District Beaver Hike

Ardsley are hosting this event on Saturday 15th May 10 til 12 noon. The plan is to meet on the Trans Pennine Trail opposite Tesco at 10 am and walk to Mitchell's duckpond to feed the ducks. After a drink and biscuits we will walk back to the starting point for 12 noon. The path is now covered in tarmac so will be fine if it rains. Please let me know if your child will be attending.

Beaver Quiz Update

I was thrilled to find that 10 of my Beavers turned up tonight for this event. Three of ours joined up to make a team with Wombwell's 3 and they won! Wombwell is to keep the trophy for a few months and then pass it on to us. It will be presented to the winning team on Sunday. Our other 7 Beavers came second. Thanks to Darfield for hosting this.

ST GEORGE'S DAY PARADE

SUNDAY 25TH APRIL 2 - 4PM. This event will be held at Wombwell but we will send out further details nearer the date. PLEASE make every effort to attend this event. Beavers and Cubs MUST tell Kim IN WRITING if they will not be attending no later than 21/22nd April. This is a very important date in the Scouting calendar and all members of the Group are expected to attend. If you have any transport problems let me know and I will see if I can get a lift for your child.

DISTRICT BEAVER QUIZ

This event will be held at Darfield Church Hall at 6pm on TUESDAY 20th April. Please make every effort to attend and support our Group in winning this competition. It should end about 7pm. Wear uniform. There will be a Beavers on Weds as normal.

odd bits from kim

Just to say thanks very much to all of you who paid your subs on Weds/Thurs for April. Most had the correct change as well and the job was a whole lot easier. If the rest of you pay next week the job's a good 'un and I can forget Subs until May.

All Sections are running meetings as normal throughout the school hols. Bring a coat/jacket with you though as we'll go out and about when possible.

Summer gala: Thanks a lot to those who have started to bring items in for this. To add to the list of wanted items, could I ask you to pass along any crockery you don't mind getting smashed? Not glass though.

Happy Easter Everyone from all the Leaders! xx

Return of the Kingswood

I think that's a rather clever title for the third part in my Kingswood series of blog posts!

Since my last post we've obviously packed up and gone home, but before we did there was time for a couple of activities. After getting nice and muddy during 'Nightline' and eating a delicious hot lunch the Scouts had a high flying zip wire adventure - very good fun! The final activity for the day - and weekend - was balance beam; yet another activity that takes place off of the ground!

I'd like to thank all the Scouts who attended for living up to the good name we've made for ourselves here at Ardsley - I hope you had as much fun as I did!

I'll be posting photos shortly and I'll also let parents know as soon as I hear anything about the missing shoe situation...

Kingswood - Part Deux

Thought I'd drop a line to let everyone know how it's going up here at Kingswood. Yesterday was non-stop with activities, everyone had a great time doing things they enjoyed - as well as trying things for the first time. They must have been tired out as even I got up before them this morning!

Several of the Scouts showed leadership promise during problem solving, but soon realised the problem of being a leader - it's sometimes hard to make your team pay attention! Fencing was a first for many of the Scouts - as well as me - and proved to be a lot more tiring than it looks.

We had some budding little Robin Hoods shooting arrows; though they cracked under pressure when our instructor told them they were shooting for eating utensils. If I'd have had my way they'd have stuck to this rule and most of them would have eaten with a lone knife or their hands! Luckily the instructor was a lot softer on them than I would have been!

Circus skills was entertaining, our instructor was impressed with how skilled some of the Scouts were with diablos, flower sticks and spinning plates. It's no surprise really with the amount of clowning around they usually do!

Climbing came next - one of my favourite activities - and the Scouts didn't disappoint. Everyone had a go, and every single person managed to get at least halfway - most of them topped out easily! Quad biking was the final activity of the day, and it was no surprise that everybody wanted to go first!

The staff put on a disco for everyone later last night, which gave all us leaders & teachers chance to have a sit down. Kingswood even provided a cheese board!

I'm writing this with numb fingers by the way - we've just had a go at abseiling! The current activity is called 'Nightline'. It's some sort of blindfolded assault course, which involves teamwork and communication skills - and a heck of a lot of mud!

Think this will be my last post before we leave, but I'll be updating the blog later with a final part of the Kingswood trilogy (catchy title tbc) and all the photos I've been taking over the weekend!

Coming to you live from Kingswood

Just thought I'd write a quick post to let everyone know how things are going up here at Kingswood. Have no fear, nothing is afire...which is strange for a Scout activity!

Everyone has settled in now, they even went to bed before 3am - again, strange for a Scouting activity!

Last night the group had a session of Mini-Olympics, which consisted of fun & games and little challenges. My personal favourite had to be the 'Catwalk Relay' which involved the Scouts strutting their stuff in a runway fashion. Sadly my camera was tucked away in my bag at the time!

Today Ardsley will be solving problems, fencing (not the Tom Sawyer kind!), shooting arrows (archery), clowning around (circus skills), climbing and quad bikes. Then there's the Disco this evening!

I'll try and keep you updated as the weekend unfolds!

Summer Camp - Payment Reminder

A quick reminder for those going on Summer Camp. By the end of March you should have paid at least £140 towards the cost of the camp. If you haven't could you please make a further payment in the next week or so. Thanks very much.

Kingswood - Final Details

For the Scouts attending the Kingswood activity this weekend (you know who you are!), here are the arrangements for the weekend:

You should arrive at the venue, Kingswood (formerly Scout Dike) Activity Centre at 6pm Friday. Kinsgwood is on the A629 between Penistone and Ingbirchworth, opposite Scout Dike reservoir. The new entrance is behind the centre and is reached via an access road, first right just past the old entrance.

Richard Keys will be the supervising leader from Ardsley for this activity. All being well he will be there when you arrive. If not Ian Levitt (Scout Leader from Hoyland) will look after you until Richard arrives.

I haven't been able to find out whether the centre will be providing an evening meal, so I suggest you eat before you go.

I understand there is a tuck shop, so you may wish to take some pocket money.

Pick-up time on Sunday is 4pm.

Roadworks: The A628 is presently closed between Silkstone garage and the A628/A629 roundabout at Hoylandswaine. Diversions are in place via Cone Lane, Silkstone Common. You can also approach via Cawthorne, Renald Lane. Allow extra time for your journeys.

CUB CAMP COMING SOON.....

We are having our annual Cub Sleepover on Saturday 22nd May through to the Sunday. We will be at Silverwood campsite and sleeping in tents! Full details will be given but for now we just wanted you to have the date for your diary. We expect it to cost around £10 at most. Watch out for the invitation to camp forms coming your way soon!

Kingswood - Kit List

For Scouts attending this weekend's Kingswood activity, here is the suggested Kit List:-

Jeans or Trousers, Jumper or Sweatshirt, Anorak/Waterproof Jacket, T-shirts, 2 pairs Old Trainers, Socks, Underwear, Nightwear (suitable for dormitory use), Slippers, Wash Bag (soap, flannel, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant), Swimwear, 2 Towels, Plastic Bag(s) for dirty clothes. Make sure you have at least one complete change of clothes.

Please arrive at the venue wearing your Scout Shirt and Necker.

Do not bring: Pen Knives, Lighters & Matches, Electrical Gadgets, Food, Torches, New/expensive clothes.

Make sure all your property is marked with your name.

I will confirm drop-off/pick-up times later this week.