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What have Bugbrooke and Harpole Scouts been doing over the last year ?  Our reports in the Bugbrooke Link Magazine say it all, and are reproduced below.  They will be kept up to date as new reports are added:

Bugbrooke and Harpole Scout Group -Report from June 2007

The Beaver colony have been busy this spring term gaining their Artist’s badge, doing craftwork including colouring in and making a model fire engine. They’ve made passports, personalised with their names, height, shoe size and fingerprints. The boys have been on an outdoor treasure hunt, finding the letters to spell “Beavers”, and have had a games night with 3 teams competing in bean-bag throwing, darts and a game like quoits, tossing horse shoes round a stick in the ground.

Cubs have made modelling clay volcanoes, which they filled with sodium bicarbonate. The addition of red food colouring and vinegar produced messy and effective lava eruptions. They’ve made film canister bombs and propellers, as well as doing paper chromatography with food colouring in preparation for their Scientist’s badge. Cubs made Mothers’ Day cards featuring elephants, and brought in their favourite games for a games evening, including chess, Top Trumps and a Dr Who game with sound effects. Cubs and Beavers have both made cup cakes. Beavers took theirs home but the Cub buns provided refreshments for about 25 people who came to our Parents’ Meeting. They heard Tony Inwood, our District Commissioner, tell us about the St George’s Day activities in Daventry – more on this later – and our need for a new Beaver leader, and parent helpers at weekly meetings. Our chairman asked us to note that in August we will be calling for volunteers to repaint the Scout Hut and give it a good spring clean. In addition we need to put up all the tents that are in the storeroom, see what goes together and what is no longer useful. Tony assures us that our hut is the best in Daventry District, so please everyone, respond when you get the letter with the date and time, and come and join in.

Dragons, knights and about 300 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts paraded through Daventry with a band playing to mark St George’s Day, led by St George himself on a very well behaved white charger, on April 21st. Members of 17 Scout groups across the District renewed their promises before a series of races and events took place. 3 teams of Bugbrooke Scouts have been working on their go-karts, all in preparation for the Scouts kart race, where 30 teams were entered, and negotiated a tricky course on a tennis court. We are proud to say that one of our teams won the race against fierce competition

. Members of Daventry Town Council and Daventry Mayor Deanna Eddon attended the event, and the Mayor made a speech congratulating the boys, leaders and parents for being part of Scouting. She said this is such a worthwhile activity, instead of hanging around the streets and getting into trouble. This sort of positive behaviour should be front page news, instead of the few wrongdoers.

Scouts spent the weekend April 20–22nd at Welton, a ‘greenfield’ site with no facilities, a new experience for everyone. Thanks to confusing directions around road works in Daventry, the leader with the ropes and tent pegs got lost, and the tents were eventually put up in the dark. One of the Scouts commented, “I can see why people invest in a satnav!” The rest of the camp went very well with the St George’s Day activities, and a superb Sunday lunch with roast chicken and Yorkshire pudding.

2007 marks the Centenary of Scouting worldwide, as it is 100 years since Scouting was started by Lord Baden-Powell with a camp on Brownsea Island, August 1907. All our lads have received a Centenary badge and the option to have a special necker (neck-scarf) to mark this important year. Scouts are attending the Centenary camp at Youlbury 25–28th May. Our Scout Group is planning a camp on the Primary School field in Bugbrooke in the summer holidays for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts as our way of observing the Centenary.

We are looking to recruit a new Beaver leader in the next few weeks to replace Sue, our temporary leader. Beavers are 6–8 years old, and meet for an hour every week in term time after school. 2 or more people could work together so that it would not be a weekly commitment. The idea of scouting is to develop children and young people and is very worthwhile. The Scout Association provides excellent support and training for leaders. If you are interested in becoming a Beaver leader, or would like an informal chat, please ring the secretary.

Finally, for information about the Scout Group, please ring me, or visit the website, www.bugbrookelink.co.uk/scouts

Margarent Raymond, secretary. Tel. 830532  

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Bugbrooke and Harpole Scout Group - Report from April 2007

Cubs have been busy over the winter months. They went on an evening hike with torches and fluorescent jackets along Bugbrooke footpaths, going round the cricket ground and across the sheep field, playing a wide game on the Millennium Green and getting back to the Hut by a circular route. They have made pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and finger football players, who had a game of football on a pitch marked out on the Hut floor. They have designed and constructed 3D model dinosaurs in teams of four. It’s amazing what you can do with cardboard, tissue paper, string, paint and art straws if you’re feeling creative.

