Now that the summer holidays are here, we would like our young people, and their families, to get out and about and explore their local area.

There are 11 walks / hikes that you might like to consider doing whilst we aren’t able to have Face to Face Scouting. They can be found below:

• Walk 1 – Crofton Woods Circular Trail
• Walk 2 – Darrick and Newstead Woods Trail
• Walk 3 – High Elms Trail
• Walk 4 – Jubilee Country Park Trail
• Walk 5 – Scadbury Acorn Trail
• Walk 6 – Scadbury Easy Access Trail
• Walk 7 – Ravensbourne Trail
• Walk 8 – Darwins Footsteps – High Elms Trail
• Walk 9 – Darwins Footsteps – Downe Valley Trail
• Walk 10 – Darwins Footsteps – Keston and Holwood Trail
• Walk 11 – Lubbocks Landscape at High Elms

If you let your leaders know which ones you have done, and take pictures, it can count towards your Hike Away activities badges. These are staged badges and so can be completed by all our young people, regardless of what section they are in. The requirements for the hikes badge can be found at: https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/4293/hikes-away-staged-activity-badge/?cat=7,64,780&moduleID=10.

Please also add your photos to Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #23rdBromleyScoutsAtHome

Joe Tregent (one of our Spitfire Beaver Leaders) and his friend are are cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End to help raise money to buy essential items for our local hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital.

They have seen first hand how the effects of coronavirus can change a families life forever, and so are collecting donations for this amazing cause. They are aiming to do the 1100 mile journey throughout next month.

You can donate online by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/luke-mcguire

Although we can’t meet as normal at the moment, the group are really proud to see that a number of our Young People are using their spare time to help others.

The Ballard family, who have children in Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, are aiming to complete Samarathon this year. They hope to rack up 26.2 miles walking or cycling over the course of July to raise vital funds for the Bromley and Orpington branch of Samaritans.

Samaritans know that life can sometimes be incredibly tough. Thanks to the dedication of over 20,000 volunteers, Samaritans can be there for anyone, whatever they are going through and whenever they are struggling to cope.

During the recent pandemic life has been even tougher for many; Samaritans volunteers have been taking increasing numbers of calls and emails over the past few months. The Samaritans organisation has also launched a dedicated line for NHS and social care workers as they appreciate the particular pressures that these lovely, hard-working people are under.

If you would like to support the Ballard’s in their fundraising then you can do so by visiting: https://samarathon2020.everydayhero.com/uk/claire-20

Claire Ballard said “Samaritans’ work is literally life-saving and wouldn’t be possible without the amazing generosity of people like you supporting people like us. Even a few pennies will help. Thank you.”

Huge well done to Jessica Dobbs from Spitfire Beavers who managed to complete her Chief Scout’s Bronze Award whilst in lockdown – becoming the first member of the group to do so virtually!

The Chief Scout’s Bronze Award is the highest award that can be achieved in Beaver Scouts, and is requires Beavers to complete 4 activity badges or staged activity badges and all 6 of the challenge awards which are:
– My World Challenge Award
– My Skills Challenge Award
– My Outdoors Challenge Award
– My Adventure Challenge Award
– Teamwork Challenge Award
– Personal Challenge Award

Please see below a letter from Jenny Owens, our Group Scout Leader, about the return to face-to-face scouting at the 23rd Bromley.

As with many things, Scouting has changed over the last couple of months. We have traded section meetings in the Scout HQ, for virtual meetings and activities via Zoom.

The group were delighted to be able to invest two new members into the Spitfire Beavers earlier this week – congratulations to Xander and Leo who become the first members of the group to be invested into the group via Zoom. We would like to welcome you both to the group and hope you have an excellent time with us.

The Group’s latest community project- lending tents to a primary school, and helping them put them up!!!

This is enabling them to provide shelter at break / lunch times and as a result of this they can provide education in school to a wider group of children.

We may not be able to meet in person at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue Scouting.

Our Young People have continued Scouting from their home – across the group dozens of badges have been earned, lots of nights camping out at home and even raised £534 for Comic Relief and Children in Need by taking part in Hike to the Moon. A number of our leaders have also been taking part in online meetings to keep in touch with their sections.

A number of our sections (especially Beavers and Cubs) have space for new members. If you want to join the adventure then visit www.23rdbromleyscouts.org/join

On Thursday 23rd April, BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief, joined forces for their Big Day In on Radio and their Big Night In on TV. It was a massive fundraising event to celebrate the incredible people making a difference in communities across the UK and to support people who need it most during the Coronavirus crisis.

Scouts across the UK got involved by taking part in the Hike to the Moon challenge – which is just a short 240,000 mile journey!

A number of Young People from the 23rd Bromley tool party by hiking around their home or garden, or by going for a short walk.

Those taking part raised over £500 for BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief – you can still sponsor them at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/23rdbromleyscouts

Scouts throughout the UK successfully raised over £265,000! Below are some photos of our Young People taking part.

COVID-19 may have changed the way we do things, but it won’t stop Scouts camping!

Northumberland Scouts are organising a month-long Virtual Camp throughout April for anybody who wishes to take part.
Take up the challenge and let’s keep on…
#VirtuallyCamping

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Network, Leaders, Parents, and all Young People interested in joining in the fun just have to:

• Pack a bag
• Build a den at home / pitch a tent in the garden/ hang up a hammock (whatever you can)
• Sleep in your shelter of choice
• Build a ‘campfire’ (real or virtual)
• Take part in a “Scouty activity”
• Help with cooking a meal

MOST IMPORTANTLY……. Each night you participate share a creative photo, video, blog, etc. to our social media with:
#CampAtHome

Please send photos to the 23rd Bromley Scouts Facebook page, or send them to your section leader, so that we can see people continuing to enjoy Scouting from their own homes.

Happy camping!