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Week 26: April 7-10 2025

April 11, 2025 🔗

Wrapping up the spring term with a sweet campfire treat, the Scouts made marshmallow and chocolate pockets from scratch on Monday night. Their cooking skills are improving steadily!

The Scouts are mixing dough to make marshmallow and chocolate pockets with. Why one Scout is holding his circle of dough over his face is anyone's guess, though.With all of their marshmallow and chocolate pockets roasting on the fire, the Scouts are chilling out around the circle.Surprisingly, this Scout hasn't scoffed his sweet treat yet! It looks nice and golden brown.This Scout has a tasty looking result to her baked treat and looks rather pleased with it.

At last, the Cubs have finished their bird houses! All the hard work has paid off, and their bird houses look fantastic. They've been really supportive of each other through the task, even chanting the name of the final Cub as she hammered in the last nail on her bird house on Tuesday night.

Ten wooden bird houses in a row, ready to be mounted in ten gardens! The Cubs have done a great job on them.The Cubs are hammering their The youngest Cub is getting the hinge of the bird house lid screwed into place.This Cub is carefully positioning his roofing felt on his bird house, that will keep the hinged area dry.

The second week of riflery for the Beavers went well, with two of the Beavers shooting very consistently. They were shooting so consistently that they were given the chance to use the knockdown targets instead, which they thoroughly enjoyed!

The Beaver has got an incredibly small grouping on his rifle target and looks very proud of himself.Two of the Beavers are shooting at knockdown targets instead of paper targets, as they are accurate enough in their shooting. One has hit two of her three targets, and the other has knocked down all three and reset them to knock them down again.

Week 25: March 31 - April 3 2025

April 4, 2025 🔗

One of the Scouts wanted to lead a session to teach the others how to make lemonade. He found it was a little harder to get Scouts to listen and follow instructions than he'd thought it would be. Some of the groups of Scouts made something more like caramel than lemonade, but others managed to make lemonade from lemons. The hut certainly smelled nice, between all the caramelised sugar and lemon!

A Scout stands alone next to a table of ingredients as he explains to the Scout Troop how to make lemonade.Two Scouts are squeezing lemons under the watchful eye of their leader. Looks like they're having fun!These Scouts have accidentally made caramelised sugar, instead of lemonade syrup. Oops! Looks tasty, though.These Scout girls have managed to make actual lemonade. It's hard to tell whether they're enjoying it or not, though!

Bird houses on Tuesday. That's right, more birdhouses! Now that the birdhouses had the stain on the outside of the panels, the Cubs set to work gluing and nailing the pieces into shape. By the end of the evening, everyone had their houses glued and at least partly nailed, with large elastics holding the parts together tightly for the glue to dry.

Thanks to our in-house rifle instructor, the Beavers had the chance to practice their target skills with their parent to help them on Thursday. They had a great time and one of the Beavers seems to have a skill for riflery.

It's this Beaver's first time using an air rifle. His dad is helping him, to make sure everything is done safely. He's got everything lined up and he's ready to shoot at the target.It's this Beaver's first time shooting and she is a natural. Every target had her shots grouped closely and she's very proud of how well she did.

Week 24: March 24-27 2025

March 28, 2025 🔗

Due to the heavy rain the Scouts encountered on their camp on Saturday night, they weren't able to have a campfire, so the leaders decided they'd have one Monday night instead! The Scouts led each other in song, toasted marshmallows and had a nice chilled evening.

The Scouts have got a roaring fire going and are waiting for the fire to make coals they can toast their mashmallows over.The Scouts are kneeling around the fire to toast their marshmallows.Mmmmm. A nice gooey s'more is about to get devoured by this smiling Scout.This Scout has got soot all over her hands from the fire circle and seems rather happy about it!

The Cubs have been working hard on their bird houses. This week they stained the outside of their bird houses with a water-based stain, to keep them protected from the weather.

Three of the Beavers are moving on to Cubs next term, so the Beavers had a skills night to help them. They learned how to build a fire, how to iron and roll their neckers, how to light a candle and how to tie three different knots. When the parents arrived, the Beavers practiced their knots with them. It's always great to watch the Beavers learn new skills.