Scouts took part in the Winter “Brass Monkeys” camp at Overstone in association with Braunston Scouts. They had all kinds of weather, frost, hail, wind and rain to cope with, not unexpected in January, and enjoyed rifle shooting, an aerial slide and other activities that made it all worthwhile.

In early February, the Group “Splat the Leader” fundraiser was a great success, Jumble was cut up, soaked in warm water and thrown at our game Scout Leader who retaliated by throwing it back. Everyone within range rapidly got wet and muddy, and all for a good cause. A big thank you goes to everyone who sponsored the boys.

Three teams of Scouts are busy making go-karts for a Daventry District race (all the Scout Groups in the Daventry region). One of the special kits available has been purchased for our youngest members, the other budding engineers are making karts to their own design and choice of materials. Metal shelving comes in handy for a sturdy framework, along with plywood for panels, old plastic chairs for comfortable seats and wheelchair and bicycle wheels for mobility. The Scouts Kart race will be held in Daventry town centre on April 21st as part of the St George’s Day celebration. The lads are camping for the rest of the weekend at Welton “green field” site. This is a new experience for them, facilities are basic!

2007 is a unique year in Scouting worldwide, as it is 100 years since Scouting was started by Lord Baden-Powell, who ran a camp for boys on Brownsea Island in August 1907. To celebrate the Centenary of Scouting, Daventry District has planned a series of Join-in-Scouting activities which started with the “Brass Monkeys” camp in January that our Scouts enjoyed. The St. George’s Day races are open to the public in Daventry on April 21st. In May, Scouts are going to Youlbury Scout Activity Centre, and joining in the fun at the “Dr Who” camp with activities from past, present and future.

Closer to home, our leaders are planning a camp on the school playing field in Bugbrooke for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in the summer - watch this space!

For more information about the Scout Group, please visit our website, www.bugbrookelink.co.uk/scouts , or ring the contact number. We are grateful to two Duke of Edinburgh Award students who are doing a great job assisting our Cub Leaders. We are in urgent need of new Beaver Leaders to run the Beaver Scout Colony (6–8 year olds). If you can help, the committee would be very pleased to hear from you.

Margert Raymond, secretary. 830532.  

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Bugbrooke and Harpole Scout Group - Report from December 2006

 
This autumn Cubs have enjoyed an unusual visit from Sally, the insect and reptile lady, who brought along a minibus full of exotic animals; fascinating Cubs, a few Scouts who heard about it, and parents alike. On this ‘touch and talk’ night, Cubs were treated to a practical demonstration of cockroaches, spiders, lizards, skinks, large and small snakes and tortoises, and were allowed to handle the creatures under supervision. Sally gave us all interesting advice on the diet and keeping of reptiles, for instance the best way to hibernate a tortoise is to put it in the fridge over winter. Properly cared for, they can live for up to 150 years.

Several Cubs have been invested, and all have been working towards their sportsman and naturalist badges. To encourage the boys working for their collector’s badge, Sue brought in a huge array of scouting and guiding badges, gained over the years, and her collection of cigarette cards. Cubs showed, among others, their collections of swimming badges, sports trophies, models of Toy Story characters and sports stickers. Cubs have been making crafts with a Halloween theme, a witch on a broomstick and a jointed skeleton. This week they have made poppies.

Scouts enjoyed a weekend camp at Overstone, 22nd to 24th September. with a visit to Sywell ‘History of Flight’ Airshow on the Sunday. There were heavy showers for a large part of the weekend, which was character building for the 9 lads. The boys did axe-work, cookery, and played games on Saturday. They broke camp in the pouring rain on Sunday morning, and worked really well together as a team. Everyone expected the Airshow to be cancelled, but at 12pm the sun came out and the afternoon was brilliant. Because the lads were in uniform, they were allowed beyond the public flight line for a group photograph with a Spitfire, and the close inspection of Mustang, Kittihawk and Hurricane aeroplanes.

Scouts set out recently on a 4 mile hike in the evening, honing their map-reading skills in the dark, and Chris, James H., Josh and James E. attended the Star Trek orienteering night hike in mid-October. They started out at 9pm on a top secret course revealed on the night, which turned out to be a circular route from Fawsley Hall to Everdon and Badby, coming in at 2.30am. Scouts aimed for bases on the way round, where they had to tackle challenges including fire-lighting, a wheel-barrow race, and constructing a Krypton factor style gigantic 3-D jigsaw puzzle. Our team came 9th out of 16 teams in this popular Daventry District event.

