Get Active! April/May 2015

Welcome
Copyright 2015 The Scout Association. For many more practical ideas for the great outdoors, buy The Outdoor Adventure Manual (published by Haynes) and available from scouts.org.uk/shop
W
ith summer well on its way, organising
outdoor adventures and camps is at the
top of everyone’s to-do list, and it’s with
this in mind that we have put together this special
issue of Get Active! – to help you plan for the best
summer excursion ever!
With the help of the expert advice in
The Outdoor Adventure Manual (published by
Haynes and available from scouts.org.uk/shop), we
have collected essential information to help you
and your Group get the best from camp, and have
broken it down into four simple sections – planning,
pitching, providing and projects.
So whether it’s the invaluable preparatory
advice from UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls on page 4,
the backwoods cooking ideas on page 25, or the
foraging and fire-lighting tips on page 18, we have
everything you need to make sure that your Group’s
adventures are memorable for all the right reasons.
Until next time…
Contents
Planning
4 Get set for summer
Bear Grylls offers invaluable advice. Plus ways to
predict the weather
6 Crucial kit
Be prepared for every eventuality
7 Keep it secret
Disney’s Club Penguin shares online safety tips
8 Make your own medals
With this glittery project from Hobbycraft
Pitching
10 The perfect pitch
Seven things to consider when camping, plus tentcare tips
12
Design your own vivarium
Using Pets at Home’s handy advice
14
Boost your skills…
At our National Centres
17
Try this simple experiment
Watch as coloured water travels through leaves
Providing
18 Hunt and gather
Alex Drew, Editor
[email protected]
Learn how to forage and fire-light
The national magazine of The Scout Association,
Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW
Tel: 0845 300 1818
Get in touch at [email protected].
Read Get Active! and Scouting online at
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Please note that the views expressed by members and contributors in the
magazine are not necessarily those of The Scout Association.
Get Active! Editors Abbie Cavendish,
Alex Drew, Lee Griffiths and Kevin Yeates
Art Editor James Daniel
Designer Dean Purnell
Content Advisers Paul Andrews,
Jo Barclay, Laura Butler, Sarah Hawkins
and Rachel Jones
With thanks to... Fraser Christian,
Tristan Gooley, Chris James, Austin
Lill, Tudor Morgan-Owen and Terry
Longhurst
Cover Peter Greenwood – Folio Art
Project Manager Celia Beale
Director of Immediate Media
Branded Content Julie Williams
ISSN 0036 – 9489
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21 Create a classic campfire treat
Learn how to make dampers
22
Cubs cook up a storm with Sodexo
Make a microwave mug cake
24
Making memories
Scout Leaders share their adventures with JEKA
Projects
25 Tuck in!
Backwoods cooking favourites
27 Navigate naturally
Use your surroundings to help
you find your way
28
29
Plan a hike
With the help of Cotswold Outdoor
Get eggs-perimental
Your Scouts will love this fun activity
30
Launch a human glider
Heathrow shows you how
GET ACTIVE! 3
g
n
i
n
Plan
GET SET FOR
SUMMER
To read m
o
from our re
Chief
Scout, hea
d
to page 26
of Scoutin
g
magazine
.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls shares his invaluable advice to
help make sure you’re ready for this season’s adventures
Suitable for Cubs+
Pictures: Getty, Thinkstock
‘The outdoors is the best place
to learn, to feel inspired and reenergised. But there’s no predicting
the weather, especially in this
country, so the best thing to do is
be prepared for anything.
‘I’ve heard the great British
summer described as “three days
of sun and a thunderstorm,” so
let’s start with the rain. If you’re
heading off for a hike or a camping
expedition, make sure you pack a
poncho and a change of clothes.
Remember, if you get wet, get out
of those clothes straight away.
No one has ever had fun in soggy
togs (plastic bags are great for
storing wet things). You can always
rig up an impromptu washing line
for when the sun comes out again.
‘If you’re camping in the rain,
always pitch your tent on high
ground so the water can't flood in.
Any good Scout knows to keep kit
away from the sides of the tent.
If it’s raining, set up a tarpaulin over
your pitch while you construct your
tent to keep yourself dry. And don’t
forget a book or a pack of cards for
rainy nights!
‘So what about the sun? If you’re
lucky enough to see it, then be
sensible. Even in the UK, it’s easy to
burn in just a few minutes.
So cover up, wear a hat and slap
on the sunscreen. Take on plenty
of water throughout the day too
as it’s easy to get caught up in
your activity and find yourself
dehydrated. If you’re camping,
work out where the shade will be
in the morning so you’re not woken
incredibly early by its white-hot
glare. Also, see if you can work
out the direction of the prevailing
wind and pitch your tent in the
same direction. That way, you’ll
find yourself with natural air
conditioning – perfect.
‘And what about when things
get really bad? If you’re camping
in a gale, stay well away from
trees with overhanging branches.
They can fall in strong winds. Then
there’s thunder and lightning. Over
60 people are struck by lightning
each year in the UK, and you don’t
want to be one of them. Seek
shelter immediately in a house or
other permanent structure – never
in a tent or under trees. As a last
resort find a low place – a ditch
perhaps – and crouch down in the
crash position, minimising contact
with the ground. And keep your
phone switched off.’
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout
4 GET ACTIVE!
April/May 2015
Ways to predict the weather
Use your sense of smell
Believe it or not, you can get a fair indication of the weather
just by taking a deep breath. If the air is very pungent, either
with sweet-smelling flowers, or with compost-like odours as
plants release their waste, wet weather is on the way.
When the air contains more moisture, scents are stronger.