The Beaver leader is teaching the Beavers to split kindling safely, having one of the Beavers hit the axe with a mallet.This Beaver is very pleased with the pieces of wood she's split.This Beaver is learning to light a candle, under the watchful eye of her leader.This Beaver is ironing his necker under the guidance of one of his leaders.

Scouts Rough Close Service Camp March 21-23 2025

March 24, 2025 🔗

The Scouts had their first "Scouts only" camp since 2022 this past weekend. It was so good to see them meshing as a team over the weekend, and supporting one another.

What do you do after a hard day's work? Take a group photo, of course! Looks like everyone's had a great time.

On Friday night everyone got settled in to their teepee cabins, enjoyed some hot dogs and played some games, before getting a good night's sleep.

The older Scout boys are chilling in front of their cabin.

On Saturday the Scouts woke up and cracked on with making their breakfast. Two of the Scouts in particular really enjoyed being in the kitchen and cooking for everyone. After a big cooked breakfast, everyone got to work making sure the pathways were cleared of tree branches obscuring the paths, and cut logs down to size for use around the campsite's fire altars.

The Scouts have taken charge of cooking up their breakfast on camp. Bacon, sausages, eggs and beans!Two Scouts are trimming back the brambles and holly around the paths of the campsite.Two Scouts are working together to trim branches that are overhanging the path.The Scouts are learning to safely cut logs with a saw as part of their work on the campsite.The Scout section are wandering through the woods, after a hard day of working on the campsite.Wow! That's a lot of mud on those Scouts' boots!

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so they say, and the Scouts were rewarded for all their hard work by time in the cave bus, tunnel system and some fun with the disc golf.

There's a big grin on the face of this Scout as she makes her way through the cave bus.This Scout is commando crawling his way through the cave bus, with a torch to help him through the dark.Getting ready to head into the tunnels for some fun.What a group of crazy Scouts! Looks like they're having fun playing disc golf.

The rain came down on the Scouts while they were playing a wide game, but they announced they were having too much fun to stop, so every Scout went home with a bag of very soggy clothes! It was raining heavily, so the Scouts went and showered, got changed and made themselves burgers and hot dogs for supper.

Three Scouts are cooking burgers up for everyone, with a little help from one of their leaders.The Scouts were in charge of making sure all the washing up was done after meals. This Scout seems to be happy at the sink.

Pancakes got the Scouts started on Sunday morning, then they got to work cleaning up their cabins and packing up their kits, ready for parents to collect them after lunch.

This Scout loves being in the kitchen! Right now, he's busy flipping pancakes.Keeping the place you sleep tidy is important, and this Scout is making sure the cabin is swept nice and clean.The Scouts are spread out across their campsite, eating their lunches.

It was a fantastic weekend for the Scouts, and the leaders are really looking forward to more camps and adventures with the Scouts as they gain skills and become more of a team.

Week 23: March 17-20

March 21, 2025 🔗

The Scouts cracked on with finalising their camp plans on Monday night, and played some games. They're really looking forward to camp!

The Scouts are jumping in the air to avoid the swinging bean bag their leader has on the end of a rope. One Scout is very good at jumping high!

With their birdboxes begun last week, the Cubs had more work to do, cutting their wood to size and sanding the edges.

Thursday night, the Beavers came up with some crazy inventions of machines that don't exist. They had the choice whether to work solo or part of a team, and it was good to see the different dynamics in the section. The "bean machine" might have been the funniest one of all - having a bean pit that also houses capybaras isn't something most people would want their beans dispensed from! There was a bit of a capybara epidemic that swept through the Beavers' machines.

This Beaver is describing how his homework machine works. Beavers love to invent a homework machine!These Beavers are explaining the machine they invented to the rest of the Beaver Colony. Their machine makes Stitch stuffed animals and drinks.This Beaver has invented a bean machine that serves baked beans from a bean pit and also provides capybaras. Would you want to eat the beans?The Beavers are all listening nicely to their fellow Beaver tell them all about her invented machine.

