Scouts

Summer update – what’s new and happening

Mike Wild Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Explorers, Guides, Rainbows, Rangers, Scouts

As COVID restrictions have eased, many of the Burley-in-Wharfedale Scout and Guide groups have already returned to face to face activities. Throughout the last few months all leaders have been planning safe and enjoyable programmes, operating within the parameters of national guidelines. The young people involved have been loving the opportunities to take part in activities, seeing other members of their groups, and having fun.

Guiding units are continuing to meet face to face: some inside, some outside. Where possible, units are also using other venues around the village to prevent clashes with units who want to use rooms at the HQ at the same time.  Groups have used Wynches Activity Centre, Sun Lane Nature Reserve, Burley Park & the Recreation ground.

The Guiding units have been engaged in a variety of activities such as litter picking in Burley, geo-caching and run a village treasure hunt. Meanwhile the Rangers have resumed Duke of Edinburgh’s Award activities with expeditions for Bronze & Silver level.
Looking ahead, assuming restrictions are not tightened, 1st Guides are going on summer camp to Waddow at the end of July for 5 days, with over half the guides planning on attending.

In other news, Guide leader Cara Woods gained her Queens Guide Award in Feb 2020. The Queen’s Guide award is the highest award you can work towards in guiding. Although originally awarded to Guides, it is now only attainable by members of the Senior Section (including Rangers, Young Leaders and Leaders) aged between 16- 25. It is a challenging programme comparable to the Queen’s Scout and higher than Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Since the awards creation 60 years ago 20,000 young women have gained the award. Unfortunately due to Covid she has not been presented with it, so there will be a presentation in the grounds of our HQ for a small number of invited guests. Congratulations & well done Cara!

Guiding activities

The Scouting groups have been similarly active. Most recently the Beavers been to Wynches Activity Centre in Burley for some outdoor fun, and the Scouts have been out at Reva Scouts Water Activity Centre near Bingley. Meanwhile the Explorers have got an overnight camp planned (in hammocks!) at Sconce. They are also planning on undertaking Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award activities in October.

Scouting & Guiding in Lockdown…there’s more going on than you think!

Mike Wild Guides, Scouts

Girlguiding during lockdown

Guiding has continued in 8 of the 9 units since lockdown. Indeed some units have been extremely busy indeed. To thier credit, the units are still following the Guiding programme activities despite no face to face contact. Skill builders, theme, bronze, silver & gold awards have been all been earned at Guide, Brownie & Rainbow level. Many have also done Interest badges & many other fun activities. Parents of younger units Rainbows do not want regular activities, just special spontaneous activities, so they are doing a little less.

1st Burley Brownies are having zoom meetings every week & most of the other units are giving girls the opportunity of guiding activities via email, facebook & delivering items to girls’ homes.

8 out of 9 units took part in Northumberland Scouts world record breaking Virtual Camp over Easter. We had over 100 girls who took part

The World breaking virtual “Camp at Home”.

Northumberland Scouts challenged all young people in Scouting & Guiding to take part in their world record attempt of Largest Virtual Camp. It was a month long Virtual Camp across April from 1st April until the 30th April, ending with an attempt to set the world record for the Largest Virtual Camp on 30th April 2020.

Rules were varied depending on age – girls were challenged to:
• Build a den, pitch a tent, make a bivvi, hang up a hammock (whatever you can)
inside or outside in the garden
• Sleep in your shelter of choice for a night
• Make a dinner or breakfast
• Make a snack to have in your tent
• Take your camp blanket & teddy & don’t forget to sing a couple of camp songs

95,000 Scouting, Guiding & other participants from 68 counties took part & made the largest camp ever!

Burley Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Rangers had enormous fun pitching tents or building dens & sleeping out. Not to be kept out, parents also joined in the fun, as did the leaders. Over 100 girls took part in Burley in the record-breaking attempt. Several parents later thanked us for inspiring their girls to take part – they were struggling with no school & no friends, & this really caught their imagination.
A great way to spend lockdown!

