Over the 22. – 24. November 2013, eighteen Scouts and five Leaders from the Phoenix Troop spent the weekend at Ardwhallan Outdoor pursuits centre in West Baldwin. After everyone had arrived, sorted out kit and had a quick briefing it was out onto the hills for an evening wide game, before hot hot chocolate and biscuits in the Viking Longhouse, which everyone came out of later smelling of wood smoke. The Scouts were all fast asleep by midnight.

On Saturday after breakfast and room inspection the morning activities started. Cheese Crane, Low Ropes and the Assault Course kept everyone busy. In the afternoon it was archery, backwoods cooking and the various challenge bases until we ran out of day light. Another Wide Game in the evening was followed by a movie, before heading off to bed.

On Sunday, the smell of cooking bacon eventually got the Scouts out of bed (with a little persuasion in a few cases). After breakfast and inspection, one group of Scouts went on a twelve mile cycle hike, while the other Group hiked part of the Millennium Way. Back at the centre and after lunch a quick orienteering exercise was held, after which kit was packed and the house tidied, before we headed off home.

We were very lucky with the weather as it stayed fine for the whole weekend.