It's over there!

 

That classic moment when on your group hike where we attempt to relate the physical features such as lakes and streams before us to the map and detirmine exactly where we are and in what direction to proceed.

It's over there!

Chefs Badge 2026 style

 

Monday saw the new launch of the Chefs Badge which has always been a part of scouting and not just doing hot dogs and toasted marshmallows over the campfire as much as some of us adore all of that.

No, aided by Ainsley Harriet promoting it, this badge requires you to plan a meal including the shopping bit, learn some basic cookery skills to turn all of that into a meal that is presented so it tastes good while staying safe around sharp knives and hot ovens.

It's not really fancy cookery but really a essential life skill that with less being taught in schools, even less going on in the home, you do need to life beyond putting ready meals in the microwave.

When you consider beyond the issue of so many people including children and young people feeling unable to cook, the sheer amount of wasted food that gets tossed away, this is so timely.

Fundraising locally

Today, something that matters, fundraising, and our local Scout leaders went on a 24 hour sponsered walk to see how far they could go, fully supported of course.

The £500 target was smashed!  So far £970 was raised. I made a substancial donation given it was my birthday weekend feeling it could really do some good.

The great spring tidy up

 

Things we can do this Spring include clearing up our green's parks and camp sites as it's that time we spend a bit more time out of doors although it goes without saying children should be supervised when using any tools.

It sometimes seems too easy for our green spaces to get covered in tissues, crisp packets and the like.

Post 1,300

We do hit a anniversary in this blog today, a physically challenge or two aside when from when we started in 2018 during a period of issues with Tumblr and initially simicasting on Tumblr when I found I wanted to talk about scouting, past and present and the great outdoors.

One group in Scouting we're inclined to forget about is those over 14.

Many of us loved Cubs, you might of been a Beaver and moved up to Scouts at 10 1/2 to about 14 years where for some other interests may come more to the fore, some may see Scouts as a bit too "childish" or uncool and so drop out.

In scouting it need not be this way, there are programs that are more suited to your abilities and awards you can work toward, all of which do add something that helps you stand out looking for work or getting a place at college or university.

From the time of Baden-Powell, there have been arrangements for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout Section,and in 1967, Venture Scouts were formed from the existing Senior Scout and Rover Scout Sections. 

During the late 1990s the Scout Association decided that, to meet the changing needs of young people, there should be two sections for the over-14s:

Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds, and the Scout Network.

The Scout Network allows 18 to 25 year-olds who have an interest in both Scouting and their own personal development,and ultimately want to have fun, the opportunity to do so.

This also enables them to continue and complete their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and/or become a King’s Scout.

Activities

Scout Network members take part in a variety of activities, which they undertake and organise themselves

with the support of a Scout Network Leader.

Example activities include Abseiling, award work, bowling, camping, circus skills, climbing, cooking, games, go-karting, gorge walking, hiking,pioneering, shooting and watersports.

Some may help running the younger programs or events too.

There we have it, life continues for scouts and in a uncertain world facing challenges children and young people being prepared to deal with whatever happens while having fun.

Saint David's day

 

St David is the patron saint of Wales and St David's Day is celebrated on 1st March each year. This marks the anniversary of his death in 589AD. The day is traditionally celebrated by hosting parades, and eating traditional Welsh food, such as Welsh rarebit which is made from cheese.

In Scouts we do market it with activities like baking Welsh Cakes, learning about St. David and making cards with daffodils.

Out and about

 

More things are out seeing spring happens officially Sunday as things slowly warm up.