1st Weaverham Beaver Scouts
Annual Report for AGM 2018
I am pleased to report that our membership has increased to 21 to date, with 3 more due to start after half term. This brings us to our maximum number and we may have to introduce a waiting list!
Over the past year, the Beavers have been very active in badge work. They have done everything from Campcraft, Animal Lover and Communicator Activity Badges, to Community Impact and Water activities Staged Badges.
We also awarded one Chief Scouts Bronze Award last year. This Award is the highest that can be achieved by a beaver scout and to complete it, they have to complete all six Challenge awards and at least 4 Activity Badges. In order to ensure a balanced programme for all, this requires a lot of commitment from the Beaver Scout and regular attendance over their two years in the section.
As always, the group takes part in district events with other colonies and they particularly enjoy the District Carol Service.
As part of their Gardeners badge, the beavers grew a variety of seeds and planted out the garden at the back of the scout hall. The last of them are still in flower!
To gain their Animal Lovers badge, they enjoyed a visit to Pets at Home, where they were allowed to hold some of the animals. I hope the animals recovered from the shock!
The first Nights Away opportunity was held in November with a sleepover in the Scout Hall. They all slept in their tents inside the hall, tried fire lighting outside and made bird feeders for our feathered friends and lots more besides.
We were very pleased to receive a visit from two teachers from Kenya who joined us for the evening and answered lots of our questions about life in school in their country. Many thanks to Kim for arranging this visit for us.
One of our most memorable achievements this year was for the Community Impact badge. We were introduced to the charity CARE UK Refuge Aid NW. The Beavers learned about the work of the charity and in particular how they send out Moses Baskets to new mums in refugee camps which are filled with all the things you need for a new baby; from nappies and wipes, to babygrows, hats, mittens, blankets and snowsuits. The Beavers decided to try and raise money to fill the Moses Baskets with the ‘consumable’ items that have to be brand new – nappies, wipes, hand sanitiser etc. They decided to hold a sponsored Scootathon. It actually took place in the depot at CARE UK in Northwich. The beavers became so involved, they managed to raise £660.00 and it took them less than 10 minutes!! Huge thanks must go to the support from parents in helping to collect their sponsorship money, providing transport for beavers and scooters and their help on the night. We even had our own grand prix mechanic on hand, just in case! This event is still talked about by the Team Leaders at CARE UK.
Our next exciting event for the beavers was the annual boating session with the cubs at Budworth Sailing Club thanks to the generosity of the Scout section water activities team. Unfortunately, after weeks and weeks of glorious sunshine our chosen evening was the wettest for some time! We abandoned the planned family picnic and the parents took shelter in the clubhouse, but the rain did not put our beavers off! They all wanted to get out on the water. So off they went – some sailing, some kayaking and I believe some even got a ride in the safety boat! A great night! Thanks team.
Our final highlight of the year has to be Chamboree. This was the first time Beavers have been allowed to camp at this event. It was quite a challenge for a 6 or 7 year old beaver scout taking part in a camp which had about 5,000 people attending! They experienced camp food, watched a film at the outdoors cinema, became pirates for the day, visited the brilliant circus, went caving and even persuaded me to ride the flight simulator! It is so great to see all these things through the eyes of a child. They all did really well and thoroughly enjoyed their experience. I have to thank Julia and her husband Josef for coming along to help me at this camp. We couldn’t have done it without them. We must also thank Brian (our Treasurer) and Jacqui for being our chefs for the day.
Last, but by no means least I must thank our leaders, Sue, Julia , Hayley and our new occasional helpers Kim. and Josef for being so generous with their time.
As our numbers have increased, so quickly, we would like to encourage more adults to join our team. I am a firm believer in the initiative of Flexible Volunteering. We know that not everyone is able to commit to attending a meeting every week, but if we could increase our team of leaders/volunteers, this makes it easier for everyone and allows us to continue to provide an exciting and challenging programme for our Beavers, your children! There are many ways that you can help. Why not give it some thought and come and have an informal chat with me. You will definitely be made most welcome.
Cyndy Lloyd
Beaver Scout Leader.
