Page 25 - Herald August 2024

AUGUST 2024
CAMPS, TRIPS, FIRES AND
COMMUNITY WORK FILL
SCOUT’S SUMMER TERM
It has been a jam packed Summer term for all of our Sections as we have been making the most of the outdoors and taking opportunities to earn badges, have fun and enjoy new experiences.
Our biggest event saw all of our Sections join together in mid May for a Group Camp at Oaks in Charnwood – when Squirrels joined us for the day we had 150 of us onsite! Our younger Sections enjoyed Grass Sledging and Mini Crossbows, while Cubs tried out Tomahawks and the Caving tunnels. Scouts had a go at Rifle Shooting and Zorb Football, as well as improving their Pioneering, fire lighting and orienteering skills. Everyone got to have some pizza cooked in ovens on open fires, and of course we had a campfire! Elsewhere this term, Beavers and Squirrels had a great trip out to Birmingham SeaLife and Legoland Discovery Centre in late April, with highlights including watching an otter feeding session and buying new Lego in the Gift Shop. Squirrels have been out and about exploring in the village, with some of our older members becoming the first to earn their Chief Scout’s Acorn Award. Beavers had a trip to Fosse Meadows, while finishing the term with a water fight at Ullesthorpe Campsite.
Cubs attended the first County Cub Camp in 6 years at Rutland Showground in June, with around 500 Cubs from across Leicestershire onsite for a pirate themed weekend. We got to try tons of activities including climbing, air rifle shooting, mountain biking, archery, inflatables, drumming, paracord keyrings, woodwork, willow weaving, glass etching and so much more. Several of our Cubs performed in the stunning opening and closing ceremonies, supported by some of our Scouts and Young Leaders who came in to be part of the big show.
Tuesday Cubs visited Wigston fire station, having a go with the hose and looking around the fire engine, while Monday Cubs have been working really hard to support the Next Chapter horse rescue sanctuary, to earn their Community Impact badges. They visited to learn more about the sanctuary’s work and spent lots of time selling cakes at the start and end of meetings – raising a brilliant £225! Both Packs enjoyed a Water Assault course in Lutterworth in early June, before a visit to Whetstone Pastures farm – where we got to pick strawberries and go on a tractor ride to learn more about the farm. Several of our Scouts completed their Expedition Challenge in late June; walking in teams of 4 or 5 unaccompanied between Burbage Common and Ashby Magna, stopping overnight at Ullesthorpe Campsite, with leaders checking in regularly to make sure they hadn’t got
THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 25
lost! Everyone managed to complete the challenge, as well as cooking their dinner on Tranjas and did a great job. Scouts also supported the village D Day celebrations, took part in a District soap box car racing competition, worked towards their Orienteer badge at Knighton Park and finished the term with a BBQ. Congratulations to Josh and Hadley who completed their Chief Scout’s Gold Award this term – the highest award we can offer in the Group.
Coming up is our Group trip to Drayton Manor and Family FunDay over the Summer Holidays, before Beavers and Squirrels go camping at Fox Covert in September and Scouts prepare for the annual Borderhike competition in the Peak
District. We are all also looking forward to our 8th Annual Panto, ‘The Panto with no name’, with rehearsals starting as soon as we return in September. Taking place at Sue Townsend Theatre between 7-8th December, as always it’s a show not to be missed – ticket details in October. Scouting relies on our amazing volunteers to keep our meetings running, plan our events and help manage the Group as a charity. In particular at the moment, we are looking for more support for our Tuesday Cubs Section. If you would like to join in the fun and learn Skills for Life as an adult or young person, please contact jack.barber@countesthorpescouts.org.uk we would love to welcome you.
Jack Barber
Countesthorpe Village Hall
Time to Celebrate......
getting together with your family and friends
Spacious Hall ⚫ Kitchen ⚫ Licensed Bar Tel: 2779518
Find us on www.countesthorpeparishcouncil.co.uk Station Road, Countesthorpe LE8 5TB Email manager@countesthorpeparishcouncil.co.uk