Beaver Scouts is the first and youngest Section in the Scouting family. The joining age for Beavers is traditionally six years old, however in certain circumstances we are able to accept them in the three months leading up to their sixth birthday. They can move to the next Section; Cub Scouts, once they reach between seven years nine months and eight years old.
Easily recognised by their distinctive turquoise sweatshirts, Beaver Scouts enjoy making friends, badge work, playing games, going on visits and helping others. Most Beaver Scout Colonies hold Sleepovers in Scouting halls for up to twenty four hours. These are often the first time a young person spends a night away from home but is an experience they are likely to remember for a long time. As well as activities within the colony, Beaver Scouts also attend District activities where all nine colonies join together, as well as events where all sections of Scouting attend.
The number of Beaver Scouts within the District are at an all time high. This is very much due to the time and dedication that is given by an excellent team of leaders.
WHERE DO BEAVERS MEET?
Beaver Scouts usually meet together weekly during term time in a Beaver Scout Colony. There are nine colonies situated in Weymouth & Portland.
"1st Portland" - held at Weston Road, Tophill, Portland
"South Chesil" & "South Fleet" held at Rylands Lane, Wyke Regis
"West" - held at Granby Close, Weymouth
"District" - held at St Paul's Church hall, Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth
"North" - held at Radipole Lane, Weymouth
"Upwey" - held at St Nicholas School, Dorchester Road, Weymouth
"East" - Scutt Hall, Preston, Weymouth
"Chesil" - Portesham
SO WHAT DO WE DO AT BEAVERS?
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES WE HELD, OR ARE PLANNING FOR IN 2010
ARCHERY COMPETITION & BBQ
Six colonies participated in the archery competition. This was a first opportunity for most of the Beavers to have a go at archery yet some of the Beavers had amazing talent with the bow and arrows. Parents and siblings had a go after the competition. After the competition everyone had burgers and hot dogs.
Congratulations to District for winning
DISTRICT SCOUT CAMP
In July we held a District camp at Buddens where all sections of Scouting attended. There were approximately 250 members of Weymouth & Portland Scouts celebrating the best of Scouting by completing adventurous activities including archery, rifle shooting, rock wall climbing and a zip slide. They also did back to basic skills and held a camp fire to sing along to songs that I am sure most of you will remember!
WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND SCOUTS CELEBRATE THEIR 100TH YEAR
There were 300+ Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Fellowship and leaders celebrating our hundredth year of Scouting within Weymouth & Portland with a huge party on Weymouth Esplanade, followed by games and competitions on the beach. Weymouth College supplied a large birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.
BEACH FUN
Many locals and holiday makers got a shock when they went to enjoy a quiet sunbathe on Weymouth Beach as they were not expecting the 80+ Beavers who descended on the sand to play games, and go swimming in the sea!! Some of the Beavers were taken for a paddle in a canoe by one of the Beaver parents. Well done to some of the leaders who got thoroughly wet and to the parents who entered into the fun by building some fabulous sculptures.
SLEEPOVER, CINEMA & MACDONALD'S - A SLEEPOVER OF CELEBRATIONS
67 Beavers Scouts from four colonies in Weymouth attended a sleepover which they would remember for a very long time. The Beaver Scouts enjoyed an evening playing games, making toffee apples, spider’s webs, cat cups and goody bags, in preparation for Halloween and then listened to stories whilst devouring hotdogs.
The following morning the Beaver Scouts went to the cinema and then on to MacDonald's for lunch. There were more celebrations at MacDonald's when four Beaver Scouts were enrolled by Assistant District Commissioner, Sharon Wells. All of the Beaver Scouts and Leaders then renewed their Scout promise together.
WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Over two hundred Scouts and leaders attended a treasure hunt in and around the town, and had an evening to remember with displays of Scouting memorabilia and albums from all Groups historical and present. There was also a replica of the first Grand Howl, a 1940’s Cub play, a Scout sketch. and a joint camp fire song for all to join in.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Weymouth & Portland Scouts attended Remembrance Services held throughout Weymouth, Portland & Portesham to remember those who served in conflicts and wars.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
There were several parties throughout the District to finish the Christmas term. 60+ Beavers enjoyed a fun fancy dress Christmas party held at Weymouth West. There were competitions, music and games as well as burgers, hot dogs and Christmas pud! Weymouth East held a swim party at the Rivieria Hotel as a special treat for their beavers.
CAROL SERVICE
There was a fantastic turnout to the District Carol Service. The Beavers enjoyed a play which was produced by the Cub section. Nine Beavers received their "Chief Scout's Award". This is the highest award a Beaver can get and is the result of a lot of work and fun. Congratulations to those Beavers.
*Names can be found in the "Awards" section
ACTIVITIES FOR 2010
POSTER COMPETITION Friday 22nd January
The Beavers were given the theme of "The Carnival" and had 40 minutes to produce a poster depicting their idea of what happens at the carnival. There were 1st,2nd,3rd places for each colony, with a winner of the overall competition
68 Beavers attended the competition
RESULTS
|
COLONY |
1ST PLACE |
2ND PLACE |
3RD PLACE |
|
SOUTH FLEET |
Harry Donaldson |
George Stuttle |
Jay Oldridge |
|
SOUTH CHESIL |
Sam Stratton |
Kaitlin Vallance |
Kobe Tampin |
|
DISTRICT/WEST |
Marley Symes |
Ethan Clark |
Ben Morris |
|
NORTH |
Jacob Byrne |
Rachel Wood |
Daniel Geare |
|
PORTESHAM |
Alysia Horne |
Ruby Pruden-Medus |
Ben Harding |
|
EAST |
Jack Purslow |
Jack Wilson |
Georgia Montgomery |
Congratulations to Marley Symes from District Beavers from District Beavers for being the overall winner of the competition
HANDICRAFT COMPETITION 6th February West
This is a yearly competition in which teams construct a model from various boxes, paper and craft items. The winning team members will be presented with a medal.
This competition was postponed. A new date will be set soon.
St George's Day 25th April 2010
The entire District celebrated St George's Day at the Easton Methodist Church, Portland. Approximately 200 members paraded from the Senior School to Easton Methodist Church. Many Chief Scout Awards were presented to the younger members as well as leaders achieving awards for their many years dedicated to Scouting. These ranged from 5 years to 30 years!
DISTRICT ARCHERY COMPETITION / BBQ 16TH MAY
This event is always well attended as it is a chance for any Beavers who wish to have a go at archery, whether it is their first time or are experts! The Beavers compete within their colony, and the three best archers from each colony are pitted against each other in a District final. The afternoon is then finished with a b-b-q.
Goose 2010 4th August
All of the sections, groups within each District in Dorset will all convene at Budden's Farm to celebrate a superb camp. The Beavers spend the day on the site and will be able to join in with activities which may not ordinarily be available to them; shooting, climbing, abseiling making crafts, joining in with the camp fire are just a few of the activities. This camp is an experience never to be forgotten and gives the Beavers at taste of what they will be able to do when they go to Cubs and Scouts!
If your child would like to join us in this action packed year and would like to become a Beaver Scout, please contact me. My details are;