Part of scouting is helping the community in which we live and OSR scout troop get involved each year with South Gloucestershire BIG Clean, It’s great getting out into the fresh air and helping keep the parks and communal areas free from litter. Members of the troop met outside the old school rooms on The Green and once kitted out and receiving a safety briefing they were off up towards the popular rooms field. Once around the perimeter and all the scouts bags were emptied into a large bag and left next to the entrance bins with a 1 tonne rubble bag full of other rubble bags. The scouts then made their way through the lane to st. Michael’s school and communal area outside Tesco Express and then into Mead Park. A full bag of rubbish, most of which were plastic or thin film wrappings. This was left at the car park entrance bin and the group of scouts made their way into 40 Acres. 40 Acres was the cleanest of the 3 parks but the scouts found a combined full bag of rubbish which was taken back to the OSR and left out for the collection. A lovely day for a walk around Stoke Gifford. We were thanked by lots of residents also enjoying the fine weather. Great job done by all and a well deserved afternoon off to spend with families. Tonight at scouts the OSR troop took part in a timed photo scavenger hunt around stoke gifford testing their local knowledge and map reading skills. In their patrols to build team work and camaraderie they were given 8 locations with a 6 figure grid reference and clue. Also a set of 8 partial pictures and a map of the area. Wrapped up well and briefed to stay together and take care crossing roads off they went at 5 minute intervals. The first team out and back were Hawks, 3rd team out and returning just after Hawks we’re the Merlins patrol. 2nd team out and back in third place we’re Falcons then in 4&5th out we’re kestrels and Eagles. The aim of the game was to get to the location and send back a selfie of the patrol and within the selfie the partial picture. The scouts definitely had fun with the selfies. Everyone had experiences they wanted to share and seemed to have had lots of fun. Patrol points in the bag for end of term. Gj all Following on from the Blue Peter project making the globe from non recyclable crisp bags the OSR scouts from 1st Stoke Gifford scout group attended the recycling centre in Dean Road, Yate invited by Andy Paterson from Suez. 16 scouts and leaders turned up at 1pm today and were met by the site supervisor Kieran when took us up to the residents drop off area of the site he explained the process of driving in and the ANPR camera reads the registration checking that the car/ owner are south Gloucestershire residents. The cars are backed into bays and there is a choice of general waste, wood, plastic, cardboard and many more. The flow of cars was pretty steady but very well organised. Three members of staff are there to help anyone. We were then shown over to the weekly collection drop off warehouses and weigh bridge. The size and quantity of residents unwanted items is enormous. We learnt about the recycling trucks and how each section is released in different bays in different methods as speed is a must so the trucks and employees can get back at it quickly and efficiently. We then went to the binding area where the cardboard is compressed and bound. The blocks when dry can be 500kg but when we can be near a tonne. Hard plastic also gets bound and sent off. Finally it was back to the start to see the specialist recycling bins for batteries, liquids, asbestos and tyres etc. We walked past the bins viewing the types of recycling in each. Then it was a quick photo and off to tell the parents about everything we learnt. Big ty to Andy and Kieran for a very informative visit. As the current holders of the Kahoutek trophy OSR planned to do some team building and problem solving for the next competition this weekend but unfortunately it was cancelled. The troop decided to do the session anyway and the scouts found it challenging and good fun. Communication skills were needed to decide plans of action. It proves everyone in the team has skills. The activities were; magic carpet, tower of Hanoi, toxic bomb, bridging the gap and gutter ball. With minefield as a back up. Good job all some great ideas. |
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