Beaver Scouts are young people usually aged between six and eight years old. They belong to the first and youngest Section in the Scouting family. Young people can join Beaver Scouts in the three months leading up to their sixth birthday. They can move to the next Section, Cub Scouts, between seven years and six months and eight years six months.
Easily recognised by their distinctive turquoise sweatshirts, Beaver Scouts enjoy making friends, playing games, going on visits and helping others. They usually meet together once a week in a Beaver Scout Colony.
Some Beaver Scout Colonies also organise Sleepovers. These are often the
first time a young person spends a night away from home. They take place in suitable buildings, often Scout centres.
We have been preparing for Fitness Challenge for those who wished to take it up.
We needed two meetings to prepare for the November Fayre – creating the Human Fruit Machine and practising Face Painting.
We have considered a new code of conduct and the final version will be decided at the next Troop Leadership Forum.
Last week we were brushing up on mapping skills before the Night Hike.
One Friday night we joined up with our friends from Chessington for a short Night Hike. There were 3 walking groups, all with Scouts from both Groups, plus a couple of leaders. We were dropped in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Epsom and we had to follow the route back to Chessington HQ. Two groups made it back safely without major incident.
Shim’s and my group had more trouble. My story – and I’m sticking to it – was that I let the two Scouts have the map at the beginning so it was difficult for me to notice quickly when we went wrong. Shim’s phone sat-nav sprang into action to save the day and took us in the opposite direction to where we wanted to go. Graham kindly came and picked us up from Ashtead Station. Needless to state this has caused endless amusement to members of the Troop and probably will do so for some years to come. Glad to be of service.
The District first ran 24:7 in 2006 and the format was the same this time – activities running at many Scout HQs across Royal Kingston District on both Saturday and Sunday, Scouts moving between them by walking or minibuses for the longer distances
with a get-together and sleepover at 1st.Hook on Saturday night. As 5 years ago it was a tremendous success with a good time had by all.
For our contribution, Graham, Jack and David organised computer and X-Box games at Sparks Hall.
The rest of the activities included kayaking on the Thames, air-rifle shooting at 1st.Malden, blinded volley-ball at Southwood (tarpaulin rigged up above the net so you can’t see where the ball is coming from), archery and robot wars at 1st.Hook, woggle-making at Chessington and Scalectrix at Berrylands.
In the evening everyone was fed at 1st.Hook then relaxed with a DVD Disaster Movie and afterwards joined in the Disco run by Graham and David. There was a break in the middle of the Disco for “Royal Kingston Scouts Have Got Talent”. There were 7 entries including Lucy doing some juggling (I can only manage 2 balls – she had 3!) and Tara singing without any musical accompaniment in front of everyone. Unfortunately they did not win in the “Public Vote” but nevertheless, very brave, both of you.
Thank you to all from the District and Group who helped in any way. We all enjoyed ourselves.
We have a few Cubs potentially on their way up to the Troop. I hope they will be used to us by the next edition. We have also got Rebecca, sister of Lydia Williams in Everest, who has thrown herself in and gained Stages 1, 2 & 3 of the I.T. Badge before she has even been invested.
District Night Hike. We have a team representing 1st.Tolworth. Hear how they got on next time. Winter Camp at Gilwell. Has Caroline gone completely mad? Where are we going for our (after) Christmas Treat? Chef Badge in the New Year. You know how much we like our food.
Have a Happy Christmas everyone.
We had a super, but very busy I.T.Day on 19 November. Thanks to all the leaders, friends and parents that were working hard all day, testing the Beavers, Cubs & Scouts. Thanks also to the Exec. for providing the Pizzas for lunch and to Heather and Reg who both came to support us. In all, 47 badges were gained during the 6 hours, plus 2 Scouts who did most of the work for Stage 4 and will finish that at home in the next couple of weeks and one Cub who did most of Stage 2 but will complete that next time.
Beavers don’t often get Stage 2. I don’t remember so many Cubs getting Stage 3 and Lucy is only our second Stage 5 ever! Is everyone getting cleverer?