Welcome
A
s summer approaches, Get Active! heads outdoors with plenty of ideas to help your section enjoy the open air. Combining these activities with regular HQ-based meetings to work on longer-term projects and learn new skills is all part of providing a Balanced Programme for Scouts, and this is exactly what we aim to help you do.
Make fitness fun by visiting a trim trail or outdoor gym – find out how on page 11. Regular sessions are excellent training for hikes and expeditions, while Tim Milnes’ varied exercise routines on page 14 can help your Scouts achieve the Fitness Challenge. If you’re planning a hike, check out the speed charts on page 19. Route planning is a valuable skill, and these simple tools make it much easier. Similarly, taking bearings will soon become second nature for Scouts with Graham Williams’ excellent micro navigation activity on page 23. We look at one of Scouting’s most famous annual sporting events – the National Scout Car Races. Check out the action from the 2013 event at scoutcars.org.uk and read our feature on this exhilarating sport on page 27 – it might just inspire you to build your own pedal car for next year’s races. This issue also includes a range of quick creative projects, such as making your own circus skills kit, building your own movie landscape, creating an LED night light and making an eco-friendly desk tidy. Our partners have also provided other imaginative ideas and useful resources, while our Planning ahead feature on page 8 lets you know what’s coming up in the next two months.
Have a great summer!
27 Matthew Jones, Editor
matthew.jones@scouts.org.uk
scouts.org.uk/magazine
Create 5 7 8 10
Big-top tricks Make juggling balls and poi to perfect your circus skills Build a 3D story world Scouts can let their imaginations run riot with this fun activity from 20th Century Fox Plan for July/August 2013 Fill your summer calendar with our essential events Light up the night Master basic electronics to create this nifty night light
Games 11 Good sport 13 17 17
Search out trim trails and try these fitness programmes to keep your Scouts active this season Harness the summer rays Alfresco cooking is a cinch with this clever solar oven Learn a fun ball game Energy levels will run high thanks to Pom-Bear Build a bug house Your section can protect wildlife with this simple project
Skills 19 Get up to speed This handy chart is a great aid to route planning 22 Spread the word Find out more about B&Q Streetclub 23 Getting from A–Z Get your bearings with micro navigation 24 Rapid recipe Mix up and munch these energising trail bars 26 Build a catapult Follow Discovery Channel’s simple steps
Adventure 27 In the fast lane 30 30
What could be more fun than designing, building and racing your very own Scout car? Make a desk tidy… …with recycled household materials Cook up a storm Dining on camp couldn’t be easier
GET ACTIVE! 3
Badge focus Get Active! Editors Lee Griffiths, Matthew Jones, Antonia Kanczula and Vicky Milnes Content Advisers Ashleigh Grimes, Sally Hilton, Jess Kelly, Michael Regan, Paulina Sekrecka, Rosie Storrar and Kevin Yeates With thanks to... 1st Barnham Scouts, 101st Odiham Scouts, Boreatton Scouts, Dringhouses Scouts, Joly Braime, Sam Butler, Kevin Gullick, Alan Herbert, Paul Kirtley, Heather Letley, Jenna Letley, Tim Milnes, Steve Popple, Nicola Poulter, Simon Rawles, Pete Sturgess, Hassan Torossian and Graham Williams The national magazine of The Scout Association ISSN 0036 – 9489 © 2013 The Scout Association Registered Charity Numbers: 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland) Published by The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW Tel: 0845 300 1818 Fax: 020 8433 7103 Email: scouting.magazine@scouts.org.uk Website: scouts.org.uk/magazine Please send all contributions to: scouting.magazine@scouts.org.uk Please note that the views expressed by members and contributors in the magazine are not necessarily those of The Scout Association.
Get Active! is produced by Immediate Media Branded Content, 9th Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN Editor Alex Drew Art Editor James Daniel Project Manager Ian Ochiltree Director of Immediate Media Branded Content Julie Williams Group Publishing Director Alfie Lewis Cover illustration Hassan Torossian ADVERTISING Media Sales Manager Tom Parker tom.parker@immediate.co.uk Tel: 0117 314 8781 It is important to note the differing structures of UK Scouting in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, for ease of reading this supplement refers to all variations of ‘County’-level groupings simply as County.
Help your Scouts earn their badges
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Scout Circus Skills Activity Badge Make juggling balls or poi to learn circus skills
Beaver and Cub Fitness Challenge Awards Burn off some energy at a local trim trail
Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards or Explorer Belt Exercise programmes to boost fitness
Scout Electronics Activity Badge Build an automatic LED night light with IET
Scout Global Conservation Activity Badge Get cooking with E.ON’s solar oven
Beaver Adventure Activity Badge Play this all-action game from Pom-Bear
Scout Hiker and Explorer Cub B&Q DIY Activity Hill Walking Activity Badges Badge Shout about local Speed charts make route planning easy Scouting with B&Q Streetclub
Scout and Explorer Navigator Activity Badges Give micro navigation a try
Scout Pioneer Activity Badge Ready, aim, fire! Make this pioneering catapult
You can read Get Active! and Scouting magazine, online at scouts.org.uk/magazine. 110,004 average circulation of Scouting from 1 Jan–31 Dec 2012 © Immediate Media Branded Content. Printed in the UK by William Gibbons. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue.
This magazine can be recycled, for use in newspapers and packaging. Please remove any gifts, samples or wrapping and dispose of it at your local collection point.
PEFC/16-33-795
We are proud to say Get Active! is PEFC certified. For more information go to pefc.co.uk. Promoting sustainable forest management.
