Three amazing things you’re doing during lockdown

Graeme Hamilton, Deputy UK Chief Commissioner

We've been taking a look at some of the amazing ways that you are delivering Scouting at home.

We’ve all been asked to change a lot this year: change the way that we work and go to school, change the way that we do the weekly food shop, and also change the way that we catch up with our friends and family. It’s not always easy, but it’s because of all of you that we’ve been able to keep Scouts going throughout a difficult and uncertain time.

We’ve been looking into some of the wonderful ways that our programme’s being delivered from home. You’re all making an incredible difference, so thank you.

To deliver a programme from home can be difficult, but we want you to be able to support and inspire each other locally too. Take a look at some of the brilliant examples that we’ve found so far…

1. Zoom

It’s been incredible to see so many of you using Zoom at this time, whether it be to communicate with your family and friends, or to run an entire section meeting on a Thursday evening. This social platform has allowed so many of us to maintain a small sense of normal life.

1st Stoke Gifford (OSR) Scout troop, and their Section Leader, Andrew ‘Phelpsie’ Phelps, have made the most out of this platform so far with a wide range of brilliant activities. They’ve held Zoom sessions regularly, with the very first meeting including six investitures and an A–Z scavenger hunt. From learning finger sign language to camping out in the garden, Phelpsie and his Troop have come up with countless ideas to keep their programme running.

‘It was great to have a bit of normality and get the kids active and out from behind their electronics. The Scouts said it’s the best thing they’ve done while in lockdown and they can’t wait until next week.’ - 'Phelpsie', Section Leader

2. VE Day treasure hunt

It wasn’t the VE Day that we’d necessarily hoped for, with celebrations limited because of social distancing. Despite this, a Cub Pack from 3rd Chieveley got together virtually to take part in a VE Day themed treasure hunt.

Cub Leader, Sarah Dunnett, put this challenge together for her Cubs to give them a way to celebrate the historical achievement. A treasure hunt’s always a great way to create a fun afternoon.

To have a go at this challenge yourself, download the activity here.

3. ‘Superhero’ fancy dress

Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman; always go-to superheroes for any kind of fancy dress event. We can all agree that lately, there have been some new superheroes to add to this list: doctors, nurses, teachers, policemen and even Captain Tom Moore. These are just few of the amazing people who’ve been working tirelessly to keep us safe and provide support to those who are suffering during this pandemic. Gary Naisbett-Jones and the children from the 1^st Bovery Tracey Scout group used their weekly Zoom meeting to show their appreciation for these real-life superheroes.

‘Chloe really looks forward to Cubs each week; it’s the only club that she belongs to which has continued so it’s really important to her, as she gets to see her friends and just feel normal for a little while. Being able to have fun with her friends and dress up and play games helped her cope with the lockdown and her own fears about the pandemic. She picked a doctor as she recognises the huge role they are playing to help keep everybody well. She’s been out clapping and banging pans every Thursday and definitely thinks NHS staff are 2020 superheroes.’ – Mum of Chloe, aged 9

Read more examples of Scouts innovation here: 3 more amazing things you’re doing during lockdown

We’d really love to hear about more examples of how Scouts is being delivered at home, so if your Group’s been working on something, please do let us know. You can tell us all about the wonderful things you’re doing here.

Thank you, from all of us, for everything that you’re doing to keep Scouts alive at this time.

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