Annual Report
2022-2023
Scouts
4th Ashby
## **Contents**
|**Contents**|**3**|
|---|---|
|**Reference and Administration Details**|**4**|
|**Structure, governance and management**|**4**|
|**Objectives and activities**|**6**|
|**Financial Review**|**6**|
|**Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of 4th Ashby Scout Group Scout Council**|**7**|
|Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner|7|
|Basis of Independent Examiner's report|7|
|Independent Examiner's statement|7|
|**Receipts and Payments Account**|**8**|
|**Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year**|**10**|
|**Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 9th June 2022**|**11**|
|Adult Awards|12|
|Chief Scout’s Bronze Awards|12|
|Silver Awards|12|
|Gold Awards|12|
|**Thanks**|**13**|
|**Review of 2022 - 2023**|**14**|
|Chair’s Report|14|
|Group Scout Leader’s Report|14|
|Seeonnee Cub Pack|16|
|Waingunga Cub Pack|17|
|Woodland Beaver Colony|18|
|Riverbank Beaver Colony|19|
|Combined Discovery & Challenger Scout Troops|20|
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## **Reference and Administration Details**
Charity name: 4th Ashby Scout Group Registered Charity Number: 1125053 Scouts Association Registration Number 32054 Charity’s principal address: Donisthorpe Scout Centre 3 Church Street Donisthorpe Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 7PX
**Trustee Name Office Dates acted if not for whole year** Beth Skea Chair Deborah Crumley Treasurer Mark Timson Secretary Philip Jonathan Bloor Group Scout Leader Andrew Leake Cub Scout Leader
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Type of governing document:**
The Group’s governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the By-Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
## **How the charity is constituted:**
The Group is a trust established under its rules common to all Scouts.
## **Trustee Selection Methods:**
The Trustees are appointed following the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
## **Additional governance information:**
The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group, an educational charity. Charity trustees are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
The Committee can consist of 3 independent representatives, the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, together with the Group Scout Leader, individual section leaders (if they opt-in to take on the responsibility) and parent’s representation and meets every three months.
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Members of the Executive Committee complete 'Essential Information for Executive Committee' training within the first 5 months of joining the committee and other training such as safety, safeguarding and GDPR as mandated by The Scout Association.
This Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
- The maintenance of Group property;
- The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance;
- The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
- Group public occasions;
- Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;
- Appointing any sub-committees that may be required;
- Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
## **Risk and Internal Control:**
The Group Executive Committee has identified the significant risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed, and systems have been established to mitigate them. The main areas of concern identified are
- Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
- Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. Through membership fees, the Group contributes to the Scout Association's national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
- Reduced income from fundraising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a significant reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
- Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is reliant on volunteers to run and administer its activities as a group. If there were a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole, then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario, the complete closure of the Group.
- Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 6 to 18. If there were a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as a whole, then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario, the complete closure of the Group.
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## **Objectives and activities**
## **The Purpose of Scouting**
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to contribute positively to society.
## **The Values of Scouting**
As Scouts, we are guided by these values:
Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.
## **The Scout Method**
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
- make and live by their Promise.
## **Public benefit statement:**
The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
## **Financial Review**
## **Reserves Policy:**
The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 6 months of running costs, circa £12,000.
The Group held reserves of approximately £16k against this at year-end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. Leaders have highlighted that a significant investment in our Scouting equipment will be needed during the camping season due to many items reaching the end of their useful life.
## **Investment Policy:**
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in long-term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk-averse strategy to invest its funds. All funds are held in cash using only recognised UK banks or building societies.
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**Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of 4th Ashby Scout**
## **Group Scout Council**
I report on the accounts of the Group for the year ended 28 February 2023, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes set out on pages 8-11
This report is made solely to the trustees under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I must state to them in an Independent Examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees for my examination work.
## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiners**
The Group’s trustees are responsible for preparing the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- Examine the accounts (under Section 145 of the Charities Act);
- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
- To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Report**
My examination was carried out following the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Group and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence required in an audit. Consequently, no opinion is given on whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement**
1. In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records per Section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name Address:
Sarah-Jane Statham 2 Cotswold Way Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1ET
Qualification: ACMA, CTA, TEP Date: 16/05/2023
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## **Receipts and Payments Account**
For the Year Ended 28th February 2023
|**Receipts**|01/03/22 - 28/02/23
Unrestricted Funds
£|01/03/21 - 28/02/22
Unrestricted Funds
£|
|---|---|---|
|Membership Subscriptions|18,337.00|12,764.69|
|Less memberships fees paid on
(To district, county and national)
_Note - membership fees not accrued this year as_
_we move to cash accounting._||-7,482.30|
|Net Membership Subscriptions Retained|18,337.00|5,828.39|
|Donations|0|82.21|
|Gift Aid|2,541.14|593.53|
|Match Funding|0|0|
|Grants Received|450.00|6,193.00|
|Member Payment Refund|13.28||
|Activities|2,411.80|935.00|
|Badges/Uniform Sales|29.83|0|
|Camps|11,245.20|1,989.60|
|Christmas Post|0|650.20|
|Easy Fundraising/Amazon Smile|120.11|119.34|
|Other Fundraising Activities|118.00|650.00|
|Bank Interest Received|144.55|3.77|
|**Total Receipts**|**35,410.91**|**16,449.04**|
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|**Payments**|01/03/22 - 28/02/23
Unrestricted Funds
£|01/03/21 - 28/02/22
Unrestricted Funds
£|
|---|---|---|
|Activites|1,906.30|922.00|
|Administration/Sundries|1,139.96|189.61|
|AGM, Bonfre, Scout Post|71.44|315.10|
|Badges & Uniform|2,470.49|1,265.78|
|Bank and Card Charges|640.92|225.46|
|Camps|11,888.44|280.00|
|Equipment and Maintenance|1,215.27|1,118.25|
|Insurance/Minibus Permits|254.59|261.06|
|Section Meeting Costs|996.67|710.10|
|OSM Subscription and Payment Fees|882.00|525.66|
|Training Costs|24.00|0|
|Website|106.13|443.33|
|Member Payment Error|35.74|0|
|**Sub Total**|**21,631.95**|**6,699.68**|
|**Building Expenses**|||
|Phone/Broadband|97.50|37.50|
|Cleaning|1,234.97|963.61|
|Building Maintenance/Grounds keeping|948.83|5,240.98|
|Project Work|4,887.18||
|Building Development|1,400|3,480|
|**Sub Total**|**8,568.48**|**9,722.09**|
|**Total Receipts**|**30,200.43**|**15,978.44**|
||||
|Net receipts/payments|5,210.48|520.60|
Note this excess of receipts is due to building works starting later than planned and so not completed in the financial year.
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## **Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year**
|**Cash Funds**|**Cash Funds**|22/23|21/22|
|---|---|---|---|
|Bank Current Account||4,858.04|5,644.59|
|Bank Deposit Account||40,243.00|42,104.65|
|Pre-Paid Card Balance||1,125.07|680.22|
|Cash/Floats||0|68.47|
|**Sub Total**||**46,226.11**|**48,497.93**|
|Liabilities not yet paid|||12,082.30|
|Contracted building work not completed in 22/23|7,620|||
|Contribution towards toilet refurbishment at DSC|12,000|||
|DSC Emergency repairs fund|2,000|||
|Subscriptions not yet paid to district|7,652|||
|Income relating to camps and activities planned to
take place after the end of the fnancial year|912|30,183.60||
|**Sub Total**||**30,183.60**|**12,082.30**|
|**Net Cash Funds**||**16,042.51**|**36,415.63**|
|||||
|**Non-monetary assets for own use**
We plan to revalue our badge and equipment during 23/24||22/23|21/22|
|Badge Stock||150|150|
|Scouting Equipment/Furniture||10,000|10,000|
|**Total**||**10,150**|**10,150**|
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the trustees on 17[th] May 2023
D Crumley
Group Treasurer
B Skea Group Chair
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## **Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 9th June 2022**
Held at Ashby Castle, South Street, Ashby de la Zouch. Leicestershire
Minutes taken by Mark Timson (group secretary)
## **Attendance**
Jon Bloor (GSL) started the evening by running through the evening proceedings. Then they welcomed the Mayor - Cllr Deakin, consort Karen Deakin, Duncan Watts, the District Commissioner for Ashby and Coalville, parents, beavers, cubs and scouts, the leaders and committee who together form the Group Council. A complete list of families participating is held by the Group Secretary. A total of 293 people were in attendance.
## **Apologies.**
No apologies noted.
## **Minutes of the previous meeting held on 29th June 2021**
Minutes from the previous meeting were shared with the annual report. Recorded as a true and proper account of last year’s AGM. Proposer – Matt Simpson. Seconded – Jenny Drew
## **Appointment of Trustees**
Chair (is nominated by GSL - approval of the Group Council sought) - B Skea
- Proposer - M Timson
- Seconder – Karen Etches
Secretary - M Timson
- Proposer – Sharon Watson
- Seconder – Beth Skea
Treasurer - D Crumley
- Proposer – Paul Wright
- Seconder – Mark Randall
JB then asked if anyone else would like to become a member if so they could approach him or a member after the AGM.