Watch the
wildlife
Most people know that cows
lie down before a thunderstorm.
They also tend to huddle together
before bad weather. You will also
notice fewer seagulls in the sky
at the coast if a storm is on the
way. Almost all animals become
subdued before rain. Rows of birds
on telegraph wires usually indicate
low pressure, and therefore fair
weather.
Red sky at night
The precursors to weather forecasts
and meteorological predictions,
some of the better-known weather
proverbs, such as ‘red sky at night,
shepherd’s delight’, can still be used
as a guideline. Be warned, however,
that since climate differs from
country to country, they cannot be
relied upon absolutely.
Cloud-spotting
Cloud-spotting has become
recognised as an art in its own
right; it’s easier than you think
and allows you to predict weather
conditions with surprising accuracy.
Look down
Look at a
pinecone
If there is moisture in
the air, the scales on the
pinecone will close –
this means that rain is
on the way. If it is fine,
the scales will dry up
and open.
The Scout Association
If you see dew on the grass in the
morning, it is an indicator of fair
weather – there is little breeze
to bring rain clouds your way.
If the grass is dry, this means that
it has been dried by a breeze,
which can often bring inclement
weather. Forget all of the above if it
rained during the night!
GET ACTIVE! 5
Crucial kit
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kit list.
The Nights Away Kit List is a great starting point
when it comes to packing your overnight essentials
Photocopy this page
GOT
IT
IN THE
BAG
WE RECOMMEND…
CLOTHING
Uniform shirt, activity trousers and necker
Hoodie
Scout Shops Official Uniform
Warm sweater
t
Prin
U T £25
O
C
,
i.S od ie
Ho
Casual trousers
Fleece
Gloves
Waterproof outer garment
Scout Shops Regatta Youth’s Packaway Jacket
Hike boots/strong shoes
HiTec, Regatta
Scout Shops Knitted Beanie
Warm hat
Scout Shops i.SCOUT T-Shirt or Wicking Top
T-Shirts
Scout Activity Shorts
Shorts
Indoor training shoes/pumps
Scout Shops Baseball Cap (All sections and i.SCOUT)
Sun hat
Socks
World
M ic Scout
Towe rofibre
l an
Bag , d St u ff
£10
Underclothes
Pyjamas
Personal wash kit
Towel
GOT
IT
IN THE
BAG
Compass
Brunton TruArc 5 and 10
PERSONAL KIT
WE RECOMMEND…
Rucksack/kit bags
Vango Trekker, Contour, i.SCOUT Trek 65+5L
Small day rucksack
Vango Stone or Boulder 20L or 25L
Water bottle
i.SCOUT 1 litre bottle
Midge net
Sleeping bag
Vango Atlas, Wilderness or Nitestar
Sleep mat
Vango Trekmatt
Plate, bowl, mug, KFS
Personal first aid kit
Polythene bags
Su mm it 20cm De
ep
Enamel Plate (£2
),
330cc Enamel Ca
mping
Mug (£1.85) and 15c
m
Enamel Bowl £2
Sun protection cream
Insect repellent
Torch and batteries (with spare batteries)
6 GET ACTIVE!
Summit Microlite Headtorch
All items available from scouts.org.uk/shop.
Badge
Keep it secret
Disney’s Club Penguin shows you what you should
and shouldn’t share online using this fun wordsearch
Suitable for Cubs
As the number one virtual world for children, Disney’s Club Penguin has partnered
with The Scout Association to inspire Cub Scouts around the world to stay safe
online. This activity aims to encourage Cubs to think about what information is
OK to share online, and what is not.
Find the following
words in the
wordsearch:
1. Full name
2. Address
3. Hobbies
4. School
5. Music
6. Phone Number
7. Nickname
8. Pets
Using the words you found
in the wordsearch, fill in the
boxes below with the four
things that you believe are
personal information, and
the four things that are OK
to share.
F W S K E H X N T X H S A A E
G U W F M E
E
I
O C O
J
C G A
L O L
C B U G C A O P G B A R
G Y
I
L U C
L
P U N O S N V D O D C U P
L
B O
J
C
S K F
C R T D Z Q
S A X A Q M R N
I
L U
X V O T G M M M Q E
I
Q S W Z
X H E H B O F
S
Y U B K
L
E
P K D C Y U S
G Y T
Z B T A M P K
I
F X Q Y O
P H O N E N U M B
E
R M I
S
I
B M A X W
I
J
P
S X E H
E
J
S
B B O H N B
Q A V X K
T
J
I
G U U N X H E
U N Q W D G H
H A L W L M N R
F
I
P V E
Y C
X A
Z A
I W
F D S
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Personal information:
1)……………………………………………………………………………………… 2)………………………………………………………………………………………
3)……………………………………………………………………………………… 4)………………………………………………………………………………………
OK to share:
1)……………………………………………………………………………………… 2)………………………………………………………………………………………
3)……………………………………………………………………………………… 4)………………………………………………………………………………………
More info
The Club Penguin activity packs guide Cubs through Club Penguin’s online safety rules, shared through its campaign,
It Starts With You: Be Cool, Be Heard, Be Safe. These three rules aim to inspire Cubs to act responsibly while using the
internet, and provide them with the tools to keep themselves safe online. Find out more at scouts.org.uk/disney.
The Scout Association
GET ACTIVE! 7
Badge
Make
your own
medals
Create these glittery awards to celebrate
your Cubs’ adventurous achievements
throughout the year
Suitable for Beavers+ (with adult supervision)
In this activity you can recycle your old jar lids to make personalised
winners’ medals. Get truly creative by decorating them with glitter,
foam stickers, pom-poms or sequins. Anything goes!
