Troop Activity Reports
Below you will find extracts from our latest bi-monthly Newsletter which goes to all Scouts and Parents.
Looking Back
Another year is nearly over, so I would like to spend a little time looking back over what the Scout section have managed to achieve during 2000.
Well in basic terms I believe we have had a another very successful year.
On the activity front we must be one of the most active troops in the district as we have been to The Black Mountains as well as day walks on Dartmoor, 2 day Backpacking Walks, Static Camps, a Group Millennium Camp, Climbing Days, Cycling, Caving, Orienteering to name a few outdoor activities, in total I reckoned we have carried out about 40 days of outdoor activities and about 17 nights camping, this doesn't include troop nights.
I have many highlights of the year which are too many to mention in detail but here are some:- Dartmoor Training Centre, Foxcove weekend camps, the Group Millennium Camp, the two day hikes, the cycling day and the Caving.
As with other years, the activity I will remember the most from 2000 has got to be our Summer Camp to The Black Mountains, what a camp - all who went will remember those gentle slopes and the views from the top as well as the caving with the trees wedged inside from previous floods.
I also think the Group Millennium Camp we held at Foxcove was one to remember, it was good to have 53 members of our own group camping together and having a fantastic time - I'm sure we will do it again.
On the awards side, I was proud to say that we have been able to award a lot of badges (too many to count) to the Scouts as recognition of the training and skills they have acquired in the last 12 months, well done to all those who were awarded badges and keep up the work for next year.
I am also pleased to say that we are going into the year 2000 with a healthy number of Scouts, we currently have 20 Scouts on the books with the prospect of others joining in the new year.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead for 2001, we have already planned the next 4 months programme of activities, some of the things included are a Winter Camp, Whole Group Camp, Summer Camp Planning to the South Pennines and of course we have also included the regular things such as walks, caving, orienteering etc.
Activity Reports
Grounds Maintenance Day
On Sunday 24th September we carried out some work around the grounds of the hut. We cut the grass and brambles down to a nice lawn, we repaired the fence around the hut and bordered the lawn with wooden boards (later to be taken and used on the local bonfire).
To round off the day we finished with a barbecue. A good hard days work by all who turned up - well done.
Autumn Camp
Foxcove Campsite
Over the weekend of 17th - 19th November we held our annual Autumn Camp to Foxcove Campsite near Wembury.
A total of 11 Scouts and 3 leaders attended this camp.
After sorting the tents & camp out the Scouts had a couple of wide games around the site before supper and turning in.
Saturday started with collecting wood to use for fire lighting practice and backwoods cooking but the weather during the previous few weeks had caused the wood to be so saturated it was impossible to light the fires.
Cubs from the 2nd Devonport pack joined us at about 10am, they came to experience a little about life with the Scouts and to complete some of their own badgework. The cubs joined in with the wood collecting and explored the site.
The older Scouts then set about building a long postman's walk bridge and sisal trail while the younger Scouts practised their use of the axe and saw.
Once built the Scouts and the Cubs all had a series of tries on the postman's walk and the sisal trail.
The Cubs left just as it was getting dark. Once they had gone we all settled down to our evening meal of lots of camp stew.
In the evening, we had a couple of wide games involving the Scouts in three teams finding each of the leaders to get a series of letters off them, they then had to make a word out of the letters (different to the normal wide games we play, but liked by most of the Scouts !).
After supper it was time to turn in and get some rest.
Sunday started with some most unusual weather - it was sunny !!. But it didn't last.
Today we started with an activity which is generally refereed to as Coastereering - this is where you traverse around the cliffs just a fraction above sea level - the object being to see how far you can get without falling into the sea. We managed to traverse around the whole length of the shore frontage of the campsite - not an easy feat -it involved a lot of climbing skills and confidence and trust in ones own abilities - but was great fun even for those who fell in.
After lunch it was time to strike camp before departing for home after another enjoyable camp.
Reports from the Scouts
FRIDAY! ! !
On Friday we got settled in and fortunately our tents had already been put up earlier in the day kindly by Roger.
We set up our sleeping bags in the tents and then we got all our gear on for playing wide games. After a long drawn out wide game we went back up to the hut and some of us had a cup of tea and others had the soup and bread. After a long tiring day we all went to bed and went to sleep. (except for a few people)
SATURDAY! ! !
On Saturday morning we were woken by the sounds of some of the boys being stupid. I.e. Sean, Ross, Adam, John and John James at 6.30 am. Afterwards we had a nice warm breakfast and then we had to wash up and go and collect wood so that when the 2nd Devonport cub group came and had to practise lighting camp fires, unfortunately the rain meant that it had to be cancelled, we had set up sisal trail and a rope bridge and we set the cubs and scouts on this and then we showed them how to build shelters using leaves and sticks.
After the cubs had gone we had tea and played a wonderful wide game where we had to find letters and make words and Scott, Ross and me won and got all dry and warm when all the other scouts still had to find Kit's letters.
SUNDAY! ! !
On Sunday we got up and had breakfast washed up and then got our waterproofs on and went to do Coastereering, many people got wet but most people had a good time.
We then to pack our bags and help pack our tents away, then we had a game of rounders and then went home for a nice long rest and a hot drink.
Lyanne Sexton (APL)
24 Hour Sponsored Darts
On Saturday 9th December we held a 24 hour sponsored darts event to raise funds for the general upkeep of the group.
Nine Scouts took part in this event, with a game of darts always being played during the 24 hours. This activity proved to be a hit with those who attended.
At the time of writing this we are not sure how much will be raised.
Summer Camp 2001
South Pennines
25th August - 1st September 2001
We have decided to arrange our summer camp for 2001 at Widdop Gate Hostel in the South Pennines, West Yorkshire.
Widdop Gate managed by 16th Bradford South Scout Group is a pair of 18th century toll gate cottages, which has been converted to include three dormitories and leaders rooms, with a lounge area and separate dining room and kitchen areas. The building also has separate male and female toilets.
We are using indoor sleeping to allow us maximum time for badgework & activities.
The date of this summer camp will be Saturday 25th August 2001 to Saturday 1st September 2001.
The cost for this camp will be £120.00 which will include transport, food, hire of camp site and all activities planned.
A place can be held for your son/daughter if they wish to attend this camp by paying a deposit of £10.00 by Wednesday 31st January 2001.
The camp bank will be open for those who wish to spread the payment by paying as much or as little as you like between now and the camp (about £4.00 per week).
There are still some details to work out on the programme for the camp but here are a few of the ideas I have in mind - Hill Walking, Climbing & Abseiling, Local Visits, Pioneering, possibly Caving, possibly Horse Riding and several badgework activities plus one or two other events.
Page Last Updated: 14.01.01