SCOUTING was started by Robert Baden Powell in 1907 and since then it has grown all over the world.

In Abergavenny the scout group was a big part of many lives in the area for the majority of the last century, run by people whose names live on in one form or another, even if it is just in people's memories.

The current Abergavenny Scout Troop leader is mum-of-three Carolyn Duguid whose son Hamish is a scout, while his younger brother Alistair is in the cub pack. She took over running the pack 18 months ago from Group Scout Leader Alun Auty who was keeping it ticking over when there were no leaders. She and her husband and their children enjoy all the outdoor activities synonymous with scouting, including camping and hiking. Several times they have camped and gone mountaineering abroad.

Like her assistant leader Carolyn comes from a scouting family as her mother was the akela for the Cefn Coed cub pack and her father was Skip to the scout troop, with six Queen's Scouts in his unit. Carolyn joined Brownies, then Guides, becoming a Queen's Guide, then joining Rangers.

Abergavenny Scout Troop has been using the Monmouthshire District camp site at Llangenny on a regular basis, walking from their headquarters, along the footpath in Chapel Road, skirting the Sugar Loaf mountain and dropping down into the campsite. They are also taking part in the Dragon Challenge which involves camping each month for a year and so far they have camped at a district event in Usk, St George's camp at Caldicot Castle and an all-Wales camp at Builth Wells.

The troop competed in an orienteering challenge at Caldicot Castle last year and took part in Operation Nightmare, a map reading exercise at night.

But it is not just camping and competition, they also support community events in Abergavenny. They have taken part in the Abergavenny Rotary Club swimathon, picked up litter at the annual Steam Rally in Bailey Park and taken part in St George's Day and Remembrance Day parades.

Their leaders are planning to spend two nights at camp once the lighter nights are with us and subject the scouts to a diversity of experiences such as archery and canoeing down the River Wye,

Assistant scout leader is Chris Short who has been a member of the scout movement since he was eight when his parents started a cub pack in his home village of Talybont on Usk. He said: "Someone mentioned that I was old enough to join cubs and we did not have a pack so I went to school and told everyone my mum and dad were starting a cub pack and everyone kept ringing up. By the time I was old enough to join Dad had started a scout troop and was the district Group Scout Leader.

"I went right through the movement, ending up with Venture Scouts, until I went away to university. I went to all the big jamborees. I did all the activities like caving, mountaineering and parascending which led to my love of hang gliding and I learned to cook which stood me in good stead when I went off to university."

They are helped by Alex Holloway, a member of Network, which is for young men and women aged from 18 - 25 years.

When the scouts were asked what they enjoyed most the answers were many and varied. Megan Nicholls, 12, said she enjoyed all the sports activities best while her brother Joseph said the game of chairball was his favourite activity.

One of the newest members is 10 year old Alf Mortenson who loves camping and hiking, like Tara Evans, 13. Max Morris, 13, was delighted when he took part in a night hike up the Skirrid Fawr and despite gale force winds managed to make it to the top. Lewis Butler, also 13 said: "Scouts is great fun and enjoyable and you get to see your friends. I like camping a lot."

Seph Mortenson is 12 and he moved into scouts from the cub pack.

He said: "I get to see my friends, go outdoors and go on camping trips every month. I am aiming for my Dragon Challenge. I also enjoy cooking my own food and washing up." Hamish Duguid said camping was his favourite activity.

Scouts is open to boys and girls aged 10 - 14 years so if you want some fun go along to the scout headquarters in the Fairfield car park in Abergavenny on a Monday night between 7 - 8.30pm and you will be made to feel very welcome. After Easter the session will go on until 9pm.