Scouts walk on water (16 Oct 07 5:31pm)
Nearly 200 Scouts, including teams from 3rd, 14th, 22nd and 23rd Southgate, took part in this year's Chiltern 20 Challenge on Saturday 13th October.
Another record entry of almost 50 teams of four, used their hiking and orienteering skills to good effect, navigating their way through 13 checkpoints in order, walking somewhere between 25 kms and 20 miles. Collectively, that's the equivalent of walking all the way from London to New York, only these Scouts never got wet.
This popular event is organised every year by the same team of adults responsible for putting on the prestigious Southern 50 Challenge in February. Most of the teams taking part in the Chiltern 20 are from Greater London North, although teams from outside the county are warmly welcomed. This year saw four new teams from Torbay, Devon, along with a local Hertfordshire team making their debut.
The adventure started bright and early at a new venue in the historic market town of Berkhamsted with two teams setting off every three minutes. It turned out to be a delightful day's walking in the Chiltern Hills, with some teams enjoying themselves so much that they were on their feet for over 9 hours.
The first of three teams from the 23rd Southgate stormed round in just over 5 hours to finish in 4th place overall, a superb achievement. Just a few minutes later were one of two teams from the 3rd Southgate. Both teams from the 14th Southgate completed the course, as did a team of three 11 year old girls from 22nd Southgate who walked unaccomponied, and earning a special award at the presentation.
All the participants went home clutching their well earned Fitness Challenge Badge and an individual certificate for completing the event, presented by County Commissioner Barry Manley.
Everybody was reminded that next year will be the Chiltern 20's silver anniversary, with a promise that it will be a rather special occasion to celebrate 25 years.
Further information about both Chiltern 20 and Southern 50 events can be found on www.scouts-gln-southern50.org.uk
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