The weather was hot and the Scout Leader underprepared, so we all went out and played cricket. Sort of. The rules were a bit different from usual, but everyone had a good time. All excellently organised by our Young Leader.

Scouts parachuted into an unknown area (OK, we drove them there blindfolded), worked out their locations, planned a route to HQ, and hiked back there.

The Patrol points competition (see Scouts page) is wide open after the Kestrels won our soccer mini-league evening at a local camp site. Afterwards we finished off with hot dogs, and buns to celebrate a birthday.

The Scouts went to Fairlands Valley in Stevenage for an evening of high ropes and crate-stacking (more exciting than it sounds, when you’re standing on top of the stack…) and canoeing. Everyone got two activities, and we’ll no doubt go back another time to try the third.

The Scouts practised compass bearings by walking in circles (equilateral triangles, to be precise) – the nearer you finish to your start point, the better your bearings.

The Scouts finished off the half term with a game of rounders. It was looking very one-sided until a late rush made for a very close score at the end.

20 or more of the Scouts joined parents and other members of the Group for games, a short AGM, and a camp fire consisting of songs, stunts and more.

The Scouts conducted a virtual parachute drop (hike), finding their location and route planning from the comfort of the hall – just as well, considering the rain and wind outside. When points from the exercise and inspection were considered, Otters slipped into the lead in the Patrol competition (scores on the Scouts page).

18 Scouts and three leaders from 11th Hitchin enjoyed the Hertfordshire PACE activity camp from Friday to Monday. Scouts took part in a wide range of different activities, from climbing, archery, aerial runways and pillow fights on “greasy” poles to carving, woggle-making and backwoods cooking.