Today was the Old school room scout troops chance to get involved in the South Glos BIG Clean which was rearranged due to the snow a few weeks back. We had 25 volunteers willing to brave the elements and litter pick around the parks and side roads of Stoke Gifford. Three hours later and just over 3 miles and we had filled to the brim 6.5 black bin liners worth of rubbish. Thank you to council for providing all the pickers, gloves, bags and hoops etc. Many thanks to all the scouts and parents for giving up their mornings to help out. We all had a lot of fresh air and a doughnut from Jackie :)

Tonight OSR scout troop visited the hq of Bristol Empire Dragons in Saltford for an evening of dragon boating and some races to finish off what was a great session. Starting earlier than normal due to evening lighting but 23 Scouts took to the water in 2 boats learning about safety and equipment, pairing off and getting the basics about commands and strokes etc. Great fun was had by all even the scouts and leaders that ended up getting a little wet. The staff and instructors commented on the group being well behaved which is always nice.

Last night both stoke gifford scout troops joined at OSR to listen to a presentation on Exxpedition and Plastic pollutions in our oceans by Anne Baker one of the all female crew. We watched a video about the challenge and listened to Anne explain about the dangers plastics are causing in the world oceans and to the environment and human health. It is the quietist i've ever experienced the scouts to be for an hour and there were 60 scouts engrossed in the talk. Off the back of this we are going to plan and undertake a beach clean and get Anne back to give an all adult audience a presentation in the 500 seat auditorium in SG. TY Anne and well done to all the scouts for taking such a good interest in this hot topic.

So OSR scouts returned for the Summer Term and as well as games also took part in the SS GB Boat Afloat Challenge, with the educational box. The box has certificates, badges, equipment and instructions for the scouts to complete a model that needs to propel across the water tank. They seemed to be having lots of fun and there were some wacky design features etc. The winning model was built by Falcons that shot across the water completing the distance in seconds. Good job to all and patrol points will be awarded.