SEA SCOUTS from the 13th Southampton Group are making sure everything is shipshape for a Daily Echo challenge which is going out to Hampshire's Scouting community.

Scouts have always relished a challenge and the Daily Echo is setting a "green goal" which will range from building a bird box to organising a "save it" campaign.

The Daily Echo Scouting Challenge is going out to every Cub Scout and Scout in Hampshire. They are being asked to carry out projects which will have a strong community and environmentfriendly theme. Their efforts will also count towards their Global Conservation Badge.

The Daily Echo has teamed up with Southampton City Council in launching a fascinating challenge which will run until April.

There will be some special discount offers from the council to all Scouts and Cubs, and the Odeon cinema will also be putting up prizes.

All projects will be carried out as a member of a group. Scouts will be able to choose two conservation tasks while the Cub Scouts will have one.

Troops and packs taking part must be registered by their leader by February 10. All activities will be supervised and the list of possibilities will keep the youngsters fully occupied over the coming months.

Projects will include:

Clearing a ditch, pond or creek.

Making, setting up and maintaining a bird feeder, bird table, bird nesting box or bird bath.

Looking after a piece of land or garden.

Tidying up a piece of waste land.

Taking part in an anti-litter campaign.

Planting a tree or shrub.

Looking after a compost bin.

Making a display to inform others about an animal, bird, plant or fish that is in danger of extinction.

Organising a "save it" campaign to encourage others to conserve energy - like home insulation and fuel-efficient engines.

Taking part in or starting a recycling scheme involving such items as bottles, cans and waste paper.

Visiting a forest, wood or campsite and taking part in a project on tree conservation.

They are also being asked to focus on examples where people have damaged the environment and others showing how people have conserved the environment.

Once the conservation tasks have been completed, each troop and pack must compile a project board detailing how the challenge was completed.

They can use photographs, illustrations and written explanations.

The Daily Echo will be keeping tracks on the conservation challenges. Reporters and photographers will be visiting projects to see how they are developing.

One of our first ports of call will be the Millbrook-based 13th Southampton Sea Scout Group. The Daily Echo will be spotlighting a project which the Explorer Scouts have been carrying out on the controversial Dibden Bay.

We are also asking Cub Scouts and Scouts to be their own snappers. There is a chance of winning a digital camera for taking the photograph which best captures the spirit of the challenge.

Photographs can be e-mailed to Duncan Eaton at duncan.eaton@soton-echo.co.uk

For the next few weeks the Daily Echo will feature the projects in its Saturday review.

Information packs detailing The Daily Echo Scouting Challenge have been sent out to about 600 Scout groups across Hampshire.

Everyone who takes part will receive a special certificate, with one to be displayed at their headquarters. The lucky winners will be invited to a special presentation evening at the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium.

The initiative has been warmly welcomed by county commissioner, Richard Merefield, who, in a message to leaders, says: "Hampshire Scouting Association has always enjoyed a good relationship with the local press.

"We now have the ideal opportunity to further enhance this thanks to the generosity of the Southern Daily Echo.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to promote Scouting and, at the same time, get recognition for Cub packs and Scout troops."

Southampton West district commissioner Sue Field was sure there would be good response from the Scouting community.

She said: "Scouts are very conservation- minded. It is local and that is excellent. It is also a great opportunity to promote Scouting and link it into the city."

Coinciding with the Daily Echo challenge, Southampton City Council is launching a new exclusive discount card for all Scouts in the Hampshire area.

Called a Scout Active Seven, or SAS card, it will offer different discounts throughout the council's leisure locations for a wide range of leisure activities.

Places offering discounts will be Bitterne, Chamberlayne and St Mary's leisure centres, Quays Swimming and Diving Complex, and Oaklands swimming pool, sports centre and municipal golf course.