Beavers (boys and girls aged 6 to 8), Cubs (boys and girls aged 8 to 10) and Scouts (boys and girls aged 10 to 14) at Flitwick Scouts have returned to virtual meetings via Zoom following guidance from the National Youth Agency.
The Group had managed to return to face-to-face meetings where they put procedures in place to ensure people were social distancing.
Many children were able to participate in activities such as muddy walks in the woods, toasting marshmallows over open fires, wide games and working towards their Sports Enthusiast or Athlete badges.
Some of the Scouts even managed to squeeze in a pizza tasting evening.
Unfortunately the Group was not able to participate in the usual Remembrance Day Parade and service. Not to be deterred, children made poppies at home and learned about why Remembrance Day is so important.
On Remembrance Sunday, many children and adults stood for the two minute silence on their doorstep.
Scout Leader Simon Baldwin and his children Kaleb and Evelyn attended the war memorial and laid wreaths on behalf of their Beaver Colony and Cub Pack.
One activity planned by The Scouts is to get members across the Country to ‘Race round the World’.
The teams are being led by Scout Ambassadors, Steve Backshall, Helen Glover, Tim Peake, Ellie Simmonds, Ed Stafford, Saray Khumalo, Dwayne Fields and Megan Hine. Families can choose whether they want to walk, run, skateboard, scoot, swim, cycle or canoe.
This activity is also helping the young people gain their International Badge as they are being encouraged to find out about other countries around the world, including customs, cultures, food, population, languages they speak etc.
Some of the children are also trying food from different Countries.
Several families are using this activity as an opportunity to get some healthy exercise. The children are using the activity to count towards their Hikes Away, Cyclist, Outdoor Skills Challenge and Time on the Water Badges. Many of the children are being sponsored by family and friends to help raise money for Scout Groups across the Country that are in danger of closing.
Aiden MacNeil said, “At Scouts, we learn life skills and we want to raise money for vulnerable groups so they don’t have to shut down and the children in the Group can continue to learn life skills.”
Adult Volunteer Darren Reeve said: “Racing Round the World is a great opportunity for Scouts to put the ‘help other people’ part of the Scout promise into action.
“I’m certain many of the families will walk many miles not only to get some exercise but to earn some badges and to help other Scouts around the Country.”
For further information about Flitwick Scouts, please visit www.flitwickscoutgroup.org.uk/
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