Category: Scouts

Summer Camp 2014 – Day 1

Posted on July 27th, 2014 by Carl Gaskell

We arrived in Dover in plenty of time, and with calm seas and a glorious sky all around, had a very pleasant crossing across the Channel.

Arriving on the other side, the convoy continued on through the top end of France, before arriving at camp around 4pm, local time.

Our kit van was already on-site, so we unloaded, unpacked and put up our tents and spent some time orienting ourselves with the site – a fabulous 20 hectaire woodland site within the rural district of Loppem, near Brugge.

Following a hearty 3-course(!) meal, we had relaxing evening and discussed the week ahead, before off to bed to be ready for the first activity in the morning.

Back to Summer Camp 2014

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Greetings from Belgium!

Posted on July 27th, 2014 by Carl Gaskell

And we’re off!!!

Early this morning, with beautiful skies all around us, we left sunny Reading in high spirits, and headed for the South Coast for the start of our Summer Camp 2014, which this year takes us abroad to Bruges in Belgium.

We have plenty fun in store over the coming week – keep checking back here and we’ll upload pictures and commentary as the week goes on!

Day 1 – The journey

Day 2 – All around Bruges

Day 3 – Railbikes!

Day 4 – Let’s get ready to rumble..

Day 5 – No rest yet..

Day 6 – Out and About

Day 7 – One last look

Day 8 – Homeward Bound

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Lest We Forget

Posted on June 22nd, 2014 by Steve McCarthy

This year 3rd Reading Scout Group is remembering all those who have lost their lives in wars.

All members of the group will be wearing their ‘Lest We Forget’ badge, to commemorate 100 years since the start of World War I

The Scouts and Explorers as part of their summer expedition to Belgium will be visiting the Tyne Cot cemetery where 9000 British soldiers are buried.

Later this year we will be taking part in the annual remembrance day parade in Caversham.

The badges, which all members of the group have been given, should be placed on the left breast of your uniform.

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12½ & Over Camp 2014

Posted on May 9th, 2014 by Carl Gaskell

Each year around May/June time, the older Scouts get to go on a camp where we do something a little different. Last weekend was our 2014 trip, which this time took us to the Dorset coast, with the intention of going mackerel fishing on the high seas and cooking up a tasty meal with our hard-earned catches.

Alas, gale-force winds put paid Plan-A, and after a failure from Tescos to deliver our weekend food as well, we rapidly put Plan-B into action..

And so, with a hearty breakfast from a seaside cafe to start the day, and the sun slowly starting to shine, we all went crabbing (rather successfully!) off the coast of Swanage, followed by an 18-hole game of pitch and putt, and then over the chain-link ferry to go swimming at the fabulous water park, Splashdown, in Poole , before finally heading back to site and for a great evening BBQ.

After another overnight battering from the coastal winds, we again had to abandon plans for a cliff-top coastal ramble. But in true “Be Prepared” Scouting style, we switched again to Plan-B and all went for the day in Bournemouth, where we had a great walk along the beach, played on the funfair and in the Winter Gardens, and enjoyed some sightseeing in the local area, before crashing out in the minibus for the journey home.

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Fire! Fire!

Posted on May 7th, 2014 by Carl Gaskell

This week our Scouts paid a visit to Caversham Fire Station, and got to see life as a fire fighter in Reading area.

They were able to get ‘hands on’ with some of the equipment and appliances used by the teams – and you can imagine how popular the hosepipes were…

Many thanks go to the kind members of Red/Green/Blue Watch who showed so many of us around and made it so interesting and entertaining.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service

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A Walk in the Dark…

Posted on April 28th, 2014 by Carl Gaskell

A lucky break in the weather meant for clear skies and perfect walking conditions as we set off for our evening/nighttime ramble around Berkshire this Saturday, and later the Scouts got to try their navigation skills in the dark.

The heavens opened overnight while we slept, but by the morning, the rains had stopped again and we all had bacon butties, before packing up and heading home.

2014-NightHike-01

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3 Towers Hike – A WIN !

Posted on April 14th, 2014 by Carl Gaskell

Last Saturday, 12th April was the annual Berkshire 3 Towers Hike. (http://www.hike.org.uk)

This year, the 3rd Reading entered 7 teams –

3 Scout Teams (25km)
1 Scout Plus Team (40km)
1 Explorer Team (45km)
2 Adult Teams (20km)

Perfect walking conditions greeted all the hikers, and everyone made it round in great time.

An extra-special mention goes to our Scout-Plus walkers, who this year came first place in the 40km (24½m) hike, acheiving a round-trip time of an amazing 6h 50mins. Way to go guys!

So the results

Scout Hike (25km)

Alfie’s Angels : Gold Award – 6h 4mins

More Southview Strolling – Silver Award – 6h 33m

Fantastic Four – Bronze Award – 7h 51m

Scout Plus Hike (40km)

Crazy Buddahs Plus – Gold Award (& WINNERS) – 6h 51m

Explorer Hike (45km)

We Forgot our name – Silver Award – 9h 11m

Junket Hike (20km)

Hares – Silver Award – 5h 21m

Tortoises – Bronze Award – 5h 49m

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Scouts Easter Camp – April 2014

Posted on April 9th, 2014 by Carl Gaskell

This years Easter Camp took us for a long weekend to the Walter Davies Scout Activity Centre near Stoke Poges.

Despite being a little wet, we still managed to cram in 3 days worth of fun-packed Scouting activities – fire making, cooking on fires, survival skills, knife and axe work, sleeping in hammocks, leadership skills, crate stacking, aerial runway, friendship bracelet knotting, swimming and some great team games.