We played some games using the conventional signs from Ordnance Survey maps. Scouts matched signs with their meanings. Should come in handy later in the term!
Author Archives: David Rossall
Life’s a game
An evening of indoor games.
800 Scouts and Guides in Hitchin town centre
We joined with the rest of Hitchin District for our annual parade, followed by a camp fire in the Market Square (OK, no actual flames!) For the first time, our friends from Hitchin Guiding also joined us – which included the Christchurch units of course. For photos, see the Comet newspaper.
And now for the real thing
Patrols walked unescorted, on footpaths they had never seen before. Last week’s preparation from the maps came in very handy – but it’s harder, out in the countryside in the dark, than it is looking at the map in a warm room! We finished with drinks and doughnuts – thanks very much to Baldock United Reformed Church for providing their hall for us to finish at. And no-one got lost.
Hike planning
Patrols used maps and compasses to plan next week’s route, and make notes on navigation and landmarks to use while walking.
Emergency aid
We looked at dealing with incidents and assessing casualties, and Scouts practised the recovery position. Here’s hoping we never need it for real!
Model camp sites
Patrols made model camp sites, pitching cardboard tents on polystyrene tiles. Some of the accessories were quite impressive – we’d like to see those on summer camp!
Facing dragons
Patrols were asked to invent a product useful to Scouts on camp or elsewhere. At the end of the evening, they presented their ideas to the dragons, in the form of the Leaders, who invested Patrol points in the products they considered best. Welcome to three new Scouts invested at the end of the evening.
Scout District winter camp
45 Hitchin Scouts, including eight from our Troop, camped for two nights near Welwyn. The winter camp traditionally mixes camping skills with activities, which this time included a zip wire, bottle rockets and a camp fire. We are happy to report that everyone survived.
Pancakes
The great thing about having a hall high enough to hold a badminton court is that it’s difficult to get your pancakes stuck on the ceiling. This is particularly important when the church leadership team are meeting just down the corridor! Scouts did their second evening of cooking in Patrols for the term. Not sure why these evenings are so popular…