A NEW COMMUNITY group for young people in Stroud has recently opened.

A new Explorer Scout Unit recently opened in Stroud and is providing a wealth of adventurous activities for boys and girls aged 14 to 17.

The reason for opening Trinity Unit was due to the retention of young people in Scouts who wanted to move to the next section.

The Unit meets at the Stroud Valley Scout Centre on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

Activities include den building, fire lighting, laser tag and backwoods cooking.

They have learned how to build a shelter from things they could find, how to build fires and how to light them using a flint and steel.

Activities they have planned include finishing their survival skills badge and making an adventure course using pioneering poles. 

Saxon, a member of the Unit said: “I have enjoyed going outside and doing activities such as fire lighting and getting stuck in and learning new skills.”

Tom, a volunteer with the section said: “Personally, I have enjoyed helping.

"I have improved my leadership and communication skills. It’s great to see the explorers get involved in helping to plan and organise an interesting and fun programme that is full of different activities.

“The explorers will learn skills that will help them when applying for further education or employment.

"These skills include teamwork, problem solving, leadership, self-confidence, social skills and independence.”

In a recent survey, 94 per cent of Scouts said they had developed skills useful to them and 88 per cent said they’d tried activities in Scouts that they hadn’t tried before.