What’s been happening?
New Forest Beavers takeover Calshot for sleepover
By Emma Hanslip, Assistant District Commissioner for Beavers.
Having not long taken over as ADC Beavers I was keen to get a District sleepover sorted quite quickly as due to Covid I knew a lot of young people hadn’t had the opportunity to do a night away as part of their Bronze award.
So on Friday 17th February, 87 Beavers and 19 leaders joined in with a variety of activities at Calshot Activities Centre.
The activities included ringos, rushing rockets, bouldering/traverse and orienteering. We were then lucky enough to sleep in the hanger in a warm room where we settled down for hot chocolate and a film.
Beavers were so excited and the range of sleep (for the Beavers) ranged from the first falling asleep as soon as he got into his sleeping bag and it was still noisy, to the last falling asleep around midnight and waking up between 6am and 6:30am, there was a few leaders who didn’t get any sleep but it wouldn’t be a sleepover if the leaders got rest, ha-ha.
On Saturday after getting dressed and packing away our gear we went over to the dining block and were served an amazing cooked breakfast where we could also have cereal if we wanted to.
We then had a little play outside looking at boats and the view and we did some colouring and some chilled and watched a film before the parents came. All in all, a very good sleepover and I had beavers asking me when the next one is!
Environmental good deeds and Top Awards
By Martine Coatham, Group Scout Leader of 1st Sandleheath Sea Scouts.
Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards at Sandleheath
The sections have been working hard to achieve their Chief Scout Awards. Freda Flint has achieved her Bronze Award with Beavers, Zachary Ford has achieved his Silver with Cubs and Jack Baskett, Eva Layton and Gus
Morgan achieved their Gold Award with Scouts.
The Gold Awards were presented after an evening on the forest with Dorset Rescue Dogs and some wide games – it was a little damp and our Scout Leader’s coat decided to take centre stage.
Well done to all of our young people for their hard work – we know there are several more due to complete their awards soon.
Creating habitat for Nightjars on Hyde Common
Scouts and Explorers from Sandleheath joined HCC Countryside Ranger, Julian Sheppard, for our annual conservation efforts.
This year we concentrated on cutting and burning gorse from the commons to create the perfect habitat for Nightjars – they are fascinating birds with a very distinctive churring sound. Everyone enjoyed lighting, cutting and burning the gorse – well done for all your hard work. If anyone would like to join us next year, please contact Sandleheath.
Take aim! Target sports and catapults for Scouts.
By Simon Morgan, Assistant Scout Leader at 1st Sandleheath Sea Scouts.
1st Sandleheath Scouts had an evening of shooting things before half term – a round robin of air rifle shooting, archery and using their pioneering skills to build a catapult. Here are some photos of the catapult in action – the scouts really enjoyed trying to catch the water balloon bombs.
What’s coming up?
Young Leader Module A and Missions sign off
By Steven Osborn, Young Leaders team.
We’re running a Module A out of Lyndhurst HQ on Friday 31st March from 7pm to try and reach the 11 young leaders who are yet to complete their Module A’s. We’ll be around during that time too if any existing young leaders wish to sign off their missions or ask any questions. Hopefully all three of us (Me, Kevin and George) will be there.
Reminders, opportunities and notices.
Tweaks to Nights Away
As part of the updates to activities (found in POR), there are some changes to the Nights Away Notification form. Squirrels can now take part in nights away and the form reminds those hosting nights away to get approval from their commissioner before the event and to have contingency plans in place which may affect things like risk assessments. This new form should be used from now on.
Wanted
Wanted – 12 hessian / canvas bags to act as sand bags / weights for district events, please contact Robin Mair if you can help. [email protected]
Having a sleepover at your HQ?
You may need to notify Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue if you do. This is because Scout halls are considered commercial properties and are a lower priority for the service than if they know young people are sleeping there!
You can let them know when you’re sleeping over by calling 023 9285 5180 during office hours or 023 8038 6390 out of hours and weekends.
Lynn, Kevin & Robin
Team DC – New Forest