What to do
1 2
Collect a variety
of jar lids – the
bigger, the better!
Lay down plenty
of newspaper
and paint the jar lids
with white paint. If
you are using spray
paint, find a wellventilated area or
go outside – adult
supervision will be
required here.
3 Once the lids
are completely
dry, apply a layer of
PVA and cover with
your favourite colour
glitter. Put them to
one side to dry.
Once the glitter
has dried,
spray with hairspray.
This helps to fix the
glitter in place. Make
sure you do this in a
4
well-ventilated area
or outside (adult
supervision will be
required here).
Pick out a ribbon
for your medal
and cut it to roughly
45cm in length. Fold
it in half and secure
the ribbon to the lid
using strong glue or
sticky tape. Leave it
to dry.
5
More info
Hobbycraft sponsors the Beaver Creative Activity Badge and the Cub Artist Activity
Badge. Activity packs for both are available at scouts.org.uk/hobbycraft.
8 GET ACTIVE!
TOP TIP
Make your med
al
more special by even
cutting
a star shape ou
t
glitter card and of
sticking
it to the front
You will need
• Jar lids in various sizes
• Old newspaper
• White paint, acrylic or matt
emulsion (you can also use
spray paint)
• PVA glue and brush
• Glitter
• Hairspray
• Assorted ribbons
• Scissors
• Strong glue or sticky tape
NEEDS
A NEW
GRAPHIC
April/May 2015
g
n
i
Pitch
The perfect pitch
Scouts may be dab hands at putting up tents, but where you
choose to camp can make or break your camping experience
Suitable for Scouts+
Blipp here to see how to
pitch a tent and other
handy camping tips.
Finding a good campsite can make
the difference between an OK
trip and a really great experience.
There are plenty of sites around
and a quick search on the internet
or by using a guide book will
reveal a whole range of sites from
the small basic ones to the large
commercial sites with lots of onsite
activities. Here are seven essential
suggestions to help you get it right:
Things to consider…
1
Booking in advance is strongly
advised and the earlier you
book the more likely that you will
be able to get the site you want.
10 GET ACTIVE!
2
Whatever you choose to
go for you will need some
basics – a good water supply,
toilets and waste disposal are the
fundamental requirements.
In addition to this you might
want to make sure that there are
showers, a shop close by or easy
access to transport links.
When you arrive you will be
allocated a pitch or you might
be able to choose your own.
If possible you want one that will
offer protection from the wind,
is high enough so as it won’t get
flooded if the weather is poor and
isn’t too near areas of the site that
are likely to get noisy.
3
4
You will also want your pitch
to be as flat as possible so
that you don’t all end up rolling
down to one end of the tent during
the night. Try not to put your tent
directly under trees as you will
be dripped upon long after the
rain has stopped and in extreme
conditions the tree could be struck
by lightning or the wind could blow
branches down.
Depending on how you intend
to cater for yourself you may
need an area for your cooking.
Find somewhere that is sheltered
from the wind and is flat so that
your stove will be stable and
unlikely to be blown over while in
5
April/May 2015
Tent care
• Tents should be regularly
checked, cleaned and
repaired if necessary to
ensure they remain in
prime condition.
• Check for broken pegging
points. Sometimes elastic
can be frayed, so pull to
check. Undo knotted guy
lines and tie them correctly.
Check you have the correct
number and type of pegs
and replace faulty zips.
• If your tent is wet when you
break camp, unpack it again
as soon as you arrive home.
A wet tent left in its bag
will soon attract mildew.
It helps to detach guy lines
as these take longer to dry.
• If your tent has been
attacked by mildew,
scrub gently. If this fails to
remove it, use a specialist
formula such as MiraZyme.
6
7
The Scout Association
• Try to avoid direct sunlight
on your tent as the UV rays
can degrade the fibres.
Camp where you know
there will be some shade,
though not under trees.
Pictures: iStock
use. You should have it a reasonable
distance from your tent as well to
avoid any mishaps.
A simple shelter such as a
gazebo can provide good
shelter in wet conditions and a
table will ensure that you can cook
and keep your food well away from
the mud.
Toilets and washing are
essential to the wellbeing
of the campers. Young campers
especially will not use the facilities
if they are dirty, wet and dark.
Taking your own supply of loo roll
is highly recommended.
• To clean your tent, scrub
gently and use a nondetergent soap with water.
Avoid commercial products
such as washing-up
liquid as this can damage
the layer of waterproof
protection applied to your
tent. Whatever you do,
avoid putting your tent in
the washing machine – it
could tear or even melt.
GET ACTIVE! 11
Badge
Live fo
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ch
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hit …
logs
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Rock
hidin
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mealw
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DID YOU
KNOW?
Beavers an
d
Design your
own vivarium
Create the perfect residence for
your reptiles with this activity
from Pets at Home
Suitable for Beavers and Cubs
In this activity, your Group can design the perfect home for your lizard,
otherwise known as a vivarium. It may seem like a straightforward
exercise but there are many things to take into
account. Your Group will need to conduct
research online, or by visiting their local
Pets at Home store, to see how these
reptiles live before they begin the activity.
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals and
need heat from their surroundings to
keep warm. Many come from hot
countries so think about what
your vivarium will need to
have in it to make it feel
like home.
Cu
out all abou bs can find
visiting pet t lizards by
sa
mypetpalsa thome.com,
cademy.co
m
or by speaki
n
colleague in g to a
-store.