Older news


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The other Cubs look on with interest.February 14, 2025Week 19: February 10–13 2025One of the Cub parents is showing the Cubs a couple of boards that wheelchair users can use to transfer themselves to or from their chair.February 7, 2025Week 18: February 3–6 2025This Beaver has worked really hard and achieved the highest award a Beaver can, her Bronze Award.January 31, 2025Week 17: January 27–30 2025The fire built by these Scouts seems to have a good start.January 24, 2025Week 16: January 20–23 2025This Cub is showing off his built Spitfire model. He's done a good job.January 17, 2025Week 15: January 13–16 2025The Pouncer Cubs look proud of their tower.January 10, 2025Week 14: January 6–9 2025This Scout seems to have put every ounce of energy they have into bowling their ball down the lane.December 13, 2024Week 13: Group Christmas JambowlreeAll the Christingles are lit and giving a soft glow to the Beavers' faces. December 7, 2024Beavers Bablake District ChristingleConcentrating hard on their designs, the Scouts are working on dot paintings inspired by Aboriginal art in Australia.December 6, 2024Week 12: December 2–5These Cubs are being very careful with their lit Christingles.December 3, 2024Cubs Bablake District ChristingleStill in their pyjamas, the Beavers are playing pass the parcel next to the Christmas tree, with a little something for everyone. There's a pile of torn wrapping paper in the middle of the circle.December 1, 2024Beavers Christmas SleepoverThe Scouts are trying to keep all their balloons in the air, but there are a lot of them!November 29, 2024Week 11: November 25–28The Beavers are all enjoying their first dance with the Morris side.November 22, 2024Week 10: November 18–21The Cubs are playing a version of Granny Footsteps where they have to spell their names to move forward, as a leader calls out the phonetic alphabet letters randomly. Several Cubs seem excited by the latest letter called.November 15, 2024Week 9: November 11–14A Cub has hit the piñata, making it swing. The other Cubs watch for any sweets falling from it.November 9, 2024Cubs Dia de los Muertos SleepoverBeavers and a Scout watch as a duo of fountains sparkle brightly. November 5, 2024Bonfire PartyThese cheeky Cubs seem to be having a grand time squeezing their lemons. October 25, 2024Week 7: October 21–24A Scout is learning how to contact other Scouts using amateur radio. She's managed to reach a Scout in Sweden!October 20, 2024JOTA-JOTI 2024Six Beavers sit with an adult helper, smiles on their faces, waiting for the campfire singing to begin once the other groups arrive.October 19, 2024Bablake District Beavers & Squirrels Annual Craft & CampfireA Scout holds a small radio in his hands while two other Scouts look on. A local expert is showing the Scouts how to use the radio.October 18, 2024Week 6: October 14–17The Beaver mascot Billy has been to visit several Beavers, including a visit to the swimming pool, an air museum, an awards ceremony at the library and lots of cuddles.October 12, 2024Mascot VisitsA Beaver holding her hard-earned Bronze award in one hand and her certificate in the other, with a huge smile on her face.October 11, 2024Week 5: October 7–10The Beaver flag bearer leads the parade toward the church, flanked by her colour guard. The flag bearers of the other sections are watching the tops of their flag poles, to make sure they don't catch on the tree branches overhanging the path.October 6, 2024Harvest Parade 2024Three Beavers are sat at a table, chopping up a variety of fruit. One Beaver is looking excited about preparing his nectarine, another tips his bowl of fruit onto a piece of foil, while the third begins pulling her orange into segments.October 4, 2024Week 4: September 30 – October 3rdOne Cub is blindfolded and making her way along a taped zigzag line, guided by the voice and instructions of her fellow Cub who has a cheeky grin on his face. In the background, we can see another pair of Cubs finishing their run of the taped line while others wait their turn.September 27, 2024Week 3: September 23–26Three Scouts, two Cubs and two Beavers stand together, showing their medals and trophies.September 26, 2024Our 2024 AGMA group of Beavers stand on top of a capped medieval well, an adult volunteer stands next to them, with a pile of bags full of rubbish they've collected in front of them, proud expressions on their faces.September 20, 2024Week 2: September 16–198 Beaver Scouts are sat around a cluster of tables, which are covered in leaves, sheets of paper and thick crayons. The Beavers are busy making leaf rubbings. They are being assisted by an adult and a teenager.September 13, 2024Our first week back!September 26, 2023Billy & Waggle Home VisitsSeptember 1, 2023Billy & Waggle on a Summer HolidayJuly 11, 2023Air Rifle RangeJuly 3, 2023John's Lee Wood Group CampA collage of photos of Squirrels and Beavers taking part in various outdoor activities.June 12, 2023Wild West Squirrelly Beaveree
May 11, 2023New Website