Beaver/Cub/Scout Volunteering

Has anyone done Parliament week? He was surprised how little his Scouts knew given that they are quite a bright and mature group.

We did.

Split them into Government and Opposition and made them debate a couple of contentious subjects. A couple of our naturally confident ones did very well.

Had the room set up like the Commons, and the GSL was the Speaker.

Used a mop as the Mace.

See if you can get your local MP to come round for a chat if he/she isn't a horrible arsehole.

See if you can get your local MP to come round for a chat if he/she isn’t a horrible arsehole.

We're trying to arrange this, and he's one of our ex-Scouts 🙂

Not enough local chippy’s for us to manage that.

Sadly same here, but it could be one for a city centre trip in spring - nice idea!

We did activities night on Tuesday on the local tennis court. We had 4 stations: tennis, basketball, hula-hoops and (mine) BOOTCAMP. Had no idea how it would go but was a good laugh and they mostly embraced my Drill Sergeant persona

- You will call me Sarge and only Sarge, anyone who doesn't gets a black mark.

- What's a black mark?

- You'll find out

Turned out to be an extra lap of the courts before Haribo was dished out at the end.

One of our Squirrel leaders husband is an ex army PT and also a yoga instructor, that's a couple of evenings a year sorted!

I did a second space session with the beavers last week.  They drew out a solar system,  did some games themed around apollo moon missions, and I took my telescopes so they all got a little look at Saturn.   It went better than u expected!  So I'm repeating with the boys and girls brigade tonight if the cloud stays away.   If.

Just about beat the clouds!  We got a view of Jupiter but Saturn disappeared behind a bank of cloud just minutes before the kids came to the telescopes.   I got a look,  a couple of kids from Beavers cubs that missed it the other day got a look....the Brigade kids saw Jupiter only.   Still, that's a start.

@IHN

the samosas were pretty easy-  1 onion & 1 potato per patrol. Finely chop the onion & dice the potato into small cubes- less than 1cm cubes.

Fry them together to soften then add any other ingredients, & seasoning. We used 1/2 a tin of spam or corned beef per patrol.

Then get some sheets of filo pastry, cut them in half , brush each with egg yolk, add a spoonful of the mixture & fold into a triangle then place in the pan to crispen the pastry

Double post

We’ve lost a couple of local chippies, and 2 remaining ones are a bit too far away- one patrol would be back in 5 minutes and 2 others just over an hour leaving the 4th patrol with nowhere to go.

we took a telescope to camp this year (Pembrokeshire)- the kids loved it. It’s  surprising how fast the moon moves when you’ve got a queue of 30 kids wanting to watch it and the telescope needs adjusting every few minutes

That is where a decent tracking motorised mount comes in, together with its ability to just turn on and point itself at your selected targets makes it a worthwhile investment! Without,  The moon,  low mag, not that fast, easy.  Jupiter or Saturn at 200x so you can see structure in the rings and bands....its across the eyepiece in a minute even with an expensive wide field of view ep!

To bring this thread back to life…

We’re off to Blake Dean Hostel in a couple of weeks. Our older ones are doing their Expedition and getting their “Gold” before we lose them to Explorers. The newest ones are getting their first nights away with us, so a hostel is ideal.

After that we’ve got “Survival Camp” at Hollinwood. Hammocks and only the kit you can carry. No trestle tables, gazebos etc. Should be an eye opener for the younger ones. We did it last year and the kids got a real buzz out of it.

For those in the North West Hollinwood and Giant’s Seat are both really good “back-woods” sites. Don’t expect a tuck shop, frisbee golf or a rifle range!

Speaking of sites, has anyone used Hesley Wood near Sheffield? It's been suggested for our summer camp, but I looked on the map and saw it was slap bang next to the M1 which didn't really appeal. I don't really want constant tyre roar to be the background to a camp. How bad is/isn't it?

More pressingly, I've got them gutting and cooking sardines on Thursday night, should be fun

I've not been.

Quietest site I've been to is Waddecar. Not a sound other than wildlife trying to kill other wildlife.

https://waddecar.org.uk/?doing_wp_cron=1742306775.7394030094146728515625

We use Bibby's Farm a lot because it is local (ish), but the M61 makes a right racket. Same with Bradley Wood and the M62.

Posted by: IHN

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Speaking of sites, has anyone used Hesley Wood near Sheffield? It's been suggested for our summer camp, but I looked on the map and saw it was slap bang next to the M1 which didn't really appeal. I don't really want constant tyre roar to be the background to a camp. How bad is/isn't it?

More pressingly, I've got them gutting and cooking sardines on Thursday night, should be fun

Our kids did a mini jamboree there, and eldest went back as a young leader with cubs. Don't remember any issues with proximity to the M1 being mentioned, decent range of activities on site. Seem to recall stumbling across a Trek store nearby...

