Each month
You will find ideas to help you develop programme themes around
the Cheshire Challenge 2012. The aim is simply to inspire you to
try different ideas and don't forget that to achieve maximum points
you need to find ways of working with other sections including your
District Explorer Scouts, Scout Network and Scout Active Support.
Remember they need your help to gain maximum points so it's a
"win-win" situation. Have fun.
January - Up, up and away
A Balloon Race
Simply explained, it
is a competition where entrants buy a balloon which has a numbered
ticket attached: this balloon is then released. The buyer of the
balloon that travels the furthest and has its ticket returned to
the organiser is the winner. For more information on organising a
balloon race see http://www.balloonraces.com
Why not turn this into a post-Christmas party based on a balloon
theme with games, food and a big "send off" for balloons in the
race.
You might want to avoid releasing balloons outside so why not
run an indoor race with a challenge to propel the balloon across
the room without touching it.
You might want to consider making hot air balloons with a
challenge to keep it in the air for the longest period.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
The Discovery Centre website at www.jodrellbank.net explains
in detail how you can visit Jodrell Bank Observatory and find out
about our research. This includes a full educational programme for
schools.
The Discovery Centre is open to the public from 10am to 5pm
every day, last admission at 4pm. The Centre is occasionally closed
for special events or public holidays. Please visit the website www.jodrellbank.net to
find out more or telephone on 01477 571 766.
Visit Manchester Airport
Take your Scouts, Cubs or Beavers, group somewhere different
that is both educational and
a fun day out, perfect for children between 5 and 14 years of
age.
The day incorporates those activities highlighted in the school
visits up to and including Year 9. The cost of these visits is
£8.50 per child.
Contact Telephone: 0161 489 2442 Email: education.tours@manairport.co.uk
Or Visit Liverpool John Lennon Airport
The Friends of Liverpool John Lennon Airport offer a similar
package aimed at 7-11 year olds and 11-16 year olds. Further
information can be found here:
http://www.liverpoolairport.com/airport-information/airport-tours.html
Concorde Visit
For Explorer Scouts, Network and Scout Active Support, how about
having Concorde all to
yourself with private tours for small groups.
Imagine having the legendary Concorde G-BOAC all to yourself,
friends, family or club.
Now you can.
Ideal for small groups, clubs or societies looking for
inspirational day out, our private
group tours of 'Alpha Charlie' offer memorable photo opportunities
and can be tailored so they're just the way you want them, with
on-site catering now available.
To Book Call 161 489 3932 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am to
4pm) Email
Concorde Team: concorde.avp@manairport.co.uk
Dates and times are subject to availability. Please call for
details.
Programmes Online
Plus a wide range of Space Activities search for 'International
Year of Astronomy', it was in
2009 and lots of programme ideas are online www.scouts.org.uk/pol.
February - #iscout
Why do you Scout? - Twitter
For older Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network,
Twitter is an excellent medium for reflecting on why you're in
Scouting and sharing your thoughts between you. You could
involve the younger sections by getting them to create collages of
their own thoughts and ideas.
Sign up for an account on www.twitter.com
Useful people to follow:-
@CheshireScouts -- Cheshire Scouts
@Explorer_Scouts -- Cheshire Explorer Scouts
@CheshireNetwork -- Cheshire Scout Network
@UKScouting -- The Scout Association UK
When you're posting your reflections, be sure to use the hash
tag #iscout and #cheshirechallenge.
Why do you Scout? - Collage
For the younger sections a collage activity is a great way to
reflect, in a very visual way, about why you're in Scouting.
You can do this activity jointly with other sections or share your
collages with each other. Why not 'bring a friend' along to
this fun night.
B.P.'s Birthday
Worldwide Founders' Day is celebrated on February 22, the
birthday of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting. Why
not hold a party to celebrate, you can do this jointly with as many
sections as you like, you can learn about the history of Scouting
and how is has evolved into a worldwide movement of 30
million. Check-out the links to Programmes Online below for
ready-made party ideas!
Some facts & figures:
http://scout.org/en/about_scouting/facts_figures/baden_powell
You could even take a trip to Gilwell Park, the home of our
founder and of Scouting in the UK
http://www.scoutactivitycentres.org.uk/locations/gilwellPark/
Performer / Gang Shows
Shows are taking place in Knutsford & Chester in
February...
