Autumn 2024 Update

Hey all!

Today’s post is to show you all what the troop got up to over the summer months, and to mention what plans we have for the winter and early 2025!

Back in May, Richard ran a session for Scouts to give air rifle shooting a go at Hesley Wood Scout Activity Centre – As part of the Master At Arms badge. Several of the Scouts have been a few times before, so a handful of badges were issued in Camp Centre on site

Into June, Assistant Cub Leader Graham ran his first camp in Scouting at Squirrel Wood in Doncaster! A great weekend had by all despite the mixed-bag of weather. Camp fire, songs and axe throwing set in a great site that we will definitely be coming back to! Well done, Graham!

The weather did lead to some interesting activity planning, like building shoe drying racks around the fire – With one Beaver Scout falling asleep under a hastily constructed shelter of camp chairs, umbrellas and pioneering poles. Group Scout Leader Joe was keeping a close any on any shoes getting a little “too melty.”

Over the summer months, the group was out an about making the most of the “brief” bit of sunshine we had. The Cubs had meeting nights out in the woods, the local park and playing rounders. The Beavers were working on their gardener badge clearing the planters in the HQ garden and growing some fruit bushes – and the Scouts were brushing up on their Scout skills in preparation for the Group’s summer camp.

The Summer Camp this year was hosted at Hollygate Scout Camp Site in Nottingham – Run by Assistant Scout Leader Richard – a new site for the group! The week long trip included trips out to Nottingham Castle, the Mining Museum and riding on a steam train; with on-site activities such as archery, the obstacle course and climbing walls – As well as the groups usual business, fire making. A great time for the Scouts (and Leaders), thank you Rich!

There is currently an event running with Heinz to decorate bean tins, alongside some new amazing badges the members can earn! Here are some of the entries we have had back:

Looking forward, the group has a few things coming up! The group will be meeting up for our usual Halloween and Bonfire night evenings, the Beavers have a district sleepover at Gulliver’s Adventure Park in October, and there will be Spooktacular at Hesley Wood (More info here: https://hesleywood.org.uk/events/) – Letters will be going out to parents/carers soon for a Winter Sleepover in January as well!

If you want to keep in touch with the group, feel free to drop the leadership team an email on 61stsheffieldscouts@gmail.com – And if you are a parent of a current member, please speak with your section leaders about joining the private Facebook Group!

Yours in Scouting,
Alex James – Beaver Scout Leader