Here are some ideas of what you
should think about or include in
your reptile residence:
• heat mat
• heat lamp
• light
• locust
• log or rock
for basking
• mealworm
• minerals
• substrate eg sand
• shelter
• thermometer
• thermostat
• UV bulb
• vitamins
• water
More info
Pets at Home have produced an exciting new resource pack to help Beavers and Cubs get their Animal
Friend and Animal Carer Activity Badges. Visit scouts.org.uk/petsathome to download the pack.
12 GET ACTIVE!
April/May 2015
Boost your
skills at our
National Centres
This year, Scout Activity Centres have even more great
courses available to help you offer the best of Scouting
to your Group – so why not sign up?
S
pring is here, the days are getting longer and it’s
finally time to head outdoors! 2015 is the Year of
Adventure for Cubs, but at our National Centres
we’ve been working to bring adventure to young
people across all sections, and this year should be the
best ever. How do we hope to achieve this? Easy, we
have a secret weapon… You!
Adventurous outdoor activities are not just for
adrenaline junkies and you don’t have to be Bear Grylls
to teach them to others. Whether it’s as extreme as
leading a Group of Explorer Scouts up Scafell Pike or as
simple as running a taster session of archery for Cubs,
the association has a comprehensive permit scheme
designed to give you the skills and experience to get
your section outdoors.
This year Scout Activity Centres are offering a wide
range of courses for leaders from all sections. We’ve
included a few to give you a taste of what’s available.
14 GET ACTIVE!
April/May 2015
Promotion
Great Tower (Lake District) and Yr Hafod (N.Wales)
are running a selection of Hill and Mountain courses
including Terrain 1 and 2 Summer and Winter permits,
and Mountain Leader Summer Awards. In addition,
Great Tower offers personal development courses
in scrambling, mountaineering and navigation. Join us
on a Terrain 1 Permit training course at Yr Hafod in July,
and/or Mountain Leader Training at Great Tower
in September.
Traditional Scouting Skills, including campcraft, field
skills and bushcraft, are an intrinsic part of what we
do, but there are many leaders out there who have not
yet had the opportunity to learn these practical skills.
The Campcraft Practical Skills course at Woodhouse
Park (Bristol) and Downe (Kent) this spring are ideal
opportunities to add to your skill set – including tent
pitching, backwoods cooking and axe and saw work.
Polish your skills at Woodhouse Park or Great Tower
in April, or at Downe in May.
Now is the ideal time to get out on the water.
Hawkhirst (Northumberland) and Great Tower both
provide training in canoes, kayaks, raft building, sailing
and even powerboats. Why not try the Start Sailing
course at Great Tower this June, or attend the Water
Sports Academy at Hawkhirst in August?
We also run lots of other courses covering everything
from caving to first aid, and fire lighting to the new
Archery Permit. In fact just Great Tower alone has over
50 adult training courses available this year, with a mix
of open and closed courses to suit all Groups.
More info
There are nine National Centres across the UK and we’re here to help you ensure your young people experience
adventure. With experienced staff, great locations, and centres set up for Scouts to make the most of, we know we can
help you make this an unforgettable year of adventure! Visit scouts.org.uk/sac to find out more.
The Scout Association
GET ACTIVE! 15
Badge
Try this simple
experiment
Beavers can watch coloured water travel through
leaves with this easy experimental activity
Suitable for Beavers
What to do
1
2
Take your Beavers outdoors
to collect a selection of
leaves, all with decent stems.
Back at HQ, get them to snip
off the bottom of each leaf
stem and place each leaf in a clear
cup filled about a third of the way
with water.
Let them each add some red
food colouring to the water.
Get the Beavers to observe
the leaves very closely over
3
4
A fun extra
the session, take their leaves
home and watch them over the
next couple of days.
The following week, ask
them what they observed.
Did they notice the red colour
travelling up the leaf? You can
explain that it was moving
through the transport system of
the leaf (Xylem tubes), which take
water and minerals up from the
roots through the entire plant.
5
You can also use a white carnation – split the stem in two and put
one half in a cup of water and the other half in a cup of water with
food colouring in it. Half the petals will change colour and half will
stay white (this may take up to 24 hours).
You will need
• Leaves
• Scissors
• Clear containers, or jars
• Water
• Red food colouring
More info
Morrisons sponsors the Beaver Gardening Activity Badge and has created some great
resources to help Beavers fulfil the badge requirements. Visit scouts.org.uk/morrisons
to download the activity pack.
The Scout Association
NEEDS
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GET ACTIVE! 17
Hunt and gather
The countryside holds a bumper crop of tasty
treats, if you know how and where to look…
Suitable for Cubs+
Coastal foraging
Together with fishing from the
beach and the fish you may catch,
there’s a wide range of delicious
plants found growing along the
seashore, including many familiar,
if not now distant relatives of
the vegetables found on offer in
the greengrocers. Wild food is far
superior in flavour and nutritional
content compared to shop-bought,
cultivated and farmed food (and
it’s free).
18 GET ACTIVE!
Coastal foraging is best done in
pairs for safety reasons, as exposed
rocks and gullies can be covered
with various seaweeds making
them slippery at the best of times,
and lethally so when wet. Caution
should always be taken when out
on exposed rocks, headlands and
especially long surf beaches.
A good prior understanding of the
local area and its tidal and weather
conditions are a must.
If you are unsure of the tide
times wait until high tide and
follow the falling tide out. You will
then have approximately six hours
until it changes direction and starts
to flood back in.
Never push your luck in search
of a meal and always let somebody
know where you are off to and
what time you expect to return.
The local harbour master or coast
guard can be contacted if you
are unsure of your destination’s
suitability to forage both safely
and responsibly.
