scouts - april/may 2010

The magazine for Scout Leaders

April/May 2010

GO FORWARD TOGETHERGO FORWARD TOGETHER

How working in a team develops leadership skills

The parent trapA cooking programme

to kickstart your Big Adventure

Example to others

How the Chief Scout’s

Gold Award can help in

the non-Scouting world

Who’s got a match?

Practical tips on lighting fires

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INTRO

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WELCOME

Alasdair McBay looks ahead to some forthcoming resources to assist leaders and the camps

and expeditions which will soon take place all over the UK

The next few months see the long awaited publication of three new resources

to support Troop Leaders.

The Scout Games Book has lots of new ideas to add sparkle to the fun

element of the programme; The Troop Programme Plus: Volume 2, with its

focus on the Global Programme Zone, will support leaders in an aspect of the

programme which they frequently tell us is the most difficult to tackle; while the

new Nights Away publication will offer everything you need to know to take

young people on a residential experience safely and with confidence.

If you have new ideas to contribute to this year’s theme of developing

practical skills, let us know at [email protected]. This issue features articles

on how the Chief Scout’s Gold Award can be used to structure a young

person’s record of their achievements. We also take a look at the importance

of teamwork – something that we could all be reminded of from time to time.

As I write, Spring is quite definitely upon us. Troops up and down the

country are finalising plans for camps and expeditions. As I have travelled in

recent months, I have taken the oppportunity to talk with leaders about how

we refresh the delivery of the Expedition Challenge. It has been exciting to hear

the variety of creative ideas which are abundant in making sure Scouts have the

opportunity of this adventure. It isn’t too late to be planning it for this year!

In that spirit, it seems a good time to let you know that bookings are now

open for this year’s Gilwell Reunion event, held at Gilwell Park over the weekend

of the 3-5 September. The event is open to all adults in Scouting. For more

information about the event go to www.scouts.org.uk/reunion

Practical support

Your Scout Support TeamAlasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section),Nicola Ashby – Programme & Development Adviser

Contact them at:[email protected]

Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818

AdvertisingRichard Ellacott [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258

4 Gold-getters Achieving the Chief Scout’s Gold Award can help a job application or academic portfolio

6 Lead the wayWorking as part of a team is an important part of developing skills and recognising potential leaders

The next few months see the long awaited publication of three new resources

8 Meeting sparklersFun ideas for your meeting

10 Programmes on a plate This issue’s theme is an unplanned programme

14 Raise interest ratesYou can get parents excited in your Big Adventure now via a simple evening programme

16 Practical skillsFirelighting is an essential craft for Scouts, but many are unaware of how to build a fi re

Contents

A group of Scouts from Epping enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime, including rainforest camping, at the recent Asian Pacific International Scout Jamboree in the Philippines.

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Gold-getters

I f a Scout achieves the highest award in

the section it is right that it be recognised

and celebrated. Many counties do so by

holding a special reception or awards

celebration but we could, and should, do more

than that. We can help the Scout make it work for

them by using it as evidence of accomplishment

in a school portfolio, CV or job application.

Here is a worksheet that could be given to

Chief Scout’s Gold Award holders to complete

and use for the future.

SURVIVAL CAMPAny Scout born after 1 August 1996 who has completed, or will complete, their Chief Scout’s Gold Award by 31 July 2010 is eligible to participate in a 24-hour survival adventure with Chief Scout Bear Grylls. Apply online at www.scouts.org.uk/survivalcamp

Gold-gettersGold-gettersThe record of achievement

required for the Chief Scout’s

Gold Award needn’t only be

recognised within the Scouting

fraternity. Such skills and

experience can be applied in

the wider world, so why not

advertise your feat correctly?

4 Scouts April/May 2010

ROLLING ON THE RIVERMax, a Young Leader with 1st Molesey Sea Scouts, told us how achieving the Chief Scout’s Gold Award helped him to secure a dream job.‘I’ve managed to get involved in the field of work that interests me most thanks to Scouting. I’m employed by Turk Launches who operate pleasure boats on the Thames.

