Scouting Adventures

Scouting adventures continue

Whilst Covid 19 has stopped many of their activities, Bromsgrove Scouts are determined to keep on Scouting through this difficult period. Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have all had to suspend regular group meetings, cancel camps, and put outdoor adventures on hold, and like the rest of us, are largely confined to their homes but that hasn’t stopped them Scouting. And many have come up with innovative ways to get their regular Scouting experiences whilst still social distancing.

Groups have swapped their Scout huts for virtual meeting rooms so they can keep in touch each week. The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts aren’t seeing much of their friends at the moment so they are really enjoying being able to chat to them on screen. It does present a challenge though to leaders for how they can adapt their regular Scouting programme to the virtual world. Group Scout Leader at 7th Bromsgrove in Finstall Mark Graham explains what his group are doing “We call our virtual meetings ‘WoggleBox’ and we’ve had to be a bit imaginative with what we do – Last week we got the Scouts to climb the height of Snowdon up and down the stairs, and on Good Friday we had a Facebook Live hot cross bun party.”

Some of the leaders are also key workers so three Beaver colonies (six and seven year olds) have amalgamated in the current situation so they can carry on offering Scouting activities to as many as possible. District Commissioner Viv Ware is at its heart: “In only the second week we did a virtual cooking session, where the Beavers could cook anything they wanted. We had lots of different items cooked, including cookies, brownies, banana cake, flapjacks, and one even baked a pizza in an oven in the garden. The only down side was we didn’t get to taste any, but then we didn’t have to wash up either!”

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have plenty of spare time at the moment so many have taken the opportunity to complete badges at home. Whether it’s photography, art, craft or even DIY Scouts are making the most of their time. Hereford and Worcester County leaders have set up a special challenge badge for all Scout Sections to do – They call it ‘Shirejammin’. Scouts from across the County are now busily trying to do all the things they need to do to complete the challenge including

taking part in virtual meetings, making a den or camping in the garden, completing a badge at home, taking regular exercise, speaking to Scouts in other countries, and helping parents with jobs around the house.

The Patron Saint of Scouting is St George and every year around the 23rd April, Scouts hold a parade and church service, and this year they have done it a little differently. Over 180 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and leaders joined together for a virtual St George’s Day celebration on Facebook Live. The 23rd itself was a Thursday so across the District Scouts were out on their doorsteps at 8pm in their uniforms making as much noise as possible for the

NHS and other keyworkers.

A key part of Scouting is to help the communities in which we live and Scouts have been showing their support for the NHS by drawing and painting rainbows, displaying them in windows and on doors, on walls, paths, and even stones. They have also been sending letters, hearts and virtual hugs to loved ones, neighbours and local care homes, and they helped raise over £250k for the BBC’s Big Night In by ‘Hiking to the Moon’ where each Scout made a donation for walking a mile at home.

Looking forward, it is likely that the lock down will last a few more weeks yet so local leaders have lots more virtual events planned including campfires, sleep outs and a Beaver bear hunt which will keep Scouts scouting until they can meet up for real again.

If you would like to help out with your local Scout group please contact District Commissioner Viv Ware at dc.bromsgrove@scoutshw.org.uk. The Scouting organisation will be in need of new leaders from September to ensure it emerges from the Coronavirus crisis as strong as before.