Section Reports

I joined the Beaver Leadership team 20 months ago when I moved to Prague and have recently taken over the role of Beaver Scout Leader.

This year kicked off at a new location, Park Lane International School. The venue allows us lots of space and we have been able to really develop our activity programme. The Beavers have learned skills such as rope knots, sewing, first aid, cooking and much more: during a science session, they looked at onion cells through a microscope and were impressed by the beauty of the science. On another occasion we invited a saxophonist to come and play music to them so that they could experience the live sound of the instrument.

Beavers in Central Prague, 19th September 2020

We introduced new outside activities including laser games, bouldering, hiking and enamel painting and a Group trip to iQLandia in Liberec. The Beavers made cups for their next camp in the enamel painting session and are looking forward to being allowed to camp once again! I would like to pass on my appreciation to Baloo (Chris) and the Cub Leadership Team for arranging the exciting outside activities which we were able to join. P a g e | 8

We are pleased to announce that this year, the Beaver Bronze Award, the highest award a Beaver can earn, has been awarded to Ohsei, Elijah, Noel, Oliver and Victor. The greatest achievement of the year was our first Beaver camp in October 2019. Sleepy (Jenny) planned and led the camp. For some of the Beavers, it was their first time away from home. I am pleased to report that they all enjoyed the programme we put together and went home with big smiles on their faces. They used their knotting skills to build a den and cooked tasty burgers over the campfire. Everyone enjoyed the sing along in the evening, a JOTI (Jamboree on the internet) event, when our Beavers met other Scouts from different parts of the world. Sleepy, Spike (Charles), Rainbow (Marta) and Manuel used their Scouting experience to provide a memorable session and healthy homemade food for everyone.

Beaver JOTI Camp October 2019 Sleepy has been in our Group for many years and her enthusiasm and leadership in the Beaver Leader role has been pivotal during that time. Her knowledge, experience and creativity has inspired our Beavers in many ways. Sleepy stepped down from the role in January due to personal reasons, but happily she will continue to contribute to our Group in a different way in the future. I would like to thank her for her significant contribution. Thanks to the pandemic, we switched to online meetings in March 2020. No matter what is happening in the world, we will not stop Scouting! Since then we have had more than 10 online Beaver meetings. We continue to encourage our Beavers to learn new skills and earn as many badges as possible from home. They have practised a new song for their next camp. Many of them have also completed their Personal Challenges. The online sessions are enriched by Spike’s story time and Bagheera’s (Mauro) knowledge of photography and

physics, amongst other subjects. Mang (Simon) has been key in getting the online sessions set up and his voice characterisation in the storytelling sessions is always enthralling. As our Group has grown, many talented and experienced Leaders have joined us. Our Beaver Group has become more international than ever. What I have enjoyed most is watching our Beavers grow and develop through the year. This is most gratifying for me both as leader and personally, and I feel proud to be working together with our Beavers and Leaders in making this happen. I would like to express my appreciation to all the parents who have supported our Group in getting their children ready, taking them to meetings and preparing for online sessions. I appreciate their warm support. Over the next year, I look forward to continuing to grow the Group both in the activities it undertakes and advancing the skills and talents of the individual members.

Finally, I would like to express my many thanks to the current Leadership Team: Spike, Rainbow, Sparkle (Arina), Bagheera and Adrian; I enjoy working with you all and have learned a lot from you in my role as Leader.

Chisato Hashizume (Bambi) Beaver Scout Leader beavers@praguescouts.cz

Beavers first aid session 26th September 2019

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As we stagger metaphorically out of the dark cave of COVID 19 isolation measures and blink at the warm light on the horizon which is the potential for scout activities to resume, it is time to take stock and review the year of progress and activity for the Cub section. In the AGM report last year, the Cub leadership team set out 4 goals:

 To make a successful move from Riverside School in Sedlec to Park Lane School in Malá Strana  To run independently as a section for the first time, under Baloo’s leadership  To work together as a Cub team to better plan and execute a higher quality and age-focused Cub program  To provide a more comprehensive weekend program for the Cubs.