4 GET ACTIVE!
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Cub and Scout Hobbies Activity Badges Feeling the need for speed? Design, build and race a Scout car
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Scout Camp Cook Activity Badge Easy meal solutions for hikes or expeditions
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Environment Partnership Award Recycle and clear your clutter with Serco’s desk tidy
A complete resource in your pocket My Badges is the handy smartphone app that contains all badge requirements for every level of Scouting. It’s available for both Android and iOS platforms for just £1.49. Visit mybadges.org.uk to find out more.
Activities can be adapted for different sections
June/July 2013
e t a e Cr Juggling balls in the making…
BIG-TOP TRICKS
Help your Scouts make these two colourful circus props and then teach them how to perform these classic skills Suitable for Beavers+ (with supervision)
Juggling
This ancient art improves hand-eye co-ordination. What you’ll need: • Empty plastic bottle • Coloured balloons • Rice
1 Using a funnel, half-fill an empty bottle with rice. 2 Inflate a balloon to the size of a grapefruit, twist the neck and stretch it over the neck of the bottle.
Pictures: Simon Rawles
3 Turn the bottle upside down so all the rice falls into
the inflated balloon. Remove the balloon from the bottle and let it deflate. 4 Cut the neck off the balloon and stick tape over the hole. Then cut the neck off a second balloon and stretch the remaining piece over the hole to seal the rice into your juggling ball. 5 Make another two and you’re ready to juggle.
TRIED AND TESTED
‘I’ve made juggling balls before and it’s good fun. I want to make more!’ Alex, 6, Beaver
scouts.org.uk/magazine
Learn to juggle 1 Toss a ball from one hand to the other. Try to
throw the ball in a smooth arc at eye height, keeping your elbows at your hips. Use a shallow scooping motion before tossing the ball to keep your throws smooth and regular. 2 Take a ball in each hand. Toss ball 1 and when it reaches the top of its arc, toss ball 2. Practice until this simple exchange becomes comfortable. 3 Introduce a third ball, holding two balls in your right hand and one in your left (or vice versa if you are left-handed). Begin passing the balls from your right hand. Throw the ball to your left hand and in the moment ball 1 is at the peak, throw ball 2 (the only one in your left hand) under ball 1 to your right hand. At the moment ball 2 is at the highest point (at this point, you should also catch ball 1 in your left hand) throw ball 3 under ball 2. When ball 2 is in your right hand, catch ball 3. It should start to feel more natural as you practice it.
GET ACTIVE! 5
Create
Circus skills
Your Scouts̕ homemade juggling balls will double up as the core element of their poi
Poi
Poi involves swinging tethered weights in a variety of rhythmic and geometric patterns. What you’ll need: • Funky coloured knee socks • Balloons • Rice
1 To make your poi, repeat steps
1 to 5 from the juggling ball instructions on page 5, but just tie the neck of the second balloon instead of cutting it off. 2 Slip the rice-filled balloon into a knee sock and whirl it around. 3 Tie off the sock with a simple overhand knot and hey presto – homemade poi! Now it’s time to learn how to swing them.
Learn to swing poi 1 Hold a pair of poi at arm’s length, one in each hand.
2 Swing them back and forth up
to about waist height in front of you and then behind you. Make sure you’ve got plenty of room. 3 Letting your hands and fingers move the poi, swing them down in front and up at the back, creating two parallel circles. It often helps to count a beat in your head, aiming to swing both poi so that they pass a certain point, such as your knee, at the same time. 4 Once you’ve mastered swinging the poi forwards, try swinging them backwards, and then in alternate directions.
TRIED AND TESTED
‘Making poi is fun and messy. I’d definitely recommend it to other Groups.’ Izzie, 12, Scout
6 GET ACTIVE!
June/July 2013
Build a 3D story world Your Scouts can create their own worlds using Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters as inspiration Suitable for Beavers and Cubs The 3D film revolution is in full swing and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters looks set to be one of the summer’s biggest 3D blockbusters. To celebrate this eagerly anticipated release, the film’s producers, Twentieth Century Fox, have provided a fantastic imagination activity for Beavers and Cubs. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is based on the best-selling series by Rick Riordan. It follows Percy, the son of Poseidon, as he continues the epic journey to fulfil his destiny where he must team up with his demigod friends to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which has the power to save their home and training ground, Camp Half-Blood.
What to do:
s Take your section outside to collect natural materials, such as leaves, pebbles and sticks. These will be used to make mountains, trees, lagoons and so on. They can also use household items. s Split them into groups of four
2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved
and give each group a box. Ask them to put their collected items in their boxes to make new worlds, forming mountains out of mud, for instance, and using leaves to represent trees. s Discuss with them what the
Pack What you’ll need: s Plastic bags for collecting natural materials s Crates or low-sided boxes – large, but not too unwieldy s Glue s Kitchen foil, toilet roll tubes and other household items
OON COMING S n: so ck Ja Percy sters n o M f o Sea n7 d is release o 13 20 st u Aug climate and seasons of their world might be. Ask them to imagine the kinds of creatures that might inhabit their world. If there’s time, ask them to write a story that might take place in their world.
Percy and pals get stuck into another adventure. What will the characters in your world get up to?
More info 0ERCY *ACKSON 3EA OF -ONSTERS IS RELEASED IN $ AND $ ON !UGUST 4O UNLEASH YOUR 3COUTS INNER CREATIVITY VISIT scouts.org.uk/fox AND DOWNLOAD THEIR IMAGINATION ACTIVITY PACK 4HE PACK GUIDES 3COUTS THROUGH ALL THE ELEMENTS OF MAKING THEIR VERY OWN $ BLOCKBUSTER
scouts.org.uk/magazine
GET ACTIVE! 7
Plan for July/August 2013 Highlight special anniversaries, faith events and national awareness days by incorporating them into your Scouting programme. Stay one step ahead with our July/August 2013 calendar
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July
JULY
International Reggae Day
Celebrate Jamaica’s most famous musical export by creating your own reggae beats. MAKE bongos, tom-toms, water drums or steel drums from old tins or sections of PVC pipe.
