June

Beavers have been the most adventurous section this half term, with a very successful District Sleepover at Bramhope Scout Camp, near Leeds. We took 14 Beavers, very ably assisted by 3 parents and our Young Leader Ella, to join a total of 90 Beavers from across Oldham Borough (and we were the second shift, they’d had nearly as many there on the Friday night too)! Although we were sleeping inside, the emphasis was very much upon camping skills, and the Beavers learned how to put up a tent and light a fire, among many other activities. Thanks to the planning and hard work of the new Assistant District Commissioner for Beavers, Kingsley Wood, the Beavers didn’t just have a great time, they also completed all the activities they needed for their Campcraft Badge and Outdoors Challenge. It’s always lovely to hear that Beavers have enjoyed themselves, but there was a particularly nice message afterwards from one parent who said that her son said he had been nervous about lighting the fire, but he had a go and now he knows he can do stuff he is nervous about. I think for all of us, that’s the essence of what Scouting is all about. Thank you very much to Julie, Andy and Martin for joining us in this particular adventure.

Cubs also rose to the challenge this month, with 18 of them enjoying a day at the West Yorkshire Scouts Water Activities Centre at Green Withens. They spent time sailing, bell-boating and building rafts, as well as earning their Nautical Skills 2 badge. Lee and Jude were the leaders who took charge of the Cubs on the day, and the assistance of some of our parents was also very welcome.

It’s been a very special month for our Cub Leader Freya, too. Her volunteering as a Young Leader at 20th Oldham, from the age of 14 to 18, formed a part of her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and on Wednesday 24th she attended a reception in the gardens of Buckingham Palace to receive her certificate. It was an amazing day, with a lot of celebrities in attendance and Freya was particularly fortunate that her group was one of those that met HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, in what was his last presentation for an English group, before he retires. It was a lovely day, and very exciting to be able to be there with her, at the end of what has been quite a journey.