Cubs and Scouts across Hampshire will be donning their conservation caps once again to take part in the Daily Echo Scouting Challenge 2...

IT SPARKED environment-friendly frenzy in Scout huts across Hampshire.

Last year the Daily Echo asked groups to come up with initiatives which would carry a strong green message as well as make a big difference to their local community.

And in true Baden Powell spirit they responded magnificently, with a host of conservation tasks and studies.

These ranged from building bird boxes to focusing on the highly controversial Dibden Bay proposals.

A group of Sea Scouts graphically put together both sides of Hampshire's biggest green debate of all time, which last week ended in victory for the environment lobby.

During last year's Daily Echo Challenge, open space areas which had become overgrown and in need of some loving tender care were also given Ground Force-style makeovers by Scouting task forces.

Now we are asking everyone from Beavers to Explorer Scouts to put on their conservation caps again as Daily Echo Scouting Challenge 2 gets off the launching pad.

A colourful brochure giving full details of how to enter the contest is now winging its way to Hampshire's Scouting population.

It will again be part of the Global Conservation Challenge badge.

But this time it will be very much a group effort. Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorer Scouts will be able to all work together to come up with an award-winning conservation project.

Once again the Daily Echo will be

following the progress of conservation projects as they unfold over the coming weeks.

Articles, drawings and photographs must be laid on A2 paper/card. If you have more than one sheet, please make sure you join them all together in a booklet format - tied together on the left hand side.

The challenge's grand finale will be a presentation evening when finalists will be invited along to see if they have won a prize.

There will be first, second and third prizes awarded on the night and each of these groups will receive a trophy and each individual member a medal and certificate.

Last year there was a real Cup Final atmosphere when Daily Echo editor Ian Murray presented the awards in the Matthew Le Tissier Suite at Saints' state-of-the-art St Mary's Stadium.

The Daily Echo Scouting Challenge is once again being backed by Southampton City Council, which praised Scouts for tidying areas that were in danger of becoming environmental eyesores.

The council's Scout Active Seven scheme will again play a major part in the challenge.

The SAS card, an initiative which has been steered by the City Council's marketing manager David Langridge, provided troops with a passport to a multitude of facilities across the city.

As part of the challenge, SAS cards, which have discounts for leisure locations around the city, will be sent to troop/pack leaders.

This year there will be an added bonus of free use of special facilities and these are listed in the Daily Echo Scouting Challenge booklet.

Groups that want to take part in the challenge must register with the county office by Friday, May 21.

Entries must be sent to Mike Hopkins at the county office by July 2. For more details about the challenge you can ring Mike on 023 8084 7847.

We are also keen to get interesting photographs and updates on your projects which can be e-mailed to Duncan Eaton using the link above.