September 2020 saw the return to Outside meetings after hours putting together Risk Assessments and making sure we had the relevant PPE and cleaning equipment. It was great to see our members outside enjoying the light evenings and the good weather and having an amazing time after the last few months of Lockdown.
Since their return, the Beavers have taken part in lots of fun games including an Athletics evening with games such as socially distanced hockey, throwing bean bags into a hoop, running, jumping etc. There was even a trip to Jubilee Fields for a Mini Beast Hunt. All the children loved being outside, seeing their friends from a distance and taking part in something different. They have remained very active during these first few weeks which is great for their health and wellbeing and makes Beavers the perfect end to the school day. There was a worry that it would be difficult to keep the children 2 metres apart, especially when they are with the same friends at school all day. However, they have adjusted well to the guidelines and managed to stay within their individual hoops and space as instructed.
The Cubs have taken part in lots of outdoor games on the field outside the Scout Hut, Splat being a firm favourite! Anything that involves them being outside, jumping around and having fun has been a success. Sometimes it is the simplest things that bring the most joy. We have also worked on the Communicator badge learning about Morse Code with our torches and Semaphore with glow sticks. The Cubs learnt that if they communicate well together then they can make things and work together without being too close. Having to explain and instruct to their team members as well as listen to what they were being told are great skills they have learnt and benefitted from. We have also used the natural resources on the field by making tracks with leaves, sticks and stones. It was fun following those with torches on a dark evening.
Scouts have really benefitted from being outside with an action-packed programme this term including a Mini Olympics session, Tree & Plant Identification, Campfire Cooking, fire lighting, a photo treasure hunt, recycling and Pioneering. Scouts also had an amazing visit to a Ski Centre in Aldershot where they took part in dry slope Skiing!! These are all exciting activities that our members enjoy and can still count towards earning their badges.
The benefits of being outside, having fun and learning new and exciting activities have proved invaluable during this uncertain time. The feedback from parents has been brilliant; our members love being outside, meeting new friends and having fun. We will continue to provide a varied and exciting programme to our members in these challenging times.
At the time of writing a second lockdown has just been announced. We are all well equipped to move our sessions to Zoom for the time being. Our members know what to expect and will be excitedly waiting for the time when we can meet again Face to Face. For now, though, we will keep on scouting safely during Lockdown2.