Fire lighting

We tried and tested various methods and materials.  We used matches, flint and steel, wire wool and battery and a magnifying glass to try and ignite tumble dryer fluff, hand gel, King Alfred's Cakes, Doritos and wax crayons.

Than we finished the evening off by eating toasted marshmallows.  YUM!

Balsa wood drag racers

New Term - New Scouts - New Night - New Patrol

We set them the challenge of making a car from balsa wood and then racing them down a ramp to see which went the farthest.

There were some interesting designs, various built quality standards and a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Nelly whose car was the only one to make it the full length of the hall.

Summer Programme 2014 - Now on Tuesdays

We have sent out emails to each Scouts contact email address but just to reiterate it here.  Scouts has now moved to Tuesday evenings, still from 7pm - 9pm as before.

Scouts.  As much fun as before, or maybe even more, but now with added leader attendance reliability.

We now have enough Scouts to move to four patrols.  The Kestrels have landed!  The last time we created a new patrol, Stags, they won the patrol of the term competition for the next 2 terms.  Will Kestrels take the crown from them this summer term, or will Stags extend their winning streak, or will Wolves or Ravens wake up and smell the prizes?

This is the plan for the main activities for the 2014 summer term.  Although things might change the current programme looks like this...

29th April 2014	Drag racing
6th May 2014	Different ways to light a fire
13th May 2014	First Aid
20th May 2014	Every part of a Dandelion is edible
27th May 2014	Half Term - No Scouts
3rd June 2014	Team building games
10th June 2014	Backwoods cooking
17th June 2014	Archery
24th June 2014	Scout Bases
27th - 29th June 2014	Malvern Challenge weekend
1st July 2014	Fitness challenge - part II
8th July 2014	Games in Millison's Wood
15th July 2014	It's a knockout

Unless specifically stated we meet at 7pm on a Tuesday at the scout hut in Meriden.
For more information about when and where we meet please click here.

Last day of term

Well, the programme said first aid but we spent most of the evening applying first aid, or at least some TLC, to the tents that had received such a battering last weekend in Wales.  Mopping, washing, pitching and hanging them in HQ hoping that they will dry out sooner rather than later.

There was some time at the end to play a couple of games and crown Stags as the winning patrol this term.  They each won a sit mat to use on walks, when they need rest or it's time for lunch.  As the Go Outdoors web site puts it, "...easy, lightweight comfort & insulation for your weary behind."  We can't give away very expensive prizes but we try and get things with an outdoor or scouting theme

Just a few pics of tonight's games.  Have a good Easter everyone.

Highest jump of the night!

Very Wet Camp in Snowdonia North Wales

Our first real camp in the mountains saw us driving up to Dolgam campsite North Wales. The plan to climb Snowdon on the Saturday followed by a gentle Valley walk on the Sunday. The weather however, had other ideas.

Our New Tents

It started raining at 5am Saturday morning and didn't really stop until we reached Shrewsbury on the way home on Sunday.

Wet but still smiling and we still know where we are...yay

Now really wet, visibility not so great, not smiling quite so much!

That's not the top, just a spur leading to the railway and the wind is getting worse.

A few moments shelter from the wind.

Turning back wind too strong, extremely wet and getting cold

Back down, wet, cold and now full of ice-cream (weird) but happy

Hot Chocolate before bed and still smiling...and it's still raining outside

A little island surrounded by water

Then we went for our stroll, along what turned out to be a river in spate, and some wading through water on the footpath.

Where did the path go?

 A great time had by all despite the weather.

Visit to the Police Station Basall Common

Thursday 3 Apr and a very wet night in Balsall common saw the Scouts visit the neighbourhood police station. The local Sergeant, PC's and PCSO's were extremely welcoming, explaining their roles and responsibilities within the local community. They talked through their equipment and vehicles and answered a huge variety of questions.

Demonstrating restraint....Uuuummm could be useful

Judge Dread in the making...!

Riot in a Police Car

How many questions...one at a time

It was only Blackcurrant squash officer

You looking at me...!

Your nicked!

How many scouts does it take to put on a helmet?

Doesn't really do anything for the hair!

Waiting for it all to kick off.

Evening All.

Camping at the Scout Hut

First camp of the year, and our first with cooking on open fires.  None of this gas bottle and 2 rings simplicity, proper fires.  We had thought that we might get time for a bit of a walk and maybe a night time wide game but the fire lighting, preparation, cooking and cleaning cycle filled the entire time.

Assuming that all the Scouts were being honest they had a good time and learnt a few things.  I really enjoyed it as well, despite the odd moments of vocal crowd control!  Life was lived at a different pace for a couple of days.

Plenty of tent pitching and packing and pitching again.

Will they be able to do this in the dark in Wales in a few weeks time?

Lets hope they remember what goes where.

No TV!  No games console!  No internet!  The art of conversation is reborn.

Saturday lunch

The area neatly sectioned out for the patrols

After an age getting the right size of wood, the fires are lit.

Saturday dinner - Chilli with rice and bread.  It was quite a warm chilli, but it was good.

It did get a little smokey at times.

Look how black those pans are, I bet they will take some scrubbing.

Of course the leaders section had the neatest wood pile, the least mess and the most organised prep area! 

Sunday morning the fires had to be lit again before any breakfast could be cooked.

Sausages, bacon, eggs, beans

Inspection and tents packed away, then time to start lunch.

Chicken Stew with mash, followed by baked apple stuffed with dried fruit and sugar.

After lunch we had to scrub all the pans until they were silver again, there are no photos of this as the memories are too painful.

The sun was out all weekend and as camp broke we invested 6 new Scouts.  3 new to the troop and three coming up from Cubs.

Thank you all for a good camp.