It’s clear that we’ve achieved these goals. We’ve expanded the section to 30 Cubs; we now have 8 Cub leaders; the leadership team meets regularly and ahead of time to plan the delivery of the Cub syllabus; we have successfully delivered a diverse range of exciting weekend adventures for the pack. Moreover, many of the Cub leaders are close to completing their mandatory Scout leadership training, an impressive achievement that has required much dedication, and we will receive our wood beads to signify this. Each member of the Cub leadership team brings different strengths. Winifred (Rebecca) is a 3-year veteran of our section, she is ever-present, and her enthusiasm has pushed the group to deliver diverse and ambitious experiences for the Cubs. Wontolla (Alain) has been a great asset to the section this year, pushing traditional Scout etiquette and bringing to the group his vast experience from the Mexican Scouts. King Louie’s (Simon) teaching background, understanding of how children think and focus on raising the standards of behaviour has been fantastic. Akela (Joana) brings enthusiasm and great organisational skill in structuring the running of the leadership team, and she drives for quality of program delivery. Raksha (Kamila) and Daniela have both independently contributed original, well-executed programs, and we are pleased to have recently welcomed Klara/Milla to the team.

Highlights of the Cub leadership team included: the pancake evening that Raksha organized; the Piratethemed January indoor camp with Baloo, Winifred, King Louie and Akela in Beroun; the road trip with Wontolla, Baloo and 6 Cubs to Belgium for SSW, the Bonfire group event in November, and the archery weekend event.

While we can’t meet physically today as normal, this AGM report is the opportunity to award 4 Chief Scouts Silver awards - the highest award for Cubs - to our newly graduated Scouts: Noa, Stephen, Mickey and Samuel. This gives the Cub leadership team an enormous sense of pride and achievement. These 4 are part of the 11 departing senior Cubs who will graduate as Scouts in September. We wish them success in their continuing development personally and as Scouts in an exciting new environment. They will be sorely missed.

Cubs Pirate Camp - January 2020

In spite of everything we’ve achieved, we must focus on what we would like to improve this coming year. Following the isolation measures, we would like (when allowed) to get back quickly to business as usual. We have a good quality and variety of programme, but we strive to keep on delivering a better learning experience for the Cubs. The leadership team is meeting in June 2020 to set out the program and weekend events well in advance for September, so you know, as parents, what the program will be and when to block out your calendars. The standard of behaviour has been raised this year, with a clearly defined hierarchy of the 5 ‘Six’ groupings, and the use of points. We would like to further focus and develop these areas to make it clear and transparent to the Cubs what we expect from them; that good behaviour and effort is rewarded. The 5 departing senior Sixers/ Seconders mean we will be looking to restructure and promote new junior leaders in September. We will look to them to work together, to show leadership and to set a good example for their younger peers over the next year.

The growth of the group this year has meant meeting and bonding with more parents, with a few of them actively involving themselves in the group. This has been a wonderful addition to the regular running of the section, and I feel as though I’ve made some new and like-minded friends. It was lovely to see so many of you at the bonfire evening in November, and I would encourage you all to participate in these sorts of events as they come up.

Baloo, (Chris Wait) Cub Scout Leader, on behalf of the Cub Leadership team cubs@praguescouts.cz

Cub Scouts Dancing Lessons 21st November 2019

Cubs doing their Local Knowledge Badge 12th September 2019

The Scout troop finished June 2019 with the annual AGM, during which all Scouts presented their activities from September 2018. At the end of the event, 3 of our oldest members were awarded their Chief Scout’ s Gold Award.

The troop returned in September with new members and new leaders ready to start new challenges. New patrol leaders and assistant patrol leaders were appointed as old scouts joined the new section of Explorers. We had our first weekend in Desná, where the Scouts learned how to pitch a patrol tent and food shelter. Over the weekend, they learned how to work as a patrol with the kit given to them to prepare their food and keep their equipment clean. Though the sun shone throughout the weekend, the weather got a bit cold due to the altitude, but both scouts and new leaders enjoyed the hike and activities.

