30 Scouts from five troops – 1st Chapel, 1st Chinley, 17th Buxton, 1st Buxton, and 3rd Buxton – arrived on Friday evening to set up their patrol camps. They pitched tents, built pioneering gateways and fire pits, and cooked over open fires, all while being assessed on traditional camping skills. With minimal input from the judges, the Scouts were largely self – sufficient.
This was the first Taylor Trophy competition since 2018, and for many Scouts, their first experience camping in patrols. The judges were impressed by their skills and eagerness to learn.
On Sunday, the Scouts competed in the Otter Trophy – a trek cart race through slaloms and obstacles, all whilst balancing buckets of water. This was a true test of coordination and teamwork.
Though the weekend was competitive, it was really all about practicing and developing Scouting skills. All team represented their troops with pride, and there is a strong hope the competition will become a regular biennial event. Both the Taylor Trophy and Otter Trophy were closely contested, with 3rd Buxton Scouts emerging as the winners. Congratulations!
A huge thank you to all the district and Gradbach Scout Camp volunteers for making the weekend possible.
