We have just completed the January weekend of this season’s Pro-badge. The weekend started off very wet and windy but was nice and dry on Saturday and Sunday.
The Scouts took part in the Forester badge where they learnt about forest management, safety, and tree identification. The Scouts spent all day Saturday in a local wood helping to maintain the site. They used Axe’s, Saw’s, and loppers to maintain the existing trees, learning about coppicing and how to manage the trees including limbing and logging. They also had a demonstration of tree felling using a chainsaw. They kept warm by building a big fire from all the dead wood and Ivy they were clearing out. They managed the timing very well getting back just as it started to rain. On the Sunday they completed the tree identification work, tool maintenance, and planted some different types of trees.
The Cubs on the Pioneer Course managed to build several projects including a ladder, a paper ball firing catapult, and a platform in the trees. This gave them a good chance to put into practice the knots and lashings they had learnt. On the Sunday they built stretchers and had a race with them. The casualties (cuddly toys) only fell off into the mud a few times. They also all made a piece of rope and a knot board to take home.
NEXT COURSES
Next month we are running Scientist for Cubs along with a new badge the Space badge for Cubs, and Navigator Stage 3 for Scouts. We have lots of spaces on both of these courses at present. This is the first time we have run the Space badge and the third time for the Scientist badge, and we have lots of experiments lined up for the Cubs to complete.
The Scout Navigator Stage 3 badge is currently in danger of being cancelled as the numbers are very low. A decision will need to be made by the 1st February.
In April we are running Chef and Backwoods Cooking for Cubs and Camper for Scouts, we have plenty of spaces on these courses as well at present.
For further info or to book a place on any course on any weekend please visit the website www.pro-badge.org.uk.
LOST & FOUND
Did your cub/scout bring anything back from Pro-Badge which does not belong to them?
We are trying to match up missing kit with owners and so if you are missing anything or have any “extra” kit please e-mail our Stores Controller Andy Ratcliffe at:
andy.ratcliffe@hampshirescouts.org.uk
At the end of the season any lost property left at Pro-Badge is put in the skip or recycled.
STAFF VACANCIES
If you would like to volunteer or know more information about this or any volunteer opportunities, please email the team at probadge@hampshirescouts.org.uk and we can arrange to meet up.
Scissors/Clive Clark
Camp Leader
Pro-Badge Training Scheme
Email: clive.clark@hampshirescouts.org.uk
Find us online at www.pro-badge.org.uk