Our Scouting won’t be stopping as we can’t meet face-to-face at the moment. Last night we held our first online North Richmond Beaver Colony meeting with 8 of the Beavers completing their music Badge. The first Cubs and Scouts online meetings will happen next week – and we’re starting to get our new remote programme of activities in place over the coming weeks.
Sadly we are going to have to suspend all section meetings and activities at North Richmond for the time being, due to current advice on Covid-19.
The Scout Association has advised today that all face-to-face Scouting activities should now be suspended.
Obviously, all of the group leaders here hope that everyone keeps safe and well over the coming weeks, and the safety of everyone involved in Scouts, both young and adult is in our minds at all times.
We have been preparing for this outcome for a little while, and although we can’t meet face-to-face there’s still some Scouting activities that we’re preparing for the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to help with to go towards their badge work and to keep in contact while we can’t meet – and it will hopefully help if families face extended periods at home.
Obviously, the situation in the country is developing rapidly and we don’t know the timescales for when normal Scouting activities will be able to resume – but we’re still continuing to plan for the upcoming events in each of the sections so that when we be able to run them, then we will.
I think we all agree that it’s in challenging times like these, that our Scout values matter most. The Scout Association is talking to the Government and other community organisations to see how Scouts can support our country during this crisis. Obviously we must make sure that we do this in the safest possible way, and don’t put anyone at further risk.
On behalf of all of the group’s leaders and committee members, we hope everyone remains healthy and well over the coming weeks, and to see everyone back at HQ, and back in a tent on campsite as soon possible.
Beavers had a flippin’ good time tonight, finding out about Shrove Tuesday (yes, on a Wednesday) and learning how to make pancakes. Including the incredible DIY pancake on an actual can!
Congratulations to everyone who won and who were runners-up in this year’s Beaver, Cub and Scout of the year awards given out at our annual open evening and AGM, and also to the first recipients of the ‘Baker Cups’ trophies given out for the most improved Beaver, Cub and Scout which will now be given out each year, of course named in memory of ‘Chief’ Barry Baker who led and gave such a huge amount of his time to keep North Richmond running for well over 50 years, and who had been part of the group all of his life since he was a Scout himself.
Some photos of the Groups 35th annual family camp, at Walton Firs last weekend, with 3 days of uninterrupted sunshine!
A couple of photos from recent Beaver activities, on a climbing day at White Spider, and this week making a Spitfire as part of the Air Activities Badge. Our beavers are keeping themselves very busy this year!
The Cubs enjoyed their Christmas party this week, with games, Pizzas and the Christmas Crackers! (and so did the Beavers and Scouts on their last nights of 2018 too). All of the sections are back in the new year. Cubs are Back Jan 8th, Beavers Jan 9th and Scouts on Jan 11th and – Merry Christmas and happy new year!
This evening, the Group hosted its first Beavers Colony meeting for many years. Everybody seemed to have great fun. The Beavers Colony will be meeting every Wednesday evening (half-term and school holidays excepted) from now on – at the Scout Hut, between 6pm and 7pm. So, if you have a boy or girl aged between 5 3/4 years and 8 years old, bring them along. Just drop us an email beforehand, at info@northrichmondscouts.org.uk (or use the “Contact Us” link at the top of this page), so that we know to expect you.