3rd Brampton Scouts

3rd Brampton Scouts

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Easter Trivia

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Aside from the entertaining egg hunts, why do people celebrate Easter?

People from different cultures and countries have a different take on what Easter is all about. They also have different interpretations of its original meaning and their traditions on how to celebrate it.

Here are a few Easter facts from its Pagan and Christian history, and the practices people do to celebrate it, then until now.

 

Quick Facts: 

  1. The term ‘Easter’ came from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.
  2. Some countries call it ‘Pascha’, which means ‘Passover’ in Hebrew.
  3. Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his Crucifixion.
  4. Passion Week, or more commonly known as Holy Week, happens before Easter.
  5. Easter is a movable holiday due to the Passover date’s dependency on the phases of the moon.

Essential Facts:

  1. While the majority of those who celebrate Easter are Christians, the holiday has pagan origins.
  2. Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
  3. In the United States only 12 states recognize Good Friday as an official holiday.
  4. Orthodox tradition bans the celebration of Easter on or before the Passover.
  5. In 1873 Fry’s of Bristol produced the first chocolate egg in the UK.
  6. Chocolate makes up 70% of all the confectionery purchased every Easter.
  7. Easter represents celebration, joy, and new life.
  8. In the 80s, Germany produced the first edible Easter bunnies made of sugar and pastry.
  9. People in the U.S. spend an average total of $14.7 billion on Easter celebrations.  In England it’s £2 billion! Considering the size difference, that’s a huge amount of chocolate!
  10. During Easter mass attendance in churches doubles.

Interesting Facts: 

  1. Over 28,000 or 59% of Americans eat the ears of the chocolate Easter bunny first.  Not sure what we do in the UK, maybe, we should do our own survey… a job for the scouts perhaps?
  2. Easter ranks second to Halloween where we spend the most money on chocolate.
  3. The first versions of Easter baskets resembled bird’s nests.
  4. Egg farmers in the UK and America donate over 15 million eggs to food banks nationwide. 
  5. Chocolate must be made all-year-round to meet the annual Easter Egg demand. 

Easter Statistics: 

    1. More than 4 in 5 Brits (84%) plan to celebrate Easter in 2024, which is around 44.5 million people.
    2. 3 in 4 Brits (77%) plan to spend some money on the holiday.
    3. Brits are projected to spend over £2 billion on Easter 2024, with an average spend of £53 each.
    4. Around 80 million Easter eggs are sold in the UK each year.
    5. Residents in Northern Ireland are most likely to mark the Easter weekend, with an impressive 9 in 10 people (93%), planning to celebrate in some capacity. Spending an average of £78 each! This figure is perhaps not surprising given that around 80% of the population identifies as Christian.
    6. At the other end of the spectrum, 79% of residents in Wales are planning to celebrate, with the average spend a more economical £36. 

So… better get saving then! 

Source: https://www.finder.com/uk/banking/easter-spending-statistics

21 Things to do this winter

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scoutingAs the days grow shorter, it’s tempting to stay indoors, but just because the temperature’s dropping doesn’t mean the fun has to!

Colder weather is the perfect excuse to wrap up warm, head outside and try something new. From wintery adventures to active outdoor games, there’s so much more to do than just sip hot chocolate (though we won’t judge if that’s part of your plan too!). So grab your hat and gloves, get ready to embrace the cold and discover how much fun the frosty outdoors can really be!

 

 

Add some magic to the dark winter nights by experimenting with light painting. 

 

Bundle up and enjoy an evening of stargazing. Use binoculars or a telescope to spot constellations and planets, or use some star spotting phone apps.

 

Head to a local ice rink and enjoy practising your balance. Discover our example risk assessment to get you started.

 

Create beautiful sun catchers by freezing leaves and nature items in shallow pans of water. Hang them from trees to catch the sunlight during the day.

 

Gather around a campfire to share spooky, funny or silly stories while enjoying tasty s’mores, then warm up your vocal with our campfire songs.

 

Make some bird feeders and spot which feathered friends visit throughout winter.

