Sleepover celebrating 25 years of Beavers

Last Updated on Friday, 23 September 2011 17:01 Written by Administrator Friday, 23 September 2011 16:41

Sleepover celebrating 25 years of Beavers

In July, the Malak and Hawkeye Beaver colonies had a joint sleepover in the Scout hut to celebrate the 25th year of Beavers. We had a night hike, played lots of wide games, had a campfire, had some birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday to Us", played games, watched a movie... we even found time for a little sleep too... but not very much. Everyone earned a couple of badges and left with smiles on their faces! And forgot to mention had a great water fight with the Scouts although the odds were stacked in our favour.

Spring activities at Beavers

Last Updated on Friday, 16 September 2011 21:00 Written by Administrator Friday, 27 May 2011 00:00

Spring Activities at Beavers

The Beaver Colonies launched into second half of Spring Term with an evening focused upon the 25^th Anniversary of Beavers and the historical significance of Jamborees. This included playing a variety of games from various Scouting countries, one of note being the Snake Tail Game from Thailand, which proved to be a real success.

The following week's agenda comprised of the old Scouting favourite - a Camp Fire. The excitement commenced with the Beavers' forage through the woods for the all important logs. Birch produced a campfire that would put most Guy Fawkes celebrations to shame. The Beavers then positioned themselves around the campfire, eagerly awaiting the highlight of the evening, Birch's and Ash's classic renditions of Camp Fire Classics, whose car wouldn't get to heaven? (Where were the X Factor judges when you need them?)

Air Activities was then the order of the day. The meeting opened with the Beavers' darting around the hut whilst producing their finest ‘Spitfire' impersonations. Calming the proceedings down a little, the construction of parachutes, rockets and the launching of the ‘Stomp Rockets' followed. The Beavers developing an appreciation of aeronautic construction.

Coming back down to earth to complete the Beavers' Promise Challenge seven days later; Willow produced an ingenious format for the Passover Story. This involved the respective Lodges producing pictures to illustrate the various stages of the story with the grand finale being the delivery of the Passover Story to the parents. A tremendous effort by all.

The following weeks focus was Mothering Sunday. Under the careful guidance of Rowan, colourful works of art were produced; flowers, peg dolls and the all-important Mothers' Day Card. The evening culminated with the presentation, by the District Commissioner, of the Bronze Award, the highest accolade for a Beaver. Well done to all of Beavers who achieved this.

Post going to press, the Spring Term is due to culminate with an evening of Geocaching; working towards the Beavers' Outdoor Challenge.

Finally, we bid farewell to a number of Beavers as they continue their Scouting journey onto Cubs, it has been a pleasure and good luck.

Spring for Beavers

Last Updated on Monday, 23 May 2011 14:28 Written by Administrator Monday, 23 May 2011 14:17

Spring for Beavers

The Beavers’ commenced the Spring program of events with a games evening.  Having already bid farewell to a number of Beavers as they continued their Scouting journey onto Cubs, the colonies welcomed bright new faces into their respective lodges.  After a relaxed introduction that involved the Beavers’ sharing their Christmas festivity adventures, an evening of fun and games ensued.

Healthy Eating was next on the agenda, culinary dishes such as fruit salad and salad filled pitta bread being on the menu. Needless to say, the Beavers’ thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of preparing their healthy banquets and even more so eating their works of art.

The following week the focus of the evening’s events was the Faith Activity and Promise Challenge.  Rowan led the proceedings with the Beavers’ re-enacting the ‘Good Samaritan’, giving them the opportunity to comment upon the various aspects of the events and to make their good turn promises.  Who needs the BAFTA’s!

Read more: Spring for Beavers

Beavers at Paultons and other activities

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 March 2011 16:54 Written by Administrator Friday, 03 December 2010 00:00

Beavers at Paultons Park Jamboree and other activities

Both the Malak and Hawkeye launched into the second half of the Autumn Term with a visit from the PCSO Helen Carthew. The evening covered many interesting and informative aspects of road safety, home security and dealing with strangers, to name but a few. Toward the end of the evening each lodge was given the opportunity to re-enact pivotal moments from the PCSO’s agenda. A fun evening was had by all, many thanks to the PSCO.

The venue of the following week’s meeting was the Swanwick Nature Reserve. A number of the staff generously offered to take the Beavers on a Bat and a Bug Hunting Adventure! The colonies were shown a device for listening to bats and then were given the opportunity to ‘hunt for bugs’. Worms, woodlice, spiders, all of the old favourites were on display. The meeting concluded with a game of ‘Bat and Bug’; the blindfolded ‘bat’ attempting to locate the clapping ‘bug’.  Thank you to all at the Swanwick Nature Reserve for making this visit possible.

As the term progressed the Beavers once again participated in the annual Beavers Paultons Park Jamboree. Thankfully the weather was somewhat kinder this year – it remained dry!  All of the Beavers found numerous rides to suite their tastes, ranging from the Dragon to the Edge. Birch even had the opportunity to display his Top Gear driving skill on the go-karts, pipping Ash at the post by a whisker (where was the video replay?)! The afternoon would not have been complete without the obligatory visit to Santa’s Grotto; Father Christmas and his team of elves did not disappoint, there were even mince pies on hand for the Leaders!

November also included an evening entitled ‘Clean Water’. Margaret Pickthorne very generously offered her time to provide the Beavers with an insight into the importance of clean drinking water throughout the world, comparing the UK with that of Uganda; this was achieved by fun, games and a film. The night finished with Margaret receiving the legendary ‘3 cheers’ from the colonies in appreciation for all of her efforts.

With the winter drawing in, November’s penultimate offering entailed Camp Fire Cookies.  The evening began with the Beavers hunting for kindling in vicinity of the Scout Hut.  What followed was a lesson in fire building which provided great excitement as the Beavers were keen to view (at close quarters) the flammable qualities of their kindling.  Once the flames had subsided Birch’s legendary Camp Fire Cookie recipe was carefully entwined onto each of the Beavers cooking canes. Great patience was then required as the dough gently transformed into a golden brown treat; all agreed that the wait was well worth it as the smell of honey and hot cookies, as well as the sound of satisfied stomachs filled the air!

Without wanting to miss out on the snow the Beavers then had a Night Hike. Despite the wintry conditions, both colonies met at the Hampshire Bowman, all suitably attired in a multitude of hats and hi-viz vests for the evening’s expedition. The brave pioneers trudged off into the snow-laden moonlit landscape, their destination Scout HQ and a welcome mug of hot chocolate. An outstanding effort by all of the Beavers; the event provided an unrivalled Night Hike experience which contributed towards their ‘Outdoor Challenge’ badge.