9
JULY
madan Ra Ramadan is the month of fasting
for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam that Muslims strive to adhere to. Another pillar is charity, or supporting the community. DISCUSS this with your Group. Who may need help in your community? How can you support them?
14
JULY
Bastille Day
France’s National Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison, a symbol of the revolution that created modern France. CELEBRATE French pastimes by playing a game of pétanque.
11
3
JULY
75 years ago today…
The steam locomotive Mallard broke the world speed record for trains. Mallard reached nearly 126 mph, a record that still stands.
JULY
World Population Day On this day last year, it was estimated that the Earth’s population was 7,025,071,966 – that’s more than 7 billion people. Ask Scouts to guess how many people they think live around the world – how close were they?
18
JULY
Mandela Day
This day aims to honour the legacy of South Africa’s former president. Make a mancala board and PLAY this traditional African game.
22
JULY
Dharma Day
The anniversary of the start of Buddha teaching his first sermon, ‘The Wheel of Truth’, after his enlightenment. CREATE a wheel of life with eight spokes to represent the eightfold path of Buddhism.
27-4
AUGUST
Love Parks Week Whether you pay a visit to a local park or one of Britain’s 15 national parks, take this opportunity to enjoy everything they have to offer. You could even stage an event at one – visit loveparksweek.org.uk to find out more and to download an event toolkit.
8 GET ACTIVE!
June/July 2013
Planning ahead
30 150th anniversary… JULY
August
7
3
Highlighting the importance of play in children’s lives, why not PLAY a wide game, hold a sports day or pay a visit to an adventure playground?
This is the night in which the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah.
Pictures: Thinkstock, Alamy, CC/Dudva (2010), CC/ South Africa The Good News / www.sagoodnews.co.za (2008)
Eid marks the end of Ramadan when the new moon is visible. MAKE a mobile of the different phases of the moon using shapes cut from paper plates.
24
AUGUST
International Bat Night
Did you know there are 18 types of bat in the UK alone? Organise a night hike in woodland or near waterways and ponds to see if you can spot bats in flight.
AUGUST
Playday
Lailat Al Qadr (The Night of Power)
Eid ul Fitr
AUGUST
Slavery was abolished in most of the British Empire. Search Programmes Online for thoughtprovoking activities highlighting the slave trade.
AUGUST
8
1
175 years ago…
...of the birth of Henry Ford, back in 1863. The Ford Britain Trust funds community projects and you can apply for a grant to support local Scouting. Visit ford. co.uk/fbtrust for more details.
AUGUST
Create
12
AUGUST
International Youth Day
This day draws attention to the achievements of young people. What remarkable things have your Scouts done? Take this opportunity to shout about Scouting in the local media.
13
AUGUST
125th anniversary of the birth of John Logie Baird
To celebrate the birth of the inventor of the first practical television system, ask your Scouts to WRITE a script for a pilot TV show.
28 50 years ago… AUGUST
Martin Luther King, Jr. made his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. MAKE handprint banners by drawing around Scouts’ hands on coloured paper and cutting them out. Write MLK quotes on each print – find them at activityvillage. co.uk/hand_banner.htm.
31 50th anniversary AUGUST
of the death of Georges Braque
Share the Cubist artist’s work with your Group, then set up a range of objects and ask Scouts to PAINT their own Cubist still-life. scouts.org.uk/magazine
GET ACTIVE! 9
Light up the night
Badge
Build your very own beacon using simple electronics and some household items Suitable for Scouts+ The Scout Electronics Badge is a fantastic introduction to a subject that can seem very daunting. But with the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s fantastic new resources, compiled by experts in the field, you can take all of the fear out of electronics. This fun activity will help your Scouts build an LED light that switches on automatically when it gets dark, perfect for hanging outside their tents while they’re on camp. Full instructions, diagrams and parts lists can be found at scouts.org.uk/iet.
What you’ll need:
s Thin card s A single hole-punch or craft knife s PP3 battery clip s Bare Conductive Paint s Light dependent resistor (LDR) x 1 (resistance: light 5k, dark 20M)
s Ultra-bright LEDs x 2 s A transistor (number BC547) s 100k resistor s 9V battery s A clean, dry 1 pint PET milk bottle with lid s Masking tape or duct tape
Your night light circuit board LDR LEDs
Bare Conductive Paint Transistor 100k
resistor
PP3 battery clip
What to do:
s Download the template for the night-light circuit board from scouts.org.uk/iet and print it onto card. s Cut out the shape of your circuit (pictured left). Punch holes in the circuit where the two LEDs and the LDR will go. s Strip 1cm of the insulation from the battery clip wires. Bend the wires on each of the components LDR sensor to make them sit flat. s Create the circuit by painting LEDs over the grey lines with the Bare Conductive Paint. s Put the components in place. The LDR must have its sensor facing down through the hole. Push the LEDs through their holes 9V battery so the wires lie along the Bare Conductive Paint. The negative wire on the LED is shorter and should be on the side of the hole marked ‘–’. s Fix the components in place with small blobs of paint and then paint over the wires. Allow to dry thoroughly. Roll the card and insert into the bottle as shown.
More info To buy the electronics equipment, head to kitronik.co.uk where all the necessary items can be sourced cheaply. Download the full pack at scouts.org.uk/iet. Here you can find all the activities needed to earn the Scout Electronics Badge.
