Scouting Snapshots

Spreading the word on historic young people's movement
Children from St Nicholas's church of England Primary School, Blackpool with members of Support Adult Services Unit during the Scouts recruitment eventChildren from St Nicholas's church of England Primary School, Blackpool with members of Support Adult Services Unit during the Scouts recruitment event
Children from St Nicholas's church of England Primary School, Blackpool with members of Support Adult Services Unit during the Scouts recruitment event

Representatives from Blackpool District Scouts have been out and about networking.

Blackpool District Scouts were delighted to be invited to Changing Horizons - Raising Aspirations, an event organised by the Civil Service Local North West Team, in partnership with Blackpool Council, at the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens.

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The event gave volunteers the chance to promote the Scouting movement to the 700 school children from across the Fylde coast, who attended along with their teachers.

The representatives wanted to show what they could achieve in Scouting and how it would help them to develop their careers.

We were amongst 100 exhibitors, including Lloyds Bank, Young Carers, Army, Police, Myerscough College, Blackpool and the Fylde College, DWP and many more.

A spokesman for the event said: “It aims to give an insight into the various routes and pathways such as apprenticeship, college, and to highlight work experience and community volunteering.”

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Blackpool District Scout Council, led by Kathryn O’Conner, district chairman, and supported on the day by members of the Support Adult Services Unit (SASU), chatted to many groups.

We also did a bit of tower building using our empty throw away tea cups, mug mats, and one of the SASU provided entertainment with his rope trick – both activities showed the art of knotting and construction.

We all agreed it was tiring, but very enjoyable, and had a great time chatting to the young people and answering as many questions as we could.

We hope we sent them away thinking about the great time they could have within the movement.

Explorers have sights set high

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Blackpool District Explorer Scout Unit– The Tiger Unit – gave their newest five members the opportunity to be invested on the climbing walls at Blackpool Sports Centre. ,

They were presented with their tangerine and black neckerchiefs by Explorer Scout Leader Phil Deakin.

Phil Deakin, Explorer Scout Leader, said: “A big thank you must go to Blackpool Sports Centre for the time and space to allow the presentations, and to Stuart Peat, a supporter of Blackpool District Scout Council, and qualified climbing instructor for his time, expertise and patient instruction to the Explorer Novices. A great evening of adventure was had by all.”

Scouts take on

Bowland challenge

After weeks of intensive training, Blackpool District Scouts finally got their teeth into the Bowlander challenge.

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Fully kitted with ruck sacks, walking gear, camp stoves, food, and tents, the young Scouts aged between 10.5 and 14 were dropped off at Dunsop Bridge and embarked on walking and navigating with map and compass to their destination at Waddecar Camp Site, where they camped over night before embarking on a 19 walk the following day.

Blackpool District entered a combined team of the 37th/7th/11th Blackpool, along with two other groups being the 23rd and 1st Staining.

Dan Porter a member of the 7th Blackpool Scout troop, said: “It was hot, sunny and very tiring, but I had a great time with my fellow team mates.”

, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and would recommend it to any Scouts of his age.