Countryside foraging
It is equally profitable spending
time in the countryside looking
for berries, roots and other free
gastronomic treats. Speak to
locals about the best places to
look and be especially aware of
the plants and berries that are
not safe to eat. Remember this is
only an introduction to the art of
countryside foraging – never eat
anything you’re unsure of.
April/May 2015
Pictures: iStock, Getty, Alamy
With the right knowledge and the
right equipment, it is possible to
head to the beach or countryside
with an empty basket and return
with it brimming full of delicious
things to eat.
Top 5 edible berries
Always check with an expert before
you pick berries; if in any doubt
whatsoever, do not eat
1 Rosehip Commonly oval and red.
They are a source of vitamin C and have
an acidic, slightly sweet taste.
2 Hawthorn The C monogyna is the
most common hawthorn. The red fruits
have a large stone surrounded by a creamywhite flesh, which is very slightly sweet, but
frequently kicks in with a nasty aftertaste.
3 Rowan The orange-red berries are high
in vitamin C – better made into a jelly for
savoury dishes than eaten raw.
4
Elder Elderberries are not to
everyone’s liking and can vary in
bitterness. Although high in vitamin C,
they won't make a staple food.
5
Foraging kit
• Mobile phone (check for a
good signal)
• Small tub, bucket or basket
with handle
• Foraging or walking stick
(also helps for stability and
on the rocks)
• Net bag or old onion sack
(available free from most
kind greengrocers)
• Local tidal and weather
information
• Torch or head lamp
• Waterproof clothing
• Watch or timepiece
• Knife
• Compass
The Scout Association
Sloe These blue/black berries are
generally too tart to be eaten raw.
Top 5 coastal finds
1 Sea kale Recognisable in the summer by
its white flowers, sea kale can mostly be
found on the south coast.
2 Sea beet Related to the beetroot
and recognised by its spiky white flowers,
red/green stems and oval leaves.
3 4
5
Wild carrot Identifiable by its small, white flowers,
the roots are best eaten when young.
Dulse This edible red algae, found on rocks at
low tide, is best harvested in the summer.
Limpets Can be found in abundance on
algae-covered rocks at low tide. A swift bash
with the butt of a knife should release them.
GET ACTIVE! 19
All fired up!
Every outdoor adventurer should know
how to build a good fire…
The size and type of fire you build depends on what you want to use it for: warmth, cooking, or perhaps providing
the focal point of an entertainment. Whatever you build, you must do it safely and with due consideration to the
impact you have on the land. Do not dig a hole in the ground unless you have permission from the landowner.
S
TYPEIRE
F
OF
Altar fire
Trench fire
Wigwam fire
Star fire
Crane fire
Reflector fire Build a fire in a conical shape using
kindling and sticks. Then push the
ends of six slender logs into the fire
so they protrude to create a star
shape. These logs will act as fuel,
so the fire will burn for longer. Just
push them in as they burn down.
20 GET ACTIVE!
Dig a 1m x 30cm hole in the ground.
The base of the hole should be at a
gentle slope of approx. 20 degrees.
Keep the back wall of the fire facing
into the wind to supply air to the
fire. Lay a grate across the top for
cooking. Good for windy conditions.
Find two stout sticks of a similar
size, each with a fork at roughly
the same level. Now find a longer
stick to rest on these forks. Using
a steel hook you can now suspend
a billycan from the end of the long
stick to hang above your fire.
Embed a large stick in the ground.
Surround with small kindling.
Lean smaller sticks all around the
main stick. Repeat with larger
sticks to create another layer,
ensuring you leave enough space
for air to circulate.
The reflector fire works by directing
heat back towards the fire. To do
this you need to make a screen
of wood or stone to act as the
reflector. You can build the screen
behind the fire from logs laid on top
of each other.
April/May 2015
Pictures: iStock, Tudor Morgan-Owen, Will Ireland
Make a double-layered platform
using similar-sized logs placed at
right angles, lashed together. Now
create a top level made of smaller
sticks also lashed together. Cover
with soil to prevent the altar itself
catching fire. Make your fire on top.
Badge
Create
a classic
campfire
treat!
Your Beavers and Cubs
will love this Scouting
favourite with a
savoury twist
Suitable for Beavers and Cubs
Did you know that Tesco make 312,000 loaves of bread in store each day?
Impressive, right? Each of the ingredients is measured out and mixed in a
machine until they turn into stretchy dough. The dough is divided up into
loaf-shaped moulds, which are placed in a warm, damp place to rise. Once
risen, the loaves are put in large ovens to bake and after they’ve cooked and
cooled they are cut up by a machine, placed in bags and put on display.
To see more about how bread and other foods are made, watch the Farm
to Fork Online Field Trips here: eathappyproject.com/resource-hub/onlinefield-trips. In the meantime, encourage your Beavers and Cubs to try their
own bread-style recipe with these delicious dampers. You can even add
extras such as olives, pumpkin seeds (a source of magnesium) or sunflower
seeds (which contain vitamin B3) to the mix – great if you’re feeling tired.
Savoury dampers
(serves 4)
You will need
• Self-raising flour 500g
(1lb/4 cups)
• Salt a pinch
• Parmesan cheese grated
• Dried thyme a sprinkle
(optional)
• Water 200ml (7fl oz /
2/3 cup)
• Foil-covered sticks
• Your favourite healthy
dip eg humous, tzatziki,
guacamole, cream cheese
What to do
1
Put your flour and salt, cheese
and/or dried thyme in a bowl
and mix well. Gradually add the
water a little at a time and knead
gently until it forms a soft dough.
Divide the dough into eight equalsized pieces.
