IT was ‘Scouts honours’ all round, after four explorer Scouts from the Post area received a prestigious award for their work earning an explorer belt, which included a ten day expedition to another country, in this case, Iceland.

It involved teams exploring and navigating the country on their own, with mentors checking in during their mission while staying at local Scout huts, camping or being put up by families.

In a celebration held at Okehampton College recently, three explorers from Holsworthy Saxon Explorers and one from Okehampton Explorers were presented with their Explorer Belt awards.

The Explorer belt is one of the very top awards an Explorer Scout can achieve and to earn the award Explorers have to plan and take part in a ten day expedition to another country, including raising the funding necessary for the trip,

Whilst there they needed to complete one major mission and ten minor missions, set by themselves and agreed by their mentors.

Eleven young people from the Mid Devon District took part in the mission to Iceland, with Robyn Duckworth, Daniel Allcorn and Aaron Squirrell from Holsworthy Explorers and Jeremy Young from Okehampton Explorers forming one of the three teams which took part in the mission.

The trio named their team ‘The Hungry Hippos’, after the popular board game.

The teams travelled to Iceland at the end of July to complete their expeditions and navigated their way around the country on their own, with mentors checking in on them every few days. The team stayed in local Scout huts, camped or stayed with local families.

Whilst there, they completed their major mission, which saw the trio seeking to discover how farming and food production differed from the UK, by visiting farms and food production premises, as well as their minor missions.

They also spent time at the Icelandic Scout Jamboree, visited hot springs and went whale watching. Food featured heavily on the trip with the Explorers trying lots of Icelandic dishes.

On their return, the teams had to give a presentation of their expedition to their mentors, friends and family before a recommendation was sent to Scouting HQ in Gilwell for them to receive their awards.

A spokesperson for Holsworthy Explorers said: “The team would like to thank the Holsworthy and Devon Freemason Conciliation lodges, The Lions Club and The Balsdon Trust for helping to fund their Expeditions, and will be showing a presentation of their trip to these groups in the near future.

“They also raised funds by running a quiz, comedy night and selling products some of which they they made themselves.

“At the same event Robyn Duckworth who has worked her way through Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers was also presented with her Chief Scout Platinum Award.

“If you have a child aged over 14 years old who may like to join Holsworthy Saxon Explorers and take part in similar activities and adventures please contact Pauline Masters, 1st Holsworthy Group Scout Leader by emailing - [email protected].”