Ten hardy pupils from a Basildon school had their self-confidence boosted with a gruelling weekend of canoeing.

The treat was organised by members of Basildon District Venture Scout Unit who offered to take the youngsters to the Scout Boating Centre on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire for the in-depth training.

The students, aged around 15, from Woodlands School in Takely End, Basildon, spent up to four hours on the water at a stretch and spent two nights getting in touch with nature under canvas.

All the intrepid students earned their British Canoe Union One-Star Kayak Award.

To achieve the honour they had to complete three criteria which included learning about the equipment, safety, first aid - especially relating to hypothermia - and water access.

They also undertook two practical tests - lifting, carrying and launching the kayak and forward paddling over 100 metres and stopping and rotating 360 degrees on the spot. They also had to be able to swim ashore.

Pupil Daniel Frost did so well he earned his two-star award, as did Lisa Buckland, one of a team of Basildon Council volunteers who went along for the weekend.

Woodlands pupil Tommy Butler was not so lucky but came within one point of the two-star qualification.

Claire Fielding, community development officer for Essex Scouts, said: "It was quite tough. The youngsters had hardly any canoe experience before they went and they spent a lot of time on the water.

"I think it helped build their self confidence tremendously."

The money for the weekend was donated by the Scout Foundation and South West Essex Business and Education Partnership (SWEBEP) based in Basildon.

It was such a success they hope to repeat it next year.

The Basildon District Venture Scout Unit, led by John Greenslade, is also heavily involved in the Basildon Challenge, a weekend camp for non-scouting youngsters which Woodlands pupils attend.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.