This allows me to develop the skills I use regularly at Scouts while my Scouting accomplishments show others that I am well-rounded, willing to help in the community and trustworthy.

‘Problem solving and effective teamwork are just two of the skills I’ve acquired through Scouting which help with my job. One of my tasks involves helping to navigate boats through many of the locks on the Thames. Working alongside fellow crew members ensures the job is done as efficiently and safely as possible. Scouting taught me the importance of working in a team and the difference it can make in a real-life situation.

‘Funnily enough, it wasn’t until I reached Cubs that I first took part in some sailing courses and found that I really enjoyed it. I am now a Young Leader and help out with the Cub and Scout sections. What I was taught by a Young Leader a few years back, I now find myself teaching to Cubs or Scouts. I enjoy passing on what I have learned and I feel this has made me a more confident person which, in turn, benefits my employers and work colleagues.’


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CHIEF SCOUT’S GOLD AWARD

The Scout Handbook is your practical guide to the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. It is available from www.scouts.org.uk/shop

more info

Have I planned an activity alone or with others? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I worked as a team member? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I led a small team? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I made decisions alone or with others? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I instructed others in a skill? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I worked unsupervised? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I taken notes of a meeting? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I handled and recorded money? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I made a presentation of a project? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

Have I represented the Patrol/Troop? yes noMy examples: Things to write on my CV:.............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ..............................................................................................

The Scout Handbookguide to the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. It is available from

more info

.............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

scouts_4510.indd 5 10/03/2010 16:24


Lead the way

Learning about effective teamwork is an important part of developing a Scout’s leadership skills. A fun activity is, as always, an ideal way to get this message across

I t’s been three years since the first edition of

Taking the Lead was published for the Scout

section. This guide to promoting leadership in

young people was packed with practical

programme material and activities covering a range of

skills. It has now been revised and brought into line with

the Explorer Scout and Network edition of Taking the Lead, all of which can be downloaded from

www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead.

The resource is divided into four sections:

1. Team members – examining some of the issues raised

by being in a team.

2. Self development – encouraging the development of

the attributes of a good leader.

3. Leading a team – opportunities that allow the Scouts

to move towards the responsibilities of leadership.

4. The wider picture – we encourage our Scouts to take

the skills they have learned on to Explorer Scouting,

the Young Leaders’ Scheme and into the wider world.

Here are two activities from the resource for you to try

with your Troop:

1. Your role in a teamA team is only as effective as its members. Each brings a

different set of qualities, skills and attributes to contribute

to the overall dynamic. Imagine a football team in which

all eleven players were goalkeepers but none were

midfield players – not a recipe for success. It is therefore

important to identify individual strengths so that separate

tasks can be undertaken by different team members,

using their personal abilities to the benefit of the team.

Activity: Water bombsTime: 45 minutes

You will need: (for each team) 25 x 210mm paper

squares, one copy of instructions per team member,

flipchart and pens to record comments from Scouts.

Programme Zone: Creative Expression

Awards/badges covered: Creative Challenge

Activity description:1. The team has to make as many water bombs as possible

in the time allocated (ten minutes) using the equipment

provided.

2. After the time has elapsed the team stops and counts

how many completed water bombs they have.

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TEAMWORK

3. The leader then challenges them to increase

their productivity by each Scout being

allocated one particular part of the process –

thereby making a ‘production line’.

4. After a further ten minutes, ask them to

stop. Each team should compare its results

with its earlier efforts.

After the activity:The leader summarises by asking which was

more efficient – everyone working

individually or everyone working with a

specific role within the team?

2. What are you aiming for?The purpose of this activity is to develop

skills to establish realistic and worthwhile

aims and objectives given the constraints

and opportunities which the resources

available present. Imagine a mountaineering party

setting out on an expedition without knowing which

mountain they are about to climb. They wouldn’t get very

far and the members of the party may all have different

ideas about what they hope to achieve. This activity aims

to demonstrate the importance of setting clear objectives

right from the initial planning stage.

