Scout News - 1st Stretford (Longford) Scout Group

Scout News

Sunday, 19 January 2025 18:37

Fires, Teamwork, and Toasted Marshmallows

Our Scouts kicked off the new term with an exciting fire lighting session that put their teamwork and resilience to the test. Working in small groups, they set about gathering natural kindling and sharing tasks to create their very own campfires. It was amazing to see their determination and cooperation as they tackled the challenge together. As sparks turned into flames, the Scouts celebrated their success with big smiles, knowing they had achieved something special as a team. The session didn’t just teach practical skills; it also highlighted the importance of patience, communication, and supporting one another.

Once the fires were roaring, the real treat began—roasting marshmallows! Carefully toasting them over the open flames, the Scouts shared laughter and enjoyed the reward of their hard work. The snowy weather during the first week back added an extra challenge, but our Scouts proved their mettle, lighting their fires despite the cold and damp conditions. Their perseverance shone through, demonstrating that no weather can dampen the spirit of adventure. From teamwork to toasted marshmallows, this session was the perfect way to start the term and set the tone for the exciting weeks ahead.

Sunday, 22 December 2024 20:27

Laser Quest, Climbing Challenges, and Pizza!

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Longford Scouts’ Christmas party, and this year’s celebration was no exception!

The Scouts kicked off the festivities with an action-packed session at Laser Quest in the Trafford Centre, where they ran, dodged, and zapped each other in a thrilling battle through the arena. After working up a serious appetite, they tackled the endless climbing wall before heading to Pizza Hut to refuel and compare their Laser Quest scores.

The evening was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of pizza, with ice cream to top off the night. It was the perfect way to wrap up another busy year for the group, and everyone left with full stomachs and smiles, already looking forward to next year’s Christmas party!

The Scouts recently took part in an eye-opening activity to understand the journey of a banana from plantation to supermarket. In a Fairtrade simulation, Scouts were assigned roles such as banana workers, plantation owners, shippers, and retailers to explore how the price of a banana—set at 30p—is divided along the supply chain.

Through negotiations, Scouts discovered that the majority of the banana’s cost goes to supermarkets and importers, with workers and farmers receiving the smallest share. This highlighted the unfair distribution of profits and sparked discussions about the role of Fairtrade, which ensures workers earn a living wage.

The Scouts reflected on whether they would be willing to pay more for Fairtrade bananas to support fair wages and improve conditions for workers. The activity helped them understand the global impact of their purchasing decisions and the importance of ethical trade practices.

Sunday, 22 December 2024 20:22

Widegames

Under a starry sky, the Scouts set off on a thrilling adventure at Turn Moss, turning the area into a playground for exciting nighttime wide games. As dusk fell, they prepared for a series of challenges that tested their agility, teamwork, and ability to stay hidden. With the moon casting a soft light over the field, the Scouts plunged into games like Capture the Flag, using stealth and strategy to navigate the terrain. Split into teams, they worked together to outwit their opponents, relying on clever communication and quick thinking to secure the win. The air was filled with laughter and the occasional rustling of leaves as the Scouts embraced the excitement, strengthening their bonds and honing their strategic skills in the process.

On a crisp evening, the Scouts of Longford Scout Group swapped the comfort of their HQ for the excitement of the great outdoors. Armed with torches and a sense of adventure, they embarked on a thrilling night hike around Turn Moss, along the canal, and through Sale Water Park.

The group braved the darkness, navigating winding paths and taking in the serene beauty of the moonlit surroundings. The hike offered more than just fresh air—it was an opportunity to test their navigational skills, work as a team, and enjoy a break from screens and everyday routines.

This week at Scouts, Halloween spirit took over as scouts strutted down a “spooky catwalk” to kick off an evening filled with eerie excitement. Costumes ranged from spine-chilling ghouls to classic witches and creepy creatures, with each scout showing off their most hair-raising outfits. Once the catwalk frights were done, it was time to get creative (and messy) decorating some terrifying treats – biscuits slathered in gooey icing, topped with laces and sweets, for that extra spookiness. Scouts also tried their hands at the “Mummy Wrap” challenge, expertly winding toilet paper around each other with hilarious results. Let’s just say these mummies were more funny than scary!

