Scouting Snapshots

Blackpool youngsters have been busy preparing for the Bowlander outdoor challenge.

They took part in the first of two training weekends at Beacon Fell, the Trough of Bowland.

The day prepared the youngsters, aged between 10.5 and 14, to get used to the location and a taste of the possible conditions they could well be up against when they take part in the real challenge in March.

A week last Saturday,the Scouts pictured from the 7th Blackpool Scout Troop, along with the 23rd Blackpool, 1st Norbreck, and 37th Blackpool, tackled wet, foggy and very muddy underfoot conditions in the Beacon Fell area for activities including map reading skills.

As you can imagine this type of challenge takes an awful lot personal commitment and confidence in such wet conditions.

Always supported by their leaders, it is a fantastic way of developing personal skills and working together in different conditions.

They collectively had a great time learning together

The final weekend of preparation consists of all those taking part meeting together to ensure that they have the right weather equipment, overnight tents, food, maps, compasses, for a weekend of adventure, map skills, orienteering, and essential a good working team ethos.

However, at troop night level, those taking part will also have pre check evenings, and additional programme planning there is a successful outcome.

Other Scout Troops from The West Lancashire County Scouts take part from the following districts: Chorley, Morecabe, Lancaster, South Ribble, Ormskirk, Wyre, and Fylde.

The 51st’s big screen bonanza

Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts, along with their leaders, came together last Monday night to enjoy family film, The Secret Life of Pets.

The animation is all about a Terrier, who encounters Duke an unruly canine, along with cats and winds up in a truck bound for the pound.

So with lots of crisps, popcorn, sweets, and drinks everyone excitedly got seated by 6.30pm in anticipation of a great fun evening.

The 51st Scout Group meet on Monday evenings in The Parish Church Hall, St. Stephen’s on the Clifs, North Shore. Beaver Scouts (six to eight) from 6pm-7pm; Cubs (eight to 10.5) from 6.30pm-8pm; and Scouts 10.5 yrs - 14 from 7.15pm - 9.15pm.

Boost to funds for trips abroad

Five young leaders got together to raise £300 at a coffee morning at St Christopher’s Church of England, Church Hall, Hawes Side Lane.

The event was organised by the president of Blackpool District Scout Coun Lily Henderson.

Of the five young people attending, four are visiting Romania as part of the annual West Lancs County Summer Expedition.

Each young person has to raise over £1,500 each.

Sarah Hayden, Assistant Beaver Leader with the 51st Blackpool Scout Group, at St. Stephen’s on the Cliff, is visiting Iceland as part of the Annual World “Moot”.

The 18-year-old said: “I will be doing various different walks and treks in the Icelandic mountains, and also visiting the capital and learning about the traditions, and ways the people of the island have lived.”