Activity: ShelterTime: One hour

You will need: (for each group) poles, rope or string,

ground sheet or cover for the shelter.

Programme Zones: Outdoor and Adventure, Creative

Expression

Awards/badges covered: Outdoor Challenge

Activity description:Teams have 35 minutes to build a shelter large enough

to accommodate their whole team.

After the activity:• Did the team manage to complete the shelter?

• Did all members of the team work together?

• Were all the resources used?

Review the shelter by using these questions:• Was the shelter large enough for the whole team?

• Is it waterproof? Test with a bucket of water.

• Is it windproof? Give it a good shake.

• Would it provide shelter from the heat of the sun?

• Is it insect-proof?

It is likely that some (or all) of these conditions will not

be met. The Scouts may complain that they didn’t know

what was expected of them and this is a good time

to explain how important it is to set objectives before

the start of any activity.



Meeting sparklersPaper bag charadeGive each Patrol a paper bag into

which you have put ten unrelated

items such as a potato, pencil, paper

clip, fork, string, peanut, cotton wool,

cube of jelly, notebook, rubber band.

Each Patrol is then asked to make up

a skit using all the items in the bag.

One-Two-ThreeThis is a good introductory warm-up

and concentration activity. Arrange

the Troop in pairs, facing each other.

The groups start counting from one

to three alternating back and forth.

Each time someone says ‘one’ that

person claps their hands. Whenever

someone says ‘three’, they bend

their knees:

A: ‘One’ (claps hands)

B: ‘Two’

A: ‘Three’ (bends knees)

B: ‘One’ (claps hands)

A: ‘Two’

B: ‘Three’ (bends knees)

This is a bit like trying to pat your

head and rub your stomach at the

same time – in fact you could try that

afterwards.

Miss the bellThis is fun and easy to arrange. A bell

is suspended in a hoop about 20cm

in diameter and a small ball is given to

the Scouts. They take it in turns to

toss the ball through the hoop

without causing the bell to ring.

One point is scored every time the

ball goes through and three points

if the bell does not ring.

Human noughts and crossesThis activity is ideal for a mixed Troop.

Line up three rows of three chairs so

you have a square of nine chairs. The

first girl Scout sits on any chair. A boy

then takes a chair of his choice. Boys

and girls alternate taking seats until

either completes an unbroken line

of three; horizontally, vertically,

or diagonally, or, as is sometimes

the case, all lines are blocked.

Easter eggsGive each Scout a pencil and paper.

How many words can they make

up from ‘Easter eggs’? The one with

the longest list wins.

Large scale noughts and crosses, paper bag skits and a new type

of card skill are par for the course as Andrew Corrie delivers a series

of activities to enjoy and exercise both body and mind


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GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

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SquaresPut the Scouts in pairs. Each pair is given a sheet of paper

with a square made of eight lines of dots, eight dots wide,

as above.

They take turns drawing a line horizontally or vertically to

connect any two dots. The object is to complete a square

and prevent one’s opponent from doing so. Each time a

Scout succeeds in completing the fourth line of a square

they put their initials in it. The person who finishes a square

draws the next line. The Scout with the most squares

containing their initials wins.

Coin stretchEach Scout stands with their heels close up to a wall behind

them. Place a coin on the floor in front of them about

45cm from their toes. The winners are the ones who can

pick up the coins in front of them without losing their

balance.

Zip zapForm a circle with the leader in the centre. When the

leader points to someone and says “zip” the player must

give the name of the person on their right before the

leader counts to five. If the leader says “zap” the player

must name the person on the left. Anyone who gives

the wrong name or is too slow either drops out, goes

into the centre, or performs a fun forfeit.