The scares didn’t stop there; it was time to munch on some delicious hanging doughnuts – no hands allowed! After battling for a bite, the party culminated in an intense round of Zombies vs Humans. In the darkened room, “humans” tried to escape capture from “zombies” creeping around in the shadows. Screams, laughter, and thrilling chases filled the air until the last human was finally “caught.” It was a scream-worthy success, leaving everyone eagerly awaiting next year’s spooky celebration. After all, Halloween parties like this one really know how to “raise the spirits”!

The Scouts embarked on an exciting adventure at Rock Up Clip and Climb, where they faced over 70 thrilling climbing challenges, including several interactive climbs designed to test both their agility and quick thinking. The climbing centre, known for its inclusive and supportive environment, provided the perfect setting for the Scouts to build a range of physical and mental skills.

The Scouts started with some of the easier walls before pushing themselves to tackle tougher climbs. The interactive challenges added an extra layer of excitement, with some climbs requiring the Scouts to hit flashing lights or navigate timed obstacles as they ascended. These challenges not only tested their climbing abilities but also sharpened their focus and problem-solving skills.

As the session progressed, the competition heated up, with everyone eager to see who could climb the highest or complete the interactive challenges the quickest. Whether scaling straightforward walls or tackling more complex routes, every Scout showed impressive determination, teamwork, and resilience.

The inclusive atmosphere at Rock Up made sure that each Scout was supported as they tried new techniques and overcame obstacles, both physical and mental. By the end of the day, the Scouts had successfully conquered new challenges, developed their confidence, and celebrated a fantastic day of climbing fun and personal achievement.

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 23:15

Local Knowledge

This week, the Scouts took on the challenge of earning their Local Knowledge Badge by getting to know the area around their Scout Headquarters. To fulfil the badge requirements, the Scouts explored their local surroundings, mapping out key locations within a radius of 2 kilometres in their suburban area.

They eagerly set out to locate a variety of important places, from doctors' surgeries, dentists, and fire stations to shopping centres, bus stops, and local parks. The Scouts even discovered nearby theatres, places of worship, and leisure complexes, learning more about their community along the way. Using a detailed street map, they carefully identified six key locations from their exploration and plotted the quickest routes to each.

In addition, they practised using their map-reading skills to work out the fastest route from their Scout HQ to one of these places, applying what they'd learned about local transport routes and important landmarks. By the end of the activity, the Scouts had a much better understanding of their local area, and they proudly earned their Local Knowledge Badge, gaining both valuable skills and a deeper connection to their community.

The Scouts took on a delicious new challenge: making and cooking their own apple strudel! The adventure began with a trip into the park, where the Scouts eagerly gathered fresh apples, carefully selecting the best ones for their recipe. Once back at HQ, they got stuck into peeling, slicing, and preparing the apples, learning valuable kitchen skills along the way.

With the filling ready, the Scouts rolled out the pastry and assembled their strudels, paying close attention to the instructions from their leaders. The kitchen was soon filled with the wonderful aroma of baking apples and cinnamon. Once the strudels were golden and ready, everyone enjoyed the fruits of their labour, quite literally! It was a fun and hands-on session, giving the Scouts a chance to learn about food preparation, teamwork, and the reward of creating something from scratch.

Thursday, 10 October 2024 17:01

Air Rifle Shooting

The Scouts recently participated in an exciting target shooting session at the Ranche. Each young person received detailed instruction on how to properly handle, aim, and fire an air rifle, all under the watchful and experienced supervision of our dedicated leaders. It was fantastic to see all the Scouts successfully hit their targets, with some displaying particularly impressive accuracy. While a few shots were more precise than others, every Scout demonstrated great skill and focus. We were especially impressed by their careful attention to safety and their developing sharpshooting abilities, as many managed to hit the targets with pinpoint precision. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

 Longford Scouts is an active Scout Group based at the Ranche in Longford Park, Stretford in Manchester. We accept boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 18. We are a registered charity.