 

Give everyone an empty matchbox and see how many small items they can collect during your walk. 

 

Make the most of rainy days by hosting a puddle jumping contest. See who can make the biggest splash or have the most creative jumping style!

 

Paint a picture with watercolours, then set it outside in the rain to see how the raindrops change it.

 

Use wax crayons and paper to create bark rubbings from tree trunks and explore textures in nature. Why not turn them into bark monsters?

 

Head out on a torch-lit walk to spot or hear nocturnal wildlife, and create nature bingo cards with winter elements, such as pine cones and animal tracks.

You could ask everyone to stay quiet for several minutes, taking note of everything that they hear, such as owls.

Why not make journey sticks on your journey too? Give everyone a stick and encourage them to collect items, such as fallen leaves, feathers or flowers during the walk. They can attach these to the stick using string or elastic bands to create a visual record of the walk.

 

Blow bubbles outside on a cold day and watch them freeze in mid-air for a magical experience.

 

One player is the ‘tourist’ who is viewing the amazing statue garden. They get a torch. All the other players must stay as still as a statue, but they are allowed to move when the light is off, but as soon as the tourist turns the torch on they must stay still. When the torch is on the statue, the tourist tries to make the statue laugh or move. If they do, the statue joins the tourist’s team and they go help the tourist on the next round.

 

Take a night-time walk to enjoy the holiday lights in your area. You could do it with a warm drink or even as part of a chippy hike.

 

Use the winter months to construct and hang a bat house, bird house or hedgehog house, and help practice your DIY skills.

 

Fill water bottles with coloured water and freeze them for bowling pins. Use a ball, such as a tennis ball, for a fun outdoor game!

 

Pack warm food for a winter walk, such as soup or hot chocolate, to keep everyone toasty.

 

Enjoy flying a kite in the winter winds, adding colour to the grey sky. You could even make your own kite.

 

Grab a frisbee and head out to the local disc golf course during the day to get moving. 

 

Use our guide to morse code, then race to see who can decode a pre-created message first.

 

One player is ‘it’ and they have a torch. ‘It’ guards a flag and tries to stop the other players from capturing it.

‘It’ can move around as much as they like, but watch out – if the flag is left unattended for too long it might get captured. 

The rest of the players spread out and have to creep towards the flag as silently and slowly as they can, using trees and bushes for cover.

‘It’ has to listen carefully and look for players among the shadows, then try to tag the players with the torch beam before they reach the flag. 

The winner is the first person to capture the flag, or the last person to be tagged if no-one reaches the flag.

The winner also gets to be ‘it’ when the game starts again.

A big campfire circle at Gilwell Reunion.

Staying safe

All activities in Scouts must be safely managed. It’s important to choose an appropriate, accessible outdoor area. You may need to think about avoiding steps, being close to public transport, or steep gradients or including frequent breaks. You must have permission to use the location.

You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. You should use our safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Check out our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.  

Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process. You may need some parents and carers to help.

Always check the weather forecast before running the activity.

You should inform parents and carers of any change in venue, days or times, and have a suitable drop-off/collection point. You could use our activity information forms, and always make sure everyone knows what people should bring and wear. 

Before playing a wide game, there are some things you need to do to help keep everybody safe and make sure everyone can be included. Take a look at our advice on running active games safely and accessibly.

A Scout in a knitted hat sits outside.

Nicola Hilliard, Creative Content Producer

 

10 facts about Squirrels you probably didn’t know

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UK Scouts have reently celebrated one year of the Squirrels Scout section.

squirrel logo

Here’s 10 facts about Squirrels you probably didn’t know. If you’ve not heard about the Squirrel section, it’s a new section here in UK scouting for young people aged four to six.

1-There is 11,000 young people participating as Squirrels.

2- The Squirrels section is known as a Drey, and there is at least 700 of them across the UK.

3- Each Drey is then split up into smaller groups known as Nests.

4-There is 12 activity badges and 4 challenge badges.

5- The top Squirrel badge that any Squirrel can achieve is the Chief Scout Acorn Badge.

