Group Bonfire Night

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts all took part in our annual bonfire night celebration. We lit a bonfire, held a sing-a-long, feasted on hotdogs and hot chocolate and a set off a splendid fireworks display. It rained a little to start with but the sky cleared by the end of the event and were treated to a lovely starry night. 












District Camp August 2023

Scouts, Cubs and Beavers attended the District camp at Barrwood on the 25th -27th August. This is the first time we’ve had all three sections camping together and the first time Balfron Beavers have enjoyed a night away under canvas. There were many activities organised for camp and our young people took part in  water activities, Backwoods cooking, caving, pioneering, fire starting, laser tag & more.




 

 

Barrwood Cub Camp 16th - 18th June




The latest Cub Camp was at Barrwood in June and from the video above it looks like they had an amazing time. 

Some of the activities they got up to were: kayaking, backwoods cooking, axe throwing(!!!), tackling an obstacle course, fire lighting, the always entertaining campfire talent show, and all the usual games, and exploring and general camp adventures. 

Cubs make kites

This week, Cubs had a go at making their own kites. The kites were great, but a lack of wind meant they were a bit difficult to fly...and meant there were plenty of midges.We also managed to fit in an investiture between midge attacks.





Scouts - Pioneering activities

 
The Scouts had a great session in the woods near the river learning their knots and building bridges, hammocks and other wierd and wonderful structures.



 

Backwoods cooking with the Cubs

The Cubs had a great time lighting fires and cooking. They made fruit kebabs and popcorn in a can...some of which was even edible!






 

Medieval Cubs

 

Armed with some staves and twine the Cubs tackled an amazing pioneering challenge...to build trebuchets!. They did a great construction job, and had a lot of fun.







John Dymond: fifty years of being a leader!

 

 
 
Our Group Scout Leader, John Dymond, recently received a very special badge and certificate - for being a Scout leader for 50 years! After a few years leading in England, he moved to Balfron and started the Group here, nearly 40 years ago, and our Group has grown from strength to strength.  
 
Not many people ever get close to being a leader for as long as John - even Baden Powell didn't manage 50 years. 

We look forward to many more years of John being involved in Scouting in Balfron.

Scout Gold Award success

 

Just as the Covid-19 lockdown started twelve Scouts were about to go on their final expedition which would earn them their Gold Award, the highest award in Scouts. After a lot of delays and frustration they finally got to go on their expedition, hiking and camping in the Queen Elizabeth Forest near Aberfoyle. 

Then came a second lockdown and more delays due to Covid-19, so it wasn't until March 2022, almost exactly two years after they were supposed to go on their expedition, that they finally received their awards. Most of the Scouts are now Explorers, and most of them have grown out of their Scout shirts, but it was great to finally celebrate their time in Scouts. 

Very many thanks to Jo Cookson, our District Commissioner, for coming over to present the awards.

Beavers fundraise for children in Ukraine

On Saturday 19th March the Beavers planted sunflowers (the national flower of Ukraine) around the village to raise money for child refugees and their families in Ukraine. All proceeds will be donated to the UNICEF’s Ukraine appeal. If you’d like to help right now simply donate via this page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/balfron-beavers-unicef-ukraine.

So far they've raised nearly £600.