Scouts on Expedition to Antarctica
Tuesday 27 November 2007, 3:33PM
By Scouting New Zealand
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A team of four New Zealand Scouts and one Scout Leader left for Antarctica this morning for a week at Scott Base.
The group assembled yesterday in Christchurch at the headquarters of Antarctic New Zealand, where they were out-fitted with special-issue Antarctic clothing and briefed on what to expect.
The Scouts’ Antarctic Expedition is part of the International Polar Year (IPY) programme which consists of over 200 projects and involves numerous scientists from over 60 countries.
“The New Zealand Scouts will be located at Scott Base and will work on building and repairing walkways in the immediate area,” said Scouts CEO, Chris Hooper. “The conditions are harsh, and everything is weather-dependent, but we expect our team to make a useful contribution to Scott Base.”
The expedition, the first of its kind for Scouts, is being keenly followed by the rest of the Scouting Movement internationally.
“The team have this opportunity because they are Scouts and have passed a range of rigorous eligibility criteria. Survival skills, an awareness of risk, self-discipline and teamwork are key characteristics for the team chosen for this expedition. We are indebted to Antarctic New Zealand for their support and encouragement,” said Hooper.