S youngsters together
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from Stirlingshire joined with Scouts from Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and West Lothian recently to participate in a camp with a difference.
Observing the current lockdown rules around 600 young people and 100 adults registered to enjoy a Scout camp run fully over the internet.
Using video conferencing the young people, aged six to 18, took part in a range of activities, run by Forth Region Scout Council.
The day started off with a live link to Scouts in New Zealand, where they learned about how Scouting differs between Scotland and the other side of the world. They were able to ask questions and find out about a different culture, however they were all most interested in what sweets they ate.
The Scouts in New Zealand then taught their Scottish counterparts a new campfire song, which was tested out later that day.
Following on from the live link the Scottish participants were set a range of challenges including sailing a tin of beans across their bath (or other source of water), making their lunch with one hand behind their back, a coded scavenger hunt and a family quiz; to name but a few. Alongside these challenges the Scouts took time to reflect by writing letters or making videos to remind those who are in care homes that they are still thinking of them.
After dinner the standard campfire was conducted over the video conferencing platform, where the parents looked on with amusement as the Scouts jumped around to the actions of ‘The Little Green Frog’ - or were confused with some of the repeat-after-me songs.
The young people then took themselves to their tents (pitched in their garden) or a den that they had created somewhere in the house after drinking hot chocolate and listening to a story read by a friend of the Scouts in Utah, USA.
The next morning the Scouts made and ate their breakfast together before taking part in a mindfulness session and reflecting on National Loneliness Week (June 15-21) .
This was a new experience for all of those who were taking part, especially many parents who have not experienced a Scout camp before.
One parent commented: “It was a very, very new and very good experience for the kids and definitely mine enjoyed a lot.”
If you wish to find out more about Scouts in Forth Region, or to look into joining, you can find information on the website www.frscouts.org.uk.