Scouts cooking at our Desná Camp in September 2019

In October, the Scouts resumed indoor sessions as the weather got colder, and prepared a 2-course meal over two sessions in celebration of World Food Day. The PL and APL learned a bit about leadership while the rest of the troop worked on communication between each other, respect and how to work together. This leadership session was topped by a fantastic spaghetti tower challenge, to show what a team can accomplish if they work together. The troop had another bonding moment when they joined with the Cubs and Explorers on a camp during JOTI weekend. They went on an incident hike, tested their navigation skills, and worked with the other sections on an obstacle course. We had newer (and some less new) leaders joining in for the weekend to spend some good time around the campfire.

November was focused on crafts, the troop learned how to make woggles or key chains using paracord, which they took home as souvenirs. They had the chance to test their skills during the November camp, which took place in Bělá pod Bezdězem, where they slept indoors due to the cold weather. Over the weekend the Scouts perfected their navigation skills and learned how to handle safely axes and saws, and to light a fire. Before closing, the troop worked on their pioneering skills by creating a tripod-type wooden structure. As the end of the year came in, more sensitive topics were brought up, and one policewoman came to our session to talk about her work in the community. The term finished with an open forum to talk about past activities, and how to improve them in the future.

Scouts Camp, Bělá pod Bezdězem

The troop returned in January fresh from their holidays. They worked on the history of the scout movement which was followed by presentations. This allowed all the Scouts to learn more about the evolution of the movement, and for the leaders to get one training module ticked off. Once again, the Scouts joined with the other sections on a group hike, where they used gas and Trangia cookers to prepare a hot meal in the cold weather. Through February, the Scouts (and leaders) enjoyed a great session at the smalterie (enamel) workshop, where they could let their imagination run free and decorate their enamel mugs, followed by a special session run by our leaders focused on how to exchange and trade, with different resources. The troop had a great trip to the science museum in Liberec, to learn about biology, science and to experiment with new technologies.

One of the Scout Online Sessions

From March, the troop have had to meet online. Though all international camps have been cancelled, WINGS has been postponed to 2021, and Intercamp 2021 will take place in the UK as it was planned for this year. The troop has been able to stay in touch online and we have encouraged them to keep a positive attitude during the current situation. Hopefully the troop will be able to meet soon, and once enjoy again outdoor activities.

Manon Frot – Scout Leader

scouts@praguescouts.cz

Scouts Pancake Day 2020

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The Bohemians

Can it be only a year since the Explorer Unit was formally opened by the British Ambassador, His Excellency Nicholas Archer, at the AGM last year on that warm, June evening in the Skautský Institut.

Francesco and Emmie, 1st Prague’s longest-serving Scouts, joined all the other eligible Scouts in moving up to the new Explorer Unit and were quickly joined by three new recruits, making a total of nine. Based at our fantastic new home in Riverside School’s Arts Centre, the team quickly gelled into a tight-knit, supportive group that has seen them weather the uncertainties that were to follow in the spring.

Our objective at the start was to engage in many more adventurous activities and challenges that would test and build their confidence, their teamwork and initiative, to prepare (those that wanted to) for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and in general to equip them with #skillsforlife.

First up was a canyoning and rafting trip to the Salza river just south of Salzburg, Austria. On a dark, torrential Friday night late in September, the Explorers set up camp. The next morning dawned clear but damp, and the Explorers were kitted out in their thick, cumbersome neoprene wet suits and safety

