Claire Smith– Scout Leader at the 20th explains what's happening in her troop “Currently thriving with 14 members the Scouts at the 20^th are putting the adventure back into Scouting. Last July we invested some new members to the troop, a number of whom were girls, and this has certainly injected the troop with a new competitive spirit! Summer camp 2005 proved to be brilliant fun for all of us and helped cement together a new generation of Scouts all with new friendships, in-jokes and funny stories. Our enthusiasm continued well into the Autumn term with a packed troop night programme which has included a winters walk on Cannock Chase, a trip to laser quest plus loads of badge work- we have been working towards our Fitness Challenge Award.

Badge Camp

28th – 30th October  2005

The troop attended a Badge Camp, organised by       Kidderminster County Scouts, at Rhydd Covert Campsite (next to West  Midlands Safari Park). Throughout the camp Scouts worked towards a proficiency badge including badges like Forester, DIY, Entertainer, Orienteering, Mechanic, Climber and   Master of Arms-Rifles.     Arriving at around 7.30pm on Friday evening the first task was setting up the tents in the dark!  This proved quite an interesting task until Brad got the   generator going and we set up camp not by the light of the silvery moon but by the strip lights we use in the mess tent. To an onlooker we certainly looked everything like a troop from the 21^st century. After a chip supper and a sleepless night, due to the nocturnal activities of the Scouts, we all rose early for breakfast and began our chosen badge activity working hard until lunchtime. The troop now has a team of experts in everything from planting new trees to techniques in

Climbing. So if any of you

parents are brave enough

and need a hand with your

DIY or changing a tyre on your car then the Scouts could be your first point of call! Saturday evening was jam packed with a Scout Wide Game and a sing-along at the campfire. As part of their Entertainers badge our girl Scouts Charlotte, Kim and    Rebecca did the group proud when they confidently performed a sketch at the campfire in front of 200 Scouts.  Once the singing was over we were treated to a BBQ and after what had been a really long day we soon went to sleep only to be awaken by a dawn chorus of monkeys from the Safari park!

 

Entertainers

Charlotte Hawes

Rebecca MacAdams

Kim Burgess

Master at Arms - Rifles

Ian Braithwaite

Luke Russell

DIY

Peter Smith

James White

Michael Wise

Orienteering

Joseph Middleton

Jacob Reeves

Forester

Bradley Russell

Climber

Ryan Jones

 

Pic: Certificates all round!