Scout News
Ready Steady Cook
This week on Thursday we were joined by two special guests - “Paul Hollywood” and “Marky Berry”.
The Scouts were set an hour to either bake or cook something.
We had some tasty dishes including focaccia, brownies, flapjack, Thai green curry, spaghetti bolognaise and much much more.
Well some to you all for your amazing efforts
Thursday 14 - "Escape the Zoom"
The main focus of tonight's meeting was to "Escape the Zoom" - this was a virtual escape room with a number of challenges for which the Scouts earned keys to "Escape the Zoom"
We headed into our breakout rooms and completed challenges including solving grid reference and answering a number of tricky riddles.
After we all successfully "escaped the Zoom" we regrouped together and held a patrol forum in which we provided feedback on our favourite activities on zoom, what we would like to do in the future on zoom and what we really want to do when Scouts returns!
Survival Skills!
Survival skills are essential for any Scout, knowing how to create fires, build shelters, and use tools such as axes and saws correctly are all important. Over the past three weeks our Scouts have been creating Rocket Stoves, otherwise known as Tin Can Stoves. Using a regular tin can, we used knives, and metal saws to create stoves which can be cooked on.
The Scouts created a series of holes in the cans to feed oxygen into the fire, alongside a larger hole allowing fuel (wood found on the ground) to be added. Using kindling from around the Scout hut alongside vaseline we managed to get nearly every single rocket stove lit. Once lit, cans are turned upside down keeping all the energy inside the can. These stoves get very hot as our flame heats up the metal can allowing the Scout to cook directly onto the recycled can!
Swimming Badge
On the evening of Saturday 1 February 30 Cubs, Scouts and Explorers attended Stretford Leisure Centre to work towards completing our swimming badges.
Through the evening we swam, treaded water, dived for bricks of the bottom of the pool and swam many many lengths.
It was a successful evening and all of the 30 young people earned a swimmers badge between stages 1 and 4.
Navigation - Map Reading
Recently our group has been studying OS maps and compass' more than ever - since mid-January Scouts have been practicing their map reading skills in a controlled indoor environment. Every Scout can now take a bearing, identify key landmarks on an OS map, and also share knowledge of hazards which walkers may face while out and about. The next step will be for the Scouts to take charge and take on an adventure!
In the coming weeks we will be planning a night hike - although leaders will be supporting out Scouts, our goal is for the young people to navigate around the circuit all by themselves. Now our Scouts have learnt how to navigate safely, but do you know the answer to the following?
Where is north on an OS map?
A) Always pointing to the top of the map
B) Any direction - it depends on the compass
C) The bottom left hand corner
Widegames
Over the last three weeks the programme has been in to thirds. With a third of the troop heading over to turn moss each week to do widegames.
These have included, capture the flag, manhunt and a number of games including glow sticks!
Invariably many of the Scouts have come back quite muddy after hiding in bushes and running through the fields but great fun was had by all!
Personal Challenge Badge
Over the past few weeks, Scouts have been working on their personal challenge badge.
They have been tasked with completing two or more challenges aimed at developing personal skills both at home and at scouts. The badge work is completely tailored to each individual scout, and is a great way for them to overcome something they have found difficult in the past. Each challenge will be checked up on with every meeting, and is a sure way for the scouts to find independence, grow confidence, and gain ownership of their own award.
Examples of the Personal Challenge our scouts have come up with are:
Earn more than 2 badges in a week
Turn up in full uniform every week.
Clean their room once a week.
Complete homework as soon as it is set.
Help their parents cook a meal a few times a week.
Christmas Party - Laser Quest and Pizza Hut
It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Longford Scouts’ Christmas party now, would it?
The Scouts ran around laser quest zapping each other and burned off all their energy at the Laser Quest in the Trafford Centre. We all battled it out in the arena and went head-to-head on the endless climbing wall before descending on Pizza Hut to refuel and compare scores. It was a great way to end a jam-packed year at the group!
Navigation - Orienteering
Over the past month our Scouts have been out and about in Longford park, compass in hand and waterproofs all over. Although it may have been wet and soggy, all our Scouts successfully navigated around our orienteering course! But how you ask? Scouts were each given compasses and a series of bearings (not the metal ones though!). Once split into groups Scouts had to locate each hidden letter in the park by taking a directional bearing to guide them in the right direction; then counting steps to understand how far they've walked. These are valuable skills to have while walking as it allows Scouts to locate their position in the dark, mist, and heavy rain.
This activity is all in aid of the group working towards their navigator badges. In addition to the orienteering course we've had Scouts learning to read OS maps, understand grid references, and how the weather might affect your hike. Well done to all everyone who has taken part!
Teamwork
We've been taking part in some team building challenges that have tested our brain power
We've also talked about how we do out best in teams outside of Scouting.
All this has helped us work towards our teamwork challenge.
More...
Ice Skating 21/11/2019
This Thursday the Scouts visited Planet Ice in Blackburn to Ice Skate.
The kids had a blast and after a few slips and stumbles found their feet and were whizzing round in no time!
Even the leaders had a go and were zooming around with the Scouts.
Everyone was suitably worn out afterwards!
Pizzeria
Bike Maintenance
Climbing at The Depot: Manchester
