Beaver Leaders Report June 2009

What an exciting year we have had. But before I get carried away, I should report numbers and attendance. In the Colony numbers have risen slightly to fifteen, even though four of our Beavers moved up to our Cub pack, and another moved up to Flintham Cub Pack (as that is nearer to his home). One more Beaver left the movement, because Sunday night meetings for Cubs, clashed with other commitments. In all we have had fourteen new Beavers joining the Colony, and average attendance though-out the year is between ten and eleven Beavers per week.

Now back to the activities. It is hard to believe that it was less than a year ago, when seven of our Beavers went on a District Beaver Sleepover held at John Lees Wood Campsite, in Leicestershire. They experienced caving, archery, climbing, abseiling, orienteering, a natural trail, a campfire, (a late night!) all within 24 hours. Boy, did the Leaders need a rest after that event, but we went straight into a campfire and sing-song organized for us by our Explorer section, held at Hollygate Campsite. In fact during the last few weeks of the summer term last year, after the Group AGM, we also ran a tuck tent at the village show, held a treasure hunt on the playing field and had a nature walk around Springdale Woods.

In the autumn term, we learnt all about transport and travel, and gained the creative badge or discovery challenge by drawing, designing, modelling and decorating our vision of travel in the future. We also learnt about road safety, the country code, being safe at home, water safety, rail safety, and first response. This led to ten Beavers gaining their first response badges and their Safety Badges. This was on top of the a swimming event, and the usual seasonal topics of Halloween, bonfire night, and Christmas.

At the beginning of the New Year we spent a few weeks looking at the Beaver, and why we call ourselves Beaver Scouts. We then moved onto looking at the world around us, weather conditions, soil and compost, insects and worms, and how plants grow. Over a number of weeks, we grew beans in clear pots so we could see the root systems, cress in empty eggshells, and marigolds from seed, which we later planted in the ‘Beaver garden’ on Straws Lane, which we also tidied as part of our ongoing community project. We also spent a fun evening doing the Air Activities badge, talking about planes and flying, then competing to make, decorate and fly paper aeroplanes.

More recently we have been concentrating on the words and meaning of our promise, learning about being helpful and kind, how to do more for our families and friends. We spent some time looking at religion, and chose two traditional stories to update and present to the rest of the Colony in the form of drama.

We have had a fun day out at the County Beaver Activity Day, held at Walesby International Camp-site, during the County Camp attended by the other sections of our Group. The day was sub-titled ‘A Bugs Life’ fitting in with the Hollywood theme of the rest of the camp, and there were loads of activities and entertainment culminating in a campfire sing-song with over 200 Beavers from around the County.

Looking forward, we hope to spend another evening at Hollygate, with the Explorers organizing a widegame and campfire, and later in the year there will be a Distrct Craft Day.

In terms of leaders, there is still only myself as warranted Leader, although with the Parents rota, and the Young Leader Scheme, we have muddled through. Harry Pankowski has helped through-out the year as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award service, and he has been joined by Luke Day, Alex Jackson and Joe Sazcek, on the same scheme. I am very grateful to these Young Leaders, and the Beaver parents for all their contributions. Whilst thanking people for their support, I must mention Debbie and Craig of East Bridgford News Agents for their continued support. Every year they donate up to £100 worth of stock for the Beavers to sell at the East Bridgford Show, this year we made more than £130, which helps towards craft materials, drinks, etc Next time you are in their shop, please pass on our gratitude.

Finally, if anyone feels they would like to find out more about helping either regularly or occasionally, or would like to share an interest or hobby with the Beavers, please contact at your convenience, phone and e-mail details below.

Yours in Scouting,
Nick

Nick Jackson.
Beaver Scout Leader.
Tel. 01949 20158
Mob. 07886 909232
E-mail. nickjackson003@btinternet.com