Scouting Snapshots

What every child and even adults have dreamed about happened to youngsters at the 5th Blackpool Scout Group - a sleep over in Legoland!

Not only did the group have a brilliant time, but the activity also goes towards their Chief Scout Challenge awards, for visiting a place of interest, and, personal challenge for a night away.

Nicola Ellis, group leader, said: “We took a group of 25 Beavers and Cubs.

“We began the day at the Museum of Science and Industry where they learnt about how steam trains work and how cotton is made.

“Then the fun really began.

“We headed to Trafford Park and spent some time in the Sealife Centre before heading to Legoland Discovery Centre which was home for the night.

“After dinner we had time to play and explore before watching two short films in the 3D cinema before a snack and bedding down for the night.

“Not many children can say they have slept at Legoland!

“To finish the weekend off we stopped at Rivington Pike in Chorley on our way home to do a short hike.

“I think every child and adult alike had a fantastic weekend.

“It was a great way to start the new term and an opportunity for Beavers and Cubs to mix.”

Young people have their say to shape world of Scouting

The Youth Commissioners for Blackpool District are actively out and about in Blackpool!

They will be visiting over 900 young people aged between six to 18 across 25 Scout Groups and three Explorer Units, throughout the next few weeks and months

Ben Hughes, and Taylor Kippax, deputy youth commissioners, recently visited the 7th Blackpool and met up with the Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts , with the chief aim to explain what their role was in Scouting,

They asked six questions about what the youngsters liked and disliked, then the young people were asked to sign a pledge, which was explained to them at the end of their meeting.

The six areas of the pledge were: Listen, Act, Partner, Empower, and Recognise.

They were also given the opportunity to say what they would do if they were leaders, and how they would change things.

Then as part of the signed pledge they were given the opportunity to decide on their final game as part of “Empowerment”.

The previous week Tayler Kippax and Emily Parkinson-Swift, also deputy youth commissioners, visited the 3rd Blackpool while Ben Hughes and District Youth Commissioner Jordan Shuck visited the Explorer Units.

Jordan said: “The young people came up with so many amazing ideas that they would like to do at Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

“Myself and Ben visited the Explorer units and helped them create their own balanced programme up to Christmas.

“It was great to see all the Explorers getting involved in deciding and planning what they want to do in Scouting.”

Scouting Headquarters has recently appointed a number of national and county commissioners in addition to local representatives.