10 GET ACTIVE!
June/July 2013
s e m Ga Incorporate fitness into your programme so that your Group can enjoy the sun while staying fit and active
GOOD SPORT Encourage Scouts to try these fun fitness challenges to help improve their health, earn awards and prepare for expeditions Suitable for all
Keeping young people fit has never been more important, but how can you work fitness into your programme to ensure your Scouts are staying active? Trim trails offer free access to a range of robust, simple-to-use equipment, which makes them ideal for Scouts, who may not have access to indoor gyms. You’ll find facilities in parks and public spaces, so a fitness session is a great opportunity to combine outdoor exercise with another Scouting activity. This might be a wide game to warm up for the session, or something less strenuous, like a healthy picnic. scouts.org.uk/magazine
SAFETY FIRST
• Pick a quiet time to visit the trim trail when it’s unlikely to be busy. Remember to be considerate of other users. • Put together a programme before visiting a trim trail, at a level that is suitable for your section, not forgetting to build in time to warm up and warm down. • Always supervise Scouts when using the equipment to ensure safe use. • Make sure Scouts are well hydrated throughout.
GET ACTIVE! 11
Y R T A T I E V I G
Fitness first
Games Create
Here is a sample workout to get you started. These moves improve cardiovascular fitness and build strength, while only requiring basic equipment, commonly found at trim trails. Adapt the exercises for your section by doing three sets of six to 12 reps for each exercise, resting for 30 seconds between sets and 90 seconds between exercises. If your Scouts struggle, move on to the next set. Remember to keep it fun.
Leapfrogs
Bunny hops
Chin-ups
Dips
Taking a short run up, place both hands on top of a short pole and jump up and forwards while pushing down and back. Extend your legs out to the sides to ‘leapfrog’ the pole.
Hang from a bar, keeping your hands shoulder-width apart, palms facing towards you. Pull yourself upwards until your chin is over the bar, then release and repeat. A partner can hold your feet to assist initially until you can do them by yourself.
Stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart in front of a low bar or log. Lower into a squat position and jump forward, landing on the balls of both feet. Keep your body straight and knees together.
Hanging knee raise
Hold onto a pull-up bar using an overhand grip with hands shoulderwidth apart. Hang from the bar with knees bent and feet together. Pull your hips up and in, aiming for your knees to touch your shoulders.
Sit on the edge of a low bench with your legs extended and feet flat on the ground. Place your hands either side of you, palms facing down. Lower yourself until the elbows form 90-degree angles, then push back up. Repeat.
Pictures: 1st Barnham Scouts
FUN FOR YOUNGER SECTIONS
Your Beavers and Cubs can also benefit from the hundreds of adventure playgrounds that are found across the UK, where you can combine exercise with play using a series of wooden stations. These often include balance beams, sit-up bars, hanging bars, wobbly bridges and rope or chain traverses. They’re a great way to develop balance, strength and co-ordination.
12 GET ACTIVE!
June/July 2013
Badge
Harness the summer rays Cook your favourite meals using this simple solar oven from E.ON
What you’ll need:
Suitable for Scouts+ Did you know that even when you’re camping, you could be damaging the environment? Cooking on open fires can be both dangerous and polluting, so why not try cooking by solar power instead? It’s an ecofriendly alternative to a campfire and can be great fun too. The oven works by collecting and trapping the energy from the sun. The foil reflects the sun’s rays directly onto the window of the box where the cling film traps the heat. The black paper then absorbs it and the newspaper insulates the box, stopping the heat from escaping. Voila!
s Box knife or sharp scissors s Cardboard box with lid (eg a pizza box) s Kitchen foil s Clear tape s Cling film or clear plastic s Black paper s Newspaper s Towel to prop up the box
What to do:
ST SAFETaYcaFreIR when
s Use the knife or sharp scissors to cut a flap in the lid of the box. Only cut along three sides, about an inch from the edges of the lid. Fold this flap back so that it stands up when the box lid is closed. s Cover the inner side of the flap with kitchen foil. s Line the box’s bottom with black paper and insulate the inside edges with newspaper. s Use cling film to cover the opening. s Place the box outside where it can get plenty of sun, propping the flap open. s Leave it for an hour before placing your food inside and closing the lid. s Check your food regularly and when it’s cooked, remove it using oven gloves. It should be hot!
Take extr blades using sharp d make an rs or scisso food at certain th oked co ly er op pr is g it. n ti ea re befo
Kitchen foil
Cut along three edges
Fold back here
Rolls of newspaper tucked in around the sides
Black pape r
TOP TIP ake
Why not m for baked apples a delicious dessert?
Pizza
box
Cling film over the opening
Prop up using a towel
More info 7IN STATE OF THE ART ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR 'ROUP BY DESIGNING YOUR VERY OWN GADGETS 6ISIT scouts.org.uk/eon FOR DETAILS ABOUT HOW TO ENTER
scouts.org.uk/magazine
GET ACTIVE! 13
E H T O T L E V E L NEXT
of these and try one it up a notch ke ta ines to t ut no ro e hy es well, w n take thes e workout go ilnes? You ca pl low for M al m m sa to Ti d ur rt re yo pe te If ey can be al om fitness ex fr Th . s Q an H pl form, ur e t tailor-mad em up in yo g the correc trail, or set th outs are usin im Sc tr ur t yo es ar re your ne riod, but ensu over a set pe fun. progression e all, having ov fely and, ab sa ng si ci er ex
These exercises are simple, but check that your Beavers do them properly to avoid injury.
WARM-UP
Play 10 minutes of stuck in the mud or archway tag to warm up your Colony.
EXERCISES
Partner exercise – one Beaver exercises for 30 seconds, while their partner claps and cheers. Swap over. Suggest they try simple jumping exercises such as star jumps or bunny hops. Race – divide into Lodges. The first Beaver runs to a cone about 15m away and back, tagging the next in line. The winning team picks an extra exercise for everybody else to do five times.
