Recently we’ve been talking a lot about volunteering and the benefits it can bring to both sides. We’re very grateful to all those who give their time and energy for free to support Penistone Scouts. Many of our wonderful volunteers are also involved in other charity activities, locally and nationally. This week’s Rewind includes a new section bringing you information about events our own volunteers are involved in outside Scouting that you might like to join or support in other ways.
The week ahead (10th February onwards):
Beavers
Castors will be having a guest come in to talk about pets.
Boomers and Millstones will be meeting as usual. You’ll get an email if there’s anything you need to know beforehand.
Cubs
Alegre have been invited to attend a games workshop at Stocksbridge. Please see the email sent to parents/carers. Cubs should meet at 6.30 pm. Location details are in the email.
Bella Vista young leader team are planning and delivering this week’s meeting to complete one of their missions. We can’t wait to see what fun and exciting activities they’ve organised!
Raptors are back in Thurlstone school hall this week, with some fun and maybe a Valentine activity or two. Also, all new cubs, including those moving up from beavers, will be invested.
Scouts
Enigma will be starting their mental health awareness badge this week. There’ll be a discussion and practical workshop around this subject, led by leaders Nicky and Katie.
Wibbles have decided together on an activity badge to focus on in February – this week they’ll start looking at their Chef badge. They’ll be planning menus and ingredients, ready for cooking after half term.
Viernes should be meeting as usual. You’ll get an email if there’s anything you need to know about beforehand.
Explorers
This week Scorpion Explorers will be meeting as usual – you’ll get an email if anything changes.
Future events:
Group events
All sections are invited to the Sheffield Steelers vs Belfast Giants game on Sunday 23rd February at Sheffield Arena. Young people and volunteers go free and there’s a discount for any other tickets. You can read all the details here.
Scout and Explorer events
The invites to the much-anticipated Kettleness camp in Whitby (27th to 29th March) were sent out this week via OSM. Please reply quickly, including paying the deposit to secure your place. Once the coach is full, we won’t be able to take any additional young people. Full details are on the dedicated Kettleness event page.
Previously:
Beavers
Castors carried on with their international badge. Some remembered their phone numbers (and had that achievement signed off) and they looked at knots. The beavers tried to tie shoelaces and then practised knots in liquorice laces; once mastered, they could eat the knot. They’ll be revisiting knots in a future session for practice.
Millstones have been completing badge work- learning to tie knots and shoelaces, learning about a controlled diet and different food groups, learnt how to look after their teeth and did pioneering and a log chew- a busy night
Cubs
Last week, Bella Vista looked at various aspects of personal safety. This included keeping themselves safe in day-to-day activities, how to avoid vulnerable situations when out and about, and what to do if someone makes them feel uncomfortable. Then, they worked in pairs to come up with designs for inventions that could well save people’s lives in the future.
Alegre went on a walk to Cubley Hall – something they’d planned to do before Christmas but had to cancel due to the weather. Torches in hand, they set off on the trail, into the fields, over stiles and through the mud … lots of it … but a fun time was had by all. With a big thank you to John at Cubley Hall, everyone enjoyed the best chip butties and a drink … we’re sorry for all the mud left in the entrance!
Raptors had an amazing time this week with a visit to ‘Think Forensics’ in Skelmanthorpe. They managed to solve the crime and all took away a casting as a souvenir.
Scouts
Enigma completed the second night of their two-night MasterChef challenge – and did themselves proud. The leaders were genuinely astounded by what the scouts achieved! They all worked really hard in their teams of three to prepare and cook a starter, main and dessert for a panel of five judges. They brought along all their own ingredients and equipment, and cooked all of it themselves on small, two-ring gas burners and an oven. There were no pre-made or shop-bought dishes allowed, so everything they made was prepared and cooked from scratch. Jim said he’s often surprised in scouting but he was truly impressed and amazed by the response to this particular challenge. The food Enigma presented was of a fantastic quality – and the judges agreed!
Wibbles showed off their January knot of the month skills and then decided on a new knot to practice in February. Young leaders and senior patrol leaders organised games for the evening. Then, while everyone was busy with an enthusiastic game of dodgeball, they also emptied and cleaned all the kitchen glass/beaker cupboards, which was a little unexpected. Great teamwork from them!
Viernes had part two of cultures from around the world, focusing on food from around the world. This week we had burgers from the USA, crepes from France, shrimp kebabs from Australia and chicken stir fry from China. We also had a visit from Mark Elliot who thoroughly enjoyed his burger from America.
Explorers
Scorpion Explorers did practical first aid last week. They revisited their bandaging and CPR skills with emergency scenarios that provoked discussion amongst the unit. Thanks to beaver leader Louis for helping out.
Volunteering and Fundraising:
Gordon, one of our beaver leaders, is taking part in a half marathon. Here, he explains a little more about it:
In a moment of weakness, I’ve agreed to run the Manchester half marathon at the end of May for ‘National Energy Action‘. NEA is the UK’s main fuel-poverty charity, aiming to end the need for anyone to have to choose between heating and eating. I’d be really grateful if you could support me and NEA using the following link:
Trust me, I’ll be paying for every mile!!
Good luck Gordon!
We’d love to make this a regular section, so if you’re involved with Penistone Scouts and there’s something similar that you’d like to tell us about, please email [email protected]
