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.

This week the OSR scouts invited South Glos Bikeability into the troop evening prior to our 40km cycle ride this weekend. The Bikeability team checked all our bikes, taught the scouts how to repair punctures, repair and clean chains and adjust brakes/ seats and handlebars. Health checks and day to day maintenance is essential to keep our cycles in tip top condition.

basic scouting skills tonight for osr scouts using our bamboo poles to make chariots and complete a slalom course, timed of course. Troop split into 4 teams and a great test for their square lashings. Winners were team 3. Gj all.

The weather was kind to us on Wednesday evening when osr scout troop attended Ashton Court and after a quick refresher on map orientation and bearings they got hold of the orienteering course map and could see the different signs etc in the legend from iOS maps. Splitting into groups and off they went. Half clockwise and the others anti clockwise followed by adult leaders for safety with mobile numbers just incase. All teams were back before the 9pm deadline and all had the correct answers. Good job all.

weekend group camp to Botany Bay Scouts from both troops and cubs attended Friday and (beavers arrived on Saturday) whilst the scouts and cubs were hiking and kyacking along the river wye from Monmouth to Redbrook and second leg to Whitebrook.
Rained a bit on Friday evening but the rest of the weekend was glorious and scouts joined in at a campfire and tried firelighting with just a flint and steel.

Tonight both troops went to st. Michaels school and dug out all the group tents, put them up and checked the poles and fabric. Then put them back in the bags and back into the container for this weekends camp to Botany Bay. Some of the older scouts taught the new members how and to be honest it’s easier with many hands.

Summer again so that means Osr scouts are out in the fresh air this time freshwater fishing at the pond, flaxpits lane, winterbourne. With special permission to fish at the pond and with the rods set up ready it was down to which type of bait would work best. We had red and white maggots, sweet corn and bread. No sooner had we started and the fish began to bite. The scouts had great fun and apart from a few tangles Robin and I had a relaxing time also. Big ty to pond committee, Robin and also the scouts for good behaviour and leaving the area around the pond spotless.

So Osr Scouts have previously learnt circus skills such as plate spinning, juggling, Diablo etc and to complete the the circus skills activity badge we needed to watch a performance and learn a bit about circus life and history. The Mondeo circus is quite small but the younger Scouts loved it. They have animals ie horses, zebra, camels, lamas, pidgins and they were beautiful and very well trained. The humans were good also.

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.