Meggernie - fire!

Each morning and evening we cooked over the fire - sausages in the morning and dampers in the evening. Everyone enjoyed making the fire and we had a huge fireplace so groups of us made small fires before the main cooking fire had to be lit.

We learnt a lot about how to build fires, using very dry wood, small twigs to start and not poking it too much. We also got to use the fire steels to start the fire. Next time we go camping we'll all be able to light fires.

Meggernie - food

At camp, food is very important. Everyone is always very hungry after all the activities we have and we don't cook everything over an open fire. The leaders worked very hard to make sure the food is ready, and the Scouts and Cubs do their bit by setting tables, cleaning up and doing the washing up.

But we are also very lucky to have a small army of parents who make a mountain of cake for us to eat during the weekend. This camp we were also very very lucky to have a huge vat of chilli and bolognese made for us by one of our Cub parents...thank you very much to all our cooking parents.

Beavers sleepover in Gartmore

Last weekend the Beavers spent the night sleeping over in the new village hall at Gartmore. We arrived for lunch on Saturday and immediately went to explore the forest. We did a four and a half mile walk, past the campsite and on to the pebbly beach by the river.

After a well earned rest back at the hall, and a quick play at the park, we had our dinner and then went for another walk! 

Not another four and a half miles though, we went in search of bats. We learnt how to use the bat detector and set off to Gartmore House. At first we didn't find any but then they started coming out and we could hear them squeaking on the bat detector.  

Back at the hall, and after a mug of hot chocolate (with mini-marchmallows), it was time for bed...although not sleep...

The next day we were very very tired and just managed a quick stroll to a nearby wood to collect sticks to make walking sticks/swords/guns.

Commonwealth Games Baton Relay

Earlier this summer the Commonwealth Games came to Glasgow and the Commonwealth Games Baton came to Balfron. To mark this event the village had a celebration and our Scout Troop manned the refreshment tent.

The Baton was brought into the village by Colin Gregor, Scotland's Rugby 7s captain and it was then passed on to David, the Dad of one of our Beavers.

Balfron Bash

This weekend the troop took part in the annual Balfron Bash, the local community summer festival. We all raided our bedrooms for unwanted books and toys and created a toy shop with our mess tent.

It was great to be part of the event and we sold a huge amount of books and toys, raising money for some of our future activities. Thanks to all who helped out...

...particularly to our mobile advertising board.

Flanders Moss

 

Last Monday we went to Flanders Moss to have a look at the huge peat bog. We learnt about the ice age and how the area used to be under the sea (there were whale bones found nearby!). We searched for lizards and moths and snakes and were very interested in the dams that had been made to stop all the water draining out. 

It was a good trip, and we didn't even loose any of the Beavers in the swamp.   

DIY Scouts

This month the Scouts have been trying their hand at some woodwork projects as part of their DIY activity badge. With some help from the leaders with their wealth of experience and some proper equipment, we saw a fantastic range of things from tables to tanks appear before our very eyes. Fantastic effort!

Walk number 2

Last weekend we went on walk number two of the summer. It was a lovely sunny day and we walked all the way from Strathblane to Dumgoyne. We also found a few geocaches on the way.

Scout trip to Stirling Fire Station

This March the Scouts visited Stirling Fire Station to complete their Fire Safety Badge. After a briefing from members of the Fire and Rescue Service and a quick quiz to test their fire safety know-how, they had a chance to play with some of the real equipment and to test their skills with a hose in a full fireman's outfit. An excellent evening all round!

First Beaver hike of the "summer"

This Sunday the Beavers went on their first hike of the summer. We walked all the way from Balfron to Buchlyvie. The weather wasn't too good to start with (we got soaked) but then the sun came out, we dried out, had lunch and then everyone had fun wading through bogs, finding an old tractor and climbing tree stumps. It was a good 4 mile hike and for our Buchlyvie Beavers it was great to walk home.