Banstead Methodist Church

The Beavers have also continued with the Outdoor Challenge with games evenings up at the park, and have completed the Experiment Badge. Activities included various experiments using balloons, and rocket making, from a kit. The rockets took about 3 weeks to finish and were then launched at the HQ. A new behaviour initiative was launched using pieces of pasta! This proved very successful. Each Beaver earning or losing pasta pieces according to their behaviour. A badge presentation and prize giving ceremony took place at the last meeting before the summer holiday.

The Cub section now has 20 Cubs. Pack meetings have included work on our Global, Creative, Caring and Environmental Challenges. We have enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, games up the park, a Morse code evening, a mini hike with the Beavers, and a games evening with the Scouts. We also had a visit from an Explorer Scout who talked about his experiences at the last World Jamboree. Badge work has included the Handyman badge, where we made 8 bird boxes, and the Athletes Badge.

In May the District ran a sports activity day at a local school where the cubs tried out 8 different sports over the course of the day and this was very successful. During the May Half Term we held our annual Cub Camp, at Ecclesden Farm in Angmering. With 10 Leaders, 15 cubs and 6 other children in attendance all had great fun. We enjoyed archery, backwoods cooking, hiking, swimming, and visits to the beach, banger racing, Arundel Park and Butlins. As a result many of the cubs have now achieved their Outdoor challenge.

In July we attended the District Adventure camp for older cub scouts where they took part in archery, craft, map reading, pioneering, first aid and cooking their own dinners.

The Scout section now has 19 Scouts, 6 of which are due to move to the District Explorer section by Christmas. Troop nights have included camping skills, camp hygiene, camp cooking training, map reading skills, a mini hike, games up the park" and camp preparation. The Scouts also served at two Jumble Sales providing invaluable help.

In March we went caving in Merstham Mines, which was quite exciting for those who had never been underground before.
We held a Patrol Expedition Challenge at the beginning of May, which was well supported. The scouts hiked 15 miles over two days, carrying all their equipment, and then lightweight camped at Park Farm for one night.

At the end of June we attended Scoutabout at Ardingly in Sussex. This was a County camping event attended by over 4,000 Scouts and Guides. Stuart, Denis and Tim ran the Amateur Radio Station over the weekend whilst Paul and Janice did the catering. 16 Scouts attended and enjoyed a choice of over 200 activities, plus discos and other evening entertainment.

Scout Camp in August was held at Herne Bay on a small secluded scout site, next door to a wildlife park. (So close the wolves could be heard howling at night). We enjoyed a cooking competition, rifle shooting, climbing and abseiling, swimming, hiking, and visits to Wildwood, RAF Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum, and Planet Laser in Canterbury. 14 Scouts attended, 8 leaders and 2 other children.

Group activities have included a Headquarters Maintenance Day in March, the St Georges Day Parade in April and our Group AGM in May.

Other news: We have just celebrated our Group 60th Anniversary.
We have found a company that makes indoor flagpoles and hope to have this installed in the Vallins HalI by Christmas.
Our youngster numbers are very healthy but we are still looking for more adult assistance, particularly in the Beaver section.