Scouts

The 1st Falkirk Scouts (Thursday Troop) recently had an action-packed weekend filled with outdoor activities. The troop embarked on a challenging hike up Dumyat and as can be seen managed to reach the summit.  This was followed by an extended woodland walk, where they immersed themselves in the beauty of the local landscape.

After their adventures, the group returned to the Scout Hall by train for a well-deserved meal of pizza and a movie night. The fun continued with a sleepover at the hall, allowing the scouts to bond further and create lasting memories.

The weekend was a resounding success, with the Scouts gaining valuable experience and making the most of the great outdoors which we are so lucky to have around us.

Scouts enjoy doing the likes of their Digital Maker, Time on the Water and Nights Away Badges etc. but a good traditional Hallowe’en night brings out the best in them. The costumes these days may reflect contemporary films and superstars, such as Mario Brothers, Spiderman or The Joker, but there’s something special about eating a pancake covered in chocolate without using your hands, or carving a pumpkin with your patrol then lighting the candle, but ‘dooking’ for apples ‘freestyle’ is the best laugh. Well done to the 62nd Larbert for keeping traditions alive, whilst continuing to teach their members skills for life.

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.”