The highlight of January 2022 was a visit to a Langton Hostel in Patterdale in the Lake District for six members of 7th Retford Scout Group. They joined up with Scouts from other parts of Nottinghamshire, with Nottinghamshire Scouts Adventure Team, for a Winter Walking weekend. They climbed up to a height of 739 metres on The Knott. From their vantage they could see Ullswater in one direction and, in the other, Windermere.
The Beavers, the youngest section, have restarted for 2022 and are currently full. For anyone looking for a place in Beavers, or to put their child on the waiting list, please email retfordbeaverscouts@hotmail.com. The core age for this section is six to eight, but there is some leeway either side to allow for friendship groups.
The Cub section has been busy with a variety of activities at their weekly sessions. A remote session online couldn’t stop them from covering some skills of the Navigator staged badge! When the nights get lighter, outdoor sessions will put the skills into practice. There was a fun evening guessing the flavours of crisps, feeling socks to see what was hidden inside and playing Kim’s Game. The Cubs have also made a zip wire and parachute for the teddy bears / soft toys. The age range for Cubs is a minimum of 7 ½ up to 10 ½ years old.
Scouts started the term with a games and challenges night. The second week, they had a crisp tasting and using their senses evening, while on week three they looked at the history of Retford (part of the Local Knowledge Activity Badge). In the final week of January, with the support of Explorer Scout leaders, the Scouts and Explorers made energy bars. Scouts are aged 10 to 14 ½ and meet at the same time as Cannon Choughs ESU, so can do a seamless transfer up to the next section.
Cannon Choughs Explorer Unit seems to enjoy food sessions and anything that involves lighting a fire. They now have nine members, some of whom are also doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award with their schools. This is for a minimum age of 13 ½ up to their 18th birthday.
For Cubs and Scouts enquiries, please email Hazel on 7thretford@gmail.com or phone 01777 704835. To find out about volunteering as a Young Leader or the Duke of Edinburgh service working with the Scout Group, please contact Hazel. For Cannon Choughs ESU, contact matt.ward@bassetlawscouts.org.uk.