Well, we’ve made it! We’ve survived our first year. And what an adventure it’s been. Let’s have a quick look at some of the stuff that kept us entertained for the past 12 months.
15th September was the first ‘proper meeting’ (for a look at some of the ‘not proper’ meetings, read our ‘About’ page), and that’s whe the magic started. 17 kids from 3 different Scout groups, and 1 very stressed Leader. Luckily, within minutes, everyone got on like a house on fire (not literally of course, we would have burnt the hut down…), and Helios ESU had arrived in style.
The highlight of October was the punishing night-hike across Eastmoor, and the ill-fated halloween party-that-wasn’t-a-party; November brought us fireworks at Stand Rd, the bike ride (actually, the Explorers were more interested in feeding the ducks) and the start of our climbing training, and December closed the year off with some ice skating in Sheffield, where the Leaders took bets on whether or not Max would be the first to fall over whilst showing off. He was.
We wanted to start 2010 off with a difference. So, whilst a bit of snow fell, and schools and offices across the country were closing left, right and centre… we ploughed on and had a barbecue in the snow. This then became the first annual Helios ESU winter BBQ. February played host to the chippy walk where Kieran got us lost trying to find the largest body of water in Chesterfield. 
March saw out the winter with the first day hike of the year, including lunch atop Peter’s stone; and the winter camp at Bradley Wood. This weekend included the only two days of rain in the month. And boy did it rain. Luckily, you can still play Danish longball in the rain, so that didn’t stop us. We also got to excellent indoor climbing facilities at Bradley Wood for the ‘indoor’ section of the climbing badge.
April was a busy month, with us entering four teams in to the Apex Overnight Challenge, abseiling off Miller’s Dale bridge, and attending the District Camp at Walesby Forest. 
In return, May was a quieter month, although we did get a vist from Unit 10 to teach us about safe sex. June was a month of outdoor activities, including the sunset dog walk on White Edge / Curbar Edge, and rock climbing at Stanage Edge where the credit of the day went to Imran for his epic struggle up Mantelpiece Hand Traverse (HVS 4c for you climbers out there).
We completed our first expedition in July, where some of the public must have been bewildered to see a 5 foot inflatable lobster being carried over the Kinder Plateau (# what’s that coming over the hill, is it a lobster? is it a losbter? #), and many members of the Unit attended the Peak 2010 international camp at Chatsworth. Finally, in August we had our Summer Camp at Beaudesert Park, including many of the adventurous activities on site, which was a roaring success. We’ve already booked next year’s at Blackwell Adventure.
Whew! Whilst that’s quite a list, I’m sure we can top it! A quick glance at the calendar up there -^ will tell you that 2011 is already looking like an action packed year, with 4 camps and 2 national competitions alreayd pencilled in, plus the chance to learn to lead climb, and to kayak, plus all the usual stuff (day hikes, mountain biking, hillwalking…..)
We’ll be celebrating later today with a formal meal (curry!) at our headquarters (The LoveShack), where we’ll have chance to talk over some of the highlight of the year, and I’ll get chance to say thank you to everyone (both Leaders and Explores alike) for helping to make Helios ESU’s first year such a success, but until then, thank you 
. There’s also be a short awards ceremony for some of the dafter achievements over the year. I wonder who’ll win ‘quote of the year’?…
Helios ESU have just returned home from a fantastic weekend’s camping with 3rd Hindley Scouts / Explorers and 3rd Brampton Scouts at Linnet Clough
]
From 17th February Sainsbury’s will be handing out Active Kids vouchers, at a rate of 1 for every £10 you spend there. 
