18th February saw 7th Retford heading to Hesley Wood Activity Centre for their ‘Freezer Camp’. Storm Eunice decided to arrive in the UK a couple of days before. With a new risk assessment put in place by the campsite, the group packed the minibus ready to go. On arrival, the first tent was damaged by the wind gusting across the site, so tents were abandoned. Instead, the group set up camp in their own building in Retford and agreed to transport the young people to the campsite each day.
All nine young people (aged 10 to 16) and three adults had a great, but wet and cold, time at the camp. The youngsters split into three groups for the activity sessions. Saturday was a busy day exploring the campsite and taking part in lots of activities. On Sunday, the groups had 180 minutes to earn as many points as they could for their team. One team from 7th Reftord – Joshua and Szymon, both aged 14 – came second out of more than 60 teams taking part! Activities included tomahawk throwing, climbing, archery, The Cube, crate climbing, air rifle shooting, segways, laser quest, quad bikes, backwoods cooking, woggle making, retro game zone and wheelie bin racing.
The regular weekly sessions have seen the group making sedan chairs, making pancakes, learning about outdoor safety, balloon modelling, spaghetti bridges, Hama beads and learning where our food comes from.
Local Scouting and Guiding will be celebrating St George’s Day on Sunday 24th April in the afternoon in Retford. It is hoped there will be a parade through Carolgate from 2.00pm, heading to St Swithun’s Church in Cannon Square. Here there will be a short service, starting at 2.30pm, led by Canon Dick Lewis. This will include the renewal of promises. It is the first time since April 2019 that groups have been able to celebrate together. As well as being the patron saint of England, St. George is the patron saint of Scouting.
Interested in joining? For Beavers, aged 5 ¾ up to 8 ½ years old, please email retfordbeaverscouts@hotmail.com. For Cubs, aged 7 ½ years old up to 10 ½ years old, and for Scouts, aged 10 to 14 ½ years old, please email Hazel on 7thretford@gmail.com or phone 01777 704835.
For enquiries about Cannon Choughs Explorer Scout Unit, for ages 13 ½ years old up to 18th birthday, please contact matt.ward@bassetlawscouts.org.uk.
To find out about volunteering as an adult volunteer, or as a Young Leader or undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh service working with the Scout Group, please contact Hazel.