INTERNATIONAL TRIPS

Antarctic Voyage
Kent Scouts complete a successful trip during January 2022

Issue 5

The ReQuest2021 project is a wider programme of activity centred around the expedition to Antarctica to commemorate the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921-1922. One hundred years after Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship Quest sailed to Antarctica, a ten strong team of Scouts and leaders recreated the original ethos of the expedition by undertaking their own voyage to the frozen south.

The Shackleton-Rowett Expedition included two Scouts: James Marr and Norman Mooney. On 30th December 2021 the team of ten scouts and their leaders followed in Marr and Mooney's footsteps and departed from South America for Antarctica.

The project was based upon three key principles: -

1. PEACE - Young people will form relationships with each other, their communities, other Scouts around the world, and their environment.

2. ENVIRONMENT - Young people are more concerned about nature than ever and want to protect our environment - one study found that 60% of young people are worried or extremely worried about climate change.

3. HERITAGE - A way for young people to connect with intrepid explorers from the past, through an innovative programme of events, and mark those who went before.

The ten participants undertook research projects whilst in Antarctica on issues such as climate change, energy, exploration, education, health and the environment. Findings will be presented in due course in a range of engaging formats including photography, soundscapes, reports, artwork and interactive forums.

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, sent the team off on their expedition with these encouraging words:

"You are truly following in the footsteps of many legends including the great

Sir Ernest Shackleton who set off on his Quest expedition. You are also doing vital work in how we can protect the world around us, which is so important."

The team finished by enjoying a few days relaxation and reflection time in Buenos Aries before heading home to the UK.

We successfully achieved all our objectives for the voyage including taking up a last-minute opportunity to visit Port Lockroy which was established by Scout Marr during Operation Tabarin in World War Two. There is just some work to do on our other project objectives now we are back in the UK – outreach to young people, developing the legacy fund and taking the commemorative plaque to Scotland.

​

Alan Noake

 About the Project

• For more information about the ReQuest2021 expedition and the research projects, please visit http://www.request2021.org.uk

• The ReQuest2021, Antarctic Research Project Team sailed on board Bark Europa tall ship from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula from 30th Dec 2021 to 20th January 2022.

• Over the past four years the ten Scouts have undertaken fundraising activities including a rowing challenge, grand auction and online merchandise sales to raise £140,000 for the expedition.

• A key sponsor of the Request expedition is the East and West Kent Freemasons who have the same core values of supporting young people www.eastkentfreemasons.org and www.westkentmasons.org.uk

• Group Project: THE ANTARCTICA SCOUT KRILL project. Partnership with British Antarctic Survey to study and raise awareness of the importance of Antarctic krill to the Southern Ocean ecosystem.

Participants

Alan Noake, Deal, Walmer, Sandwich & District, Kent

Cathy Mummery, Weald District, Kent

Matt Wood, Malling District, Kent

Helen Smith, Gravesham District, Kent

Lucy Morgan, Sevenoaks District, Kent

Genevieve Scullion, Deal, Walmer, Sandwich & District, Kent

George Stonor, Faversham District, Kent

Darcey Holmes, Thanet District, Kent

Sam Payne, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Alex Maciver, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland