Join in olympics Beavers booklet by The Scout Association

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CONTENTS Introduction 4 Bronze 6 Silver 18 Gold 24 Acknowledgements

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Congratulations! I know you’ve been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark for your sporting adventure, and that’s good. When we went to Singapore to bid for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we were always very clear that it wasn’t simply about competitive sport. It’s about encouraging you as leaders to do things slightly differently, and to figure out what values the Olympic and Paralympic Games give you, in terms of friendship, respect, courage and determination. As Scouts, these are all the things that you will understand anyway. You have a big head start on everyone, because if you’re involved in Scouting, you know that those are your values as well. Good luck,

Lord Sebastian Coe Chairman, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

I am delighted to join Lord Coe in commending The Scout Association for Our Sporting Adventure, and very pleased that the Peter Harrison Foundation has provided support for this resource. This project will give hundreds of thousands of young people the chance to share the adventure, fun and ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic movements. As a youngster in the 2nd Cheadle Scouts, I was introduced to sport and the outdoors through hikes and camps, where I learned teamwork, responsibility and leadership. I remember sailing on the Norfolk Broads, and my love of nautical activities continues today. I hope that through this project, even more young people will take up the challenge and enjoy being involved in these great movements – Scouting and the Olympics and Paralympics.

Peter Harrison CBE Chairman, Peter Harrison Foundation

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INTRODUCTION

WELCOME TO OUR SPORTING ADVENTURE

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring over 200 nations of the world under one roof in a festival of sport and culture, united by common values. To celebrate the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements, all Scouts are invited to compete in a series of activities and challenges – Our Sporting Adventure – which will run from 1 January to 30 September 2012.

ABOUT LONDON 2012

Between 25 July and 9 September 34 venues across the UK will host more than 300 events from Greco-Roman wrestling to synchronised swimming, and from archery to wheelchair tennis. The Games also coincide with the Cultural Olympiad, which will bring together art, film, music and theatre in a festival of events and celebrations all over the UK.

THE INSPIRE MARK

Our Sporting Adventure has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games. The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities and skills. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in.

‘Winning and achievement inspires me. Every day I go sailing I set goals; this can be the smallest tweak on a training day or the biggest push on a medal race day. It’s also important to always look ahead to the next test.’ Ben Ainslie, Olympic gold medal winner, sailing

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HOW IT WORKS

Our Sporting Adventure is based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values. These are: Olympic Values • Respect • Excellence • Friendship Paralympic Values • Courage • Determination • Inspiration • Equality Just like at London 2012, Our Sporting Adventure is about working towards medals as part of a team. There will be a medal table, which will chart the progress of your team and encourage you to push on for higher achievements. Though the activities have been designed to be done within your section, the medal table will allow Beaver Colonies to compete against Cub Packs, Scout Troops, Explorer Units and Scout Networks. There are some top prizes on offer for the highest scores as well.

GETTING STARTED

Here’s what you need to do to embark on your sporting adventure. 1. Pick your team You can compete as a single section or join up with another Colony to make up the numbers and gain medals. Come up with a fun team name or keep it the same as your Group or section name.

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5 2. Register Go online to register your team before the competition starts in January 2012. Visit www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure and start planning your assault on the medal table. 3. Plan Decide which activities you want to do with your team. There are 28 bronze, 14 silver and 7 gold activities. Once 2012 arrives, have fun running them. Whenever you complete an activity, update your team’s record on the website. Bronze activities are worth 50 points, silver are worth 100 points, and gold 200 points. You could choose to focus on the seven more challenging gold activities as a way of getting more points, or you could incorporate the 28 bronze activities into your normal programme during the year. It’s up to you.

THE MEDAL TABLE

You’ll be able to check your progress online by viewing the medal table. Compare your score with other sections, or those in your District and County.

PRIZES

A prize will be available for the team with the greatest number of points. Full terms and conditions will be available on www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure.

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There are 28 bronze activities, each worth 50 points for your sporting adventure. They’re the perfect way to get your team started on its quest for greatness. SCARY STRING TRAIL

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Blindfolded Beavers follow a string trail around trees and vegetation and brave imaginary dangers. TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • A long piece of string, 50-100 metres in length • Blindfolds for each Beaver on the trail – six will probably be enough. (You may not want to use scarves, as Beavers can peep around them. ) • An area of trees and bushes • Plenty of adults and Young Leaders INSTRUCTIONS 1. Make the trail by tying one end of the string around a tree then threading the rest of it around bushes, trees and through long grass, as the area permits. 2. Blindfold the Beavers and lead them to the start of the trail. Give them the end of the piece of string. 3. Walk around the trail with the Beavers. At intervals, you could add to the fear of the trail by telling Beavers they are coming to a patch of stinging nettles, are near the edge of a cliff, or touching the top of their heads with a branch.

BEAT YOUR BEST

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Time a number of activities with a stopwatch, and get your Beavers to try and beat their own times rather than their friends. TIME 30-60 mins EQUIPMENT • Stopwatch • Pen and paper • Equipment for the chosen activities eg beanbags/hoops/balls/puzzles/ropes etc INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Beavers that competing against yourself is often the hardest. Even if you can win a game every time, you can still try to beat your own time or improve in some other way. For those who rarely win a particular game or activity, it is a way of showing improvement. 2. Allow the Beavers to do each activity three or four times (depending on time constraints), and record the time taken to complete the activity at each attempt. You could try activities like running from one end of the meeting place to the other, bouncing a ball against a wall and catching it, skipping with a rope, walking with a book on their head or an egg and spoon walk. 3. You could devise a chart to record the times of each Beaver at each activity and put stars next to the activities where they improved. 4. Generally Beavers will improve in most games or activities, so this is an excellent way to show how practice makes perfect, and how, though not everyone can win, everyone can improve, and that is the most important thing.

‘When I was in Scouts I had a go at archery and enjoyed it. Ten years later I’m training for the London 2012 Olympic Games, hoping to qualify as part of Team GB. ‘My ultimate goal is to do something no-one else has ever done and defend an Olympic title. Embrace whatever you enjoy, because you never know where it’s going to take you.’ Tom Barber, Olympic archery hopeful

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OBSTACLE COURSE

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Fitness DESCRIPTION Beavers work their way through a challenging obstacle course TIME 5 mins per circuit of the course EQUIPMENT • Whatever is available INSTRUCTIONS 1. Set up an obstacle course with whatever equipment you have. Ideally this would be outdoors, and would test a variety of physical skills like climbing, running or dribbling a football. 2. Beavers try to complete the course in the fastest possible time. You could also set a target number of laps to be completed in a certain time.

GRAB THE ACORN

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Global DESCRIPTION Show Beavers how unfair it is that some people have more than others. TIME 10 mins EQUIPMENT • 4 boxes or chairs (‘drays’) • 20 or more beanbags or hoops (‘acorns’)

of the game is to go to any of the other three boxes, take out one acorn at a time, bring it back to your dray and place it inside. 4. Monitor the boxes so that only one acorn is taken out each time. 5. Give a time limit of 2-3 mins. 6. Tell the Beavers to stop and then count up how many acorns each team has. 7. Chat about how it can be unfair that some people have more than others.

PAPER PLATE RINGS DISPLAY

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Each Beaver Scout makes their very own replica of the Olympic rings. TIME 20 mins EQUIPMENT • Five small paper plates per Beaver Scout • Blue, black, red, green and yellow paint/crayons • Glue

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Prepare the paper plates by cutting out the centres – you will need five plates per Beaver. The Beavers can then paint the plates in the five Olympic colours. 2. Leave to dry. 3. Lay out the rings in the Olympic design (from left to right: blue, yellow, black, green, red) and glue together.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Take four boxes that are the same size and fill them up with 20 or more ‘acorns’. 2. Place them apart in four corners of the room, or as far apart outdoors as you feel comfortable. 3. Tell the Beavers that they are going to be squirrels, collecting acorns. Make up four teams and place them in front of their ‘dray’. The object

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WHAT IS A HERO?

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Beavers put together a list of heroic and un-heroic traits. TIME 20 mins EQUIPMENT • Large piece of paper for each team • Marker pen for each team • Paper • Craft materials INSTRUCTIONS 1. Each team works with an adult for 10-15 minutes to list what they think are heroic and un-heroic traits. For example, a heroic trait might be courage or friendliness, while an un-heroic trait may be giving up. 2. A Beaver or adult from each team calls out what they have written. The leader can then compare what they have all come up with and emphasise those characteristics which they have all agreed on. This could be used to begin creating a code of conduct for the Colony. 3. When you have all discussed the heroic and unheroic traits, the Beavers can design their own superhero. They need to think about what they would like their superhero to do and not do.

HANDPRINT WREATH

VALUES Excellence, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Create your own flag and then make a wreath from hand prints TIME 40 mins

• Crayons • Glue • Rulers • Pencils • Craft material INSTRUCTIONS 1. To start with, the Beaver Scouts are going to create their own flag, using the paper and drawing materials. Often the flags of different countries have some symbolic meaning (for example, the Austrian flag, which is red and white, represents blood and bandages from the 18th-century wars), so the Beavers need to think about what they want their flag to show and then create it. 2. For the wreaths, each Beaver Scout should draw around their hand on the thin card and cut it out. They can then decorate their hand print. 3. When everyone has completed their prints, you can stick them together to create Olympic wreaths. 4. The flags and the wreaths can then be displayed in your Colony meeting place.

TOWER BUILDING

VALUES Determination, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Build a tower and modify it to achieve improved results. TIME 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Tubes • Newspaper • Craft equipment • Cartons • Anything else to build towers

STRON EQUIPMENT • Paper • Thin card • Scissors

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INSTRUCTIONS 1. Tell Beavers that they are going to build three towers, making each one better than the one before. 2. Split Beavers into teams of about five and give them ten minutes to build their first tower. 3. When it is finished, Beavers and leaders can decide how the tower could be improved. Could it be stronger or taller? What different materials could they use? They then build a second tower. 4. This is repeated again so that the Beavers build a third tower. 5. At the end, get the Colony to discuss how they improved each tower. Is their final design different to their first one and how?

SNOWBALLS

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Fitness, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Beavers show their determination through a snowball fight TIME: 5-15 mins EQUIPMENT • Newspaper, rolled into paper ‘snowballs’ INSTRUCTIONS 1. Divide the meeting place into two by use of a chalk line, rope or row of chairs. 2. Explain that once the game starts nobody may cross the line. 3. Explain to the Beavers that they are in competition with the leaders and Young Leaders. They may complain that this is unfair as

adults are stronger or faster. Take note of their complaints but explain that this just means they will need extra determination to win. 4. Paper snowballs should be emptied onto the floor. 5. The object of the game is to throw the snowballs into the opposing team’s area. The winning team will be the one with the least snowballs on their side of the divide when the whistle blows to stop the action. 6. The Beavers may be younger, slower or weaker, but with determination they may win this game as they outnumber the adults. At the close of the game spend a few minutes discussing how determination can bring rewards even in the face of unfair odds.

CHARACTER FREEZE

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Beavers emulate those people who inspire them and explain their admiration. TIME: 5-15 mins EQUIPMENT None INSTRUCTIONS 1. Beavers run around the room until a whistle is blown. 2. They freeze on the whistle, and a leader calls out a category of something inspirational for them to mime. Examples could include their favourite sports star, best teacher or favourite actor. 3. Each time they freeze, the leader should ask one or two Beavers to explain their choice of mime, giving reasons why the person inspires them or what values they admire in them.

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STEPPING STONES

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Community, Fitness DESCRIPTION The Beaver Scouts have to get from one end of the room to the other by using three stepping stones. TIME 10 mins EQUIPMENT • Three large cardboard ‘stepping stones’ per Lodge INSTRUCTIONS 1. In teams, the Beaver Scouts have to get themselves from one end of the room to the other. 2. They cannot touch the floor and each team can only move by using three large stepping stones. 3. These should be big enough for more than one Beaver but not big enough for the whole team. 4. Beavers will have to work together to stand on the stepping stones and pass the third one forward. Who is best at working together, and who has the determination to succeed?

LITTER PICK

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Global, Community DESCRIPTION Beavers demonstrate respect for the environment and for the community. TIME 30 mins - 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Gloves • Black bags • Litter grabbers if available • High visibility vests

and what should be left. For example broken glass/metal or dog waste should be avoided. 3. If you are in a public area, ensure you have permission to litter pick, and also keep Beavers out of private property unless you have specific permission. 4. It may be possible to divide the litter you have collected into recyclable units and take to a bottle bank or paper bank if one is local. This shows continuing respect for the environment.

SPONGE BALL IMBALANCE

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Creative DESCRIPTION Beavers play an uneven ball game to show how we should try to be equal and fair to everyone. TIME 10 mins EQUIPMENT • A few large sponge balls • Loads of small sponge balls • Rope INSTRUCTIONS 1. Split the Colony into two teams and divide the meeting place in half by using a chalk line, rope or row of chairs. 2. The teams each go to their own side, and may not cross the divider. 3. Give one team a lot of small sponge balls and the other team just a couple of large sponge balls. 4. Beavers have to throw their sponges at the other team, if they hit them below the knee, they are out. If the other team catches the ball, the thrower is out. The last person in is the winner. 5. After the game ask which was the hardest – swap the balls over and try again, and then play a third time giving both teams the same size sponge balls. Which was the most equal?

STRON INSTRUCTIONS 1. Divide the Colony into smaller groups and make sure you follow the adult to Beaver Scout ratios. 2. Tell the Beavers what litter may be picked up

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WHAT ARE WE GOOD AT?

PAIRS

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Group discussion on individual talents and gifts. Get the Beavers to acknowledge that we are all different, but we all have something we do well. TIME 5-20 mins EQUIPMENT None

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Community, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION A game to help Beavers get to know each other, this one is great to use when meeting with other Colonies or with the Cub Pack TIME 5-15 mins EQUIPMENT None

INSTRUCTIONS 1. The week before, tell the Beavers what they will be talking about so that they can bring in things to show the others. 2. Begin a group discussion by talking about people who are really good at something. It is a good idea to have a few pictures of famous athletes, actors or other people to show the Beavers. 3. A leader can then talk about something they personally are good at, now or in the past. Certificates or photographs could be used to illustrate. 4. Ask each Beaver Scout in turn to say one thing they are good at. This should be a quick, roundthe-circle answer, which will allow all Beavers who said the same or similar activity to be grouped together. If this does not provide good groupings then divide the Colony into small groups. 5. Ask each group to say together what it is about their activity that they like and what they have achieved â&#x20AC;&#x201C; certificates, badges and so on. 6. Finish the discussion by noting that although many Beavers are different, everyone has a talent they should be proud of, and that others can respect.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. The Beavers stand at one end of the meeting place and a leader stands at another. 2. The leader shouts out an attribute that the Beavers may have in common. Examples of these attributes could be a hair colour, a number of siblings, a first initial, a number of badges, sock or shoe colour or a favourite TV show. 3. The Beavers then find someone that shares the attribute, and race to be the first pair to run over to the leader. This activity shows the Beavers how much they have in common with each other, and how easy it is to make friends.

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SWEET SHARE

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Teach your Beavers about fair trade, by sharing out a box of sweets unequally among the Colony. TIME 10 mins EQUIPMENT • Box of wrapped sweets INSTRUCTIONS 1. At the start of the meeting, divide a box of sweets unequally among the Beavers, making sure they don’t eat any of them just yet. 2. To start with, see if the Beavers realise that they don’t have the same number of sweets each. If not, tell them. Once they realise this, discuss with them whether they think this is fair or not. Explain that this is how unfair trade works. 3. Discuss whether the Beavers think that anyone does deserve more (or fewer) sweets and give a reason why. 4. At the end of the discussion, share the sweets out again, so that this time the Beavers all have the same amount. They can now eat them.

FLAME TREASURE HUNT

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Creative DESCRIPTION Beavers carry ‘torches’ to each of the five continents where appropriate pictures are hidden and directions to the next continent revealed. TIME 30-45 mins

arrows cut from card • Rings cut from stiff cardboard in the above colours • Blu-Tack • Small pictures appropriate to each continent. For example, the Eiffel Tower and other landmarks for Europe, or a kangaroo and a koala for Australasia • Five envelopes • Medals, made from bronze, silver and gold card, or chocolate coins INSTRUCTIONS 1. Divide the playing area into five and label each area as one of the continents. Stick coloured arrows where they can be seen, leading from one ‘continent’ to the next. Arrows from the fifth one lead to the first. In each ‘continent’, hide a picture. 2. Cut a slit in each cardboard ring, so they can be linked. Below each picture, stick an open envelope, containing a ring for each group, the same colour as the arrows leading to the next continent. 3. Ask each Beaver to stick a paper flame onto the inside of the base of their group’s bottle torch. One Beaver from each group carries their torch. Each group is taken to a different continent, where they search for the first picture. 4. The torch is passed to the Beaver who finds the picture and/or guesses which continent they are on. This Beaver takes a ring from the envelope and they follow the arrows in the colour of the ring to the next continent. When they get the ring from this new continent, it is linked to the first. This continues until they are back where they started, having collected and linked together five rings. All members of the group are awarded medals. 5. Beavers could travel to each continent by running, miming different swimming strokes, dribbling footballs or skipping. 6. At the end, all Beavers can link arms together in a gesture of friendship, as symbolised by the rings.

STRON EQUIPMENT • A ‘torch’ made from a plastic drink bottle with the base removed, covered inside and out with foil • Orange and yellow paper, cut into flame shapes • Sticky tape • Plenty of blue, yellow, black, green and red

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PORTRAITS

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Creative DESCRIPTION Following a chat about portraits, the Beavers create a portrait of each other. Finish up with an art exhibition of the portraits, then try to guess who is who. TIME 40 mins – could be over two meetings EQUIPMENT • A few pictures of famous portraits (look at the National Portrait Gallery website for examples) • Roll of lining wallpaper or similar large sheets of paper • Small pieces of paper, wool and other materials • Crayons, felt-tipped pens and pencils • Scissors • Sticky tape and glue INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain how famous artists have painted people through the ages, and how this helps us learn a lot about earlier people. Explain that a portrait is about you but that someone else usually has to paint it. 2. Ask the Beaver Scouts to gather in pairs. 3. One Beaver Scout from each pair lies on a large piece of paper and the other traces around his/ her head and shoulders. 4. Then they swap over and the other Beaver Scout draws around his/her friend. (As an alternative, paper body shapes can be purchased from craft shops.) 5. The Beaver Scouts can then draw their friend’s face onto the ‘head’ and decorate with hair (wool) and perhaps clothing. 6. They can then decorate around the shapes with activities that they enjoy doing with their friends. They can draw onto the portrait itself or onto small pieces of paper that they then stick in place.

7. The portraits can then be displayed around the room. 8. Can the Beaver Scouts guess who is who? Play a game to name them all. 9. Y ou could chat about similarities in the portraits and activities that they all like to do with their friends.

WE LIKE...

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Highlight similarities and differences in the Colony by looking at what different Beavers like. TIME 5 mins EQUIPMENT None INSTRUCTIONS 1. The Beaver Scouts move around the room until a leader calls out ‘We like…’ and adds something – a food, activity, hobby or place. 2. All those Beaver Scouts who like whatever is mentioned join the leader at one end of the meeting place, while the others run to the opposite end. 3. The Beaver Scouts scatter and the game restarts. 4. At the end of the game the leader asks them if they always ended up with the same people, or if they were surprised when someone that they didn’t know very well liked the same things as them, or if their friends always agreed with their likes and dislikes.

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COLONY CODE OF CONDUCT

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Community DESCRIPTION Create a code of conduct for the Colony and ask all the Beavers to sign up to it. TIME 20 mins EQUIPMENT • Pen • Paper (A4 and A3)

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Beaver Scouts that between them they are going to create a set of rules for the Colony. 2. Lead a discussion on what behaviour should be expected in the Colony, like not talking when the leader is talking or not pushing. Write down the ideas as they come up. 3. Write up the simple rules on a piece of A3 paper, making them as positive as possible. 4. Ask each Beaver to agree to the code by signing below the rules. 5. It is worth going back to the rules occasionally to remind the Beavers of the code of conduct, and how it can help them respect the other members of the Colony.

FOOD TASTING

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION Ask the Beavers to taste different foods, and encourage them to try new things. TIME 30 mins EQUIPMENT • Different foods, for example bread, chocolate, raisins, salt, carrots or Marmite. Remember to take into consideration any special dietary requirements that the Beavers might have when selecting the food

• Bowls and plates • Cutlery • Paper and pencils INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before the meeting, gather different foods. Try and get foods with different flavours so that the Beavers can notice a real difference. 2. Spread the food out on plates and bowls and label each A, B, C etc. 3. Explain to the Colony that they are going to try different foods out, and that they have to say whether they like them or not. 4. Give the Beavers an opportunity to try all of the foods and say whether they like them or not. Each Beaver should be encouraged to try all the foods. 5. When all of the Beavers have tasted all the foods, sit them down and find out how many of them liked each different food.

SPORTING WORDSEARCH

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION The Beaver Scouts complete a wordsearch on a sporting theme. TIME 15-20 mins

EQUIPMENT • Pens and pencils • Paper • Wordsearch (from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Copy the wordsearch so that there is enough for each Beaver. 2. Explain to the Beavers how to complete a wordsearch. Some of the younger ones will need help with this.

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3. Give each Beaver time to complete the wordsearch. If some Beavers finish earlier, ask them to help others who haven’t finished. 4. When all have finished, take time to talk about the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their values.

GONE FISHING

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Go fishing to find out the Beavers’ different fears and how they can overcome them. TIME 15-20 mins

EQUIPMENT • Fish-shaped pieces of paper • Paper clips • Garden cane • String • Magnet • A pond (oval-shaped paper on the floor) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Give each Beaver Scout a ‘fish’. On the upper side, ask them to write down something they are, or were, afraid of. On the other side ask them write what they did or can do to get over this fear. 2. Attach a paper clip to the ‘nose’ end of the fish. 3. The Beaver Scouts then place all their fish into the pond. Then using a ‘fishing rod’ (garden cane with string and a magnet attached to the end) ask them to take turns catching a fish. 4. The leader can then read out what is on the fish. Discuss how it takes courage to overcome our fears.

FRIENDSHIP CROWN

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Creative DESCRIPTION Create a crown that shows Beavers and their friends. TIME 30 mins EQUIPMENT • Several body-shaped card templates • Sheets of card (1 per Beaver) • Colouring pens/pencils • Glue • Craft materials • Scissors • Strips of card (1 per Beaver) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Beavers that they are going to make a crown which shows them and their friends. 2. Distribute the templates. Each Beaver draws round the template two or three times on their piece of card, then decorates the shapes as themselves and their friends. 3. Cut the shapes out and stick them onto a wide strip of card that fits round the Beaver’s head to make a crown.

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CLOUD IDENTIFICATION

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Beavers learn at least three different cloud formations. TIME 40 mins EQUIPMENT • Simple cloud identification sheet • Bingo sheets with different types of clouds on them (from www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before the meeting, take time to learn the different clouds yourself. 2. To start with, tell the Beavers that there are four main types of cloud: Low clouds – stratus Middle clouds – altostratus High clouds – cirrus Clouds with vertical development – cumulonimbus. 3. Then show them the pictures of the common types of clouds, naming them as you go. 4. Once you are confident that the Beavers know the different types of clouds, play cloud bingo with them. 5. If it isn’t too dark outside take the Beavers outside to see if they can tell what sort of clouds are in the sky.

PINE CONE FEEDERS

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Make pine cone feeders to hang either in the meeting place grounds, Beavers’ gardens or elsewhere. TIME 30 mins EQUIPMENT • Pine cones (these need to be opened out) • Lard or vegetable shortening • Bird seeds • Chopped dried fruit • Wire or string • Newspapers • Bowls • Hot water • Spoons INSTRUCTIONS 1. Spread newspapers over a table before starting. 2. Wrap string or wire round one end of the pine cone so that the feeders can be hung up. 3. Soften the lard or vegetable shortening so that it is malleable enough to mix with the seeds. This can be done by putting the lard in a bowl over another bowl filled with hot water. Don’t make the lard too hot as it is more fun to mix the seeds into it with hands. 4. Get Beavers to mix the seeds and dried fruit into the softened lard, making sure that it is well mixed. 5. Using hands, they can now squish the lard and seed mixture into the opened cone. Try and make sure that the whole of the cone is covered. 6. The feeders are now ready to be hung up, preferably somewhere Beavers can watch to see the different birds that are attracted.

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TRACKING TRAIL WITH SCOUTS

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Learn the different tracking signs and then follow a trail laid by members of the Scout Troop. TIME 1-2 meetings EQUIPMENT • Factsheet with tracking signs (from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) • Chalk or twigs to lay the signs INSTRUCTIONS 1. Arrange for members of the Scout Troop to come to the Colony meeting and lay a trail during the first part of the meeting. This can either be done from the meeting place or at a Scout activity centre. The trail can be circular or linear. 2. Using the factsheet on tracking signs, teach the Beavers the different signs that might be used on a trail. 3. Divide the Colony into small groups. Remembering the outdoor activities ratio of one adult to six Beavers plus the leader in charge, take each group of Beavers in turn out to the trail laid by the Scouts. Encourage them to work as a team to follow the trail together.

HIDDEN IN CODE

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Can Beaver Scouts invent their own code and write secret messages for other members of the Colony? TIME 30 mins EQUIPMENT • Pen • Paper • Sample coded messages (from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Beavers that they are going to work in small groups to invent a code, and will then encode a message for another group to decode. 2. To help the Beavers understand codes, give them some simple coded messages to work out. 3. Each group will need to work out a code for all 26 letters of the alphabet and then code a message. An example of a message might be ‘The Olympic Games are happening in London this year’. 4. Swap the coded messages and the codes around the groups and give them time to decode the messages.

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SILVER

5. Over the next few weeks, review the challenges Silver activities require a and award silver stars when progress has little more commitment, been made or when the Beavers have been whether in the planning for determined. Encourage each Beaver to at least them or the levels the Beaver try to learn their new skills. Scouts need to achieve. That’s why they’re worth BALLOON SPORTS 100 points. VALUES Excellence, Friendship

ACHIEVE A NEW SKILL

VALUES Excellence, Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Beliefs and Attitudes, Fitness DESCRIPTION Each Beaver Scout decides what new skill they would like to learn and then takes time to learn it. Leaders could also join in with this. TIME 2-3 meetings EQUIPMENT • Equipment for the new challenge • Noticeboard • Name stickers • Silver stars to stick on as the challenges are completed • Paper and pens for Beavers to write or draw their personal challenges INSTRUCTIONS 1. A leader tells a story about when they practised a new skill and learnt something over a period of time, for example riding a bike. 2. The Beavers then talk about something they would like to learn how to do. This could be anything from tying their shoelaces to cooking a dish for their family. 3. Get them to write or draw their personal challenge on a piece of paper and stick it next to their name on the noticeboard. 4. Talk about how the Beavers will have to be determined to complete their challenge over the coming weeks.

SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN, PARALYMPIC EQUESTRIAN What are you most looking forward to about the London 2012 Paralympic Games? Having been to Athens and Beijing, the Games are such an amazing and unique experience. I would love to have my friends and family share with me in the biggest sporting event on the planet. London will be transformed so that Great Britain can be proud that the world’s eyes are on us.

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PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION Invite your nearest Explorer Unit to your Colony to run a mini-Games, with all the events featuring balloons. TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Balloons • Other items as required by the Explorer Scouts INSTRUCTIONS 1. Invite your local Explorer Unit to your Colony meeting to run a mini-Games, featuring lots of balloons. 2. When you send out the invitation, tell the Explorers how many members you have, and if any of them have a special need that they need to be aware of. 3. Discuss with the Explorers what equipment they want to have that you can supply. 4. The Explorers can find suggestions in their version of Our Sporting Adventure. They can use these or devise their own. 5. The Beavers should take part in all the different activities and try their best.

CITIUS – FASTER

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Inspired by motto of the Olympic Games Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) Beavers build and race self-powered cars. TIME Two meetings

What inspires you? I have always wanted to push myself to my full potential in everything that I do. The pinnacle of my sport is winning a Paralympic gold medal, so that’s what inspires me to train every day. Having a goal at the end helps you focus.

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EQUIPMENT • Balloons • Lolly sticks • Sticky tape • Elastic bands • Cardboard • Scissors • Blu-Tack • Silver takeaway containers • Empty plastic bottles/food containers • Glue • Paper INSTRUCTIONS 1. Divide the Colony into small groups of about four or five and ask them to design and build a car. The aim is to have the fastest car. 2. To help the Beavers, give them some ideas of how to propel the car using the equipment provided. 3. Give them 15 minutes to design their car, explaining that one of the rules of the race will be that once it has started, no one is allowed to touch it. 4. Beavers then have 30-40 minutes to build and test their car. 5. Once their cars are built, race them across the meeting place until the time is up.

ALTIUS – HIGHER

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Inspired by motto of the Olympic Games Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) take the Colony to the highest point in your area and possibly hold a meeting up there. TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Any equipment needed to run the meeting INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before the meeting decide where the highest point in your local area is. This could be a tower block, tall office block, church tower, castle, local hill or mountain. 2. Make the arrangements to go up wherever you decide, remembering that if you are going up a hill or mountain you might need someone with an appropriate hillwalking permit.

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3. The climb to the top and back down again might take the whole meeting, or if not there may be time to run some activities at the top. 4. When at the top, remember to take a photo of the Colony and the views. You could even ask the Beavers to take some of the photos

FORTIUS – STRONGER

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Inspired by motto of the Olympic Games Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) small groups of Beavers attempt to build a structure out of newspaper that is strong enough to hold one of them. TIME 1-2 meetings (this is a good activity to do on a residential experience) EQUIPMENT • Lots of newspaper • Sticky tape and scissors • Staplers and staples INSTRUCTIONS 1. Show the Beavers how to make rolls of newspaper, so that they will have an understanding of how to make a strong structure. 2. Divide the Colony into small groups of about four or five and give each group a stack of newspapers, sticky tape, scissors, staplers and staples. Each group might need a Young Leader or adult with them to help them either with the equipment or with ideas. 3. Allow the groups time to build their structures, which could take the whole meeting. When they are finished, take pictures of them. 4. Either test the structures out during the same meeting if you have time, or store them until the next week. 5. One group at a time gets one of their group to sit on the structure to see if it will hold that Beaver. Again take a photo of each group’s structure with the Beaver on it.

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SILVER

A FRIEND’S SHIP

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Community, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Beavers create a ‘ship’ to house all their friends. It could be a sailing ship/space ship/ time ship depending on the theme the group are working on. TIME 30 mins – 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Boxes/crates • Chairs • Staves • Cushions • Beanbags/quoits/hoops • Pens and paper • Old material • Rope • Cones INSTRUCTIONS 1. Split Beavers into groups. There may be two, three or four groups depending on the size of the Colony. If the Colony is small, ask Beavers to work together as a whole. 2. Invite parents to arrive ten minutes early so that they can see the presentations of the ship. 3. Explain to the Beavers that they must build a ship to contain everyone in their group that will travel to outer space, back or forward in time or to other countries. A captain must be elected by the group and everyone assigned a task, for example pilot, helmsman, cook or engineer. 4. The Beavers must decide on the shape of their ship and any modifications for comfort like a kitchen or TV room. 5. They should use crates, boxes or chairs to shape their ship and beanbags, quoits or other items for the control system. Maybe they could use some material as a sail or roof. Let their imaginations run wild.

6. E ach team must name their ship and design a flag that represents them. The time can be extended to incorporate time for flag designs or painting the ship’s name on boxes. 7. If you want to extend this activity, you could encourage Beavers to create clocks (for showing the date on a time ship), passports (for visiting countries on a sailing ship) or language translators (for visiting aliens on space ship). 8. At the end of the session, the groups present their ship to the rest of the Colony and their parents. They should explain modifications, outline destinations, and explain their roles. 9. The Colony could vote on the best design or it can be non-competitive. 10. Take photographs for a display.

JAMBOREE EXPLORER

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Global DESCRIPTION Invite someone who has been to a World Scout Jamboree to visit your meeting and run activities based on their experiences. TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • As required by your visitor INSTRUCTIONS 1. Find out from the District Explorer Scout Commissioner or County Scout Network Commissioner if there are any Explorers or Network members who have attended a Jamboree, and invite them to run a meeting. 2. The meeting should be based around the theme of the Jamboree. For example the theme of the most recent Jamboree in Sweden was ‘Simply Scouting’. 3. Ask the person who is coming if they need any equipment, and get it ready for the meeting. 4. Run the meeting.

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COOK-OUT

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Creative DESCRIPTION Have a go at cooking a dish in an unusual place. TIME 2-3 meetings EQUIPMENT • Camping stoves • Pots and pans • Spatulas, cutlery • Pen and paper INSTRUCTIONS 1. At the first meeting, chat with the Beavers about where they think would be an unusual place to cook a dish. Be prepared for the wild and wacky suggestions. Write all the suggestions down as they come up with them. With the Beavers, whittle down the suggestions until you have two or three possibilities you can take away and investigate. 2. As part of this discussion, ask the Beavers what they would like to cook. You might like to guide the discussion by letting them know the limitations of what can be cooked on the equipment available. In a similar way to the discussion about place, write down the ideas and then whittle these down. Bear in mind any dietary requirements the Beavers may have. 3. You might like to invite special guests to your ‘cook out’. The Beavers can write the invitations at another meeting. 4. Before the meeting, organise the venue, make the parents aware where they need to meet, and purchase the ingredients. If the Beaver Scouts have come up with a really unusual place, speak to the District Media Development Manager about publicising the activity in the local media. 5. At the meeting, bearing in mind all the safety considerations, prepare and cook the dish and then serve it to all who attend.

SAILING BY

EQUIPMENT • Guttering • Water • Paper • Glue • Scissors INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Beavers that they are each going to make a little boat which they will sail on channels of water made from guttering. The Beavers will also need to create the wind to sail their boats. This could be by blowing, flapping paper or some other method. 2. Give each Beaver some paper and access to scissors and glue, and ask them to make little boats. Make sure that you have plenty of adults and Young Leaders available to help. 3. If sailing the boats in the same meeting, set up the guttering outside while the Beavers are making their boats. If sailing the boats at another meeting, make sure the guttering is set up and ready before the meeting. 4. Test all the boats to see which sail or sink.

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VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Ask the Beavers to make little boats to sail on channels made from guttering. TIME Two meetings

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SILVER

PLAYING ABOUT IN BOATS

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Introduce the Beavers to water activities by giving them the opportunity to try different water activities for the first time. TIME One meeting

EQUIPMENT • Depends on chosen activity. Most activity centres will provide all the equipment. INSTRUCTIONS 1. D ecide which water activity you would like to do with your Beavers. Beavers can take part in loads of activities including bell boating, rafting, canoeing, narrowboating or swimming. They can also enjoy trips on motor cruisers and power boats. 2. To help you with the rules, see: www.scouts.org.uk/wateractivities 3. Contact your local Scout Activity Centre to see if they can deliver the activities for you, if not contact your Assistant County Commissioner (Activities) and ask them if they know where you can do your chosen activity and then arrange your meeting.

TRADING UP

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION A wide game trading beans and pasta. TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • A bag of dried beans such as butter beans • A bag of pasta shells • Glow bracelets or other small prizes (1 per Beaver)

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Split the Colony into teams of four to six people. 2. Give each participant either one bean or one pasta shell. 3. Send off some adults into the play area (ideally woodland) with bags of either beans or shells. They should move around and can swap what they are offering, but shouldn’t hide. 4. The Beavers run off to find an adult to trade their bean/shell. Those with beans need to find the adult with shells, who will trade one bean for two shells. Once they have a shell, they need to find the adult with beans who will trade one shell for two beans. 5. Only one item can be traded at a time. The teams need to work together to gather a ‘profit’ of 30 beans/shells for a team of six, ensuring that each team member still has one bean/shell to continue with the game. 6. Once they have their 30 they go to the Trading Post and buy one glow bracelet. The game continues until they have purchased a glow bracelet for each team member. The winner is the first team to complete this. 7. Alternatively you could do it on a time basis and see which team manages to purchase the most glow bracelets.

THE SISTINE CHAPEL

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION The Beavers create their own version of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Large sheets of paper – rolls of wallpaper or newsprint • Pencils • Craft material • Tables/chairs • Sticky tape

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INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Beavers that they are going to create their own version of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, in the same way that Michelangelo created the original. 2. Use sticky tape to fix pieces of paper to the underside of tables and chairs – the Beavers have to be able to get underneath to create their artwork. 3. Before they start, ask them to think about the design of their picture. 4. Each Beaver then creates their artwork on the underside of the tables and chairs using the craft material. 5. When all the Beavers have finished their artwork, have an exhibition. You can either pin the art to the walls or ask the Beavers to view the art still stuck to the underside of the tables and chairs.

ARCHERY

VALUES Determination, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION The Beavers have a go at archery and try to achieve three arrows in a row on the target. TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • As required by whoever is providing the activity INSTRUCTIONS 1. A rrange for the Colony to enjoy an archery session. This could be at a local Scout Activity Centre, or there may be someone in the County who can set up an archery range at your meeting place. 2. By the end of the session the Beavers should each try to hit the target with three of their arrows in a row.

SCAVENGER HUNT

EQUIPMENT • Bag (one per group) • Sheet with the words written on (one per group) • Camera (one per group) INSTRUCTIONS 1. S elect an area that you can use for the scavenger hunt. This could be the local park, a Scout Activity Centre or the area around your meeting place. 2. B efore sending the Beavers out, remind them about looking after nature, and that they shouldn’t destroy nature in their effort to find different items. If it’s not possible to take the item, they should take a picture. 3. D ivide the Colony into small groups of about four or five and give each group a bag, a sheet with the words OLYMPIC GAMES written on and a disposable camera. 4. The groups have 40 minutes to find the different items. 5. When they come back to the meeting point see who has managed to gather the most items. If you are using disposable cameras you will need to complete this the following week, after the photos have been developed.

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VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Using the words ‘Olympic Games’, ask the Beaver Scouts to find something beginning with each letter. TIME One meeting

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GOLD

Gold medallists inspire others to strive for excellence. How many of these more challenging activities will your Beavers complete? BEAVER CAMP

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Give Beavers what will possibly be their first experience of sleeping under canvas. TIME Overnight EQUIPMENT • Tents • Cooking equipment • Equipment to complete the chosen bronze activities • First aid kit INSTRUCTIONS 1. You should start your planning for the camp around 4–5 months in advance. You should refer to and follow the procedures for taking Beavers on a residential experience. Some key points during the planning stage: • The leader in charge of the camp will need as a minimum a campsite nights away permit • Choose, visit and book the campsite • Complete Nights Away notification

BEN AINSLIE, OLYMPIC SAILOR What are you most looking forward to about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games? It will be fantastic to compete in front of a home crowd, racing on British waters in the Olympic Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity. What inspires you? Winning and achievement inspires me. Every

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• Select helpers and make sure they have had a criminal records check done • Arrange transportation of kit to campsite • Arrange for tents to be put up before Beavers arrive • Produce menu and order supplies (online if possible, so it can be delivered) • Make sure that you have alternative accommodation in case of adverse weather. 2. Before the camp, discuss a possible theme with the Beavers, based around the Olympic and Paralympic Games or values. Pick names out of hats to assign Beavers to teams, and consider a points system which will see teams earn points and rewards for tasks completed. 3. On arrival at the camp, ensure all tents etc are set up properly. 4. Assign tasks to the Beavers; meal preparation, washing up, tidying the camp area and so on. 5. Choose around five of the bronze activities to do on camp. 6. When camp is over, arrange Beavers into teams to help with tidying up/striking of tents etc. 7. When back in a regular meeting, share stories of the camp and award the highest-achieving team a medal or keepsake of the event and give taking-part certificates or awards to the others. Explain how the Olympic Games’ medal system works and why you get a bigger reward for winning/achieving new records. (Beavers could make these in a craft session before or after camp.) Note: Make sure you follow the Nights Away Permit Scheme outlined in POR chapter 9.

day I go sailing I set goals; this can be the smallest tweak on a training day or the biggest push on a medal race day. It’s also important to always look ahead to the next test. That’s why sailing is such a great sport to be involved in, it’s very diverse with many different challenges. Alongside the Olympic sailing I have also been involved in the America’s Cup; these two challenges have kept me fresh and inspired.

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JOINT BEAVER SLEEPOVER

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Community DESCRIPTION What better way to get to know another Colony than by swapping secrets and stories with each other on a bumper Beaver Sleepover? TIME Overnight EQUIPMENT • Depends on your chosen theme INSTRUCTIONS 1. Refer to and follow the procedure for planning Beaver Scout residential experiences, remembering that the leader of the residential experience will need the appropriate Nights Away Permit. 2. Get in touch with another local Beaver Scout leader to discuss the possibility of a joint sleepover between your two Colonies. 3. Think of a theme for your sleepover and consider introducing a competitive edge to make it more exciting. To ensure all Beavers get on or form a bond, any teams formed for competitions or games should be made up of members from both Colonies. 4. Before the sleepover, have a joint meeting with the other Colony, perhaps using the theme your sleepover will take. This means nobody will be strangers on the sleepover. Do an icebreaker activity where each Beaver introduces themselves, saying their name, their favourite thing (food/TV/sport etc) and a fact about themselves (birthday/last place they went to/ pets etc). Write down or note what each person says as you will need this when at the sleepover.

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5. Consider the kinds of competitive activities which can be done indoors. Examples might include: • Board game/computer game tournaments • Drawing or dancing competitions • Team hide and seek (if sleepover venue is big enough) • Breaking teams down into pairs (one Beaver each from each Colony) to do smaller competitions within teams Incentives for winning could be small spot prizes, the winning team being allowed to stay up an extra half hour, or letting them choose the bedtime activity, morning game or cartoon. 6. On arrival at the sleepover destination, repeat the icebreaker task , but this time before the person selected to go first speaks, see if any of the other Beavers (ideally from the other Colony) can remember any details from the previous session. Repeat this with all other Beavers. You can also use this info as a quiz at the very end of the sleepover to show what people have learned about each other, dividing the Beavers into two teams. 7. Once the sleepover is over, encourage other cross-Colony events or evenings to strengthen bonds forged by the sleepover.

Note: Make sure you follow the Nights Away Permit Scheme outlined in POR chapter 9.

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GOLD

HEALTHY EATING COOKING COMPETITION

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Fitness DESCRIPTION Turn your Colony into a top-class kitchen and your Beavers into gourmet chefs as they work together – and compete against one another – in their new healthy eating venture, where the name of the game is scoring high on nutritional value and, of course, the taste test. TIME Several meetings

EQUIPMENT • Cut-outs of food from magazines or newspapers, both healthy and unhealthy • Aprons • Healthy food to prepare for tasks. INSTRUCTIONS 1. With your Beavers, discuss the benefits of healthy eating and test them on their knowledge of healthy foods. • Divide the room into two parts: yes and no • Hold up the cut-outs of food and ask the Beavers to decide whether they’re healthy by running to either the Yes or No part of the room • After the game, discuss with Beavers what makes food healthy and what doesn’t, giving a brief outline of the different food groups and their purpose. 2. Ask the Beavers to imagine they are opening their own restaurant in a fictional street which has lots of pizza places and burger bars. Everyone who lives in the street wants a change, to eat healthy food. What kind of food would they serve? Talk about the different ways food can be cooked, based on the equipment you will have available at the time. 3. Ask the Beavers to devise a menu for their restaurant’s opening night. Tell them to imagine that one of the best chefs in the world will be a guest. Depending on number of Beavers in your Colony and/or their abilities, decide what form

the menu will take from one of the following options: • Two courses (starter and main course or main course and pudding) • Three courses (starter, main course and pudding). 4. Decide whether the Colony will be divided into separate groups responsible for each course, or all cooking together. Dividing into groups will introduce a competitive edge and may also be easier to organise and oversee. If dividing into groups, an option in step 3 to encourage all Beaver Scouts to participate in planning all courses might be to tell them that they will not necessarily be cooking the dish they suggest – it may be another team’s responsibility. 5. Before the cooking evening, tell Beavers which team or group they are in so they can be prepared. Ask them to bring in an apron from home (if available). Talk to them about how important it is for kitchens to be clean and how restaurants make sure staff don’t spread germs or put themselves at risk by wearing protective clothing. 6. On the evening that the meal is to be cooked and served, decorate the meeting place to look like a restaurant. Divide the Beavers into as many teams as you have courses. 7. Appoint an adult as ‘head chef’ for each team who can inspire and guide the Beavers as they cook. 8. Ask adult volunteers to be the restaurant patrons and to score each course of the meal according to taste, healthiness and portion size, along with an overall score for the meal as a whole. 9. After the activity, talk about the challenges everyone faced when working with and against each other. Would they have liked to have cooked a different course? Which course was the healthiest? Are some types of food you’d eat in a particular course likely to be unhealthy? What are the alternatives?

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INTERNATIONAL BEAVEREE

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Global, Community DESCRIPTION The Olympic and Paralympic Games are about bringing people from all over the world together, and so is Scouting. Broaden your Beavers’ horizons with a trip abroad to get them thinking about different cultures, both at home and internationally. TIME Time to organise the trip and run the event EQUIPMENT • Whatever equipment is needed to run the trip INSTRUCTIONS 1. Refer to the factsheet Colony Visits and Holidays Abroad (FS103832). Assuming you obtain approval from your GSL, DC and ACC/AAC (International), there are some other important points to remember during the planning stage: • Don’t mention the trip to parents or Beavers until approval has been granted; any lastminute hitches may lead to disappointment. • You may wish to do a recce of your chosen destination to get an idea of transport requirements and facilities, as well as to identify any programme opportunities which may arise as part of the journey. 2. Get in touch with any Beaver Colonies in the area you’re visiting to arrange a possible meet-up. Their leaders could be invaluable in suggesting activity ideas while you are visiting their area. 3. Ask Beavers what countries or cities they have heard of and which ones they have been to. Chart on a wall map who has been where. 4. In the run-up to the trip abroad, have a themed evening based around your chosen country, with food and music and, if available from sources like YouTube, cartoons from that country or in the country’s most-spoken language.

5. Before the trip abroad, go on an afternoon or day out with the Beaver Scouts and all adults who’ll be attending so everyone can get to know each other. See the journey as a practice run and a chance for Beavers to ask any questions about travelling on buses or trains, as it’s likely some will not have travelled extensively, if at all. 6. Get Beavers to think about the kind of activity they could do with the international group which would make for a good introduction to British culture. Start them thinking about how they can communicate without speaking, as the international group may not speak English and it is important that everyone is treated equally. 7. Ask the Beavers to collaborate on a ‘welcome message’ for the international group and, if possible, teach them one or two simple phrases in the destination country’s language to break the ice upon arrival. 8. Take with you a collage or scrapbook that the Colony has made which introduces the international Beavers to your group and the area they live in, using personal photos, postcards and artwork. Note: Talk to your ACC (International) before planning your trip abroad. In the meantime, get ideas from leaders who have been there and done that at www.scouts.org.uk/globetrekker

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GOLD

CLIMB MOUNT OLYMPUS

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONE Fitness DESCRIPTION Beaver Scouts become courageous explorers, overcoming adversity and meeting a series of challenges to reach their goal and reach the summit of their virtual Mount Olympus TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT • Whatever you need to reach the target INSTRUCTIONS 1. Talk to the Beavers about how Mount Olympus was the inspiration for the Olympic Games, and tell the Beavers that it is the tallest mountain in Greece, standing at 2,917 metres (1.8 miles). Then tell them they’re going to see how long it takes to climb it. 2. Divide the total distance into ‘milestones’ or ‘targets’ which Beavers have to meet. For variety, allow each milestone to be completed in a different way. Some examples might be: • An evening at a local climbing centre • A challenge to climb sets of stairs in a public place in a set amount of time • A challenge to climb some of the stairs of a tall landmark building in your area • An afternoon out walking to cover some of the mileage • Ask the Beavers to think about another way to cover some of the distance, and allow a small part of the distance to be covered by the Beaver individually, outside of meetings or with their family – perhaps walking the dog, a trip to the supermarket or around the town centre. 3. In the meeting place, put up a chart or an image to represent Mount Olympus and mark the Colony’s progress as they complete each part of the challenge. As each level is reached, you could ask them to imagine they are climbing the mountain for real and talk to them about the courage and determination needed to carry on,

along with the sense of achievement of getting so far. What would inspire them to carry on? How could they help each other out? The further they get and the nearer to completing the challenge they come, how are they feeling? Note: Make sure you follow the activites rules in chapter 9 of POR.

BEACH CHALLENGE DAY

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Community, Fitness DESCRIPTION Being beside the seaside isn’t just about sand in your sandwiches and seaweed in your socks. Give your Beavers an aquatic adventure with a day spent completing fun tasks and challenges on the beach. TIME All day EQUIPMENT • The equipment needed will depend on the challenges chosen INSTRUCTIONS 1. Refer to and follow the procedure for planning Beaver Scout outings. 2. Before the day of the trip, take the journey you’ll be making with the Beavers in advance to identify any programme opportunities on the way there. Prepare a simple challenge for the Beavers to complete while on the coach or train, such as looking out for landmarks, counting how many letters there are in each place name where the train or coach stops, or devising a game the Beavers can play on the journey. 3. Arrange challenges for the Beavers to complete at the beach, on the following themes: • Environmental. What you do will depend on the beach you choose, but you could organise a litter pick or play a game where you identify seaside life such as crabs and seagulls.

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• Sports. Arrange equipment for a game of beach volleyball or cricket, or hold races along the beach. • Community. Suggestions might include arranging a talk with the lifeguards or lifeboat crew, or doing a fact-finding mission about the types of businesses who rely on beach visitors for trade. What kinds of businesses are most common at the seafront, and are they for tourists or residents? You could see who can find the strangest item for sale in a seafront shop. 4. On arriving at the beach, pair Beavers up into ‘buddies’ so they can keep an eye on each other at all times. 5. Talk to the Beavers about the different kind of beaches all over the world (pebbly, sandy, black sand etc) and about the kinds of things you see when land meets water, like cliffs, piers, groynes and harbours. 6. Complete all challenges listed above. 7. After the trip, help the Beavers compile a scrapbook of their trip away and ask them to list three things they’ve learned/liked about the trip to the beach.

INSPIRATION SCRAPBOOK

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Colony the concept of inspiration and being inspired. Talk about famous sportsmen or women or well-known celebrities who have achieved a lot. Who were their influences and inspirational figures? And who now, in turn, do they themselves inspire? Explain the different ways someone can be inspiring, be it through success, overcoming adversity such as disability, illness or social problems. Ask the Beavers to think about who inspires them the most. 2. Set a time period within which Beavers can contribute to a wall of inspiration or an inspiration scrapbook (this will depend on who else has access to your meeting place), asking them to bring in pieces of artwork, certificates awarded, school work commendations. These will be displayed on the wall or in the scrapbook for other sections to view. 3. Optional: ask representatives from each of the other sections in the Scout Group to pick out their most inspiring or impressive achievement and to explain why. 4. Encourage Beavers to talk about which of their fellow Beavers’ achievements were particularly inspiring to them.

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Creative, Community, Beliefs and Attitudes DESCRIPTION Create a scrapbook or wall showing different things that have inspired the Beaver Scouts. Leaders and parents can join in as well. TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT • The equipment used will depend whether you are creating a scrapbook or wall • Scrapbook • Glue • Backing material • Stapler • Drawing pins • Any other suitable craft material

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Scout Association would like to thank The Peter Harrison Foundation and The Freemasons’ Grand Charity for their generous support in developing this printed resource.

The Scout Association would also like to thank the Peter Cruddas Foundation for its generous support of Our Sporting Adventure as sole sponsor of the web pages and medal table.

Illustrations by Mehmet Ulusahin Photograph of Ben Ainslie © Lloyd Images Photograph of Sophie Christiansen © Kit Houghton © The Scout Association 2011 Charity numbers 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

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