet still did believe it myself.

Shannon impressed a panel of judges so greatly with his honesty, respect and teamwork skills, that he became the obvious choice to be sent out to the Gipsy Moth IV in January 2007. Volvo Car UK (also a sponsor of The Scout Association) has been a sponsor of the Gipsy Moth IV project, which saw the famous yacht taken from its rotting state in Greenwich, London and lovingly restored in Gosport, Hampshire, to its former glory. The crew-place on Gypsy Moth IV was offered by Volvo Car UK as part of a competition to all members of over 130 Volvo RYA Champion Clubs, relatives of Volvo employees and The Scout Association. The applicants, all between 16-20 years of age, were then filtered down to 16 outstanding youngsters who attended the selection weekend on the Isle of Wight. Shannon will be sailing the Gipsy Moth IV from Phuket, Thailand to Galle, Sri Lanka from 2 - 19 January 2007 (after flying to Thailand on 31st December 2006).

During the journey Shannon will be involved in the day to day running of the ship including navigating and cooking. Shannon will also keep a video diary and record sightings of mammals and sea life along the route. He will be encouraged to learn more about each country's culture and will be actively involved in local community and environmental projects at the stopover points.

Double gold medallist Shirley Robertson, Ambassador for the UKSA and Team Volvo for life member commented, so pleased that fellow Scotsman Shannon has been given this opportunity. The Gipsy Moth IV project has been very successful in giving many youngsters the chance to meet people and see places they would never have dreamed of.

Gipsy Moth IV is a key part of Britain's national maritime heritage, and represents a significant milestone in the history of world sailing. It was the yacht, which Sir Francis Chichester sailed into the record book with, on his circumnavigation in 1966.Hopefully Shannon will be able to add some regular blogs to our website - www.13thexplorers.org.uk - if you are interested in hearing of his progress!
 

Not all Units meet each week, because you will often be out and about at weekends or in the holidays doing activities. There will be times when you will be busy doing other things such as exams, and being an Explorer Scout will have to fit around these.

As an Explorer Scout, you will get the chance to work with other Explorer Scouts in your District, not just your Unit. By doing this, you will get the chance to do many more activities, not just the ones your Unit organises.

Area Explorer Events.

2007

January 15th National Tenpin Bowling Event Bowplex- Dunfermline
28th Conservation Project Lochore Meadows

February 16th-17th Conservation Ardeonaig  Loch Tay
16th-17th “ Young Leaders Weekend Bonaly

March 10th Comic Relief Fashion Show
16^th - 18th National Outdoor Show – Birmingham

April  25th Inter-District 5-a-side Football –Queen Anne HS

May 4th-8th  DoE Bronze Hike International
12th Eurovision Party - Cairneyhill
25th - 27th National Centenary Camp Anstruther

June 8th-10th Scottish Tricky-Tri-Landathalon- Fife
23rd Megagig  Manchester