Join the North West Region Scouts on a virtual scavenger hunt

Every year since 2014 the Scouts North West Region have run a Scavenger Hunt around Liverpool city centre. And in 2021 the hunt makes a return – with a difference. 

This year they are organising a Scouts North West Region ShelterBox Challenge. With a difference.  

The virtual ShelterBox Challenge is open to all from Friday 7th May – Sunday 9th May. Throughout the Saturday video challenges will be released, with live and pre-recorded videos and tips from many guests. Then all individuals and teams have to do is complete the challenge by the end of Sunday. Easy! Each challenge has been submitted by members of the Scout Groups, so that there is a real sense of contribution and ownership for the event. 

West Wirral Scout District has hundreds of young people in groups based in Greasby, Heswall, Hoylake, Moreton, Meols, Barnston, Newton, Upton, West Kirby and Thurstaston.

“Every year a team of leaders from West Wirral attend and run one of the main bases in the Shelter box scavenger hunt. It a fantastic day full of learning, fun and activity (and normally good weather).

“The young people are set challengers and earn points to go alongside the hunt for answers to the clues they are given. These Challenges are a mix of physical, ingenuity and pure fun. These challenges often last about 5-10 minutes each .

“We have a number of Groups that attend from West Wirral and its important to them to spread the word about ShelterBox as well as themselves learning more. The young people also get a chance to meet Scouts and Guides from all over the region and exchange stories.”

Phil Richardson, District Commissioner West Wirral Scouts

As a small committee who represent the Scouts in Cheshire, Cumbria, East Lancashire. Greater Manchester East, GM North, GM West, Isle of Man, Merseyside and West Lancashire, the group are collaborating to bring together young people from all over the region at a time when many have felt isolated and are missing their regular Scouts group. As well as raising money for ShelterBox, it will provide an accessible, engaging and fun event for young people from across the North West Region. 

It all began when John Cadman from Merseyside Scouts and his colleagues attended an International Conference in London. Inspired by their experience, they decided to organise a large scale event for the Scouts from their region. “We had heard about the ShelterBox Scavenger Hunt that (at the time) was organised annually in London, and thought it might be a good idea to try in the North West. A couple of us visited the London Scavenger Hunt that year and from there we formed a small team to organise a similar event in Liverpool, we had some fantastic help from ShelterBox and members of the local Rotary Club, and the rest is history.” 

The aims were twofold – to raise awareness and raise money. Since starting seven years ago they have raised over £23,000 for ShelterBox.  

ShelterBox was chosen as it not only does amazing work, but really embodies the values of Scouts.  

John says, “Not only is ShelterBox a very worthy cause, but it also gels with the Scouting ethos of helping others. It provides some fantastic programme ideas for our Scout Groups and many of the challenges that we take part in can also be worked into our Awards programme.” 

It’s not only ShelterBox who benefit. One of the many benefits for the young people is that they get to learn about the work that ShelterBox does in disaster relief, and it really broadens their knowledge of world events. There’s also a sense of familiarity: “the type of equipment sent out to disaster areas is very similar to that used on our camping trips!” says John. 

Although there is no charge to take part in the event the organisers have set up a Just Giving page with a suggested donation of £3 to contribute to ShelterBox. 

Links 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NW.Scouts.ShelterBox  

Twitter https://twitter.com/nw_hunt    Please use #BigGreenBox 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTvSz8nOW3Efg9Dz1_BlNCw  

Website http://www.nwscoutsglobal.org.uk 

Justgiving https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/biggreenbox2021  

Image shows a pre-COVID-19 Scavenger Hunt.