Christmas Newsletter 2025 🎄

As another year draws to a close, it is time to look back on everything we have achieved together. 2025 has been a massive year for the Basilisks, full of new challenges, big wins, and plenty of adventure!

Big growth! 👋
This year, we’ve grown more than anyone could have predicted. As of this newsletter being written, we have 44 Explorers registered (a remarkable leap from just 15 in 2023)!

It’s been amazing watching the unit grow, while maintaining the core values that everyone has come to know and love. One standout thing we’ve seen is people joining who haven’t previously been involved in Scouting, which has been great to see.

The program 📆

We’ve had a busy year, but the real highlight has been having more Explorer-led evenings than ever before! It has been brilliant to see the Explorers take the lead and run the nights they want to see.

From Conker Wars and the Egg Drop Challenge, to the creativity of Video Competition, the programme has been packed. A fan favourite was the Brick Lane Art Walk! We tested our detective skills (and hosting ability) with a Murder Mystery dinner party, got experimental on Chemistry Night, and cooked up a storm during the Bring Your Own Ingredients Cooking Challenge! 2026 is hopefully going to see even more Explorers taking the first steps to running evenings!

A year of adventures ⛺

We’ve had plenty of opportunities to get outside and test our skills this year. Here are just a few highlights from the 11(!) events this year:

District Night Hike: This was our first attempt at bringing in other units, and it was great to have Explorers from 3 different units come along to join us. The 1 night camp involved being dropped in an unknown location, Explorers needing to figure out where they are and figure their way back. But alas, it was never going to be easy. The last group got back to camp at 4am!
1st Highams Park Hike Camp: Once again, it was great to join our partner group. It is always great to see our Explorers guiding the younger sections and setting such a good example. The camp is a great chilled weekend that allows the Explorers to hang out together in a more laid back style than other camps in the year.
Cooking Competition: We had two teams draft menus and plan shopping before spending the weekend cooking up a storm (literally, it was really windy) and competing to see which team could take home the bacon! It was great to see the groups come up with such creative menus, and do such a good job with their meals.

Every camp this year has been a huge success, thanks to the hard work of the leaders and the energy of every Explorer. A massive thank you to the parents and guardians too. For the lifts, the support, and for pushing your Explorers to get involved - it makes a big difference!

London Pride 🌈

For the second year running, we took to the streets to walk in London Pride with the Scouts. It was an incredible day of celebration, colour, and community.

We are incredibly proud to say that the Basilisks were the only Explorer Unit in the entire country to have Explorers attending! It was a massive privilege to represent the section on such a huge stage. Showing that Scouting is open to everyone is at the heart of what we do, and we couldn't be prouder of the Explorers who marched.

Summer Camp (Matlock) ☀️

Matlock was our first ever 5 night camp. It was a massive undertaking for a unit that is still relatively new and growing but it was a great success. Having rented a minibus, we set off on the journey up to Derbyshire bright and early.

Throughout the week we visited a mine and did a couple of underground tours, we spent the day rock climbing and challenging each other, went on a steam train and of course tested our nerves at Alton Towers! 🎢

Kilmuir Trophy Challenge 🏆

We have to talk about the Kilmuir Trophy Challenge! Last year we mentioned how intense this weekend is, and how proud we were of the team for stepping up. Well, this year, WE WON!

Taking home the trophy is a huge achievement and a testament to the teamwork, fitness, and determination of the Explorers involved. We are incredibly proud of this result.

Explorer achievements 🏆

3* Jack Petchey Award winners - Jacob and Harry, and a leader!
🌟 2 Chief Scout’s Platinum Awards achieved - Eloise & Joseph (To)
Rocketed directly from 1 to 21 Explorers doing DofE with Scouts 🤯
5 Explorers selected to attend the 26th World Scout Jamboree, in Gdańsk 🇵🇱
2 Explorers happily & sadly have moved onto adulthood - we’re super proud of Edmund & Leo 🌻

Volunteer team achievements 🤝

We gained two fantastic new leaders - Louise in March, and Billy in April. Both have added much-appreciated new perspectives, skills & knowledge to the team - it’s been a pleasure for the whole unit to get to know them.

This was also the year we realised people were keen to help out in other ways! In September, we were very fortunate to welcome Christèle to the team to be dedicated to supporting the Explorers through their Top Awards - Duke of Edinburgh, the Chief Scout’s awards, and of course the King’s Scout Award.

Also a big shout out to Andrew K, our longest standing leader for getting his Jack Petchey award as well!

A call to arms for help 💪

We’re still excited to welcome new volunteers: to help with our equipment, with international camp planning, and with our upcoming minibus & van - it’d be fantastic if any parents may be willing to support us in these areas.

We’re also in need of more help especially on camps, as well as on Thursday evenings (doesn’t need to be both). Volunteers at the Basilisks come in every shape, size, age etc, and we’d love to talk if this is a way you might be able to support us.

Looking ahead to 2026 👀

As we look forward to the new year, we’ll be planning more exciting activities and opportunities. From projects to new challenges, there’s so much to be excited about (look out for some summer camp news soon 👀).

A note from the leaders 📜

Being a leader for the Basilisks is a genuine privilege. With the unit growing so much this year, the energy on a Thursday night is higher than ever, and it honestly remains the best part of our week.

We are incredibly proud of the Explorers, not just for big wins like the Kilmuir Trophy but for the enthusiasm and character they show every single week. We truly believe this is the strongest Explorer Unit in Waltham Forest, and that is entirely down to the young people who make it what it is.

As we look back on a year filled with growth, adventure and achievement, we’re incredibly excited for what 2026 has in store. With the momentum we’ve built, the passion of our Explorers, and the support of our leaders and families, the future looks brighter than ever.

Seasons greetings 🎅

From all the leaders, we want to wish every Explorer and their family a very Merry Christmas (and a fantastic festive break if you do not celebrate).

We hope you all manage to switch off, relax, and enjoy some well-earned time with friends and loved ones. Thank you for making 2025 such a memorable year. We are already excited to get started again in January and see what 2026 brings!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄

Cam, Andrew, JB, Andrew, Louise & Billy ⚜️

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