Card tossPlace a man’s hat on the floor about 2m away from

a chair. Each player in turn sits in the chair with a pack

of playing cards, and tosses them one at a time at the

hat. It looks easy, but if a beginner gets more than five

cards into the hat on the first try they are doing well.

scouts_4510.indd 9 10/03/2010 16:25

10 June/July 2009

Programmes on a platePOP

This issue’s theme is a programme with

no planning, written by Tony Taylor

Flag break 5 mins N/A It has happened to us all at some time. You have not had time to meet with the Patrol Leaders to plan a programme and there’s a Troop meeting tonight. What can you do?

Crab football 10 mins Fit for LifeGames

Divide the Troop into two teams. Each person sits on the fl oor and moves around by lifting themselves from this position on their hands and feet. Use a large soft ball to play a game of football with the team members in this position. No use of the hands to stop or propel the ball is allowed.

Silent witness 20 mins Outdoor and AdventureDesign and creativity

One member of each Patrol mimes a scenario or message that the others must try to interpret. Allow the rest of the Troop to watch as each Patrol has a go. If the Scouts are unable to understand the message, the other Patrols can join in. Here are four suggestions to act out: 1. Call 999, a boy has fallen off his bicycle and broken his leg. 2. I am going to the park with three friends to play football. 3. I want an egg sandwich and a cup of tea with milk. 4. Let’s all go swimming on Saturday afternoon.

Carry me 15 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities

Two Scouts will not be strong enough to lift and carry an adult, but they may be required to carry a colleague if, for example, someone twisted an ankle while hiking. Get the Scouts to practise making both four and two-handed seats so that two of them can carry a third person in a seated position.

Human basketball

10 mins Fit for LifeGames

Divide the Troop into two teams. Each team will need one person as their human basket standing on a stout chair or box at the end of the hall in front of them. The teams pass a ball from person to person to try to get it to their basket. No travelling with the ball is allowed and there must be no tackling. Defenders are not allowed closer than 1m to the person on the chair for safety.

I’m a sat nav 20 mins Outdoor and AdventureDesign and creativity

Ask each Patrol to use the local Ordnance Survey Pathfi nder map in their Patrol box to describe a road journey from the Scout headquarters to a location of your choice. They should write down the instructions in the style of a satellite navigation system, giving distances, left or right turns and exit numbers from roundabouts. If each Patrol has a different destination, they can read out their completed instructions for the others to follow and check that they are correct.

A morality play

20 mins Creative ExpressionDesign and creativity

Give the Patrols 15 minutes to produce a short drama based on the dangers of alcoholic drinks. Each one will then perform their play in front of the rest of the Troop.

Flag down, prayers

5 mins Beliefs and AttitudesPrayer, worship and refl ection

In some parts of the world Scouts meet and carry out their programmes with no equipment. Thank you for the facilities that we enjoy in this country. Thank you for the gift of Scouting. Let it continue to unite young people in peace throughout the world.

Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions



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For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol

Flag break 5 mins N/A It has happened to us all at some time. You have not had time to meet with the Patrol Leaders to plan a programme and there’s a Troop meeting tonight. What can you do?

Crab football 10 mins Fit for LifeGames

Divide the Troop into two teams. Each person sits on the floor and moves around by lifting themselves from this position on their hands and feet. Use a large soft ball to play a game of football with the team members in this position. No use of the hands to stop or propel the ball is allowed.

Silent witness 20 mins Scoutcraft and AdventureDesign and creativity

One member of each Patrol mimes a scenario or message that the others must try to interpret. Allow the rest of the Troop to watch as each Patrol has a go. If the Scouts are unable to understand the message, the other Patrols can join in. Here are four suggestions to act out: 1. Call 999, a boy has fallen off his bicycle and broken his leg. 2. I am going to the park with three friends to play football. 3. I want an egg sandwich and a cup of tea with milk. 4. Let’s all go swimming on Saturday afternoon.

Carry me 15 mins Scoutcraft and AdventureTeam-building activities

Two Scouts will not be strong enough to lift and carry an adult, but they may be required to carry a colleague if, for example, someone twisted an ankle while hiking. Get the Scouts to practise making both four and two-handed seats so that two of them can carry a third person in a seated position.

