Scouts

The 89^th Stenhousemuir troop took part recently in a shinty introductory session as part of their Scottish Thistle Award.  Heather Macdougall, the Squirrel section lead volunteer, a shinty coach and, herself a former player and part of the team which won the Camanachd Cup Final some years ago, led the session with assistance from her husband Johnnie, the Beaver section lead volunteer.  They hired the sports hall at Carronvale House, the BB headquarters.  All the gear was supplied and the scouts learned enough in the session to try a game at the end. All the scouts loved it – well worth trying out something new! 

Earlier this year, the 89^th Stenhousemuir Scouts took part in activities to complete their model maker activity badge. The troop were given boxes of Warhammer equipment to help them build & paint models in order to play a game. This was new to many of them (leaders as well as scouts), so some very knowledgeable members of the community came to share their knowledge & wisdom to help the scouts get the best experience. The scouts were so creative and thoroughly enjoyed the activities, even though they found the game a little tricky at the beginning.   Might just have to run another session in the future…

A brilliant time was had by all when the 27^th Bonnybridge spent two days paddling on the Barrwood reservoir.  A group of beavers, cubs, scouts and North Star explorers pulled on buoyancy aids and helmets and used two Saturdays to learn how to paddle and manoeuvre kayaks, paddle boards and canoes.  For many of the young people it was their first venture on to the water.  Group lead volunteer, Helen Smith said: “We wanted to give the young people the opportunity to try something new during the school holidays. It worked out really well because it was sunny on both days. Plus, the scouts and explorers were able to increase their skills and helped the younger children by paddling the Canadian canoe with them on board.”

The members of the 93^rd Braes Scout Group and the Altitude Explorer Scout Unit are no strangers to canoeing and kayaking on the reservoir at the Barrwood, so it was a nice change when they travelled to Forrestburn Reservoir, near Kirk O’ Shotts which is  considerably larger than Barrwood.  Many of the leaders have a B1 canoe and kayak permit, gained through the Scout Association, but three are currently training for their permit so they used the opportunity to get some practise.  Over a dry but breezy weekend in April, the Group had a great time and thanks and appreciation go to all leaders involved.  

Have you ever wondered what crate climbing is all about?  Well, it involves climbing up the outside of milk crates starting with five or six and adding one to the top when nearly there – not as easy as you would think!  The scouts are of course attached to a safety rope so there is no risk of injury.  Thirty-five of them from four troops took part in a District-organised activity day and camp at Barrwood earlier in the year and the highest they managed was eleven crates.  The picture shows the moment they fell over.   The day also included backwoods cooking and wild slings.