Despite bad weather forcast Cubs cad great fun in our Spooky forest adventure. It all startet with pumpkin searh followed by carving, some fun games and spooky treasure hunt around dark forest. Good old baked potatoes with beans, cheese and sausages to top it all 😋
On Friday night scouts got dressed in Halloween costumes and completed a 2 mile night time walk around Springwell Forest. Families were invited to join us too. Afterwards everyone was offered s’mores, hot chocolate/tea/coffee and donuts (thanks Joy). It turned out dry after an initial drizzle and we were treated to some lovely starry skies at times. Well done to all that took part, especially the younger siblings.
Beavers completed 3 experiments in their lodges to gain their badge. They made lava lamps, candle in a glass and oobleck
They learned that a fire needs oxygen to burn and when the oxygen runs out a vacuum pulled water into the glass. Those who lit the candle also ticked off part of their skills badge.
They also learned via our Lava lamps that the Carbon dioxide released from alkaseltzer tablets carried water through the oil and once reaching the surface the CO2 bubble popped meaning the water blob returned to the bottom.
Then they had lots of messy fun with oobleck (a non-Newtonian fluid which acts like a solid when hit, but a liquid when held)
Wednesday night cubs enjoyed Pack Forum talking through ideas for badge work as well as playing some games to strengththeir teamwork. They also were sorted into their sixies – packs
Beavers visited Castleroe Wood for a hike on Saturday. A lovely autumn walk (the rain even stopped and the sun came out!!) collecting leaves, pine cones, seeds and all sorts of natural materials. Half way through the hike we stopped for a creative activity. They each had a small ball of clay which they stuck to trees. Then they moulded the clay into faces and used the materials they collected to create forest faces.
Return walk to the car park where Scout section leader had set up an shelter and ground sheet for beavers to enjoy their picnic lunch. Thanks Shere Khan. A wee game of duck, duck, goose (standing variation) then home time. Well done Beavers, you all earned your hike level 1 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The forest faces were made using all natural materials, including the clay we used. However, scouts do their best to leave no trace. With this in mind the faces will remain for a week or so for walkers and families to enjoy, then leaders will return to remove any clay from the trees.
Tonight, after a game of “bean bag” scouts were assigned patrols. Patrol leaders and assistant Patrol leaders were selected and then they were given 4 challenges.
1. Create an outfit and hat out of paper. Leaders judge best outfit. Some very creative scouts, maybe some fashion designers of the future.
2. Make a paper aeroplane, whoever’s flies furthest wins.
3. Make a paper cup, no cello tape allowed, to hold water for a minute
4. Tallest free standing tower, only using cello tape and paper.
Patrol points awarded, scouts chose their patrol names (Tiger, panther, wolf and Kingfisher), tuck shop and then a couple of games of dodgeball to finish off.
