A team of Explorers and leaders from the Knutsford District Scouts set off from Manchester Airport on Monday, 16th August, to take part in an expedition to Iceland.
The group consisting of 4 leaders and 32 scouts will be joined by scout groups from other countries for a week of activiites.
Viv Pike, District Explorer Scout Commissioner, said "Scouting is all about giving young people the opportunity to enjoy adventurous activities, explore new cultures and make international friendships. Iceland is such a diverse and exciting country to visit and we will be staying at Ulfljotsvatn, Iceland Scout Association's main campsite in the heart of the country, miles from anywhere.
"We believe that we will be the only UK Explorer Scouts to stay at Ulfljotsvatn at this time so we hope to make some new international friendships."
The group have raised the money themselves to fund this expedition during which they will explore the interior of the country by hiking, canoeing, cycling, glacier walking, river rafting and camping out overnight by hot springs.
Viv explained "The Explorer Scouts, all aged between 14 and 18, together with their parents and families have worked very hard over the last two years to raise enough money to go on this adventure, together with 5 Knutsford Scouts and their families who were raising funds to be able to attend the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden."
In order to raise a very impressive £50,000 the Explorer Scouts have had an action packed two years which included entertaining the local community with a two night Pantomime, which they staged at the Victory Hall in Mobberley. They also packed bags at Sainsburys and Morrisons, did a 50km sponsored cycle ride across Cheshire, parked cars at the Point to Point and Warrington Horse Trials, held quiz nights, race nights, a Halloween evening, Wild West evening and dinner dance.
They have also sold numerous programmes for the Lions Street Fayre, Knutsford May Day and Knutsford District Scouts' annual car boot sale and fun day. In addition the scouts held coffee mornings, Easter fairs, took part in a Zumbathon, ran a barbecue for Knutsford Hockey Club, a fashion show at Plumley village hall, a band night at Toft Cricket Club, a stall at Northwich Thundersprint and participated in the sponsored Rotary Jog.
Viv added "The Scouts have planned their own programme of activities and they are really excited about doing the Triathlon which consists of canoeing across a lake, climbing up and traversing a cave, hiking into the mountains, camping overnight by a thermal spring and then cycling back to the campsite the next day. River rafting and glacier walking will also be the highlight of the experience."
Councillor Vivien Davies said "As the Town Mayor Stewart Gardiner was on holiday, it was my great pleasure as Deputy Mayor to stand in for him and to see the Scout Explorers and leaders off from Manchester Airport on their expedition to Iceland.
"Earlier in the year I had attended the 'Gang Show' which had been one of the many fund raising events put on by the scouts and their parents in order to raise the £50,000 needed for the expedition, and all credit goes to them for achieving this task.
"I am sure the Knutsford Scout Explorers will thoroughly enjoy the activities planned for them and will represent Knutsford and the UK to the best of their abilities."
