Both Walpole and Pitshanger Scouts had a lively fortnight in May. The leaders planned a session on camp skills, but the weather didn't cooperate.
Walpole's first meeting of the fortnight, on the 13th, fell victim to heavy rain and moved indoors. The programme carried on, but the outdoor plan had to wait. Pitshanger fared better on the Friday: the troop headed to the park for a game of chair rounders and some prep for the Community Day that Sunday.
Pitshanger Scouts playing chair rounders in the park
The following week, both troops returned to the park for the main event: erecting dining shelters against the clock. Each patrol set up and then packed away a dining shelter, with leaders watching, timing, and scoring the results out of ten. The twist was aimed squarely at the Patrol Leaders: they were not allowed to be hands-on. Their job was to lead — guide, coordinate, direct — but not to grab the nearest rope themselves. Predictably, some PLs managed this with genuine restraint. Others held out admirably before reaching in when the shelter looked in danger of going sideways.
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| Walpole patrol raising a dining shelter |
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| Pitshanger's completed dining shelters in the park |
Watching patrols work through the problem, each in their own way, was exactly the kind of practice that pays off under canvas. PLs who resisted the urge to take over will find their patrols better for it.
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| Scouts folding away the shelter at the end of the session |
Half-term is here: no meetings on the 29th or 5th June. Enjoy the break!