COOL DOWN
Do a series of 10–15-second stretches, such as touching toes. While stretching, the leader should discuss the importance of warming down properly and the benefits of a healthy diet by talking about muscles and asking Beavers to list good and bad foods.
14 GET ACTIVE!
CUBS
30-MINUTE SESSION
Here you can introduce slightly more challenging exercises, but still keeping the emphasis on fun.
WARM-UP
Play a short ball game such as crab football or dodgeball to get pulses racing.
EXERCISES
Set up a circuit in your HQ comprising nine different stations, each one representing a different exercise. These exercises should focus on working the core muscles, upper body and legs. Divide your Cubs evenly among the stations. Each group should exercise for 30–45 seconds at every station, followed by a 90-second rest before moving to the next one. Repeat the full circuit two or three times. Finish up with a relay race or timed shuttle run.
COOL DOWN
As with Beavers, introduce a more informed discussion about the importance of diet and exercise. Who are their favourite sports stars? How do they eat and exercise to stay at the top of their game?
June/July 2013
Picture: Thinkstock
BEAVERS
30-MINUTE SESSION
Fitness first
SCOUTS
ONE-HOUR SESSION
The focus can move away from games in favour of increased intensity exercises. More advanced exercises can be introduced such as burpees, lunges and sandbag presses above the head (with the weight at max. 10kg).
WARM-UP
Play a short game with simple rules such as those suggested for Beavers or Cubs, followed by a short perimeter jog.
Games
EXPLORERS
ONE-HOUR SESSION
The Cub and Scout workouts are still applicable, but mix them up with harder exercises, longer time periods and an increased number of circuit repetitions (reps). Sandbag carries instead of sprints are also a more challenging alternative. Individual routines here are explored briefly as the Scouts will not require such close supervision.
WARM-UP
EXERCISES
Do a series of full-body stretches followed by a perimeter jog.
COOL DOWN
Press-ups – three sets of 10 reps Sit-ups – three sets of 10 reps Burpees – three sets of 10 reps Sandbag press above head, weighted appropriately – three sets of 10 reps Timed one or two-mile run (optional) Lunges – three sets of six reps
Work, rest, play – nine to 12 exercises, with Scouts working in threes. The first Scout does two lots of 15m cone sprints. The second Scout exercises and the third Scout rests. When the runner finishes they replace the resting person and the other positions change accordingly. Continue until all exercises described are completed. Rest for two minutes, then repeat.
Have a light stretching session working from the head down to the toes and back up again. Ensure each individual stretch lasts for 20 seconds.
scouts.org.uk/magazine
EXERCISES
COOL DOWN
The same as Scouts.
GET ACTIVE! 15
Games
Fitness first
FEEL THE BURN
Your guide to exercising correctly
SCOUT NETWORK MEMBERS ONE-HOUR SESSION
These exercises are dependent on the individual’s level of fitness and skill. If the person is healthy and capable, then more intense routines can be used, emphasising correct form for all exercises.
WARM UP
The same as Explorers.
EXERCISES
Upper-body circuit – three exercises, 45 seconds each, rest for a minute, repeat three times Abdominal circuit – sit-ups, maximum reps 20 seconds, rest 10 seconds, repeat eight times Legs circuit – 25–50 reps of appropriate-level leg exercises, rest when needed, continue until all reps have been completed.
COOL DOWN
The same as Scouts.
The exercises above are all interchangeable. The session can be finished or interspersed with cardio conditioning at an appropriate level – eg team sprint races, individual shuttle sprints, sandbag carries or weighted load drags.
Tim Milnes is a former Royal Marine who teaches military-style fitness. He has a lifelong interest in fitness and the outdoors, stemming from his time as a Cub Scout, and enjoys passing on his knowledge to those wanting to get in shape.
16 GET ACTIVE!
LUNGES Keep the upper body straight with relaxed shoulders. Step forward, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Keep the front knee directly above the ankle and ensure the other knee doesn’t touch the floor. Keep your weight towards your heels and push up back to the starting position. PRESS-UPS Position yourself above the floor, hands below shoulders, feet outstretched with knees on or off the ground and lower yourself until your chest is one inch off the ground, then straighten your arms, keeping your back flat and your core tight. SIT-UPS Lying on your back, keep your feet and knees together with your exercise buddy supporting your feet if required. Keep your hands by the side of your head and lift your torso up to touch elbows to knees. SQUATS Your feet should be shoulder-width apart as you sit down and back until your thighs are parallel to the ground (ie so that you’re ‘sitting’ in mid-air). Try not to let your knees come too far over your toes. Stand up tall and repeat. BURPEES Squat down and place your hands next to your feet, kick both legs backwards simultaneously until in the press-up position, then pull your feet back to the original position and stand up with a jump. SANDBAG PRESS Keep your core tight and press the sandbag from your shoulders directly above your head, straightening your arms at the top of the lift. STAR-JUMP BURPEES Squat down as if you’re in bottom burpee position, jump upwards as high as possible, explosively driving your arms and legs out to the side, and pull back in to land in your original position.
More info Visit your local council website to find your nearest trim trail, adventure playground or outdoor gym. If there isn’t one nearby, improvise by making your own. Setting up your own trim trail with pioneering poles, ropes and tyres could be a great project and, provided it is safe, an excellent way to encourage a work-out session while still having fun.
June/July 2013
Badge
Learn a fun ball game Your Scouts can work towards their Pom-Bear Beaver Adventure Activity Badge with this energetic activity Suitable for Beavers+ Pom-Bear has come up with this fun game to help your Colony work towards the Pom-Bear Beaver Adventure Activity Badge requirements. Take your Beavers to a local park, beach or play area to have a picnic and prepare to play. The rules are really simple; all you need are some large soft balls and an open space.