Human basketball

10 mins Fit for LifeGames

Divide the Troop into two teams. Each team will need one person as their human basket standing on a stout chair or box at the end of the hall in front of them. The teams pass a ball from person to person to try to get it to their basket. No travelling with the ball is allowed and there must be no tackling. Defenders are not allowed closer than 1m to the person on the chair for safety.

I’m a sat nav 20 mins Scoutcraft and AdventureDesign and creativity

Ask each Patrol to use the local Ordnance Survey Pathfinder map in their Patrol box to describe a road journey from the Scout headquarters to a location of your choice. They should write down the instructions in the style of a satellite navigation system, giving distances, left or right turns and exit numbers from roundabouts. If each Patrol has a different destination, they can read out their completed instructions for the others to follow and check that they are correct.

A morality play

20 mins Creative ExpressionDesign and creativity

Give the Patrols 15 minutes to produce a short drama based on the dangers of alcoholic drinks. Each one will then perform their play in front of the rest of the Troop.

Flag down, prayers

5 mins Beliefs and AttitudesPrayer, worship and reflection

In some parts of the world Scouts meet and carry out their programmes with no equipment. Thank you for the facilities that we enjoy in this country. Thank you for the gift of Scouting. Let it continue to unite young people in peace throughout the world.

Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions

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Diversity dates coming soonJuneLGBT Pride Month 5 World Environment Day

1-7 Volunteers Week

3 Corpus Christi (Christian)

12-19 Big Green Box week

14-20 Refugee Week

16 Dragon Boat Festival

(Chinese)

16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan

(Sikh)

20 Father’s Day

21-27 Recycle Now Week

July 6-13 Children’s Art Day

8/9 The Prophet’s Night

Journey and Ascension

(Muslim)

9 Anniversary of the

Martyrdom of the Bab

(Baha’i)

11 World Population Day

13 Ratha Yatra (Hindu)

15 Chokor (Buddhist)

20 Tisha B’Av (Jewish)

26 Asalha Puja (Buddhist)

26/27 The Night of Forgiveness

(Muslim)

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Everyone’s a winner with SercoThe Serco team would like to say thank you to everyone who submitted entries for our competition to organise a Clean up campaign

T he winners of the main prize, a day out at a Scout

Activity Centre with Serco, are 1st Forres Sandle

Manor Scout Group. The Troop worked very hard

during their three-day clean up and, after collecting

12 bags of rubbish were able to return a local stream

and Bluebell Wood back to nature. Troop leader Chas

Cochand said: ‘People will dump if there is already trash

lying around, but will be reluctant to drop something

if the area looks good, so it was a win-win for us.’

Our judging panel had an extremely difficult job with

so many diverse and inspiring entries, so we thought

it was only fair to acknowledge some special efforts:

• 1stMattishal&District found a UPVC patio frame that was so big that the local Serco Team had to get a larger truck

• 1stWarleyhad to deal with a burnt-out motorbike • 21stWalthamstow held both a ‘Trashion Show’, where

they made their costumes from rubbish, and a ‘Music from Junk’ evening.


PROMO

Click Clever, Click Safe!Internet safety tips from

A recent online survey that was run by MSN

revealed that 64% of under-18s in the UK have

been contacted by someone they don’t know

online and, worryingly, over one third responded.

February saw the launch of the UK Click Clever, Click Safe,

digital safety code – ‘Zip It, Block It, Flag It.’