Finally stepped away from my committee and other stuff after 15 years to free up some headspace for aging parents. Very sorry to have to step back but right choice for now. Got a sweet little memento and voucher for a posh local cafe as a leaving gift, had a lovely lunch with the GSL reminiscing about some of the fun we've had helping at events.

Posted by: harry_the_spider

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Quietest site I've been to is Waddecar. Not a sound other than wildlife trying to kill other wildlife.

That's the other option, and it's my preference. But I'll just let the others decide, the main leader has a habit of making a fuss about not being able to decide what to do, but in fact has an idea in mind and won't actually be persuaded otherwise and instead will just have a massive dither before doing what he was always going to do...

I like Waddecar a lot. Been as a kid and a leader numerous times.

No mobile phone signal is a bonus, and the kids don't know the wi-fi password.

My lad is passing through there in a couple of weeks on his DoE Gold qualifying expedition.

I can recommend the Polish scout centre in the Forest of Dean: https://www.polishscoutshouse.org.uk/

It is really well kitted out and is out in the country so great for exploring.

I have finally left after 30-something years as a warranted Leader.

I've been hanging around waiting to see if the Explorer Unit would ever be able to re-open, but it's looking like that is never going to happen; in the meantime, I had a very poorly toned email from the AC (or Area Lead Volunteer now), saying if I did not update my mandatory training within the next month my role would be finished as "unsatisfactory".

I'd have thought something along the lines of "I know you have received automatic reminders about this training; are you having any problems completing it, or any other issues you'd like to discuss? We do value all our volunteers but we will, with regret, have to finish your role if this is not completed" might have been a much better tone.

That was the final straw for me - after being a Cub, Scout, Venture and then over 30 years a Leader, I was not happy to be "threatened"  with "unsatisfactory" to finish it all off, so I asked for my role to be finished with immediate effect. The reply was "Thank you for confirming", which also seemed to lack any sort of concern that such a long-standing member was choosing to leave.

i was quite upset for a couple of days, now I'm looking for something else to give to time, preferably where I'm actually appreciated.

^ That all sounds a bit crap! Especially as the organisation is short of Leaders.

Don’t expect a tuck shop, frisbee golf or a rifle range!

New activities include water leak detection, digging and pipe-laying

Thats shocking tbh,  would expect much better from any volunteer organisation

@defblade where are you? I’ve got an explorer section for you 😉 

New activities include water leak detection, digging and pipe-laying

There's an awful lot of work going on there at the moment. 

My kids are Explorers and do a service day once a month. Ask them to put the bins out at home and I get a load of moaning, yet their Explorer Leader got them to put up 50m of fencing and build a bridge over a stream.

Posted by: kimbers

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Thats shocking tbh,  would expect much better from any volunteer organisation

Certainly seems very badly handled. Though I fear that the new culture coming in feels more "business like" and less caring. I fought and lost that battle with various employers in the last 30 years, was one of the reasons I didn't fancy doing it again with Scouts.

Posted by: Steve

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Posted by: kimbers

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Thats shocking tbh,  would expect much better from any volunteer organisation

Certainly seems very badly handled. Though I fear that the new culture coming in feels more "business like" and less caring. I fought and lost that battle with various employers in the last 30 years, was one of the reasons I didn't fancy doing it again with Scouts.

 

I wasn't fighting it either, I've had enough stress from Area and Group over the last few years (although they were all happy for us (me and the other Explorer Leader) to take on Scouts to save the Troop from being closed, back before covid...)

Posted by: lesgrandepotato

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@defblade where are you? I’ve got an explorer section for you 😉 

Deepest SW Wales 🙂

That is awful. 

I've enjoyed helping with the beavers and got on well with the departing leader..   quite concerned about the future.

Posted by: kimbers

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Thats shocking tbh,  would expect much better from any volunteer organisation

Devil's advocate, but, I think it's worth pointing out that 'District' are also volunteers and have their own lives/jobs/stresses too that they need to fit the scouting stuff around. Having to be constantly chasing people up to do the mandatory training (which is only safety/safeguarding/first aid) must get really tedious, and if it gets to the point that it hasn't been done after multiple reminders then I can understand that a "right, fine, bye then" response is very tempting.

Posted by: IHN

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Posted by: kimbers

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Thats shocking tbh,  would expect much better from any volunteer organisation

Devil's advocate, but, I think it's worth pointing out that 'District' are also volunteers and have their own lives/jobs/stresses too that they need to fit the scouting stuff around. Having to be constantly chasing people up to do the mandatory training (which is only safety/safeguarding/first aid) must get really tedious, and if it gets to the point that it hasn't been done after multiple reminders then I can understand that a "right, fine, bye then" response is very tempting.

I agree, we only have one side of the story.

That used to be part of my role on the AAC committee. I've got DCs to withdraw a fair few warrants over the years. Some have been unfortunate,  some were no loss at all.

Apologies for jumping in mid-convo - I've been helping for about a year in cub pack in Southgate/North London. Been on two cub camps now and so impressed with scout parks near London. Multiple options for activities to book on to and clean/smart sites. Just had a weekend at Tolmers in Cuffley. Lack of sleep terrible but otherwise a great weekend.

Very torn as I am more than happy helping but dont feel the confidence to take on more of a main leader role - not in uniform yet. Appreciate the current leader is actively looking for replacements but on my own I just dont think I can do it. Was this a natural progression over time for those that were leaders - or was it just straight in to leading? I was in scouts as a kid - but proper authoritarian troop!

Took the Cubs to the local fire station this evening which is always good. Got to play with the hoses this time. 

I was in cubs/scouts/ventures and was a cub and scout leader with my local group, helping out on summer camps when at uni. Got involved again when I moved back to the UK and got landed running a troop on my own, which was painful. Now got a pack which I was running with an experienced leader until he retired and I'm currently training up my replacement.

The point about District being volunteers too is well made and I need to get my first aid up to date. Point is, it's great when you've got a good team and feel well supported, be that by Group or District, but if that's lacking it's not worth the candle. People trust us with their kids and the training etc is good but at the end of the day if you're not happy don't be afraid to take a step back or let yourself be pressured into anything. A parent rota is a good way of creating your own support and finding ones who would be up for doing more, mind. 

Anyone done any good games to help youngsters remember a phone number?

Posted by: urflying

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Very torn as I am more than happy helping but dont feel the confidence to take on more of a main leader role - not in uniform yet. Appreciate the current leader is actively looking for replacements but on my own I just dont think I can do it. Was this a natural progression over time for those that were leaders - or was it just straight in to leading? I was in scouts as a kid - but proper authoritarian troop!

Very much depends on the circumstances of the group. 

I was a Cub and Scout, skipped Ventures as I had a bust up with the leader. My Dad had been a Scout leader back in the 50s when serving in Cyprus, and he became our GSL.

MrsMC is a Guide leader and when Jnr started Beavers I went on a parent rota. Pretty obvious I wasn't that great with other people's kids, but was always willing to help transport,  set up, marshall,  fundraise etc as required. Unit leading wasn't for me.

Then I got involved with the group committee, then the district appointment committee and the district committee. Not the regular weekly commitments, but a pretty steady stream of admin and oversight type stuff. Just stepped back as family commitments are going to need more time in the short/medium term.

I've met some amazing leaders over the years through the appointments committee,  from a guy who come back to the UK after working for the EU and running the UK overseas unit in Brussels, to a lorry driver who'd gone to support his nervous daughter at Cubs and ended up as a leader because he enjoyed giving kids in a poorer part of our area the opportunities he'd never had as a kid.

There is always a risk that willing horses get flogged, and feel pressure to take on more than they planned. It really depends on how much time your family can let you commit, and getting the right support around you. 

My kids are 18 and 22, daughter is now an adult helper at Guides before she goes off to uni, son is a leader and trustee at the group where he moved to after uni, and his other half is a Guide leader. It's kind of incestuous. 

Posted by: neilnevill

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Anyone done any good games to help youngsters remember a phone number?

You can use the letters that correspond to the numbers to make a word (popular in the USA), although modern phones often don't have this feature..............

A little game for you...

Hide a Lego minifigure in plain site and see how long it takes for the kids to spot it.

Very torn as I am more than happy helping but dont feel the confidence to take on more of a main leader role - not in uniform yet. Appreciate the current leader is actively looking for replacements but on my own I just dont think I can do it. Was this a natural progression over time for those that were leaders - or was it just straight in to leading?

You're volunteering so you need to be comfortable with what you're doing. In my case I am officially a leader but very much an assistant to the cub section leader. So I will take some of the cubs in group activities, organize games etc, but I'm not up for planning the evenings and camps.

I was a parent volunteer when my lad started Cubs. The pack was growing and they didn't have the right adult to kid ratio. 

I'm very much a one night a week and camp/activity leader. I have nothing to do with the admin.

For me it was assisting at Cubs then the GLS announced at parents meeting the current Cub leader was moving to Scouts and I would be running the section! I could have kicked back but after a couple of years assisting I was ok with this and I think he knew I would be.

For yourself have a word with the current Cub leader, say you’re keen to become a Cub team member but not Cub Section Lead Volunteer, however you’ll need to be assertive on this point and make it a condition for taking on the role.

Not sure what the current leader has tried recruitment wise but perhaps using yourself (anonymously) to say there is at least one adult keen to help but not lead may encourage others to come forward, hopefully someone who is keen to take the lead.

I'm leading our "Expedition" this weekend. It looks like we're going to have to set up for hot weather!

Blakedean to Top Withins and back. Kids navigating by themselves with leaders shadowing about half a mile back. 

One suggestion would be to try and rope another parent in to be you admin fairy, you do the leading stuff and get them to do the admin, checking OSM for when badges are due, sending emails etc you have to get someone you can work closely with

Admin fairies are invaluable, we had a couple at district level and they absolutely kept the show on the road