Roll each piece of dough in
your hands until it is a long,
thin sausage shape. Wrap it around
2
a foil-covered stick and press to
ensure it is well fixed in place.
Turning regularly, carefully
hold the stick over an even
heat (campfire or barbecue) for 10
minutes or until firm to the touch.
Carefully slide the dampers
off the stick and fill the
central cavity with your favourite
healthy dip.
3
4
More info
The Tesco Eat Happy Project is a long-term commitment to help children have a healthier
and happier relationship with food. To get your Beavers or Cubs booked on a trail at your
local Tesco store, visit the Eat Happy website tesco.com/eathappyproject.
The Scout Association
NEEDS
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GRAPHIC
GET ACTIVE! 21
Gary (middle) pictured
with Sodexo Chefs and
the two budding young
chefs from 1st Llangynidr
Cub Pack
Cubs cook up a
storm with Sodexo
One Cub Leader’s initiative sparked an amazing culinary
outcome for 340 Cubs from Wales and the Midlands
W
hen Cub Scout Leader and
Sodexo Catering Manager
Gary Vaughan asked Chef Activity
Badge sponsor Sodexo to support
his Pack in achieving the badge, he
didn’t realise the positive impact it
would have for other local Packs.
Leading provider of quality of
life services, Sodexo, thought it
was a fantastic idea and offered
the use of its kitchens and support
from professionals to deliver
the project as part of the Cubs’
winter programme. Gary led the
programme across Wales and the
Midlands with activities taking
place at 20 Sodexo sites. Basing the
sessions here meant the Cubs could
get a real feel for a commercial
kitchen environment and for
industrial food production.
22 GET ACTIVE!
The Cubs were encouraged to be
imaginative with their recipes, with
one creating a Victoria sandwich in
the shape of Wales. They were also
able to take their learning home
where some tried out recipes such
as spaghetti bolognese.
At the end of the programme
each Cub was presented with
a Chef Activity Badge and an
achievement certificate. Those who
went the extra mile were presented
with a Sodexo chef’s hat, apron and
achievement medal. Two budding
young chefs from 1st Llangynidr
Cub Pack were even given the
opportunity to put their new
skills into practice by producing a
fine-dining menu and serving up a
fantastic feast alongside a team of
kitchen professionals at a special
dinner event at the 160th Infantry
Brigade and Headquarters, Wales.
Louise Lewis, leader at 1st
Donnington Cub Pack, described
the programme as a ‘fantastic
initiative’ and praised the support
from the chefs in ensuring the Cubs
had a truly great experience.
The Chef Activity Badge
encourages Cubs to adopt a
healthy-eating lifestyle and is
a great opportunity to develop
their knowledge of health and
nutrition, food and kitchen safety,
menu planning and practical
cooking skills. Completing the
badge provides Cubs with skills
that will stay with them for life
and the resource pack gives Cubs
an opportunity to learn these skills
through fun games and activities.
April/May 2015
Badge
Make your own
microwave mug cake!
1st Brecon Cub Group had fun making these speedy
and simple mug cakes, and now you can too
Suitable for Cubs+
BE SAFE
Make sure
th
Cubs are su at your
p
at all times ervised
, especially
when rem
ovin
from the m g items
icrowave.
Choc chips
1 Egg
Sugar
Flour
What to do
1 2 3 Use the largest mug you have
to avoid it overflowing in the
microwave.
Add the flour, sugar and cocoa
powder to the mug and mix.
Add the egg to the mixture.
Mix in as much as you can
but don’t worry if there’s still dry
mix left.
Add all the other ingredients
apart from the chocolate
chips etc (if you are adding) and mix
until smooth. Add the chocolate
chips and/or the nuts/raisins and
mix well.
5 Place your mug in the middle
of the microwave and cook on
high for 4–5 minutes, or until it has
stopped rising and is firm to the
touch. Watch it rise as it cooks!
4 You will need
Self-raising flour 4 tbsp
Caster sugar 4 tbsp
Cocoa powder 2 tbsp
Egg 1 medium
Milk 3 tbsp
Vegetable/sunflower oil
3 tbsp
• Vanilla or other essence
(orange, peppermint etc) a
few drops
• Chocolate chips/nuts/
raisins etc (optional) 2 tbsp
•
•
•
•
•
•
More info
Sodexo’s activity pack and additional resources can support Cub Scouts in achieving the
Cub Scout Chef Activity Badge. Download the full pack at members.scouts.org.uk/
supportresources/3981/.
The Scout Association
GET ACTIVE! 23
Offers
Making memories
Last summer held some amazing experiences
for Scouting members – all thanks to our
travel partner, JEKA
‘This was our fourth expedition abroad – first with JEKA – so we
were fairly confident about what to expect. JEKA was better organised than other operators
we have used and its reps more ‘human’ and knowledgeable about location, activities and what could be
achieved. They all seemed intent on making our expedition the best we had ever had. And they achieved it!’
Kevin Welborn, 13th Doncaster Scouts/Phoenix ESU (Switzerland)
‘Thanks once again for a
brilliant camp – they just
keep getting better and better.’
Gary Reid, 29th South West Leeds
Scout Group (Croatia)
‘We can’t stop talking about what an
adventure we’ve had. I don’t think I’ve ever come back
from an event before still feeling the buzz of excitement – it’s
quite something!’
Tracey Morris, 2nd Mansfield Scouts (Austria)
‘Excellent from beginning to end – wonderful memories for
all to cherish forever.’
Kim Waugh, Western Lakes Scout District
(Austria)
NEEDS
A NEW
GRAPHIC
To find out more about JEKA, head to JEKA.co.uk or call 0845 0944 099. You can also find them by searching
for
‘JEKA Group Holidays’ on Facebook and @jekaholidays on Twitter.
