Stories and updates

Last Friday, the Raptors Explorer Scout Unit swapped maps for mixing bowls and took on their very own Great Raptors Bake Off!

Five teams rose to the challenge (and their cakes) as they competed to create the most delicious treats imaginable. On the menu were:
🍫 Chocolate Fudge Brownies
🌈 Rainbow Cookies
🎂 Mini Victoria Sponges
🧁 Chocolate Muffins
🍰 Classic Chocolate Cake

Each team whisked, baked, and decorated their way to sweet success — and the results were nothing short of spectacular! The judges had a tough time picking a winner, but everyone agreed that the real victory was in the tasting.

Well done to all our budding bakers for an evening filled with teamwork, creativity, and a lot of floury fun!

This week, our Explorers swapped ropes and compasses for paintbrushes and canvases!

Armed with acrylic paints (and a little bit of imagination), they unleashed their inner artists in an evening full of colour, laughter, and surprisingly impressive masterpieces.

Some painted landscapes, others experimented with bold abstract designs, and a few may have just discovered their hidden talent for modern art 👩‍🎨👨‍🎨. The best part? No two canvases looked alike—every painting told its own story.

Whether it was carefully crafted brush strokes or “happy little accidents,” the creativity flowing around the room was infectious. By the end of the night, we had a mini gallery of vibrant artworks that could rival any exhibition!

Who knows… maybe the next Banksy or Van Gogh is sitting in our unit. 😉

Our Explorers recently joined up with Units from across the District for a fantastic day out at Thorpe Park! 🎢✨

It was an incredible opportunity to come together as a District, meet new friends, and enjoy a full day of thrills, laughs, and adventure. From the biggest rides to quieter moments together, the whole day was packed with energy and excitement.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the trip and made it such a memorable experience for our Explorers. We can’t wait for the next District adventure!

Check out photos from the day below

Our Explorers are kicking off the new term with an exciting evening of activities:

📝 Program planning

🪵 Pioneering challenges

🤝 Welcoming and getting to know our new members

It’s the start of another great adventure, and we can’t wait to see what this year brings! 🌟

To wrap up the term in style, the Raptors Explorer Scout Unit joined forces with their host group, the 23rd Chingford Scouts, for an unforgettable evening at Fairlop Waters.

The groups took on the Aqua Splash inflatable obstacle course, racing, climbing, jumping, and of course, falling into the water — all in great spirit and full of laughter. It was a brilliant way to end a fantastic term of Scouting adventures.

A big thank you to all the leaders and young people who made this term so memorable.

Have an amazing summer break — we’ll see you in the new term for more fun, challenges, and Scouting!

17/07/2025

Last night’s Raptors Fundraising Quiz was a roaring success! 🏆 Thanks to the amazing support from everyone who came along, we raised just under £200 (after expenses) to go towards our upcoming summer camp in Great Yarmouth 🏕️🌊.

The evening featured four rounds of quiz questions 🧠, a lively music round 🎶, and a fun picture round 🖼️ – with all the images having one thing in common. It was brilliant to see so many teams getting competitive (in the friendliest way!) and really getting stuck in 🤓👏.

Our amazing Explorers 💪 stepped up to help run the event – serving up hot food 🍔🌭, providing refreshing drinks 🥤, and helping draw the raffle 🎟️. Every single ticket holder walked away with a great prize 🏅 – and plenty of smiles to go with it!

The atmosphere was buzzing 🎊, the laughs were plenty 😂, and everyone had a fantastic time.

A huge thank you 🙏 to all who came, supported, and made the night such a success. We’re one step closer to the seaside thanks to you! 🏖️🚌

13/07/2025

Last week, we took a step back from the usual chaos and spent the evening doing something simple—just enjoying each other’s company, playing football and cricket in the sun.

Sometimes, it’s important to slow down. No big plans, no pressure—just time to laugh, relax, and reconnect. Whether it was kicking a ball around, hitting a few sixes, or just chatting on the sidelines, it was a reminder of how valuable these easy-going moments really are.

It was one of those evenings that reminded us what summer’s all about—being outside, spending time with friends, and making memories without even trying.

Here’s to more nights like that.

04/07/2025

Tonight at Raptors Explorers, we got stuck into some practical bushcraft with a focus on knife safety and skills.

Our Explorers learnt how to safely handle and care for knives, including how to keep them sharp and ready for use. With these new skills, they each carved their own wooden tent peg using just a knife – no sanding, no fuss, just steady hands and careful technique! 🏕️

It was great to see everyone working safely and confidently. Another step closer to becoming outdoor experts! 🌲🔥

27/06/2025

This week, our Explorers swapped tents for trench coats as they tackled an exciting Murder Mystery Night — and what an unforgettable evening it was!

With seven suspicious characters, each with their own secrets, stories and suspicious alibis, the challenge was set: solve the crime in just 90 minutes before the trail went cold.

Our young detectives wasted no time grilling suspects, gathering clues and trying to work out who was hiding the truth. Tensions rose, accusations flew, and plenty of wild theories were thrown into the mix!