Section Leaders are ex-officio members of the Group Executive but have to exercise their rights at the AGM. Andrew Leake (Cub Leader, Seeonnee Pack) has confirmed he continues doing so.
The examiner or scrutineer appointment will still be Sarah Jane Statham, who reviews the accounts on our behalf. This is a non-nominated role.
## **Thanks**
JB then continued by giving his thanks to….
- Thanks to English Heritage for allowing the group to use the castle for their AGM
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- Thanks to Mayor and guests for being in attendance
- Thanks to Kathryn, Jons wife for allowing him to put all the hours he does into scouting
- Thanks to leaders for their time and dedication
- Thanks to the committee for their time and support
- Thanks to Mark Timson, Paul Campion and people at a working party for their help in shaping DSC to become a great place to meet
- Thanks to Richard Singleton for helping with 2 scout troops
- Thanks to Mark Porter for his help with leader training
- Thanks to parents and beavers, cubs scouts for coming – without them we would not have a 4th Ashby Scout Group
## **Plans for the forthcoming year**
JB then gave a quick outline of the next 12 months - more awards, lots of moving up, hoping for more camping and to offer more places
## **District Commissioner’s Remarks**
D Watts gave his thanks to everyone at 4th Ashby Scout Group for their continued success and for the
families who also support the group. He then presented the following awards –
- Mark Timson – Wood Badge
- Debbie Crumley – 5 Years’ Service
- Jon Bloor – 25 Years’ Service
## **Scouting Awards**
Silver Awards
Adult Awards
- Ethan Barrett
Training Completed:
- Roz Wright
- Rupert Bloor
- Harry Fillary
- James Gill
- Ramona Patraru
- Alice Legate
- Vicky Peddar
## **Leicestershire Scouts St George’s Day Award**
- Riley Randall
- Stefan Petraru
- Jake Wevill
- Harry Pedder
- Richard Singleton
## **Gold Awards**
## **Medal of Merit**
- Blossom (David Granger)
– Noah Decon and Oscar Capell-Jones are both extremely close to completing and will hopefully do so as they start Explorers.
Chief Scout’s Bronze Awards
- Henry Evans
Expedition Challenge A special mention to Matha, Jamie and Cameron for doing exceptionally well during the recent expedition challenge.
- Jack Ward
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## **Annual Awards**
Duncan Watts (ACDC) and the Mayor of Ashby, Cllr Deakin and his consort Karen Deakin presented the following awards -
## **Beaver Scout of the Year**
Woodland Colony Rupert Benstead
Riverbank Colony Jack Marsh
## **Cub Scout of the Year**
Seeonnee Pack Holly Watson Waingunga Pack Riley Randall
## **Scout of the Year**
Challenger Troop Oscar Capell-Jones Discovery Troop Noah Deacon
## **The Harry Watson Award**
Presented by Harry’s Mum and Sister to Stefan Petraru
## **Closure**
JB then closed the AGM and thanked everyone for their attendance
## **Thanks**
We are happy to thank North West Leicestershire District Council for several grants received:
- £450 - Teamwork training (agreed to be spent this summer)
- £500 - Green Grant (received in March 2023)
- £250 - Coronation Grant (received April 2023)
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**Review of 2022 - 2023**
Here are some of the highlights of the last year.
## **Chair’s Report**
Reading the reports and seeing the activities our team are making available to the growing number of young people makes me proud to chair the group.
In September, we were finally able to agree on a licence to use Donisthorpe Scout Centre, and as a committee, with support from leaders and others, particularly Paul Campion, we have worked hard to bring the upstairs room into use and to start to improve the insulation, lighting and noise levels in the main hall. More work is needed to bring the toilets up to an acceptable standard as well as repair the external drains, fences and car park, and we hope to work with the District team, as our landlords, to deliver these necessary works.
Sadly, due to my work and family commitments, this will be my last report as Chair. Hopefully, you will consider if you can undertake this role, or perhaps Treasurer or Secretary to support your children.
I look forward to hearing more of the brilliant Scouting happening across all our sections in the 4th Ashby family in 2023/24.
Beth Skea
Group Chair
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## **Group Scout Leader’s Report**
It is my pleasure to provide a brief overview of the group’s activities during the year.
The support from our Executive Committee, parents and other volunteers has been greatly appreciated by the leaders and me. Particularly noteworthy is the work done in getting Donisthorpe into a usable state and a licence agreed upon with our District landlords.
Parents have been great with help preparing for and packing away after our many camps and activities, and most sections have help on tap for their meetings when needed.