More info
24 GET ACTIVE!
April/May 2015
Tuck in!
Backwoods cooking is a favourite of
Scouts that dates back to B-P’s day.
We’ve picked nine dishes you can
create on your outdoor adventure
TOP TIP
Never use laurel
or
when making to yew wood
as
or skewers as th ting forks
ey are highly
toxic. Also mak
e sure the
wood you’re bu
rning is nontoxic and safe to
use.
Pictures: iStock
Suitable for Beavers+
Backwoods cooking is the
art of cooking without using
traditional utensils, such as pots
and pans, but instead by using
‘natural utensils’ like leaves and
sticks. It is an ideal activity for
camp, where you have open
fires and an abundance of wood
to make natural utensils, but
always have a back-up plan as
The Scout Association
the potential for things to go
wrong is relatively high.
The cooking techniques that
can be used include roasting
using a spit or a stick (kebabstyle), baking in leaves or wet
newspapers, baking one food
inside another, and frying using
a simple frying pan made out of
silver foil and a pliable twig.
GET ACTIVE! 25
Backwoods classics
1 Spud eggs
2 Sausage casserole
3 Baked fish
4 Kebabs
5 Twists or dampers
6 Chocolate banana
7 Baked apple
8 Campfire sausage rolls
9 Chocolate porridge
Cut the top off a potato, hollow it
out, crack an egg into it, replace the
lid and wrap in two layers of foil.
Put in hot embers for 40 minutes.
Pictures: iStock, Tudor Morgan-Owen, Alamy
Peel the bark from a long ‘green’
(ie living) stick and push a mixture
of chopped sausages, onion,
mushroom, peppers and tomato
onto it. Cook over hot embers until
the sausage is browned.
Cut out the core of an apple,
place the apple on foil and fill the
hole with raisins, sultanas, sugar
and, if desired, chocolate. Wrap in
two layers of foil and cook in hot
embers for 20 minutes or so.
Eat with care as the sugar will be
very hot!
26 GET ACTIVE!
Wrap sausages, chopped onion and
any choice of other vegetables in
cabbage leaves, seal with one layer
of foil and put into embers for
around 30 minutes.
Mix self-raising flour, water, milk and
an egg (or just plain flour, water and
vegetable oil), to make a thick dough.
Roll into a ‘snake’ and wrap it around
a green stick. Toast over embers until
lightly browned and serve with butter
and jam. Or check out the recipe from
Tesco on page 21.
Cook your sausages in the usual
way. Mix flour and water with a
pinch of salt to make a dough. Wrap
the dough around the sausage, put
on a stick and turn slowly over a
campfire until light brown.
Wrap your clean, gutted fish in
newspaper, wet thoroughly and
place on the embers. Turn the
fish every 3–4 minutes until the
newspaper is dried (approx 15 mins).
Slice an unpeeled banana in half
lengthways and push pieces of
chocolate inside. Close it up, wrap
in two layers of foil and cook in hot
embers for up to 15 minutes.
Boil a pan of water. Put half a
hot chocolate sachet into a mug
and an instant porridge sachet
into a bowl. Use the boiling water
to make up the hot chocolate in
the mug and then pour it over
the porridge. Hey presto,
chocolate porridge!
April/May 2015
Navigate naturally
Scouts know how essential a compass is,
but did you know there are other handy
methods to help you find your way?
…by watch
First ensure your analogue watch
is set to local time. Then, keeping
the watch face horizontal, point the
hour hand as accurately as possible
at the sun. An imaginary line that
bisects the angle between the hour
hand and the 12 o’clock position (or 1
o’clock in the summer in the UK) on
the watch points due South.
However, this is still only an
approximation with the accuracy
varying during the day by up to 35°
and is most accurate close to noon.
South
…by the sun
In the northern hemisphere the
sun rises in the east, is to the south
at midday and then sets in the
west. So if you can see the sun and
you have some idea of the time,
you can get a (very) general idea
of directions. A more accurate
method, however, is to use a watch
…using the stars
Finding direction using the stars is
really easy, at least when the sky
is clear. The North Star is directly
above the North Pole, so if we
can find it then it will show us the
way north, because ‘north’ means
‘towards the North Pole’.
The Scout Association
First shadow
Second
shadow
West
East
…by stick and
shadow
On a flat piece of ground push a
stick upright in the centre of the
ground. Mark the tip of the shadow
with a stick or stone, wait about
half an hour and do the same again.
A line drawn between the two
points will run from West to East,
with the first point being West.
…on cloudy days
Even if you can’t see the sun, it can
still help. Plants tend to grow more
strongly on their sunny ie south
side. So, for example, looking at the
shape of a tree canopy may help
but be wary that the prevailing
wind direction may also influence
plant growth. You can also look
at stones for guidance; brown
and orange coloured lichens can
indicate the sunny south side and
moss the cooler north side. But
again this can be more due to wind
and the direction of water flow, so
be careful.
Finding the
North Star
Look for a group of seven
stars known as the Plough
or Big Dipper. This saucepan
shape never changes
although it does rotate anticlockwise around the North
Star in the sky, so it will
sometimes appear on its side
or even upside down.
Now find the two stars
known as the ‘pointers’. If
you think of the shape as a
saucepan on the cooker then
these would be the two stars
at the far right.
Imagine a line from the
bottom of these two stars
through the top one and
then continue five times
that distance – you will find
the North Star. You are now
looking north.