What to do: 1 Get your Beavers together and pick
someone to act as Big Pom-Bear. This person will be the first to have a soft ball and, when the game begins, will throw it at other members of the Colony. If the ball hits them they will be given a ball and will become a Big Pom-Bear too. 2 The other Beavers have to dodge the balls, while running to one of four allocated
areas (eg a tree or shrub), which are designated safe places. While the Beavers are near the safe places they cannot be tagged by the balls. They should run between the safe places, before ending up at a chosen finishing point. 3 Once all of the Beavers have been tagged the game is over and you can settle down to enjoy your Pom-Bear picnic.
More info Pom-Bear’s Beaver Adventure Badge Activity Pack is available to download at scouts. org.uk/pombear. There are nine adventure ideas to help your Colony earn their badges.
Build a bug house
Badge
Make your own rescue shelter and protect our precious wildlife Suitable for Cubs+ SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are renowned not only for the amazing experiences they offer, but also for their conservation work. By sponsoring the Cub Global Conservation Activity Badge they are educating Cubs about the need to protect wildlife, as well as giving them ideas about how to put their new-found passion into practice.
What to do: 1 Cut the bottom from the plastic bottle using scissors rather than a knife, or ask your adult volunteers to help.
2 Place a 100cm (3ft) roll of corrugated paper inside the bottle. The
insects will crawl into the tube. Stuff leaves and plants into the gaps.
What you’ll need:
s One- or two-litre plastic drink bottle s Scissors s Wire s Corrugated paper/ cardboard 100cm/3ft s Leaves and dead plants
3 Push a thin piece of wire through both sides of the bottle to secure it. 4 Keep the bottle top on to stop rain getting in, then hang the bottle among the densest foliage in trees, bushes and garden fences.
More info To download the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Activity Pack and access more activities like this one, visit scouts.org.uk/seaworld.
scouts.org.uk/magazine
GET ACTIVE! 17
s l l i k S Light up
GET UP TO SPEED Keep a speed chart with your map and compass
These handy charts will help your Scouts stay bang on time during hikes, says Paul Kirtley
A speed chart is a simple table, used to work out how long it will take to cover any given distance at a set speed. It saves you from having to do calculations in your head, making route planning and navigating easy.
Pictures: Paul Kirtley
How to use one
Using a speed chart couldn’t be easier – all you need is a map and compass. Your map will give you a good idea of the terrain on your route; you can then estimate your speed accordingly. If the going looks tough, you’ll probably walk at a slow 2km/hr. If your route follows a well-marked footpath, you might walk at a brisk 5km/hr. This helps get your timings right, enabling you to calculate the legs of a staged hike and scouts.org.uk/magazine
Suitable for Scouts+
answer questions like: ‘how far can we get in one day?’ or, ‘how far will we have travelled by lunchtime?’ On the ground, you can also use your speed chart to answer questions such as: ‘if we’ve covered 400m in the last 12 minutes, how much distance will we cover in the next half-hour, going at the same speed?’ When used with a map and compass, a speed chart can also help you anticipate what’s coming up on your route and when. Ensure you stay on track by mentally ticking off features or landmarks as you go; so if you’re expecting to see a landmark in 700m and you’re walking at, say, 3kph, with your speed chart you’d expect to see the landmark in about 14 minutes. If you don’t, it indicates that you might have made a mistake and wandered off course. You can then seek to rectify your error before you become more seriously lost.
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Skills
Pace-off Speed in kilometres per hour
Distance covered in metres
Visit f r o nt i e rb u s h c com/? ra f t . s = spee d+char for a st t ep-by-s tep guide t o ma kin g a c ha r t for you r compa ss.
Time taken in minutes (to the nearest half-minute)
Activity idea 1 Download a complete of sheet of charts at magazine.scouts.org.uk/getactive/get-up-to-speed, print them out and laminate them. Get your Scouts to cut out the charts and stick them to the lids of their compasses. If they have baseplate compasses, punch holes in the corner of the charts and thread the compass lanyards through them. 2 Ask Scouts to plot routes on a local area map, for example, from their homes to your HQ. Use the speed charts to figure out how long it would take to walk the routes. Try it out – were they accurate? Record how long it took in practice, and use the speed chart to work out how fast they are walking in kilometres per hour. 3 Next, give each of your Scouts a copy of a partially completed route card for a terrain zero day hike. Ask them to fill in the missing pieces of information, using the speed chart to help with the calculations. Split the hike into manageable legs or stages, aiming to time rest breaks with arrivals at convenient stopping points. Use the speed chart to create a schedule for the hike. Put the theory into practice by arranging the hike, letting Scouts take the lead. 20 GET ACTIVE!
Attach your speed chart to your compass so it's always to hand
TRIED AND TESTED
‘These are a great help when planning hikes. I did a similar thing with Naismith’s Rule, enabling the Scouts to calculate timings when confronted with ascents and descents. At first they found it complicated, but the more they used it, the more they understood.’ Kevin Gullick, Scout Leader, 6th Tredegar (St George’s)
Encourage your Scouts to figure out how long it would take them to walk home from HQ June/July 2013
Badge
What to do:
Spread the word Talk to your community about local Scouting with B&Q Streetclub Streetclub is an online network for volunteers that helps bring you and your neighbours together to build a stronger community. It gives Groups the chance to communicate directly with people in your neighbourhood; you can talk positively about Scouting, recruit volunteers and advertise Scout events. You can choose whether to make your posts private within your club or public to those in your local community.
What to do:
Visit streetclub.co.uk and sign up for free. Once you’ve confirmed your email address, you can either join an existing club or set one up. This can be where you live, to promote a sense of community in your street, and you can use it to let your neighbours know about Scouting activities. Or you could set up a club for a larger area, such as a village or even a neighbourhood, and use it as a virtual Scout noticeboard. It is also possible to join more than one club so you have one for Scouts and one for your own street. Once you’re a member of a club, you can take part in discussions, post information and spread the word about Scouting in your area.
