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Shackleton ESU are proud to congratulate our Explorers and Young Leaders who were recognised at the County Awards this weekend. Well done to those who achieved their Chief Scout’s Gold, Platinum and Diamond Awards, marking significant milestones in their Scouting journey. Congratulations also to members who received their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, reflecting commitment, resilience and personal challenge. We are especially proud of our Young Leaders who were presented with their belt buckles, recognising the vital role they play in supporting younger sections and developing their leadership skills. An excellent achievement for everyone involved – you are a real credit to Shackleton ESU. 

This weekend, members of Shackleton Explorer Scout Unit attended a Frost Camp at Beacon Hill Campsite, camping alongside Titans ESU. Despite challenging winter conditions, the camp was highly successful and thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part. The programme included a wide range of activities designed to challenge and develop skills. Explorers took part in a night hike, caving, and rifle shooting, as well as carrying out essential campsite maintenance tasks. These activities contributed towards members’ Chief Scout’s Award (CSA) requirements and provided valuable opportunities for teamwork and practical learning. Alongside the structured activities, there was ample time for shared …

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We’re pleased to share the Spring 2026 programme for the unit. We’ve got a great mix of activities planned over the coming months, including skills nights, challenges, and expedition preparation. Please take a look through the programme below and make a note of the key dates. More details will be shared closer to each session, and let us know if you have any questions. Programme Event Name Date Time Leader in Charge No Meeting – Leaders Planning 05/01/2026 19:30 – 21:30 Leaders Turf Zones 12/01/2026 19:30 – 21:30 Sean Trading Post 19/01/2026 19:30 – 21:30 Jack Kandersteg Activity Planning & …

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Yesterday marked our final Shackleton ESU meeting of the term, and what a fantastic way to finish with an action-packed session at Crawley Clip N Climb! Everyone threw themselves into the challenge, showed great teamwork, and had lots of fun scaling the walls. It was brilliant to see such enthusiasm and confidence to end the term on a high. We would like to say a huge thank you to all our young people and families for your continued support this term. Your commitment and positivity make Shackleton ESU such a great unit! We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and …

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Shackleton ESU held a Wii Sports evening last night, providing members with an opportunity to take part in a relaxed and accessible activity suitable for all experience levels. The session included a range of games such as bowling, tennis, and boxing, allowing participants to rotate through different activities at their own pace. The atmosphere throughout the evening remained positive and inclusive, with members supporting one another and engaging in friendly competition. The use of Wii Sports allowed everyone to participate equally, whether they preferred active gameplay or observing and cheering others on. To accompany the activities, freshly made popcorn was …

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Over the past two weeks, Shackleton ESU members have taken part in two very different and exciting activities – offering hands-on experience, personal challenge, and a lot of fun along the way. ✈️ Flying with Infinity Sim Wings Half of the group visited Infinity Sim Wings at Gatwick Airport, where they had the chance to step into the cockpit and learn how to land a commercial aircraft in a realistic flight simulator. Guided by expert instructors, Explorers were walked through the basics of flight controls, approach techniques, and landing procedures before taking the controls themselves. Many completed smooth landings, while …

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Shackleton ESU is proud to announce that Harry Ball has been awarded Explorer of the Year. Since joining the unit, Harry has demonstrated remarkable growth, determination, and spirit, making him a truly deserving recipient of this recognition. From the beginning, he embraced feedback with a positive attitude, using it as an opportunity to develop into a valued and effective team player. His energy and motivation are evident in everything he does, and he consistently approaches new challenges with enthusiasm and commitment. Harry has also provided outstanding support to the leadership team. He is always willing to assist, take on responsibilities, …

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On Monday evening, Shackleton ESU swapped our usual meeting place for the West Green Tennis Courts for a special tennis session. A huge thank you to Emma for leading the evening as our coach! She kept the energy high and made sure everyone was learning while having fun. We started with some lively warm-up games to get us moving, before moving on to a series of training activities to practise our tennis skills. Finally, we put everything into action with some exciting matches, where there were plenty of rallies, good shots, and lots of laughter. It was a fantastic evening …

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From 2nd to 9th August 2025, Shackleton ESU in Crawley attended the West Sussex International Jamboree (WSIJ) at the South of England Showground. The event brought together over 1,200 participants from 13 countries, creating a week-long celebration of scouting, guiding, and international friendship. Daytime Activities WSIJ was organised into themed activity zones, each offering a range of challenges, skills, and experiences: Wednesday Morning – Explorer Volleyball Tournament On Wednesday morning, Shackleton ESU took part in the Explorer Volleyball Tournament. After a series of competitive matches against teams from across the jamboree, our team proudly finished 2nd place out of 9 …

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Help support the Shackleton ESU as we prepare for our expedition to Kandersteg, Switzerland in Summer 2026! Kandersteg Quiz Night Fundraiser – 12th July 2025 @ 19.00 📅 Join us for a night of fun, and community spirit!💷 Just £5 per person – all proceeds go towards the expedition🍰 Chloe’s Cake Stall will be there with delicious desserts!🎟️ Raffle on the night – card & cash accepted🥤 Bring your own drinks and snacks🏆 Winners take home a prize! 📍 Hosted by Shackleton Explorer Scouts – 4th, Worth Scout Hut, Crawley RH10 1NP📅 Sign up now: https://shackleton.crawleydistrictscouts.co.uk/quiz/ Let’s make this an …

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