To help make the online world a safer place for young

people teach your Scouts to follow these simple safety

rules:

• When chatting to people online, try not to give out any

personal information about yourself such as your name,

address, phone number or school

• Never open an email from someone you don’t know -

always delete it in case it contains a virus

• Treat people online with the same respect and

consideration as you would in the real world. Never

write anything that might hurt or upset someone

• Never meet up with someone in the real world that you

have met online unless you take a trusted adult

with you to verify the person is who they say

they are

• Always block people on social networking and

instant messaging sites that you do not wish

to be friends with

• Make sure any profiles you have on social

networking sites have the privacy settings set

so that only your friends can see your personal

information

• If you are ever worried about anything you

see on the internet talk to an adult you trust

such as your leader, parent or teacher

For more information on internet safety visit the

Microsoft page on the Scout Association website

www.scouts.org.uk/microsoft

scouts_4510.indd 13 10/03/2010 16:26

Raise interest

ratesLouise Henderson explains how one simple evening

programme could involve parents in your Big Adventure, get your Troop cooking for themselves

and give everyone a tasty treat

Step 1 – menu Think up as many different menu

options as you have Patrols.

Favourites include: nachos, chicken

and rice, fajitas, mince and potatoes,

sausage casserole and corned beef

(or haggis) hash. For pudding: syrup

sponge and custard, tiffin (made at

camp), chocolate crispie cake (made

at camp), chocolate sponge and

custard, and toffee banana pancakes.

Step 2 – volunteer requestAsk for volunteers to supervise and

coach a group of Scouts while they

prepare the meal. You could do this

by finding out which Scouts have

parents who enjoy cooking and

specifically ask those parents to come

along, or you could send a note home

asking for volunteers. Prepare full

instructions to give to Patrol Leaders

the week before, and make sure that

you have talked to the parents about

how you would like them to help.

Step 3 – on the nightMake up groups containing one

member of each Patrol so that when

they come back together they have

A re you running a Big Adventure this year? Are you wondering

how to do the catering and who on earth would want to come

along to spend their weekend in a mess tent?

Well firstly, why not have the Patrols cook their own meals?

That may sound like a recipe for disaster but actually it could present an ideal

opportunity to bring parents in. By running a special cooking evening as part

of your preparations, you can get them involved early.

Here’s how it works:


the combined knowledge to cook all

the meals. Then, let them get on with

it (keep an eye on things to make sure

that it is the Scouts who are doing the

cooking and not the parents).

Step 4 – tastingOnce all the meals are cooked let the

Scouts go round and taste each dish. If

there’s still time after the washing up,

get each Patrol to decide which meals it

would like to cook at The Big Adventure

(although realistically you could leave

this until the following week).


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BIG ADVENTURE

Ideally, the parents who have

helped on the evening will have

enjoyed themselves, and be

encouraged to come and help a Patrol

with their cooking on the camp. This

way, you may find that parent who

really enjoys working with the young

people and becomes a regular helper

rather than a once a year camp cook.

And even if all that results from this

is that a young person is able cook

themselves a decent meal then we

have something to be proud of,

don’t we?

While the meat is cooking grate the cheese, open and drain the sweetcorn and get the crisps ready. Empty the crisps into the frying pan and make a foil lid for it.

Once the meat is cooked, add the sweetcorn and return to the heat to warm through. When it is hot again, tip it over the crisps in the frying pan and then cover the whole lot with the grated cheese. Put the foil lid over the pan and place over a hot flame. After a few minutes, check to see if the cheese has melted. The meal is ready as

soon as the cheese melts. If you leave it much longer the food at the bottom of the pan will be burned.

1/4 large onion per person100g mince per person1/2 red pepper per personnacho spices1/4 large bag nachos per person50g cheddar cheese per person

Peel the onion and chop into small pieces. Chop pepper into small pieces

Put a little oil in a pan and fry the onion until translucent. Add the pepper and fry for a little longer making sure not to burn the onion.

Add the mince. Stir the mince and onion until the mince becomes a different colour.

Add the spices together with ½ tsp salt. Once the sauce starts to boil time it for 30mins.

MARSHMALLOW CRISPIEThis needs to be made the morning before it is needed.

1 bag marshmallows 110g butter 170g rice crispies 1 block chocolate

Melt the butter and marshmallows in a large pan. Once it is just liquid remove from the heat and beat until it is smooth. Add the rice crispies and mix until they are all covered. Turn into the tin and press level with a metal spoon. Now melt the chocolate in a pan. Be very careful as the chocolate will burn in an instant. Once the chocolate is melted pour it over the crispie and spread it evenly. Leave to set in a cool place. Once set, cut into 12 pieces.

