Awesome activities, fantastic new friendships and stunning alpine scenery, were highlights of the week as 108 scouts and adult leaders from the Houghton-Le-Spring District enjoyed an amazing Alpine Adventure in Morillon, France.

The event brought together young people from across the scout district and challenged them to push their boundaries to overcome their fears, to work together to support each other and most importantly to have a great time. This year was the biggest event ever and the increase in participants reflects the growth in young people and adults enjoying scouting in Houghton-Le-Spring district.

The 8 days abroad were certainly action packed and this year’s trip included many memorable moments. Young people stayed a night in a mountain refuge and after a tough climb through snow to the hut were able to take in some fantastic Alpine views, girls and boys supporting each other all the way. For many scouts, via Ferrata was one of the biggest challenges - traversing a cliff face hundreds of metres up is not for the faint hearted (even when you’re clipped on)!

Daniel Haughan, (11) from Washington said,

“My favourite moment was the cable car to the Aguille Du Midi and the Chamonix Luge! It was freezing at the top, but I enjoyed seeing the clouds clear to open up a view of Mont Blanc. The luge was wicked and I had a blast!”

Another highlight was white water rafting, an exciting rush of adrenalin as scouts teamed up to paddle furiously down the raging rapids, avoiding the rocks. Scouts also enjoyed some Alpine views from the Aguille Du Midi, the cable car took us well above the clouds.

Andrew Turnbull, (41), an adult volunteer from Washington, who enjoyed his first European Adventure this year said,

“Rafting was my highlight of the week - tremendous fun! Scouts worked really well together to paddle the course, in fact I’ve had one of the best weeks of my life and I’d encourage others to support scouting as an adult volunteer.”

The week for most scouts was a journey of self discovery as scouts learned how they contribute to the group, how they can support and inspire others and how they can meet their own personal potential. Many scouts signed up for the trip knowing only a few others from their own group, but by the end of the week, everyone left with new friends.

The weeklong adventure wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a large team of adult volunteers who brought unrivalled enthusiasm and commitment to the event. The thorough planning ensured the success of the week. To find out how you can join our growing adult team, please visit. www.hls-scouts.org.uk/volunteer.

Houghton-Le-Spring District is one of the largest districts in Durham Scout County. The district has recently opened a new group to cope with the growing demand for scouting in the area and now supports 7 groups to offer adventure and challenge to over 750 young people aged 6 to 18. For more information about Scouting in Washington and Houghton-Le-Spring, please visit www.hls-scouts.org.uk or call 0845 300 1818.

• 5 new volunteers have enabled Houghton-Le-Spring Scouts to open the new group at Lambton Primary School Washington
• Initially the group has opened a beaver colony with 16 members who will be invested (make the beaver scout promise) on the evening of the 23rd May in a ceremony at Lumley Castle.
• The group has ambitious plans to open a cub pack and scout troop within 6 months.
• Members of the press are invited to attend this special event at Lumley Castle, on the 23rd May 2013 at 6pm in the Baron’s Hall.

23^rd May 2013: Houghton-Le-Spring is today celebrating the launch of a new scout group, the first time a new group has launched in the area in 30 years. 16 beaver scouts will make their beaver scout promise and enjoy a magical Harry Potter programme night at Lumley Castle. The 16 beavers will be the first members of the beaver colony and of the new group.

Proud parents of the 16 beavers will watch their child making their beaver scout promise and receive their group necker in a very unique location in the Barons Hall at Lumley Castle.  The neckers show that beavers are a member of 4th Washington and by making their promise, they become a member of the worldwide family of scouting. Invited guests including local councillors, teachers from Lambton Primary School and local members of the community will be attending the event as supporters of the group.

The colony is the first section to be opened by 4th Washington Scouts and is based in the west of Washington. The colony gives more children in the area the chance to make friends, play games, go on visits and help others.

Since their first night in April, beavers have already found out what it means to be a beaver scout, visited the local fire station, learned about the emergency services and enjoyed a Lambton Worm themed adventure. In the next few months, beaver scouts can expect a new adventure every week including attending a “sleepover”, an amazing first night away from home.

The group meet every Thursday at Lambton Primary School and the school has welcomed the group into their new community centre providing a fantastic facility for beavers to be creative, to play games and to have fun. Support from the headteacher and school governors has enabled 4th Washington Scouts to quickly establish in the school and begin an active programme for beavers.

As well being supported financially by Gentoo and Sunderland Council, the new colony has been made possible by new volunteers coming forward to take on leadership roles in the group. Now established, the colony will soon double in size, however, we still need more adult volunteers as there are over 200 young people waiting to join scouting locally.

