Corby Scouts brave -1°C snow and sleet to earn winter honours
Nine local youngsters from 1st Corby Scouts have proven they are made of tough stuff after spending a freezing weekend camping in snow, sleet, and rain to earn their ‘Brass Monkeys’ award.
The group travelled to Willesley Scout Camp from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th February, pitching tents in sub-zero temperatures. The camp is part of a long-standing Scouting tradition where members earn a special ‘Brass Monkeys’ pennant for camping out during the winter months or in temperatures below freezing.
The weekend wasn’t just about surviving the cold; the Scouts took on high-adrenaline activities including go-karting and a climbing wall. For Scout Olivia, the trip was about more than just a badge—she had set a personal goal to reach the top of the climbing wall, a feat she achieved despite the sleet and -1°C chill.
“It was a nice fun chilled weekend,” said Olivia. “It was awesome to go climbing and finish my personal challenge.”
Scout Max enjoyed the simpler rewards of a winter camp: “The highlight for me was having s’mores round the fire. The go-karting was great fun.”
The group camped in the historic grounds of a Grade II listed church, which added a "spooky" element to their Friday the 13th start. 1st Corby Leader, Lee, praised the resilience of the young people: “The young people were fantastic and just got on with it. It was a fun-filled weekend had by all.”
Scouting in Corby continues to provide young people with the skills and confidence to tackle challenges—even when the weather is against them. 1st Corby is always looking for more adult volunteers to help provide these life-changing adventures.