Scouting During lockdown

The Scouting units have been busy during lockdown by walking to the moon and back to raise money for BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief, supporting those most affected by COVID-19

Hike to the Moon
On 23rd April, BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief got together for their Big Day In on Radio and their Big Night In on TV. This was a massive fundraising special to celebrate the incredible people making a difference in communities across the UK, and to support people who need it most during the coronavirus crisis. Scouts, along with friends and family, collectively walked more than 240,000 miles (the distance to the Moon), raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the event. Eleven of the twelve people who’ve walked on the Moon were Scouts. It’s where we feel most comfortable (second to Earth). Those taking part didnt need to leave thier homes for this: 2,000 steps around the garden or 20 minutes walking on the spot is about 1 mile

The money raised will be split between Comic Relief and BBC Children in Need, and will go on to support local charities and projects in the UK

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/scouts-at-home/scouts-helping-others/hike-to-the-moon/

Meanwhile Beavers have had virtual sleepovers, cubs have worked on their International Badge – an activity designed by an Explorer for her Queens Scout Award.

Explorers have had a successful Bronze DofE awarded. Leaders have been working on their mandatory training. We are all busy planning camp and activities for 2021 and look forward to welcoming all of our young members back soon

Awards for distinguished and meritorious service

Mike Wild Scouts

At the Scouts we want to thank all our volunteers for their contribution to Scouting – it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the achievements of members and volunteers. Its therefore with great delight we are proud to announce two major awards this week.

Firstly, Roger Parker has been awarded the Silver Acorn Award in recognition of the fact that he is fabulous. The Silver Acorn is awarded to individuals who display consistently distinguished and meritorious service over a period of not less than 20 years. Roger was nominated because he has been involved in scouting for over 45 years and his scouting knowledge and skills are amazing. He brings commitment, energy and fun in his leadership. Most importantly our youth members enjoy spending time with him.

The award is usually presented at the St George’s Day service at Royal Windsor by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Unfortunately Roger is away at this time so we will find a suitable time to celebrate this achievement.

Secondly, Rob Pawson was also awarded the ‘Bar to the Award of Merit’ at the St George’s Day celebration. The Bar is awarded to a leader who has already received an Award of Merit and have continued in making an outstanding contribution to both scouting and in the local community.  Our scouting community and the whole group is simply better because Rob is part of it.

Both awards are very well deserved.

There were also two service awards presented at the St George’s Day celebration to Anna Linden (Watson Cubs) and Adam Thompson (Scouts).

It is such a pleasure to see the hard work and dedication of the leaders recognised and rewarded.

St Mary’s Parish Church 175th Anniversary

Mike Wild Cubs, Explorers, Scouts

To mark the 175th anniversary of the consecration of St Mary’s parish church in 1843, on the 24th June there was a special celebratory service in the company of the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Bains. The church invited representatives from across the village to which the Group was pleased to send representation from Cubs, Scouts and Explorers

It might have been the opportunity to hear Rt Revd Nick Bains speak that attracted the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to attend, or it might have been the cake and BBQ afterwards. Difficult to say really, but both were fulfilling in their different ways

Burley Oaks Primary School “Mile a Day” sponsored walk

Mike Wild Guides, Scouts

burley oaks school council

 

Burley Oaks Primary School have presented Burley Scouts and Guides with a cheque for £966 for the new headquarters build.   They raised almost £3,000 last week with their “Mile a Day” sponsored walk and the scounts and guiges were one of the 3 charities they chose to donate to.  It’s an amazing amount and a massive thank you to all who took part & very well done.

This photo is of some of the pupils on the school council – all of whom are members of scouting & guiding

Queen’s 90th Birthday Beacon

Mike Wild Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Explorers, Guides, Rainbows, Rangers, Scouts

Queens 90th birthday 8

 

On the evening of 21st April,  Burley Scout & Guide Group celebrated HM The Queen’s 90th birthday in Grange Park.   Over 200 Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Rangers & Explorers & their leaders paraded from their HQ in Peel Place to the park with all their flags.  A fantastic & colourful sight that many villagers came to watch.

Queens 90th birthday 1

 

We entertained them all by singing a range of campfire style songs, many of the villagers joining in.  The younger girls and boys also learned to dance round a maypole.   At around 7pm the Colour Party of an Explorer & two Rangers unfurled the Union Jack & everyone sang the National Anthem.   At the same time as the Queen lit a beacon in Windsor, Betty Fisher – a 90 year old resident of Burley, lit our beacon in the park.   It was a lovely sunny evening & a very happy event

Queens 90th birthday 6 Queens 90th birthday 5 Queens 90th birthday 4 Queens 90th birthday 3