About HSX

HSX, Hampshire Scout Expeditions, is a Hampshire-based Scout group that specialises in running international expeditions for Hampshire Scouts. In order to provide this service the group runs regular outdoor-based training weekends for its members, so that they may gain the necessary skills to lead such expeditions.

HSX was founded in 1986, following the success of Clearwater ’85, a National Scout Expedition to Sri Lanka. 30 years on HSX has been extremely successful and has provided young people in Hampshire Scouting with the opportunity to take part in over 20 expeditions across the world.

The Expeditions

The expeditions, usually based in developing countries, last from four to six weeks and involve a team of young people aged 14 years and upwards taking part in community projects and an adventurous challenge. There are at least 18 months training prior to each trip focusing on teamwork, personal development and leadership to ensure that members gain as much as possible from the experience. The hope is that as well as being a life changing experience for those involved, such contacts will bring greater understanding, and therefore tolerance, of the multi-cultural society in which we live today.

Cambodia 2016

During the winter of 2016-2017 (December-January) HSX are leading an international expedition to Cambodia.

The Expedition will involve a team of 5 leaders and up to 20 young people aged 14-18. We will be taking part in a community development project, adventurous activities (trekking, cycling, temple race) & culture touring (Angkor Wat Temples, Bamboo Train & Floating villages of Tonle Sap lake to name a few) over a four week period.

Training Begins

We have just had a very successful start to our training, with an action packed weekend at Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre; The home of Hampshire Scouting. This was a great opportunity to bond with the team during bushcraft and survival activities, including learning and practicing knife skills and fire making. At 07:45 Sunday morning the team were put through their paces with a physical training session to start increasing our fitness to prepare for trekking and mountain climbing.

The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly sleeping under the stars in our Craghoppers hammocks. We will be using them most nights in Cambodia, so the sooner we get used to them, the better. Some of the team found out the hard way that if you put your hammock high in a tree you may be away from the creepy crawlies on the ground but you just have further to fall when you inevitably fall out.

Thanks to Craghoppers for sponsoring our expedition with kit, we are able to give 20 young people from Hampshire this life changing experience- not only for self-development, but to bring a greater understanding and tolerance of today’s multicultural society.