At our January census, required by all Scouts nationally, our membership was up 5.8% on beavers, cubs and scouts, and we added 2 new adults. All sections could use additional leaders, but especially Scouts.
Our waiting list was 40 children old enough to start tomorrow if we had space. Since then, this number has increased despite taking new members at the start of each term.
More of our leaders have completed or refreshed their training, and again, I must thank Mark Porter for his help and support on this.
Cubs camped, Scouts hiked to Fox Covets near Hinckley, and both had a week in Bournemouth. 5 minibuses and one giant, full van arrived back with some exhausted passengers! Beavers had a sleepover at Donisthorpe, and the 2023 camping season is now in full swing again.
Thank you to all the adults who give their time, not just on a Tuesday or Thursday night but in planning and preparing for those sessions and the extra activities like camps, hikes and outings. Thanks also to their families for sharing them with us.
Our Young Leaders deserve a mention - they help each week and complete their training, and all are reliable and hard-working. Parents, we appreciate your help, support and trust. We hope you all have a lovely evening.
Jon Bloor
Group Scout Leader
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## **Seeonnee Cub Pack**
Currently, we have 30 Cubs, 5 Leaders and 1 Young Leader on our books.
During the past 12 months, we have been working on various badges, including Emergency Aid, Money Skills, Entertainer, Local Knowledge, Scientist, Disability Awareness, and the Skills, Personal and Adventure Challenge Badges, which have helped 3 cubs earn the top award in Cubs the chief scout silver award and 6 more Cubs being very close to completing theirs.
In late March this year, 30 cubs from Seeonee and Waingunga went on a weekend camp at John’s Lee Wood Campsite. Despite the weather and mud, the cubs enjoyed various activities, including a low ropes course, rubber band shooting, exploring the site, a campfire, and a walk to Bradgate Park.
We have another weekend camp in June at Oaks Campsite, which will include Zorb Football, Tomahawk throwing and orienteering. We also have a canoeing session at Moira Furnace and some exciting activities, including a Father’s Day backwoods cooking evening.
Plans are already underway for next year’s weeklong summer camp, for which further details will be announced before the end of term.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark, Angie, Sean & Ramona for all their help during the last 12 months
Andrew Leake
Seeonnee Cub Scout Leader
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## **Waingunga Cub Pack**
Within our Waingunga pack, we currently have 28 Cubs, 3 Young Leaders, 4 Leaders and 2 Occasional Helpers. Over the last year, we have been a busy pack with many achievements. 13 Cubs have been awarded the top award in Cubs, earning their Chief Scout Silver Award.
In addition, we have been working on many activity badges, including Athletics, Chef, Cyclist, Environmental Conservation, Physical Recreation, Local Knowledge, Pioneer, Scientist, Musician, Navigator, Paddlesports, Fire Safety, Money Skills, Air Activities, Hikes, Emergency Aid, and Home Help. Over the past year, 642 Challenge, Activity and Staged badges have been achieved within Waingunga Cubs!
Waingunga has been lucky to have many visits, including Ashby Fire Station, 1st Ibstock Band, and The Rotary Aquabox Scheme, as well as joining residents of Lyndhurst Lodge for carol singing at Christmas. We visited The Climbing Station at Loughborough for our end-of-term Christmas party and had a fantastic time; some Cubs had their first indoor rock climbing experience. In February 2023, we had a half-term treat, hiking from Conkers to the hut, followed by a film with popcorn!
In addition to our meets, Waingunga and Seeonnee Cub packs have had many camping adventures. In August 2023, Cubs from both packs attended our bi-annual summer camp at Butchers Coppice campsite near Poole. Activities included visiting Brownsea Island, The New Forest, Studland Bay, Swanage Steam Railway and Splashdown Waterpark.
In addition, both packs camped at Johns Lee Wood Scout Campsite near Markfield in March 2023. Activities included a hike, obstacle course, campfire and team games. Despite being a very wet camp, many happy Cubs went home to tell the tales of their first nights away in Cubs! In June 2023, both packs will be camping at The Oaks Scout Campsite near Shepshed for a weekend, with activities including football zorbing, orienteering, a hike, and tomahawk throwing.
Waingunga pack has welcomed new faces to the leading team; these include James, Jenny, Chris and Carrie. During the Summer of 2022, we said goodbye to Vicky as she moved across to Scouts to assist the group as an Assistant Scout Leader. I want to take this opportunity to thank Kathryn, James, Jennifer, Carrie, and Chris for all of their help in the last 12 months. Your support and time during meets and outside have made Waingunga Pack a pleasure to participate in – thank you!
