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 scouts.org.uk/magazine 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 © 2015 The Scout Association Registered Charity Numbers: 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland) Get Active! is produced by Immediate Media Branded Content, 2nd Floor, Tower House,

Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN ADVERTISING Advertising Manager Jamie Bolton Email: [email protected] Tel: 0117 314 7356 122,106 average circulation of Scouting (1 Jan–31 Dec 2014) © Immediate Media Branded Content. Printed in the UK by William Gibbons. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue.

PEFC/16-33-795

This magazine can be recycled, for use in newspapers and packaging. Please remove any gifts, samples or wrapping and dispose of it at your local collection point.

The Scout Association

We are proud to say Get Active! is PEFC certified. For more information go to pefc.co.uk. Promoting sustainable forest management.

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

the Head to area ’s r membe rg.uk ts.o of scou he nload t w to do 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

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G U U N X H E

U N Q W D G H

H A L W L M N R

F

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P V E

Y C

X A Z A I W

F D S

F

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

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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.

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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 ods, su ch as locu sts, are alway s a big hit …

logs s and g Rock hidin e id s prov eptile r r o f s place

…and mealw orms a re also a favouri te

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.

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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 A NEW GRAPHIC

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.

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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

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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.

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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 A NEW 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

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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.

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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.

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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 A NEW 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 A NEW GRAPHIC

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’.

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April/May 2015