What you need:
s Internet access s Enthusiasm s A message to spread
What can you use Streetclub for?
s Volunteer recruitment s Talking to parents of potential Scouts s Promoting your Scout Community Week project s Advertising Scout events s Telling the community what you’re doing s Educate older or less tech-savvy community members about the internet and social media
More info To find out more about B&Q, including their DIY badge resources and sponsorship of Scout Community Week, visit scouts.org.uk/bandq.
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June/July 2013
To the letter
and m
al k 0. 7m on
From Pt 4 w
ar k t h
Skills
e lo c at
io n
a be ar ing of
GETTING FROM A–Z
D TH E DOWNLOA TE COMPLE OM FR RESOURCE ts.org.u k/ ou sc e. in magaz g-from-a-z/ in tt getactive/ge
A great way to practise taking bearings, Graham Williams introduces us to the world of micro navigation Suitable for Cubs+ Micro navigation involves following a set of bearings to mark points on the ground with tent pegs, flags or glow sticks (ideal for a night-time activity). The points can then be connected like a ‘dot-to-dot’ using rope, paracord or reflective guylines to form letters or words on the ground. Each letter measures up to about 4m x 3m, so micro navigation only requires a relatively small area. It’s a great activity for an incident hike, as you could ask Scouts to use micro navigation to reveal a six-figure grid reference – the site of their next base. You could also spell out a welcome message that’s visible from higher ground or the air, which would make an impressive opener or finale at a large camp, jamboree or moot. Following bearings on this scale gives Scouts more confidence when using compasses, which is excellent preparation for hikes and orienteering exercises. The resource includes sets of bearings and measurements for upper and lower case alphabets, numbers from zero to nine and suggested words and phrases. scouts.org.uk/magazine
Activity idea • Head online to download Graham’s micro navigation resource. Decide which words or messages you want your Scouts to create – you'll find sets of bearings for each letter and number in the appendices at the back of the resource. • Divide Scouts into teams and give each team a compass and a set of markers, along with a tape measure or trundle wheel. Alternatively, you could make the activity more challenging by using pacing to estimate the distances given. • Explain the activity and set them off. The first team to work out their word or message by plotting it on the ground wins. Turn the page to see an example of a letter…
GET ACTIVE! 23
Skills
To the letter Example lower case ‘s’ 3
4
2 1
5
S.O.P
2.7
6
7 13
8
12
9 11
24 GET ACTIVE!
10
From S.O.P. (Starting Off Point) walk 0.5m on a bearing of 328° and mark the location. From 1 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 288° and mark the location. From 2 walk 0.82m on a bearing of 270° and mark the location. From 3 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 252° and mark the location. From 4 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 212° and mark the location. From 5 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 137° and mark the location. From 6 walk 1.827m on a bearing of 115° and mark the location. From 7 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 143° and mark the location. From 8 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 212° and mark the location. From 9 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 252° and mark the location. From 10 walk 0.8m on a bearing of 270° and mark the location. From 11 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 288° and mark the location. From 12 walk 0.5m on a bearing of 328°, mark the location and finish.
June/July 2013
Badge
Build a catapult Propel your Troop to pioneering success with this activity from Discovery Channel Suitable for Scouts+ Pioneering and knotting are two of Scouting’s greatest traditions. With its fantastic Pioneering Badge activity resources, the Discovery Channel has brought the subject firmly into the 21st century. Using the basic lashings and natural materials, the resources teach Cubs to make hammocks, rafts, catapults and bridges, among many other things. And with words of wisdom from Bear Grylls, James Cracknell and Ed Stafford, Scouts can’t help but feel inspired about pioneering.
What you’ll need: s Staves (1.8m/6ft in length) x 15 s Rope for 19 lashings s A missile container (ie a 2–4 pint milk container) s Elastic or bungee cord
What to do: s Construct two A-frames using six staves. s Join the two frames together with another three staves to form an extended triangle (prism). Next, add another stave to the top of one of the frames.
s Add a launching bar on one side of the frame using square lashings. s Now construct a tripod frame using the figure-of-eight lashing. Then sheer lash the last stave to the middle stave of the tripod.
s Attach the launching container and light rope for a pull-down mechanism. s Lash the bottom of the tripod to the launching bar and add elastic to the launcher.
Launch container Elastic
Sheer lashing
Light cord/ pull-down mechanism
Launching bar Figure-of-eight lashing
More info For full instructions on all of the necessary notes, and other pioneering projects like this one, visit scouts.org.uk/discovery and download their resource packs.
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June/July 2013
e r u t n e v d A IN TH E FAST LANE
Words: Peter Sturgess, Boreatton Scouts/Steve Popple, Dringhouses Scouts. Pictures: Sam Butler, sambutlerphotography.co.uk
Scout car racing is exhilara ting and fun. Get your Grou p involved by designing, building and rac ing their own car with our ess ential guide Suitable for Scouts+
scouts.org.uk/magazine
GET ACTIVE! 27
Adventure
Full speed ahead
A Scout car is a type of pedal car that is designed, built and raced entirely by Scouts. It consists of four lightweight, spoked wheels fastened to a chassis, driven by a chain attached to a set of pedals. The pedals are turned by a sole driver, who also operates the brakes and steering. Tools and materials
The chassis can be made from scrap metal or wood, and only basic workshop tools are needed. If working with metal, you’ll need access to a MIG welder but a lathe or milling machine may also come in handy. Ask parents or other leaders what they have in their sheds or garages. Remember that tools can be dangerous without experience and training, so conduct risk assessments for all power tools and make sure you have the correct safety gear. Salvage old bicycles, exercise bikes and even wheelchairs for parts. The internet is also a useful resource. Try recycling sites such as Freecycle, Don’t Dump That, Let’s All Share or Freegle to source free materials. eBay is also a good place to bulk-buy nuts and bolts.