Meanwhile, the leaders — disguised as helpful (or perhaps not-so-helpful) bystanders — stirred the pot with secret hints, mysterious notes and the occasional misleading whisper... keeping everyone on their toes. 👀

In the end, after a flurry of last-minute plotting and dramatic finger-pointing, the Explorers finally revealed their suspect. They solved the mystery, once again proving that teamwork, questioning, and clever thinking can crack even the trickiest case! 🔎👏

A fantastic night full of laughs, drama, suspense and superb acting — well done to everyone who took part!

Who knows what mysteries await on our next Explorer adventure...?

20/06/2025

This weekend, Raptors Explorer Scout Unit descended on central London for an adventure-packed challenge they won’t soon forget! With Tower Bridge as the starting point, two brave teams set off on a mission to conquer the city — relying solely on their wits, maps, and teamwork... because mobile phones were strictly not allowed! 📵🗺️

🕒 6 hours
📍 8 iconic locations
👥 One team of 3 vs. one team of 4
🏆 1 grand prize
💥 Endless excitement!

Armed with nothing but paper maps, clues, and their own navigation skills, the Explorers raced to uncover 8 secret stages dotted across some of London’s most famous (and hidden!) landmarks. From bustling market streets to quiet corners of history, the scavenger hunt pushed their map-reading, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to the limit.

And the results are in…

🥇 The team of 3 soared to victory with an impressive 42 points, leaving the team of 4 trailing behind on a respectable 27 points. Both teams gave it their all, showing great determination, creativity, and resilience throughout the challenge — but in the end, there could only be one winner!

However, no one left empty-handed — everyone who took part was awarded a special keyring as a memento of the day and a reminder of their hard work navigating the twists and turns of London’s streets.

The day was filled with plenty of laughs, some wrong turns (of course!), and a brilliant sense of adventure that perfectly captured what being an Explorer Scout is all about.

Well done to all our Raptors — you smashed it! 💪🦅

08/06/2025

Thursday night saw our Explorers return to the range for another thrilling session of rifle shooting, and it's safe to say, they haven't lost their aim!

With safety gear on and targets ready, the group got straight into position, showing off the skills they’ve developed over previous sessions. From tight groupings to confident bullseyes, there were some awe-inspiring shots fired (and yes, a few playful rivalries along the way).

But it’s not just about hitting the mark. Rifle shooting is a fantastic way for Explorers to practice focus, patience, and control, all while having a great time. The concentration in the room was real… right up until the cheers broke out for a particularly well-placed shot!

This session wasn’t a first-time experience for most of the group, and it showed. Confidence levels were high, techniques were sharp, and everyone pushed themselves to improve. We love seeing how far they’ve come!

As always, our sessions are run with the highest attention to safety and supervision, making sure everyone can learn in a secure and supportive environment.

Whether they were racking up bullseyes or just proud to keep everything on the paper, each Explorer left with a smile — and maybe a bit of bragging rights.

🔫 Next up: Olympic training? Maybe not… but watch this space!

23/05/2025 

No problem! Here's the first response, tweaked to include the results:

Alright, buckle up, chip fans! 🍟 Tonight, our fearless Raptor Explorers embarked on a crucial mission right here in Chingford: the ultimate chip quest!

Forget treasure maps, our explorers were armed with hungry bellies and scorecards as they ventured to five local chippies in search of the perfect portion.

The criteria? Nothing less than the essentials:

 * 💰 Price: Does it break the bank or is it a bargain bite?

 * 🥔 Crunchiness: That satisfying snap with every bite!

 * 😋 Flavour: The taste that makes your tastebuds sing!

 * 📏 Portion Size: Enough to satisfy those explorer appetites?

 * 🧂 Saltiness: Just the right pinch or a salty sensation?

 * ☁️ Fluffiness: Light and airy on the inside?

 * 💯 Value for Money: The ultimate bang for your buck!

Wwith a winning score of 6.73, Kicken Chicken has been crowned the champion of the Chingford chip quest! #ChingfordChips #RaptorExplorers 

16/05/2025 

Tonight, the Raptors ESU gathered at the hall for an evening of practical skills and tasty rewards. We kicked things off with a fire-lighting session, giving everyone a chance to hone their outdoor skills. Once the fires were going strong, it was time to cook the meal our Explorers had planned—delicious chicken kebabs grilled over the flames.

After everyone had their fill, we wrapped up the evening with a classic campfire favourite: s’mores. Gooey marshmallows, melted chocolate, and crunchy biscuits were the perfect way to end a fun and fiery evening.

A great mix of skills, teamwork, and a bit of tasty indulgence—just the way we like it!

09/05/2025

This weekend marked a major milestone for Raptors ESU as we officially invested our very first Explorers! In the iconic surroundings of Gilwell Park, six new members took their Explorer promises and were proudly presented with their unit scarves and unique Raptor woggles — a symbol of their place in something new, exciting, and full of adventure.

With the formalities complete, the fun truly began. The newly invested Raptors spread their wings in classic style, diving straight into a series of wide games across the woods and fields of Gilwell. It was a brilliant day full of energy, teamwork, and the start of something special.

Welcome to the Raptors — your journey begins now!

02/05/2025