Alice Legate (Akela) Waingunga Cub Scout Section Leader
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## **Woodland Beaver Colony**
Woodland Beavers Colony has grown in size this year and currently has 22 members. We were also pleased to welcome a new leader, Batsy, to our colony recently.
Our Beavers have been busy working towards lots of badges at the Scout Centre. They have enjoyed learning about endangered animals, making water filters and trying fair trade products for their Global Issues badge. They worked hard to gain their safety badge, which included an exciting visit to Ashby Fire Station. They have also been on visits to the Ashby Museum and Our Lady of Lourdes Church. They have found some creative ways to push themselves for their Personal Challenge Award, and a session led by a fitness instructor from Everyone Active helped the Beavers gain their Health and Fitness badge. At Christmas, Woodland Beavers made some beautiful Christmas cards, which were distributed to people who were on their own on Christmas Day.
Outdoors, Woodland Beavers have enjoyed Katakayaking at Conkers. At the campsite, they have been learning about knots and using them to build kites. More recently, they have tried building fires, backwoods cooking, and ziplining.
Woodland Beavers were excited to join Riverbank Beavers on a Superhero Sleepover at the Scout Centre in November. They enjoyed pizza and a night hike before settling down for the night and in the morning, they had fun with games and crafts. They also joined Riverbank Beavers for an evening of indoor canoeing run by the Leicestershire Scouts Watersports Activity Team in December. Woodland Beavers were well represented at the Remembrance Parade in November and the St Georges Day activities in April.
## Lynne (Fox)
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## **Riverbank Beaver Colony**
It has been another successful year for Riverbank Beavers.
Our core leadership team has grown, with the addition of Frank, or Gorilla as he has been named by the Beavers. Gorilla is a familiar face to many, as he has been helping out as a parent most weeks for the last 2 years.
As always, we spent as much time outside as possible, and could usually be found up at the Willesley District Campsite.
The Summer 22 term saw us Orienteering, fire building and making hot chocolate on the Kelly Kettles, as well as covering the Communicators Badge. However, the real highlights of the term were Potholing, making Bottle Rockets, and finally a visit to the Firestation where we were allowed to use the hoses!
In the Autumn, we visited East Midlands Aeropark to cover the Air Activities Badge and watch cargo planes departing the airport. We spent time ziplining at Willesley and went Kayaking in the indoor pool in Leicester. We also learnt about first aid with a visit from a paramedic.
The real highlight, however, was a Superhero Sleepover in the Donisthorpe Scout Centre. We went for a walk in the dark, roasted marshmallows, and watched a movie, with plenty of craft activities the next day.
This was the first Night Away opportunity for Beavers since before Covid and was very well received. We look forward to arranging more in the future and hope to get the Beavers camping.
In the Spring term, we invited the Leicester Astronomical Society back. We enjoyed using the large telescope to look at the moon and learned a lot about the solar system. We also visited St Helens Church, learnt about some global issues such as pollution and the environment, and in between still found time for plenty of craft activities.
We were pleased to see several of our eldest beavers achieve the Bronze award before moving to Cubs - so well done to Darcey Simpson, James Wright, Noah Wall, and Daniel Foote.
Matt
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## **Combined Discovery & Challenger Scout Troops**
Numbers continue to grow in Scouts, despite saying goodbye to Noah, Pip, Cameron, Ryan, Harmony, Flynn, Bea, Jacob, Jake, Farris, Will, Jamie and Rose to Explorers. There are 25 scouts on a Tuesday (Challenger) and 31 on a Thursday (Discovery).
Weekly meetings have included first aid, teamwork, problem-solving, making things, building bridges with and without rope as well as plenty of burning, cooking and chopping. Scouts have met the police, been to Roller World and hiked, geocached, played wide games, made friends and much more. We’ve kayaked, built rafts, shot air rifles, raced go-karts and carried buckets of water around the Conkers activity trail.
We’ve held overnight trips, hiking from Donisthorpe to Fox Coverts, a week-long trip to Bournemouth with 36 Scouts and more recently taken part in the first county “Rambling Fox” hike. Thanks to Mark P, we’ve had sessions at the Apple Store. Taken part in Remembrance Sunday and St George’s Day and also District Camp.
We are relying on parents to help Richard and me on Tuesdays, although since Easter 2023 Chrisi and Karen have been able to join us regularly, thank you. Thursday are being run by Vicky, Blossom, Richard and I and we are pleased to have Lynne and Sean help us regularly too. Thanks to other parents who have helped in all sorts of ways. Dan, Jack, Ollie, Carmen and Esther have been amazing young leaders.
## Jon Bloor
Group Scout Leader and Acting Scout Leader
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