Scouts have taken part in a forum discussing subjects of interest including Remembrance Sunday commemorations. Our lads come from different church backgrounds and none, but we have in common the desire to honour those who died serving our country. Scouts will be taking part in the Remembrance Sunday parade and service on November 12th. They discussed the recent media interest in young people and what can be done to help them live fulfilled lives, and not get involved in crime, anti-social behaviour and drugs. Experts agree the most successful ways of keeping youngsters out of trouble are organised constructive activities such as those offered by rugby, football and judo clubs. Scouting groups have been highlighted too; they provide opportunities for young folk to find out what skills they’re good at and find fun, in a safe and controlled environment. These activities promote useful relationships with different age groups, new interests, respect for themselves and others, and a sense of belonging. Our Scouts are aged 10 to 14, but scouting doesn’t stop at 14. The older you get, the more is on offer, including the opportunity for international travel. Explorer Scouts are 14 to 16, progressing to Network Scouts (16 to 25), followed by Fellowship, 18years+. In fact you can keep going in scouting indefinitely, it can be lifelong.

Looking ahead, Scouts are planning to go to the Winter ‘Brass Monkeys’ camp, linking up again with Braunston Scout Group. We would like to thank an organisation in the village which has supported the Scout Group.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided not to press ahead with the local Christmas card delivery service, which was so successful for the Scout Group last year. We would like to thank those who supported us in our first attempt in 2005, and apologise to everyone who was hoping we might repeat the exercise this December. We hope to deliver local cards at a future date.
New members are always welcome in all three sections, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Please come along to a meeting at the Scout Hut next to the Rugby Club, the details are on our website, www.bugbrookelink.co.uk/scouts  or ring the contact number. We would like to thank 2 Duke of Edinburgh Award students and a young leader who are helping to run the Cubs, and encourage others to join the leadership team.
Margaret Raymond, secretary. Tel. 830532

Bugbrooke & Harpole Scout Group - Report from October 2006

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Cubs and Scouts have been preparing for the camp at Nailer for months, and at last on 29th July the waiting was over and they were on their way. Cubs went for a long weekend and Scouts for the whole week, in association with the Braunston Scout Group.
The international camp, Nailer 2006, celebrated 99 years of scouting and guiding with 100+ activities organised. Two and a half thousand children and young people from all over the world gathered at Towcester Racecourse (it couldn't have been much closer for us!), ranging from Rainbows and Beavers through to Sea Cadets. There was some wet weather but plenty of sunshine too. The site was totally secure with night patrols and a guard dog. There was the excitement of a full scale evacuation when the Fire Brigade was called as a precaution to a small fire caused by a tilly lamp falling over and the grass catching fire.

Cubs enjoyed three days at Nailer and took part in numerous activities including dodgems, tug-of-war competitions and bell-boating. Here they piled into 2 x six man canoes joined in the middle with a board, and paddled round the lake. They enjoyed the usual camping activities, sleeping under canvas, and having meals outside, which included washing up afterwards!  There were barbecues with the Scouts and fireworks in the evenings. They slept well when they came home – evidence of late nights and early mornings.

Cubs are looking forward to a reptile and insect evening and will be seeing cockroaches, spiders, lizards, snakes and tortoises and handling some of them.

Scouts integrated well with the Braunston group and impressed the leaders with a big difference in their maturity in the way they took responsibility for themselves and other people. As a result they enjoyed a lot of freedom to pick and choose among the great variety of challenges on offer at the camp. These included quad biking, laser clay pigeon shooting, pioneering, a fun fair and water activities. There were 5 rock climbing walls and an abseiling tower, as well as indoor activities in the Craft tent, the Crystal Maze zone and movie tent showing two films a day. There were themed days – a Sports day, a Faith day and a 'Best of British' day, where everyone wore posh clothes with carnation buttonholes, offered people tea and cream cakes, and played croquet outside their tents. At night, the entertainment included barbeques, concerts with rock bands, discos and fireworks displays.

A group of Scouts went canoeing on Boddington lake in July, but half the party was rained off by a thunderstorm. At Nailer they were able to enjoy the canoeing experience, also dragon boat racing, in a 10 man open canoe with a drum beat to row to, which got faster and faster.