By Tony Edmonds of 1st Little Stoke Scout Group.
Members of 1st Little Stoke Scout Group have not met face to face since the end of March, however, Scouting has continued at home with leaders contacting their sections via email and using Zoom video conferencing.
All three sections have been involved in the Hike to the Moon. This is how Little Stoke Scout Group played their part in the massive national fundraising effort for Children in Need. Each Beaver, Cub and Scout walked at least one mile – and obtained sponsorship from friends and family. Little Stoke along with all other UK groups hiked the 240,000 miles to the Moon and helped make things a bit better on Earth.
Thanks to Scouts all over the UK, we’ve hiked not just the 240,000 miles to the moon but the incredible 480,000-mile journey to the moon and back! Scouting UK has raised over £340,000, with another £32,000 raised through badge sales, and with the government matching the funds, we’ll contribute over £700,000 to BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief.
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have also taken part in Nights Away at Home. Here, young people took part in a sleepover or camping experience at home, under the supervision of their parents or guardians. This was sleeping indoors in dens or out in the garden under canvas where possible. Sections organised a ‘night away at home’ together on the same evening and found ways to connect by having virtual conversations and shared activities and challenges.
Lots of our young people have gained badges at home during the lockdown using our online management tool to track progress and ensure that all the relevant criteria are met, leaders have been keeping an eye on the progress and will award the badges when we get back to face-to-face scouting.
Beaver ice breakers
Beavers have held a couple of Zoom meetings which included ‘ice breakers’, where new Beavers got the chance to meet the existing members. Seven new children have been enrolled during virtual meetings – a first for Little Stoke.
Cubs have had a very active Zoom programme including Scavenger Hunts, Camping at Home (preparation – what do we need to pack?), Nature Quiz, Origami Butterflies and making a putty moon complete with craters and flag – in line with young people getting involved with Hike to the Moon.
The Great Escape
Scouts have also met online via Zoom, with sessions including Bingo, a quiz and Escape Room. The Escape Room session was first rate. The Scouts split into two patrols and they had to try to escape from a Scout hall in which they were ‘virtually’ locked. Patrols had to use their map reading skills and observation skills to find clues to get out. Naturally, the patrol which said it would be easy was the last one out!
We’ll Meet Again
When the lockdown is over, we hope to welcome all our existing members back and will have vacancies for new children in all sections as we hope to open new provision. Beavers 5.9 years to 8 years, Cubs 8 years to 10 years and Scouts 10 to 14.5 years. If you would like your boy or girl to join, email Group Scout Leader Tony Edmonds (tonyedmonds108@yahoo.com). Please include your name, address and telephone number along with your child’s name and date of birth.
The group looks forward to resuming face-to-face Scouting once we are told that it is safe to reopen.
We are always looking for adults to join our friendly team. You do not need to have a child in any of the sections. There are many roles to fill not just in the sections but also on the executive committee which oversees the governance of the group.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2020 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine (on page 29). The magazine is delivered FREE, nine times a year, to over 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford, Little Stoke and Harry Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
