We provide fun, challenge and adventure for young people in and around Stocksfield, Northumberland
We are delighted to announce that we plan to begin phase 1 of the work on our new hut shortly. We will be sharing photos as the work progresses.
This phase will begin with demolition of the old hut and clearance of the site. After that the new foundations will be constructed, ready to receive the new basic wooden hut, roof, windows and doors.
Phase 2 (when funds allow) will see us fit out the inside of the hut and the extra parts used for storing equipment, providing a separate kitchen, etc.
At Scouts tonight patrols built small signal beacons out of bamboo before moving on to a monster beacon that towered into the night. A great way to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday (though to be honest I doubt it was visible from Windsor)!
On Friday night two patrols from Stocksfield – the Tigers and the Nightmares – took part in the District Night Hike. They joined eleven other patrols who had to navigate around a fourteen point course in the countryside.
Not content with the challenge of keeping en route and answering the quiz questions at each stage, our Scouts added their own twist. One patrol created an impromptu self-rescue activity when one Scout got his boot stuck in the middle of a large patch of mud in the woods. Another managed to catch (and later release) a small shrew that was probably not expecting to see all these Scouts out after dark.
Photo by Jo Reeve
Stocksfield Scouts joined colleagues from across Hadrian District in the annual .177 air rifle shooting competition. Congratulations to our highest placed sharp-shooters: Joe won third place, Aidan was second and Zachary was first!
After the event Archie was confirmed as winning the prize for being closest to the bullseye.
Too often in life, rules are imposed on us. Tonight the troop created a code of conduct for us all to follow.
What would yours look like?
This is the winning design in tonight’s spaghetti bridge building competition. It took a load of almost 2 kg before it failed. Congratulations to the Beaver patrol!
Cubs spent the night learning about Chinese New Year
There was much hilarity learning which year they were born in and trying to eat noodles using chopsticks!
OK, so we were actually a week early (nothing like being prepared!) but that didn’t stop the Beavers, Leaders and parents from enjoying freshly made pancakes!
This year’s District Winter Camp at Kielder will be hard to forget. It was always going to be special, as it was the 25th year of the camp – resulting in a name change – Silver rather than the normal Brass Monkey – and a special badge.
The strong winds and heavy rain associated with storm Desmond that caused so much havoc elsewhere this weekend, also challenged our Scouts.
Luckily the position of our camp in the forest meant we were sheltered from the worst of the wind if not the rain. It was a strange feeling falling asleep in a tent being pelted by rain and pine cones!
The staff at Hawkhirst were great and did their best to keep everyone warm and dry. The evening activities moved to a barn so the Scouts were able to shed their waterproofs, play games and forget about the weather for a while!
Leaders may ask parents to provide additional information about their child in Scouting soon to help complete their record on Compass, the new membership system for The Scout Association. We should already have most of the information required by Compass gathered when your child joined, but we may take this opportunity to refresh or double check that these details are still correct.
Compass is a new database being provided nationally to all Scout Leaders as a place to keep all their young people’s information safe and secure, and allow them to link it up to Scout’s progress in badges, awards, programme planning as well as having the latest emergency contact or medical details in one place. We will also ask questions you may see on a National Census like faith, ethnic/cultural background or additional needs. Scouting is an inclusive organisation and as such it is important to understand the diversity of our membership to ensure the programme, activities and delivery of Scouting is appropriate and relevant for all young people, whatever their background or needs. Leaders cannot deliver the best Scouting experience in an inclusive way if we do not know who our members are and their needs.
More details about Compass can be found on the Scout Association website – if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask any Section Leader.
Background Photo by Bruce Berrien
