It was a very busy lead up to Christmas at 7th Retford Scout Group, with many families taking part in the Scout Christmas Post, sorting and delivering the post. The groups delivered 3,490 cards and raised over £1,500 for the three Scout Groups who took part.
The Scouts made some angel lanterns, learned some knots and completed other activities. Cubs also learned some knots, coloured in some Christmas window pictures, learned about the tradition of Christingles and made one to take home. The Beavers had lots of fun with various Christmas activities.
Each section had a Christmas party. Some of the group came on a Christmas holiday hike following the Retford Art Trail around the town centre.
January started back with a games night at Cubs and Scouts. Both Cubs and Scouts have done navigation and map reading training, camp planning and what to take with you. Scouts made some energy bars and Cubs learnt some First Aid.
The Beavers and Cubs took part in the NESST challenge walks that took place on 21st January at Walesby Forest Activity Centre. A team of five with two adults took part in the NESST overnight Short Challenge Hike and, because of diversions due to flooding, it was over 15 miles in length rather than the advertised 10 miles! The Explorers also took part and they came second overall.
The first weekend of February saw a Winter Weekend at a campsite on the outskirts of Cleethorpes. Cubs slept inside the Winteringham Centre and Scouts and Explorers slept outside in tents and hammocks.
The group hiked from the campsite to Cleethorpes seafront, approximately four miles, where they visited the Lifeboat Station, played games on the beach, had chips on the sea front, went to the roller disco and then hiked back.
On Sunday they enjoyed a rifle shooting and archery session on the site. Fortunately, the weather was kind and it was dry and reasonably warm all weekend (for February). Everyone is looking forward to more camps in June and July!
For any information about the Scout Group, please contact Hazel via email on 7thretford@gmail.com. If you prefer, you can phone on 01777 704835 but you will need to announce yourself (BT Call Minder).