TIFFINThis needs to be made the morning before you need it.

110g butter 110g sugar 110g sultanas 220g digestives 110g chocolate

Put the biscuits in a plastic bag and bash until they are just

large crumbs. Melt the butter and chocolate in a pan, making

sure it doesn’t burn. Once melted, add the sultanas and the

biscuits. Press into the tin and leave in a cool place to set.

Leave it to cool and then cut into 12 pieces

NACHOS

scouts_4510.indd 15 10/03/2010 16:27

Grow your own grub

This year Scouting is teaming up with the BBC to encourage Scouts to grow their own grub. Here’s our potty guide to plotting your own Troop garden

D ig In is designed to get you and your Troop

growing their own vegetables to eat at camp.

There are five featured vegetables this year:

carrot, salad, courgette, basil and French beans. You can

order free seeds by logging on to Programmes Online,

downloading the Dig In activities and using the special

Scout link that accompanies the ideas.

From window boxes to greenhouse maniaFollowing the success of BBC Dig In 2009, this year the

campaign focusses on growing your own grub using any

space available to you. You don’t need an allotment to get

started. There are several activities on Programmes Online

to guide you through the process. From sowing and

growing to harvesting and cooking, there’s lots for Scouts

to do, and the can play an active part in every stage.

Travelling carrotsTo begin your Dig In project go to www.scouts.org.uk/digin

where you will find links to Programmes Online and

a Get Started guide. The ‘carrot road trip’ has to be seen

to be believed, so get online today!

scouts_4510.indd 16 10/03/2010 16:27

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SKILLS

Ready. Aim. Fire.

Fire is an important component of a Scout’s life. As skills go, few are as necessary or potentially hazardous so it’s important to ensure that a Troop learns about it in the right manner

W hile Chief Scout Bear Grylls has the

enviable skill of starting a fire with no

more than a fire-steel, many Scouts

still struggle to start one even with

a box of matches.

Here is a worksheet that can be used as Patrol Leaders

training and then by Patrol Leaders to help Patrols avoid

some of the common mistakes of fire lighting. Copy the main

points but leave the conclusions blank for the Scouts to fill in.

Each Scout needs a box of matches.

1. How thick is a match? Why? The match should not be significantly thinner than

the wood you are trying to light. A thin match cannot light

a thick log.

2. Strike a match and hold it with the flame upwards.What happens? The flame goes out.

3. Strike a match and hold it with the flame down. The flame grows.Lesson? To light a fire the match has to be held with

the flame down.

4. Take note of how long the flame is. Why? There is no point holding the match further away

from the kindling than the length of the flame. Also, once

alight the pieces of kindling need to be no further apart

than the length of their flame or one piece can’t set fire

to the next.>>

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5. Take two matches, strike one and then pick up the other holding the red end. Slowly bring it towards the flame from below. What happens? The unlit match doesn’t catch fire.

6. Same again but this time hold the unlit match above the flame. The unlit match catches much further away from the flame above than it did below.Lesson? The match has to be underneath the kindling.

>>

Ready. Aim. Fire. GAME

This will reinforce the lessons learned. It sounds simple but you’ll be surprised how tricky some Scouts find it.

Arrange Patrols in relay formation and make a line of tea-lights for each Patrol running from the opposite end of the hall towards them. There needs to be as many tea-lights per patrol as the number in the biggest one with about 1m between tea-light.

A box of matches is left at the first tea-light. On the word ‘go’ the first Scout runs to the first tea-light and lights it. The second Scout picks up the matches and goes to light the second tea-light. This continues until all the tea-lights are lit. This is especially popular when played in the dark.


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scouts - april/may 2010

Documents

troop programme

unplanned programme

scout leaders aprilmay

new resources

chief scouts gold award

scout association

sure scouts

troop leaders