Rebecca Matthews (21), a  volunteer from Albany, Washington said:

‘Scouting is something new to me, which I had anyways knew in my local centre but it’s something I didn’t know anything about. Since starting only 4 weeks ago, it’s boosted my personal confidence and I really enjoy being part of a great team.’

She Added: ‘The chance of working with young people and making a positive difference to their lives through scouting, awards and badges, is great to be part of. I love it. ‘

Councillor George Thompson, A local supporter of scouting, said:

‘It’s thanks to volunteers like Rebecca Matthews that we are able to offer scouting to more young people in Washington and I would ask anyone with time to spare and a desire to help young people to think about volunteering with the scouts. Volunteers can give as much or as little time as they can to help.’

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in Washington, please visit www.hls-scouts.org.uk/volunteer, or call 0845 300 1818.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of our 124 adult members, scouting has grown again in Houghton-Le-Spring with a further 74 young people joining the adventure. Overall that's a fantastic 13% rise on 2011.

The news comes as details of The Scout Association’s annual census are published today with total UK membership now standing at 536,787. The continued growth of scouting in Houghton-Le-Spring  - the twelfth consecutive year of expansion - has helped cement Scouting’s position as the largest co-educational youth Movement in the country.

A large part is of this growth is due to the district opening new provisions for young people aged 6 to 8 in the west of Washington and Hetton-Le-Hole to meet demand for scouting locally. The district has been able to do this as a result of new volunteers coming forward to take on leadership roles in scouting.

More and more of our adults are choosing to volunteer flexibly just like the Duchess of Cambridge, one of Scouting's highest profile volunteers. Flexible volunteering allows adult volunteers to give as much or as little time as they have available and to fit scouting around their busy lives. We hope the Duchess’ involvement in scouting will inspire other adults to get involved in Scouting and to help us to continue to grow the adventure.

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, thanked volunteers across the country:

"Like me I'm sure you fit your volunteering around a very busy lifestyle, but my mum used to say if you want something doing ask a busy person. I'd really like to say a massive thank you to you on behalf of all the young people who benefit from Scouting. It's basically because of what you do. Together you make the adventure possible."

“It’s great that so young people and adults are joining the Scouts, more than ever before, and I am sure this increase has had much to do with the Duchess of Cambridge becoming a Scout volunteer last year.

“The Duchess is an incredible role model for young women and she helps us show that Scouting’s not just for boys. She’s also such a generous volunteer and everyone is so excited to have her in the Scouting family. Many people have followed her lead and are getting involved and enjoying the adventure!”

The Duchess yesterday celebrated the achievement of over 400 Scouts and adult volunteers at Windsor Castle. The event recognises the outstanding achievements of both young people and adults in scouting. Our district commissioner, Jonathan Chicken received the Silver Acorn, an award for outstanding contribution as to Scouting as a volunteer. Chief Scout and international adventurer Bear Grylls also attended the event at Windsor castle.

You can find out more about becoming an adult volunteer on our volunteer page, whether you are interested in working with young people, could help with the management of one of our groups, or could help our fundraising efforts.

Scouting isn't just an adventure for young people, there's plenty of adventures for adults too. Steve Gibson (beaver leader at 1st Houghton) is taking on an amazing event to support the district international trip this year.

Steve is taking part in this year's Wearmouth Bidge Zip Wire event, a terrifying jump that takes him from road level of the bridge down to river level and stepping over the edge is a real challenge.

Steve is raising money for 1st Houghton Scouts and for the District International fund. Money raised will help support scouting in the area, and our international fund helps to ensure that young people can access our international events.

It's a big commitment from Steve, so if you can, please sponsor him generously, youcan make a commitment to sponsor Steve by completing his sponsor form online.

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After a lot of dancing to cartoon classics the hungry beavers sat down to enjoy a well-deserved snack, prepared by their adult volunteers. 

Over 100 cub scouts from all over the district converged on Oxclose Community Academy in Washington today for their Christmas Caper, Disney style. The fun packed day gave girls and boys the chance to meet new friends whilst having a go at themed challenges that were creative, physical, team-based and of course, down-right fun.

Down at the track, Cars raced, whilst the search for Aladdin's lamp among the messy cub's tent continued in earnest. Jungle (Book) fever was very obvious as Just Dance Disney Party had cubs 'swinging along' whilst Tigger (looking remarkably like John, 1st Herrington's volunteer Cub Scout Leader) dished out the bush-tucker trials. Daniel from 3rd Washington drew the short straw and ate a meal worm. His video says it all!