An in-tents year
You’ll need
- Camera or phone
- Access to a computer
- Stapler (or hole punch and string)
- Access to a printer (or printed photographs, calendar sheets, glue, scissors, and other craft materials)
Take photos of an adventure
- You could plan this activity in advance – that way, everyone can have a go at taking photos when you’re doing a trip, camp, or another event you’re already planning.
- Alternatively, you could collect photographs that people have taken at recent camps or events.
- It’s up to you what you photograph. You could focus on nature, people, activities, or a theme like what it means to be a Scout.
Choose your photos
- If you have access to a computer or laptop, show everyone the selection of photos on the screen.
- Everyone should choose their favourite 12 pictures - it’s up to you whether everyone chooses the same 12, or whether the groups select a top 20 for each person to choose from.
- Now everyone’s ready to make their calendar. Depending on the resources you have available, people can make a digital calendar on a computer, or a physical one by cutting and sticking.
Make a calendar on a computer
- Make sure everyone has a computer or laptop – they might need to split into pairs or groups if there aren’t enough for one each.
- Everyone should open the calendar template in a suitable programme, such as Word. They should copy and paste a picture into each month.
- Everyone should make any other edits they’d like. Do they want to change the font of the month names? How about changing the colours?
- Everyone should print their calendar. Pairs or groups might want to print enough for one copy each.
- Using the stapler, or the hole punch and string, everyone should attach the pages of their calendar together. Make sure they’re in the right order.
Make a calendar without a computer
- Print enough photos for everyone to have 12 each, and enough calendar sheets for everyone to have a full year each.
- Give everyone a copy of the calendar sheets. They should choose 12 photos – one for each month, and use the glue to stick a photo on each month.
- Everyone should use the other craft materials to decorate their calendars. How about colouring the borders? Could you add themed decorations to each month?
- Using the stapler, or the hole punch and string, everyone should attach the pages of their calendar together. Make sure they’re in the right order.
Reflection
This activity was an opportunity to develop practical and up-to-date skills. Which was the most enjoyable bit? What made a good photo for the calendar? Did you edit any of the photographs? What sort of things do you have to remember when taking photos at an event? Have you made a calendar you’re proud of? Do you think people would enjoy looking at the photographs in your calendar?
It also reminded you to value the outdoors. Were many of your pictures taken outdoors? What do your photographs tell people about nature? Are there people in any of your photos? Do they look like they enjoy being outside? Are there things you can only take photos of outside? Do you think photography can help us enjoy and value the outdoors more? Can it be challenging to take photos outside? Why?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- Phones and cameras
Make sure parents and carers are aware and have given consent for photography.
Take it a step further by working out how much it would cost to get your calendars printed or photocopied – could you sell copies to raise some money for your group?
Make it accessible
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
