So what have our sections been up to this month?
- our Beaver Scouts – led by Santiago – have been building their numbers up running some cracking good evenings. One night was spent with some wacky science experiments – making an electric circuit, making quick sand and creating foaming dragons – then another meeting learning to improve their recycling and care for endangered animals for part of their Global Challenge and the My World badges. Our last meeting this month was on the Chinese New Year, when we celebrated with Chinese food, making lanterns and learning about China;
- January started for us with a Church Parade, giving the chance for a couple of Cubs to read to the congregration. During our weekly meetings we have taught the Cubs about recycling, then teaching pioneering with a game of BucketBall. We have also managed to consume lots of food this month – with the Pack celebrating Burns Night, then the Chinese New Year. We’re so pleased to report that in the 9 months since we returned to face-to-face Scouting with 18 Cubs, despite having linked six Cubs to the Troop this the Pack reached 30 members again this week!
- the Scouts came back for a packed Tuesday night programme – to prepare one week, then compete the next week for the Cooking Contest where the patrols split all the pots, pans and food between them. Congratulations to the Tigers – for impressing our guest judge Mrs Pearce – and to Mrs Pearce for surviving the 6 full meals she tried. We welcomed along our Explorer Unit to run the next meeting, then finished the month back at the Parish Hall for a night starting the World Challenge with a Scout Law Wide Game around the Market Place. We spent a day together with the 2nd Desbo and the 17th Kettering Troops taking a full Saturday to complete the Creative Challenge, offering film making, circus skills, cooking, needlework and hand bell ringing – a busy but enjoyable day!
- our Explorers have moved to the Fuller Church Assembly Rooms, a bigger meeting premises than the Oak Lounge meeting room at Woodcroft, to accommodate their 20+ members – Sharon has achieved wonders with the Unit in less than 4 months. Our Scout Troop welcomed them to run the Trading Post meeting, where the Scouts exchanged Bank of Woodcroft money for Explorers teaching them skills and loaning out kit – to earn BoW money for completing tasks. The Unit members have been learning how to gain their Chief Scouts Platinum and Diamond Awards, and working towards them.
Our plans for 2022 seemed to take a massive positive step forward when the rules changed, and we no longer have to wear face masks indoors at all times. It is such a relief not looking just at the eyes only of a Troop of Ninjas – sorry, Scouts!
February will be another full month to report at the start of March – I know all three sections are raring to go with some quality plans for the future, just watch this space. Until then, we finish the February Report by repeating our “Thank You” again from all of our Group members for your continuing support – and of course, wishing you luck in next month’s draw …. as yes, it could be you …
