This week the Monday Beavers completed most of the elements of their Global issues badges.
The Beavers built water purifiers, learnt about and tasted Fair Trade chocolate and did word searches and colouring in about endangered animals.
For their homework the Beavers have recording how they save energy and tracking their recycling.

During this term the Beavers are going to attempt to complete the Gromit Unleashed 2 Challenge badge.
Cheese tasting, Wrong Trousers and wild adventures expected.
Cracking Gromit!

So 0600 on Saturday 21/07/18 was time for the cubs and scouts of Stoke Gifford to form up and travel to Browsea Island the site of the first scout camp.
We took the coach to Poole Quay and then ferry across to the island, followed by a short hike and then set up camp, evening meal and then bed everyone shattered.

The next day started with breakfast then red squirrel watching and conservation. Our meals were prepared by the 23 adult leaders for the 56 young people. An evening of crabbing and then bed.
The island has a no fire policy and so to challenge the scouts and cubs a mission to build a raft to float in the sea and make a fire big enough to roast a marshmallow.
The final full day was occupied with visits to the reserve and orienteering with sleeping out under the stars in bivouacs then the last morning was decamp to start the return journey home.

What a great camp.

Fish and chips on the quay and then on to the coach.
Many thanks to all involved in the organisation and running of this special camp which all the children thoroughly enjoyed.

so at the end of 4 fun filled and activity packed years the Old School Rooms troop in Stoke Gifford held a presentation evening for the 5 Gold Chief Scouts Award recipients. dan, matthew, dylan, jack and josh who received their awards from Avon County Commissioner Graham Brant in front of the whole troop and parents. Each one has achieved so much and really put everything into their scouting journey a true inspiration to the younger members. Graham congratulated the 5 Scouts and then we celebrated with a special cake and soft drinks. Well done to you all the leaders are all very proud.

Tonight is our last session of term and as a bit of fun the troop are taking part in a game of crazy golf. Its been a very busy term again making the best use of all the good weather. All the leaders need a good rest now to recharge our batteries.

fantastic weekend for a walk in the countryside, Saturday lunchtime 8 Scouts from osr troop in stoke Gifford arrived at Berkeley all kitted up for their 2 day expedition to Severn Beach 23km away. Arriving at every checkpoint on schedule it wasn’t too long before they reached Oldbury-on-Severn and pitched there 5* accommodation for the night. A quick walk for dinner and after a hearty meal it was back to check the route for the next days walk and a demo on camping stoves and then to bed.
After a night of excitement for the walk ahead it was breakfast, kit up, tents down and off on the second leg. The pace of the last day started quickly coming in to the first and second checkpoints ahead of time but then there was lunch break and the weather getting hotter which put the team back on schedule. With water and health checks at every checkpoint the scouts managed to complete the expedition ahead of time and the proud as punch parents meeting at the finish were full of congratulations.
I’d like to on behalf of all that took part say a big well done and a big thank you to the leaders that made the 2 day expo successful again this year.

Too much to do and not enough time so this week we have split the troop with Hawks and Falcons attending Little Stoke to learn all about bees with Tim Hewer and Merlins, Kestrels and Eagles staying near the Osr learning about mechanics with Chris Pritchett. Well looking through all the photos both sessions were fantastic. Same again next week please with groups swapping over.
Big ty to Tim and Chris. We couldn’t do it without you both and the knowledge you pass on is second to none.

Tonight OSR scout troop invited the Western Air Ambulance Charity in to train on defibrillator machines similar to the one we have located outside the main building and then CPR refresher. All had a great session and learnt about the roles of the air ambulance and how they are funded etc. Many thanks to the staff for giving up their evening and for a very informative couple of hours.

Friday morning and the leaders meet at the container for another weekend of camping this time it’s Strategy Camp, Cirencester Park, Glos. kitted up and off to the site to set up and chill waiting for the scouts. An evening of entertainment and instructions for the competition and then bed. Early morning to get fed by the Marines and then a day of incidents and activities. Evening again of entertainment and then bed. Final day will be presentations and placing then fun and games followed by de camp and back home for a much needed shower. What a great weekend. Weather was fab and ty to lee for all your help. The results are IN and the team finished 56th out of 295 teams from both scout and guide associations, Congratulations all you did Stoke Gifford proud.

Well what a lovely day for a bike ride. 24 laps of Little Stoke Park with Stoke Lanes football competition to compete with. We had a safety brief, checked the bikes and helmets and then with South Glos Bikeability Andrea we were off on a controlled lap showing the scouts the route. One lap completed we reiterated the safety instructions and then off they went. We had adult supervision riding around the course and set up a control station and refreshments. The scouts stopped as they completed laps and took a break and drink, then all snacked up off they went again. It took longer than the 3 hours but all finished within 4! Good job all. Even I did a few to show willing.