Scouts compete for MadVenture trophy

11 teams of young people from six troops in Camden, Haringey and Islington explored the Hertfordshire countryside earlier this month, vying to gain the coveted Maharajah’s Sword trophy.

Defending champions 8th Hampstead took the trophy home with them, and all 50+ young people had a great day out in the fresh air.

The Winter MadVenture is North London Scout District’s incident hike, and at about 10 km provides a useful stepping stone to help Scouts prepare for the rigours of GLN’s Chiltern 20 Challenge.

The MadVenture mixes navigation skills with teamwork exercises at the six checkpoints around the route and also has a quiz element.

This year’s event was masterminded by 1st Islington Scout Group, ably coordinated by Scout Leader Chris Hunt. 

We also added a new location and route to the repertoire, basing the event at Croxley Green Scout Group’s HQ and following a surprisingly rural route that’s easily accessible from the Metropolitan line.

After a few years in abeyance, we hope to reinstate the Winter MadVenture as an annual fixture in the district calendar.