Time
Building a Scout car is a long-term project that makes a great addition to your regular Scouting programme. You’ll probably need three to six months to build and test the car, but it’s worth beginning the design even earlier. You can use this extra time to look out for useful materials well in advance of starting the project, so that you can incorporate any finds into your design. The great thing about Scout car racing is that there’s a role for everybody, from the race team of drivers to the engineering team and support crew. You could assign individual team members to look after various aspects of the design, such as the frame, steering or gears, and appoint a team manager to oversee the whole project.
Design factors
Although some technical knowledge is required, most of the fun is in the building and racing. After all, we all know Scouts are great at taking things apart and they love going fast! Watch pedal car videos on YouTube to get an idea of car designs and to assess the competition. Download construction rules and regulations at scoutcars.org.uk, which provide information such as minimum and maximum permitted dimensions. It could also be worth making some small-scale models from balsa wood or drinking straws to help refine the design.
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June/July 2013
Full speed ahead
Design elements you’ll need to consider include: • Driver’s seat • Wheels and axles • Chassis • Brakes • Transmission • Steering • Bodywork and aerodynamics
Benefits
Scout car racing is a great way to get the Hobbies Activity Badge. You could also take on the Fitness Challenge Award to ensure your drivers are in peak physical condition before the big day. Organise a gokarting trip or a bike race to get an idea of racing lines and strategies. And don’t forget to log your project progress through a report or blog, which can help gain recognition and awards outside Scouting, such as a CREST Award from the British Science Association.
The National Scout Car Races
The 2014 National Scout Car Races, sponsored by Acorn Stairlifts, will be held in Manchester. There are races open to Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Scout Network and leaders. Three types of racing take place over the day: SPRINT RACES A four-driver team event, competing to achieve the lowest total time. CHAMPIONSHIP RACES Individual races to determine the fastest driver in the divisions of each class. GRAND PRIX RACES A four-driver team event, where teams race to complete as many laps as possible over a set time. To get involved, visit scoutcars.org.uk. scouts.org.uk/magazine
Adventure
Boreatton Scouts at 2012’s National Scout Car Races
ASK THE EXPERTS Boreatton Scouts entered the National Scout Car Races for the first time in 2012. Their car, ‘BERP’ (the Boreatton Experimental Recumbent Pedalcar, as Scout Ollie, 11, explained), won the trophy for best car design. We spoke to some of the racing and engineering team for their secrets to Scout car success. What makes a good Scout car? ‘Like any other racing car, it’s got to be light, low to the ground and reliable.’ Elliot, 12 Top racing tip? ‘Ride your bike a lot to get fit, then race to win. You’ve got to put the effort in for your team.’ Owen, 12 Key pre-race preparations? ‘Check your helmet and make sure your shoelaces are done up properly – you don’t want them getting caught in the chain.’ Will, 12
GET ACTIVE! 29
Make a desk tidy Follow Serco’s ethos of ‘reduce, recycle, reuse’ with this great make Suitable for Cubs+
Making a desk tidy is a brilliant opportunity to use up recyclable items. Choose items of differing heights and shapes, thinking about what will be stored in each compartment. For instance, choose matchboxes or yoghurt pots for paperclips, toilet-roll tubes or crisp tubes for pencils and rulers etc.
What to do: 1 Arrange the empty containers
on a flat piece of cardboard and secure with masking tape. 2 Create a papier-mache solution using PVA glue and water and soak the newspaper strips in it. 3 Take the strips out of the water and mould them around the arrangement to create a smooth
surface. Leave to stand overnight in a well-ventilated area. 4 The next day, check that your creation is completely dry and start to decorate or paint it in your preferred style. 5 Once your decorations are dry, pop all your loose stationery in the desk tidy and admire.
Badge What you’ll need: s Cardboard base s Crisp tubes, toilet-roll tubes, yoghurt pots and other recyclable items s Masking tape s PVA glue s Newspaper strips s Decorations eg paint, felttip pens, glitter, stickers etc
More info 3ERCO S %NVIRONMENT 0ARTNERSHIP "ADGE !CTIVITY 0ACK IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AT scouts.org.uk/serco
Cook up a storm
Lighten your load on camp by using Beyond The Beaten Track’s ready-made meals Suitable for All Packing for camp can be challenging and working out the provisions needed to feed hungry Scouts is sometimes the hardest part. But now, thanks to Beyond The Beaten Track, you can pack ready-to-eat and easily transportable expedition food. These handy packs contain all the nutrients Scouts need when braving the outdoors and, most importantly, they taste delicious. Visit beyondthebeatentrack.com to browse and buy their fantastic selection of meals, snacks and desserts.
Badge TIKKA CHICKENICE &R % 0 (with 10 Price £3.6discount) Scout es 1 Serv 417 Calories me ti Cooking utes 2–10 min
What to do: 1 Light your stove and place a saucepan of water on it. 2 When the water is boiling, place the unopened foil pouch in the saucepan.
3 Cook for the allotted amount of time, as described on the pouch. 4 Carefully remove from the water and serve. More info !S SPONSORS OF THE 3COUT #AMP #OOK "ADGE "EYOND 4HE "EATEN 4RACK HAS PRODUCED GREAT RESOURCES TO HELP YOU COOK ON CAMP 6ISIT scouts.org.uk/btbt FOR MORE INFO 5SE THE PROMOTIONAL CODE @Scouts 10 TO ACCESS AN EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT
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