NEWS - 1st Stanstead Abbotts & St Margaret's Scout Group - April 2012
Stanstead Abbotts Scouts, Explorers, Parents, Leaders and the Treasurer and her dog, Alfie, spent one Friday night working in the graveyard of St James' Church, Stansteadbury clearing graves and tidying till dusk. At the beginning of the evening Leaders invested Anthony next to 'Skip's' grave - Skip was the Scout Leader who was responsible for the original building the group’s HQ so it was a fitting tribute - Anthony's parents were proud onlookers, resplendent in full evening dress, setting a precedent for future investiture ceremonies! As darkness descended in the graveyard, everyone hiked back to HQ.
Scout parent Debbie Wren, offered to join Stanstead Abbott’s Scout Troop as a parent helper / volunteer earlier this month for the Scout Troop’s ‘Peak Challenge' camp in the Peak District.. Having never camped with the Scouts before and not knowing what to expect, we are delighted to report that not only did she have a fantastic time and discover what actually goes on during a Scouts Camp, she has now decided to become a Scout Troop Assistant Leader so she can do it all over again and a lot, lot more we’re sure!
Beavers from Stanstead Abbotts’ Woodland Colony spent an evening doing parts of their Global Challenge Badge, learning about China, France and Italy, making flags of the countries, tasting food and talking about the foreign holidays they had been on. They also discovered what Beavers in Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand say when they make their beaver Promises they are invested. Everyone was surprised to learn that Beavers are known as ‘Grasshoppers’ in Hong Kong, ‘Kea Scouts’ in New Zealand and in Canada, Beavers, the same as us. The Leaders also handed out 3 Friendship challenges badge, 3 Global challenge badges and 1 Creative Challenge badge to some of their very busy Beavers.
The cry of ‘We’re all going on an Egg Hunt’ went out over the Easter Holidays, but none of the 14 Forest Beavers and 5 Woodland Beavers from Stanstead Abbotts were at all 'scared' when they made their way to Ware to join up with Beavers from all over the District for the Annual Easter Eggstravaganza. On the contrary, writes Beaver Leader Lucy, the Beavers had a lovely walk down to the field (swishy - swashy, swishy swashy?) in the sunshine. Once they'd arrived at the field we stopped for a quick drink and then played some Easter themed team games. The children were then let loose to find the matching half of their cardboard egg. Once they had found it, which took a while for some, they were able to trade it in for a cream egg, which with the nice warm weather, all meant things got a bit messy and needed lots of baby wipes. After a snack around the campfire and a few campfire songs, they strolled back to 2nd Ware's HQ enjoying the lovely sunshine. So no fast retreats then? - just treats!
The Beavers of Forest Colony were visited by 2 very special and inspirational guests in March, when Lindy and her Guide Dog 'Dallas' came to HQ bringing with her some of her specialist equipment. The children had the opportunity to see and learn about some of Lindy's specialist equipment including her talking computer, braille printer, specially adapted camera, braille watch and much more. Each child was given a card with their names printed in braille. They enjoyed other activities such as a blind trail, colouring whilst blind-folded and trying to write their names with their eyes shut. The children loved hearing about Lindy's inspirational life, especially the fact she is fully trained in scuba diving, has swum with dolphins and been up close to some sharks. The children were shocked at Lindy's amazing photography skills and of course they all loved to stroke cheeky old Dallas. They found it hilarious that Dallas has recently been getting up to some very naughty antics - nicking cream eggs from the supermarkets.
Stanstead Abbotts Scout Group won the Peter Geer Trophy for the 4th time in 9 years - delighted Group Scout Leader Paul Stretch told parents. ‘I’m very pleased to be able to tell everyone that our Group has won Ware & District’s Peter Geer competition for the fourth time in nine years. As this competition is all about rewarding participation in District and County events, this makes us the most active Group in the District, yet again!’ To explain, The Peter Geer Trophy is awarded to the Scout Group that has participated the most over the year in the events around the District. From a District Beaver Sleepover or Handicraft Competition or the Cubs at Oxley Shield or the Scouts at the Cooking Competition through to everyone in the Group going to the Christmas Party at Wodson Park and even parading in Ware on St George's Day!
If you go down to the woods today? Well you certainly would have had a big surprise had you been near Danemead Woods, nr. Broxbourne in March when 31 Scouts from Stanstead Abbotts marched in ready to make camp! Six groups of scouts completed a nocturnal hike from the Stanstead Abbotts HQ, navigating four different routes of about 10k in length and supported by a wonderful 18 parents and leaders to set up camp and spend the weekend on camp in the woods. Cooking over fires and taking part in a variety of ‘creative’ challenges, the Scouts had a fantastic time. Baked Potatoes, dough twizzlers (a Scouting favourite) and Marshmallows were all definitely included on the menu giving everyone lots of energy for all sorts of fun and games, including catapulting flour bombs on home made catapults, just in case the Scouts weren’t getting mucky enough. No camp in the woods, of course, would be complete without a spot of tree climbing, whittling or just playing about making dens which was all a perfect introduction to the Scout Troop’s latest new members Millie and Hannah who were formally invested beside the fire.
PAW Girls Tent – Stanstead Abbotts Scouts on Saturday Morning emerging ready for action at Tolmers:
Church Yard Tidying – Stanstead Abbotts Scouts, leaders. explorers, etc at St James Church, Stansteadbury:
St Abbotts Peak Challenge - Scouts (2):
The Stanstead Abbotts Scout Group en mass at Centenary Camp – a Peter Geer Event – A huge turn out at last year’s 100 years camp helping towards our winning the Trophy:
St George's day Parade – another Peter Geer event with another great turn out from The Stanstead Abbotts Scout Group:
Stanstead Abbotts Beavers on an Egg Hunt – One of our beavers enjoying his find at the District Eggstravaganza:
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