Scouts head to the woods

Over 800 Beavers (children aged 6 to 8), Cubs, (children aged 8 to 10), Scouts (young people aged 10 to14) and Explorers (young people aged 14 to 17) participated in Buckinghamshire’s “Big O”.
This is an orienteering event held in Wendover Woods. Participants use a map and compass to navigate the route, visit control markers, and clip the relevant part of their sheet.
Using their map and compass to find their way around the route, the participants need to find the control markers, which might be a few metres off the path. They then use a clipper which signifies they have visited the control marker. Aimee said, “It’s been a great morning, being out in the countryside with my friends, using skills I’ve learnt, being challenged and having some fun.”

Yuvraj said, “What I like about Scouts is that we learn different things, play some games, visit places, go climbing, earn some badges and make new friends.” Adult volunteer Paula said, “Being a volunteer gives you lots of opportunities to teach the Cubs some new skills and to learn skills yourself. It also brings a smile to your face when a child completes a task that they have previously found difficult.”

Paula added, “The badges children can earn range from Air Activities to Chef, Cyclist to Global Issues and Money Skills to Time of the Water. The children also learn about teamwork, leadership, social skills, independence and responsibility.