equipment before heading to Almbach for our canyoning adventure. Exhilarating, and rising to the challenge, we slid, jumped, swam and abseiled down the creeper-festooned, wild gorge in crystal clear Alpine water. The following day saw the Explorers building their own raft from wooden poles, rope and some recycled barrels. With everyone on board, we tentatively pushed off into the steady flow of the Salza. Further downstream, we beached our raft and proceeded on foot up a tributary where we could jump into the smaller river which was flowing quite quickly after the previous evening’s rain. We floated down river and learned how to ford a fast-flowing river as a group. Where an individual would be quickly swept away, working as a team with the largest in front, supported by the rest in a pyramid behind, we doggedly, and surprisingly easily, crossed to the other side. Proceeding down river, we had to negotiate some rapids on our raft and had now gained some confidence. The final challenge was to negotiate a notorious standing wave that would challenge our vessel and our teamwork in equal measure. Both stood up to the test, although we lost one barrel, but no team members (just)! Allin-all, it was an amazing trip and one we will have to work hard next year to beat.

After much debate, the Explorer Unit adopted their new name (as is traditional amongst Explorer Units) and became “The Bohemians”. On the one hand, a native of Bohemia; but also a person, or group, that is unconventional, interested in the unusual; a free-spirit, artistic, original, experimental or even unorthodox. Time will tell, but there is much in the name to live up to!

Next up was the first ever 1st Prague Group Scout Camp in Sedlčany in mid-October. The Bohemians joined the Scouts and Cubs for JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet) where scouts from around the world get in touch with other scouts). We were even joined virtually by the Beavers who were at their own camp in Prague, and who visited us online. Over 50 scouts and their leaders had an amazing camp, including a challenging incident hike in lovely countryside and a huge obstacle course competing in teams. On the incident hike, the Explorers practiced their pioneering skills and built a rope bridge over a stream which the whole Group subsequently crossed as they passed around the course. Their navigation skills were well-tested and they demonstrated their knowledge of first aid in dealing with a planned incident involving a casualty who had fallen into a flooded quarry and was suffering from hypothermia.

January saw a Group winter hike followed by a ski trip in February to Janské Lázně run by our very own Network Scout, Edward Entwistle. Staying in the faded glory of a communist-era hotel, repurposed as a self-catered hostel, we had two fabulous “blue bird” skiing days – the best skiing I personally have had in the Czech Republic.

We were looking forward to the spring and early summer. We had planned camps and hikes aplenty, including Intercamp (for the fourth consecutive year) and WINGS (in August) in the UK, culminating in the Explorers doing their Bronze DofE Adventurous Journey (Expedition, in old parlance) when the coronavirus took over our lives. As the restrictions started to be discussed, we took the early decision to suspend face-to-face scouting activities to protect our young people and their leaders. Due to our early decision to stop, we were amongst the first to start online scouting. After just one week without a meeting we continued online; playing games, quizzes, an escape room, a virtual visit to the Army Flying Museum in the UK, some early DofE preparations, and even a virtual dinner party when the Explorers cooked dinner for their families. Throughout the lock-down, the Bohemians remained positive and enthusiastic. We had good attendance at the meetings despite occasional bandwidth issues and most having

Explorers Ski Trip February 2020

As things have improved in the Czech Republic in recent weeks and the restrictions are slowly being lifted, we look forward to starting face-to-face scouting as soon as possible. Scouting will look different for the foreseeable future; social distancing is the new “norm”, and we will be looking at new ways to deliver a rewarding programme while keeping everyone engaged and safe. We are planning the DofE Bronze Expedition with safeguards to ensure we comply with the rules and regulations (such as one person per tent).

We are looking forward to September when four more Scouts will move up to join the Explorers. Hopefully we will also get some more new recruits – if you know of anyone who would like to join, a child of a friend or colleague, please point them in our direction! A big thank you from me to our leaders, Charlotte, Andra, Edward and Jim, without whom all this would not have been possible, and of course to Simon and the other Section Leaders for their support. 2020/21 beckons like a new dawn and we are looking forward to providing many more exciting sessions and weekend activities filled with fun and adventure.

Lastly, many thanks to The Bohemians – you have, one and all, lived up to your name!

Alastair Hammond (Colonel Hathi) Explorer Scout Leader, Assistant Group Scout Leader and D of E Manager explorers@praguescouts.cz

One of our Cub Scouts joining Earth Hour online on 28th March 2020