#WeTwo expedition: Scouts head south on Antarctic adventure

Reo sinks a spade into the soft earth of the Branchet Field at Gilwell Park. She’s planting a sapling that will one day grow into a stately oak, casting its branches and shade over this historic site. It’s part of a plan to make sure her trip to Antarctica will be 100% carbon neutral and, in time, carbon negative.

Reo Christopher from Birmingham, and Daniel Ward from South Lanark, are part of the #WeTwo expedition, led by explorers Dwayne Fields and Phoebe Smith.   

The two Scouts are part of a team of ten young people, all aged between 16 and 19, and they’re on a historic mission that’s been years in the making. Reo and Daniel were nominated by their leaders for their environmental projects and helping others, and they were chosen from over 700 entrants.

The young people gathered in London for a final weekend of preparation, before travelling to South America and beginning their journey south.

Committed to sustainability

The #WeTwo expedition is focused on sustainability and the benefits of outdoor adventure to improve young people’s futures.

The group planted 105 wild cherry, oak and birch saplings on Friday to create the #WeTwo Forest at Gilwell Park, the home of Scouts. It’ll serve as a legacy for the expedition.

They also planted trees at Kew Gardens, and took part in snow training at the snow centre in Hemel Hempstead, to get them acclimated to sub-zero conditions.

The group is sailing on the MS Fridtjof Nansen ship. It's one of the latest additions to the Hurtigruten fleet and at the forefront of environmentally sustainable hybrid technology, as it aims to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20%. The ship shows the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible. In 2021, she was named the safest and most sustainable cruise ship in the world by STERN.

Planting seeds, not planting flags

‘We want these young people to realise that what happens in Antarctica has real life consequences for us, and we need to protect it,’ says Dwayne. ‘And the best way to get young people to look at the outdoors as a viable career path is to take them into the thick of it.’

‘This expedition is about not about planting seeds, or planting flags,’ says Phoebe. ‘By supporting young people from different backgrounds, including deprived areas, we’re showing that anyone from any background can do this.’

This trip is the culmination of a four-year project to support young people, by showing them the power of adventure and the outdoors for creating better futures.

Dwayne and Phoebe are both passionately committed to supporting the next generation of adventurers and environmentalists, as well as raising awareness of the need to protect our planet and stop climate change. Their fundraising has included a journey on foot from the top of Scotland to the south of England.

The places for the two Scouts on the trip have been generously funded by the Vasey Family Trust. John Vasey from the Trust met with Daniel and Reo at Kew Gardens. John said, ‘It was a pleasure to meet the Scout members of team #WeTwo, and what great ambassadors they are for Scouts.’ 

Thanks to all who’ve supported #WeTwo, including the Scout Store team for kindly providing sleeping bags for the expedition.

From Scotland to the frozen south

Daniel, 19, who’s an Explorer Leader from South Lanark, follows in the footsteps of his fellow countryman, James Marr, who accompanied Shackleton on his last expedition to Antarctica in 1922. Sadly, Shackleton died on the journey, but Marr continued on with the crew. 

‘I’m looking forward to going to Argentina almost much as Antarctica,’ says Daniel. ‘Buenos Aires will be so different to what I’m used to. Once we get to Antarctica, I’m looking forward to going kayaking. I’ll be packing a Scotland flag and a flag from my group to fly in Antarctica, which’ll be a really proud moment.’

‘The Cubs in my group have set me a couple of challenges. The first is to go for a swim in Antarctica, which sounds pretty cold! The other is to get a photo a penguin for them, which sounds less painful.’

‘I think it’s going to be an amazing adventure. I also hope it’ll create a platform for me to talk to the Cubs and others in my group about what’s possible. It’s about broadening horizons. They don’t all have to go to Antarctica – they just need to find something that inspires them, set a goal and go for it.’ 

Shining a light for others

Reo, 18, from Hansworth is a member of 64^th Birmingham Scouts and was nominated by her leader, Jamie.

‘For me, this expedition is about taking something back,’ she says, ‘to share my story and inspire others.’

She does have a confession to make, however:

‘I really feel the cold! I’m always the one around the campfire wearing three jumpers, so I’m not sure how I’ll cope with the freezing temperatures.’

But, was she allowed to pack any luxuries? ‘I’ve been allowed to bring my hair cream, which I’m really excited about. My friend also gave me a torch as a going away present, which will definitely come in handy.’ She’s also looking forward to trying new food as well. ‘It’s a Norwegian ship, so I think there’ll probably be lots of fish.’

We’ll be following Reo and Daniel, and #WeTwo expedition’s progress closely. We’ll bring you another update soon.