The Handshake, March 2011

In Africa, warriors once fought with spears in their right hand and carried shields in their left. A warrior who met someone he did not want to fight, would lay down his shield and hold his left hand out. Thus, he was not able to protect himself if the other

person was to attack.

As they shook with their left hands, they had no shields and both held spears in their right hand. Therefore, each had to really trust the other before deciding to shake hands. This feeling of trust, and the fact that such warriors, who put down their shields, were considered brave, impressed Robert Baden-Powell and he chose this special handshake for the Scout Movement.

How Scouting Began, March 2011

Robert Baden-Powell was born in 1857. When he left school he joined the army. As an army scout in Africa he learned and taught outdoor survival skills.

When Baden-Powell returned to England, many boys looked on him as a hero, so he started writing articles in papers and magazines about army scouting principles and how they could be adapted to everyday life.

He organised a camp at Brownsea Island, near Poole in Dorset. The young people had a great time playing sports, camping, cooking, tracking and learning knots, things that young people had little chance to do before.

After this successful camp Baden-Powell put all the ideas to the test in a book ‘Scouting for Boys. By August 1908, many thousands of boys were calling themselves Boy Scouts - so an official national organisation was formed.

By 1910 there were 100,000 boys in Scouting. In 1916, Cub Scouting was started for boys aged from eight to eleven. The realisation that a much younger age group could benefit from Scouting came much later, in 1982.

At first Beaver Colonies were set up for six and seven year olds and these Colonies were made part of the Scout Association.

However, in 1986, Beavers officially became Beaver Scouts - a training section of the Movement, and have since gone from strength to strength.

Quote of the month, February 2011

'A few hours of your time can make years of difference.'

Challenge

We challenge Members to stretch themselves, try new things and discover their potential.

Giving

In Israel, there are two major bodies of water. Both of these bodies of water are fed by the waters of the River Jordan. One is the Sea of Galilee, which is full of fish and is surrounded by lush vegetation and trees. It is a living body in every sense. The other is the Dead Sea. There is nothing green there, there are no fish, and the sea is stagnant and dead. The difference is that the Sea of Galilee overflows. For every gallon of water that flows into the sea, a gallon is given up and is passed on downstream. It is constantly renewing itself. It gives as much as it takes.

The Dead Sea, on the other hand, because of its geography, only takes. It gives up nothing. The water there is never cleansed; it stagnates and dies. And everything depending on it dies also. Some people say that there are two kinds of people in the world—those who constantly give of themselves (who help other people at all times), and those who only take.

Which kind are you?

Quote of the month, January 2011

'Make every day an adventure.'

Adventure

We offer outdoor activities and adventure for everyone at every level.

Be Prepared for What?

Scouts, every one of you can tell me, without thinking, what the two words of the Scout Motto are? That’s right, “Be prepared.”

There is a story of a Scout in Oklahoma. His younger sister went too near a gas heater and instantly her clothes were in flames. The father and his 13-year old Scout-trained son rushed up the stairs to try to help. Remembering his first-aid work, the Scout knew what to do and he did it immediately. He grabbed a small rug and rolled the screaming child in it. He had been prepared.

In a moment he had smothered the flames and prevented serious injury to the child. “Thank God my son is a Scout,” the boy’s father told the Scoutmaster. “He knew what to do while I stood confused.”

That’s what it means to be prepared.

Once someone asked Baden-Powell, “Be prepared— for what?” “Why, for any old thing!” he replied.

Growing, 17/12/10

Game: Weeding the garden

A few pieces of newspaper are spread on the floor – this represents gardens.

The beaver Scouts run around the room and on the command ‘garden’ they stand on a piece of paper (with at least one foot on it). Anyone who is not on a piece is the ‘weed’ that has to be pulled out of the garden – so they are out. Gradually remove the paper until only one piece is left.

Skill: Planting Seeds

Using the compost and seed trays the Beaver Scouts prepare the tray and then plant the seeds. They should also make a label showing what has been planted, when and by who.

Game: Flowers

Same rules as ‘Fruit Salad’ with the Beaver Scouts being named – daisy, buttercup, rose, carnation (or the like). When ‘flowers’ is called they all swap places.

Game: Corners

Corners game using the things needed to help plants grow – soil, water, sun, weeding.

Pearls of Wisdom—Quotes from Baden-Powell

For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, the forest is at once a laboratory, a club and a temple

Global, 10/12/10

Game: Riverbanks

Riverbanks – form 2 lines facing each other

Build a dam (with number) – make a circle of that number

Tail slap – crouch down and slap floor with hand

Lodges – line up in lodges

Salute a friend – in 2s facing each other and salute

Mend the front / back of the lodge – run to the appropriate wall

Danger – curl up in a ball

Beavers run around and when the action is called they do it!

Base 1: Food tasting

Beavers sample foods from:

India – naan bread and curry

France – brioche

Germany – frankfurter

Italy – pizza

Beavers have their drink after this base

Base 2: Promises

Canada (Beaver promise)

I promise to love God and help take care of the world.

Law: A Beaver has fun, works hard and helps family and friends.

Motto: Sharing, sharing, sharing

 

Australia (Joey Promise)
I promise to do my best’ to love my God, and be helpful

Law: A Joey Scout cares, a Joey Scout share

 

Japan (Beavers)
I makes friends with all.
I defend a regulation of a beaver pack.

 

Ireland (Beavers)

I promise to do my best;

To be a good Beaver Scout,

To love God, and to love one another.

 

Eskimo greeting: Rub noses!

Game: Ball change

Divide the Beaver Scouts into 2 teams, on opposite sides of the room and number them. Place a chair at each end of the room with a different colour ball on each chair. The teams are told which colour is theirs.

When their number is called the Beaver Scout runs to get their ball and puts it on the opposite chair. The 1^st person back to their place and all the team sat down gets the point. The Beaver Scouts must remember which end their ball is at, as it will change every time.

Flags, 03/12/10

Coming in Activity:

Name the walls England , Scotland , Wales and Ireland

Tell the Beavers a bit about them as the game goes on

When the country is called they have to run the correct wall.  

Crafts:

Make paper flags for the 4 countries or make a folding Union flag

Game: Catch the Haggis

Beavers stand in a spaced out line. With balls in a bucket at one end.

They have to pass the balls down the line without dropping them.

Game: Islands

Equipment – sheets of newspaper for islands

Give each Beavers a sheet of newspaper to place on the floor. The Beavers run around the islands, the leader takes away 1 island and when the whistle is blown they have to jump onto an island, one Beavers should be out, he then sits on an island and the game restarts.

Activity: Making flag biscuits

Beavers spread icing on the biscuit and decorate with liquorice laces or sweets to look like the flags the made earlier

Game: Land, Sea and Air

Notices pinned up LAND, SEA, AIR in three parts of the hall. Leader calls out name of a creature. Beavers have to run to the correct place where they might find the creature.