Knutsford Gang
Show will be held at the Victory Hall on Town Lane in
Mobberley, between Monday 13th and Saturday 18th February 2012,
commencing at 7:30pm. There is also a matinee performance on
Saturday at 2:00pm. For more information please visit http://www.knutsfordgangshow.co.uk/
Chester Gang Show will be
held at the Vanbrugh Theatre at The King's School Chester,
between Tuesday 14th February 2012 to Saturday 18th February
2012, commencing at 7:15pm. There is also a matinee
performance on Saturday at 2:00pm. For more information
please visit www.chestergangshow.net
For those in Gang Shows, they involve a number of sections
working together and are a good activity to earn points for
Cheshire Challenge, whenever your show is during the year.
If you aren't involved in a show, you could always visit one as
a section, or jointly with other sections and review the show
you've seen together. Alternatively you could put on your own
Group show or why not put together a song or sketch and record it
as an MP3 or YouTube video. Don't forget to send us the link webteam@cheshirescouts.org.uk
Jamboree
Learn about the World Scout Jamboree, invite Explorer Scouts who
attended Sweden 2011 in to talk about their experiences of
International Scouting. E-mail admin@cheshirescouts.org.uk
if you don't have a contact and need one.
The 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden (2011) http://www.worldscoutjamboree.se
Some facts and figures:
http://scout.org/en/information_events/events/world_scout_events/jamboree
Check-out the links to Programmes Online below for ready-made
ideas!
Programmes Online
For more Founder's Day activities and games, search for
'Founder'. For lots of Jamboree Activities and Games, search for
'Jamboree' www.scouts.org.uk/pol.
March - Muddy Boots!
Don't forget to try and work with other sections when carrying
out these activities...
Hike Planning
Hold an activity base night where you:
• Pack a rucksack
• Put up a Hike Tent
• Map Reading
• Compass work
• Plan a route
Beavers and Cubs could hold a joint Map Reading and Compass
Point games night.
Caring for Boots/Shoes
Have a night where everyone brings their boots or shoes and
learns the correct way of dealing with wet and soggy
boots/shoes. How are they dried correctly.
The correct wax/polish to use. What are best socks to
wear. Don't forget you'll need lots of cleaning cloths
and polishes, etc.
Why not ask a Chiropodist to come and talk about the Care of
Feet and the consequences if you don't!
Beavers and Cubs - learn how to tie your boot/shoe laces
properly.
Sponsored Walk
Scouts/Explorers - whilst practicing for Cheshire Hike why not
combine your practice hikes with a Sponsored Walk for Sports
Relief.
Beavers/Cubs - Why don't you have an 'I-Spy' Hike or do a mini
Cheshire Hike with medals for winners - you could also use it as a
sponsored event.
Network or Scout Active Support - walk your District Boundary or
try one of the county's top walks, e.g. Sandstone Trail or
Whitegate Way. www.discovercheshire.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/sportrelief
DON'T FORGET THAT THESE HIKES
COUNT TOWARDS YOUR HIKES AWAY ACTIVITY BADGE.
April - Going Green
Relevent badges: Hikes Away, Community, Road Safety, Global
Conservation, Smallholder, Environment Partnership. Get maximum
points this month by starting an Environment Partnership Award with
your group.
D of E
Community
-
Many Cheshire villages have a Rose or May Queen carnival.
Why not get permission to do a float in the parade and showcase
Scouting. Make the decoration of your float from re-cycled
materials! Get your group building, decorating and
participating together.
-
Offer the services of your group to the community to prepare for
a local event. Help with the tidying and preparation,
litter-picks, etc.
-
Do our campsites need your help? Get in touch and see if
you can help prepare for the coming camping season
/campsites.aspx
Recycling
Crafts from recycled materials: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/index.shtml
East Cheshire ideas:
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/waste_and_recycling/recycling_advice.aspx
Cheshire West & Chester ideas
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/waste_and_recycling.aspx
The Good Life
Grow your own:-
http://www.kidsinthegarden.co.uk/
http://www.thekidsgarden.co.uk/TheKidsVegetableGarden.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children/
Environmental Events