Beavers and Cubs learn new skills
At the start of November our Beavers and Cubs took part in an amazing adventure at Elton Guide Campsite. Saturday morning dawned a bit grey and overcast here in Lincolnshire but in Leicestershire, just the other side of Grantham, the sun was peeking through to welcome Duke’s Beavers, Cubs and their volunteer Leaders. 17 intrepid adventurers joined three young leaders and six volunteer leaders for a weekend jam-packed full of activities, new experiences and FUN!
The day kicked off with games outside and everyone getting to know each other as we were lucky enough to have several new people staying away for the first time. Once lunch was over, and the washing up was done, it was time to get started on the serious business of learning new skills. Everyone got to have a go at all three activities; firelighting, shelter building and woggle making, in an unhurried way we can only provide at camp where time is not an issue.
Firelighting, including finding and cutting up the materials, proved to be great fun. There was no cheating with matches here, fire strikers (aka flint and steel) were the order of the day.
Chil (Thomas) and Ellie led the shelter building activity, with everyone creating somewhere they could keep dry and warm. Shelter building leads directly onto activities that our Scouts have to master for their Survival Camps, so it is great practice for the younger sections.
Katherine and Baloo (Belle) led a woggle making workshop in Magpies House, our base for the weekend. The bead woggles were such a success that our Beavers and Cubs requested another opportunity to make more woggles again after dinner.
Dinner was quickly demolished by the hungry hoard with many coming back for seconds (and thirds). Clearing up took a little longer but they were getting the hang of it by now. The dining room was cleared and tents and beds were set up before setting off back outside again for the campfire and some singing and marshmallows - not at the same time! Back into Magpies House for hot chocolate and cookies before it was time to get ready for bed.
After a refreshing night’s sleep - yes they did settle quickly and sleep well - it was time to get up, pack up and make ready for more challenges and adventures. It’s at this point that all our newbies earned their first Nights Away badge, which is a fabulous milestone!
Breakfast passed with more food consumed - they are getting good at washing up now. We now have a new Beaver Pancake Champion, Jack, I honestly don’t know where he put them all!
Then everyone took part in a Scout’s Own which is a time to reflect on what we have learned and what the weekend has been all about.
Akela came up with a tremendous trading team game which kept everyone occupied with team challenges outside until lunch time. In brief, teams needed to come up with a name, a skit to introduce themselves and then they took part in a number of team challenges set up by our leaders using the wonderful range of activities available at Elton. The teams earned coins which they then traded for cards. These cards were then scored in a number of imaginative and creative ways. This was a game with something for everyone. Congratulations to Team Pancake who really threw themselves into the strategy element of the game. Now our sleepover was drawing to a close with only lunch and the big clear up to do.
The leaders would like to express their gratitude to the parents who came along early to help us make sure Elton was as clean and tidy when we left as it was when we arrived. Thank you all, it really would have taken us so much longer without your help. We would also like to give a huge thank you to our fantastic Young Leaders, who gave up their weekend to help the Beavers and Cubs have such a great time. The Young Leaders worked tirelessly running activities, supporting the younger ones, helping our adult volunteers and just generally being fantastic. They might be “young” leaders but they all did an adult's job this weekend – well done folks.
Special mention to for Ellie and Ralph who have recently joined our Cubs section as volunteers - they achieved their first night away as leaders. You both were amazing and we look forward to you joining us for many more adventures together.
Beavers would like to thank Akela and the Cub team for inviting us along for the weekend, a night away for Beavers is very important and would not have been possible without you.
If you have been reading this and think you or someone you know would like to get involved please get in touch with our Lead Volunteer who will be able to help you make your first steps in your own Scouting journey. Simply email 1stCaythorpe@granthamscouts.org.uk
