Meeting nights

Last night’s Shackleton ESU meeting was a brilliant showcase of creativity, teamwork and problem‑solving as members took on a challenging pioneering activity: designing and building a device capable of firing a bean bag. Working in small groups, Explorers were given limited materials and a clear goal, then left to plan, build, test and refine their ideas. The results were impressive, with a wide variety of designs on display — from tension-powered launchers to cleverly engineered lever systems. Some devices performed more reliably than others, but every group demonstrated determination, learning from each attempt and making improvements along the way. Throughout …

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Our Explorers recently took part in an engaging Expedition Skills Evening at Shackleton ESU, designed to build the knowledge and confidence needed for successful expeditions. The session focused on the key practical skills that every explorer should develop before heading out into the hills. Throughout the evening, Explorers rotated through a number of activity bases, each covering an essential part of expedition preparation. One of the core skills covered was writing route cards. Explorers learnt how to carefully plan a route by recording important details such as grid references, bearings, distances, timings, and checkpoints. Understanding how to create a clear and accurate route …

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At last night’s meeting, members took part in a timed cooking challenge designed to develop expedition skills. The session began with a 15-minute quick fire quiz. Explorers were then split into groups of five or six and assigned roles. Three members from each group went to Tesco to purchase ingredients. They were required to shop sensibly, return with a receipt, prioritise quick-cook options, and consider reduced items as the meal was being prepared the same evening. The remaining group members set up tables and Trangia stoves, beginning preparation of any base ingredients requiring longer cooking times. A total of 20 …

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Last night, Shackleton ESU put our teamwork, strategy and problem-solving skills to the test with an action-packed Traitors Challenge Night – and what a brilliant evening it was! Inspired by the TV show The Traitors, Explorers took part in a series of exciting challenges, all while trying to work out who they could (and couldn’t!) trust… Throughout the night, teams tackled a range of fast-paced and brain-teasing activities. Our Code Breakers challenge put communication and logic to the test as teams raced to crack hidden messages. The Tower Building challenge saw groups competing to construct the tallest and most stable structure under pressure – with plenty of …

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As expedition season approaches, Shackleton ESU members gathered for an essential first aid training evening, reinforcing the skills and confidence needed to keep teams safe in challenging environments. Expeditions, by their nature, take us away from immediate help. Whether we’re supporting remote travel, endurance events, or adventurous training, the ability to respond calmly and effectively in a medical emergency is a vital part of what we do. This session was about refreshing core knowledge, practising practical skills, and making sure we’re ready—just in case. Managing Heat-Related Conditions With warmer months and demanding activity ahead, we began by covering heat-related illnesses. …

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Shackleton Explorer Scout Unit held an engaging murder mystery evening at last night’s meeting. Members were divided into teams and challenged to examine clues, question suspects and work collaboratively to determine the outcome of the scenario. While none of the teams were able to conclusively solve the mystery, several came very close, demonstrating strong teamwork, analytical thinking and perseverance throughout the activity. The evening proved to be both challenging and enjoyable, encouraging participation and discussion among all those involved. The meeting also marked an important occasion for the unit with the formal investiture of four new members into Shackleton ESU. …

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This Monday, Shackleton ESU swapped compasses and camp stoves for shakers and syrups as we hosted our very own mocktail-making evening, a night full of creativity, chaos, and questionable flavour combinations. We kicked off by splitting into teams and handing out mystery recipe cards, each containing a different mocktail for the Explorers to recreate. With recipes in hand, everyone headed off on a field trip to Tesco, where the hunt for ingredients began. From exotic fruit juices to mint, mixers, and a few unexpected extras, baskets quickly filled with everything needed for an evening of mixology. Back at HQ, the …

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This Monday, Shackleton ESU dived into the digital world with an engaging Social Media Evening, giving our Explorers the chance to learn more about how the platforms they use every day really work behind the scenes. To kick things off, we explored how social media companies make money, looking at advertising, targeted content, and the algorithms that match posts to users. The Explorers discussed why certain videos, memes or ads appear in their feeds and how platforms keep people scrolling. It was a great opportunity to think critically about the digital environments we’re all part of. To bring these ideas …

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This week Shackleton Explorers swapped tents for toolkits and got hands-on with a brand-new challenge: building and soldering our own electronic Christmas tree circuits. It was a fantastic mix of creativity, concentration, and practical skills — and the results looked brilliant! 🎄 What We Did Using electronic Christmas tree kits, each Explorer built a small LED circuit mounted on a festive tree-shaped board. After a quick safety briefing, we learned how to read the circuit board, identify components like LEDs, resistors, and battery clips, and plan out the order of assembly. Then the fun really started — heating up the soldering irons and getting …

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This Monday, Shackleton ESU swapped compasses and campfires for markers and creativity! Our Explorers took part in a relaxing and artistic evening decorating glass tea light candle holders using acrylic paint markers. The session gave everyone the chance to unwind, have fun, and express themselves through colourful designs; from abstract patterns to detailed illustrations and favourite characters. The end result was a bright and varied collection of unique candle holders, each one showcasing the personality and imagination of its creator. It was great to see so many Explorers getting stuck in, helping each other with ideas, and taking pride in …

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