…using the Moon
There are lots of tricky
methods for using the moon
to find direction, but one
very simple one that can help
you get your rough bearings
quickly is when you see a
crescent moon high in the
sky, join the horns in a line
and then continue this line
down to the ground.
You will be looking
roughly south.
GET ACTIVE! 27
Badge
DID YOU
KNOW?
Layering
is
potentially key in
ch
conditions. angeable
Aw
jacket, goo aterproof
d base laye
r
and a hat ar
e all
essential.
Plan a hike
Discover great adventures with Cotswold Outdoor
Suitable for Beavers+
From route planning and navigation to creating kit lists, challenge your Group to plan an
adventurous hike with this activity.
1
In groups, get your Scouts to
talk about where they would
like to visit and what they’d like to
do there. They should list their top
six favourites.
Use maps or the internet to
help them plan their route
for how to get there and estimate
how long it will take. Include any
dangers or points of interest to
look out for.
Where will you stop for a
break? Do you need to find a
picnic site, be near a road to meet
support or look for shelter if you
are self-supported?
Ask them to think about
what to wear on the trip
2
3
4
taking into account the weather,
terrain and length of the journey.
List the things they’ll need and
the reasons why.
Together, list the foods
and drinks to take with you
and what to leave behind. Does
everyone like the same foods?
Consider the fitness/
experience and age of the
Group. Does anyone have any
medical requirements that need
to be taken into account?
Together, create a final kit
list including: navigation,
what to wear, what to carry, food
and hydration and safety. Finally,
decide when to take the trip.
5
6
7
You will need
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Maps
Compass
GPS
Spare batteries
Torch
Food
Water
More info
As sponsor of the Hikes Away Staged Activity Badge for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, Cotswold
Outdoor can provide expert knowledge and advice to help you choose your adventure
essentials, with free in-store rucksack and boot-fitting services available. Get support with
this activity from your local store, visit cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores.
28 GET ACTIVE!
NEEDS
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GRAPHIC
April/May 2015
Badge
Get eggsperimental!
Suck an egg into a bottle with this
amazing exercise from Rolls-Royce
Suitable for Beavers+
Your Beavers will watch in amazement as their eggs are sucked into
their bottles! In this experiment, the heat from the match warms
the air inside the bottle. Heated air expands and has slightly greater
pressure than the air outside. The warm air pushes its way around
the egg and out of the bottle (this is why you may see the egg move
around). When the matches go out, the air in the bottle cools down
and contracts, which sucks the egg into the bottle.
Demonstrate the activity first, then split the Colony into groups so
they can do the experiment themselves and see it close up.
You will need
• A peeled, hard-boiled egg (medium or large)
• Glass bottle with a wide opening (the opening should be smaller
than the width of the egg – apple juice bottles work well)
• Two matches
What to do
1
Place your peeled, hardboiled egg on top of your
bottle to illustrate that it can’t
fit through the opening.
2
3
Light two matches and get
them burning.
Lift the egg from the bottle
and carefully drop the
burning matches inside, making
sure they don’t go out.
4
5
6
Immediately replace the
egg on the top of the bottle,
pointy end down.
The egg may start to jump
up and down a bit, but leave
it and watch what happens.
When the matches
eventually go out, the
egg should begin being sucked
inside the bottle.
More info
Rolls-Royce sponsors the Cub Scout Scientist Activity Badge and has created fun and
educational packs for Cubs and Beavers to inspire young people in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Maths. To download the activity pack visit scouts.org.uk/rollsroyce.
The Scout Association
NEEDS
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GET ACTIVE! 29
Badge
Take up slack
This signal tells the pilot/winch
operator to take up the slack of the
glider rope. Hold the bat in your right
hand and slowly swing the bat from
side to side below the waist.
Stop
All out
This signal tells the pilot/
winch operator to stop.
Hold the bat in your right
hand and hold still above
the head.
This signal tells the pilot/winch
operator to accelerate the glider
to take off. Hold the bat in your
right hand and quickly swing
from side to side above the head.
Launch a
human glider
Considerably less dangerous than it
sounds, but no less fun, your Scouts
will love this activity from Heathrow
Suitable for Scouts and Explorers
Gliders don’t have engines, which means that they need to be launched
into the air in order to fly. There are two ways to do this:
• Aero towing is when a powered aircraft tows the glider into the air.
Once the glider reaches the desired height the glider pilot pulls a lever
to release the tow rope. The aircraft pilot has a rear view mirror so they
can see the glider.
• Winching is when a large winch is connected to the glider via a long
cable. The winch pulls the glider towards it quickly. The glider becomes
airborne then releases from the winch cable at around 1,000ft.
The activity to the right asks your Scouts to imagine they are
launching a glider; one Scout is the glider and the other is the tug plane.
Another Scout is the wingtip holder and the last the bat holder. Scouts
should use the glider launch signals at the top of the page to launch
their fellow Scout.
More info
Heathrow sponsors the Aviation Skills Activity Badges for Scouts and Explorers.
Its expert resources are available to download at scouts.org.uk/heathrow.
30 GET ACTIVE!
You will need
(for every team)
• A ruler
• A circle of orange card
• 2 metres of string
What to do
1
2
3
4
Split your Group into teams of
four. Tape the orange circle to
the ruler to make a signalling bat.
Connect the tug plane Scout
to the glider Scout with the
length of string.
The tug plane Scout stands
four paces in front of the glider
Scout, facing the same direction.
The bat holder stands behind
the glider Scout. The wingtip
holder tells the bat holder to ‘take
up slack’ then, once the rope is
tight, they shout ‘all out’.
NEEDS
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GRAPHIC
April/May 2015