6- The meaning of the red jumper that the Squirrels wear? Well, that represents the Red Squirrels that can be found on Brownsea Island.

7 –The leader ratio is one to six indoors plus the Squirrel leader, one to four outside plus the leader, and you must have a minimum of three adult helpers, no matter how many Squirrels attend that meeting.

8- Squirrel Scouts have a motto and a promise, but no Scout law.

9- The last new section to open in Scouts UK was over 35 years ago. Do you remember that section? Yes, it was the Beavers, and they were introduced in 1986.

10 – What’s the scout leader’s name? So in Cubs we have Akela. In Scouts, we have Skip. Squirrel Scouts’ leader is known as Red.  Beaver leaders are nicknamed after characters from nature, books or films and vary from section to section, at 3rd Brampton we use animals.

There you go. 10 fascinating facts as we celebrate one year of the UK Scout Squirrel section. And if you’re a Squirrel Scout, I hope you’re having fun.

When you join our squirrel section at 3rd Brampton Scouts, you are expected to join the parent rota and help out as often as you can, so that we can run our sessions safely. 

For more information about joining our squirrel sections please get in touch using our contact form.

Adapted from bigmaninthewoods

Films that spark Scouting values (Pt3)

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Welcome to our third and final week of movies with scouting values.  This week we will be looking at Mulan, Beasts of the Southern Wild and The boy who harnessed wind.   

Have you seen any of the films we have featured over the last few weeks?  If you have, let’s know your thoughts. Please leave comments below, tell us what you thought about them. 

Mulan (1998)
Suitable for: Beavers and up

MulanIt’s the 15th century and China is facing invasion from the Huns, a nomadic tribe keen to conquer the land. In an effort to gather defence, one man from every family is called to arms. But for the patriarch of the Fa family – a former warrior of great fame and respect – there are issues preventing him from fulfilling his  duties. In old age, he cannot walk properly, and is certain to perish as soon as he steps into battle. That’s when his brave daughter, Mulan – tired of being mocked for being too ambitious and too tomboyish – decides to go on a secret mission to prove her worth in a society she feels is yet to acknowledge it. One dark and stormy night, she prays to her family’s ancestors for protection before fleeing into the heart of the conflict, dressed in her farther’s armour and disguised as a man. What follows is a classic Disney story of bravery, honour and a quest for love and truth – with a difference. Released at a time where the only other princesses on screen were mostly seen swanning around in big ball gowns and fainting
at the feet of their admirers, it stood out for all the right reasons, and continues to show girls they can do anything.

Scout values: integrity, belief, co-operation

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Suitable for: Cubs and up

Beast of Southern Wild‘The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just right.  If one piece busts, even the smallest piece, the entire universe will get busted.’  Set in the fictional landscape of the Bath Tub (often compared to areas of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina), this is the tale of Hushpuppy, a heroic six year old who – faced with a changing climate that threatens to flood what remains of her childhood home – decides to fight back.  Along the the way, she must sail the seas, battle ancient creatures unleashed from the melting ice caps, and find her feet in an increasingly hostile world. It’s a fable that’s hard to describe, but don’t let the quirky appearance fool you.  Beneath the whimsey is a film of lasting depth: a celebration of friendship forged across generations, the power of imagination and the importance of never giving up. It’s a tough watch in places, with moderate swearing and several harsh truth bombs that reveal the deep divide between the rich and the poor. But watch it with young people aged eight and above and it’s sure to become a firm favourite. 

Scout values: integrity, care, co-operation

The Boy who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Suitable for: Scouts and up

windIt’s 2001 in Malawi and the Kamkwamba family, like many others in the region, are struggling to make ends meet. Despite the burdensome financial costs, parents Trywell and Agnes try to keep on top of their children’s education. But when 13 year old William is forced to leave school after they fall behind on his payments, he becomes determined to help not only his family but the whole community, who are all doing their best to deal with an escalating famine
as violence and panic begin to break out.  Inspired by instructions he finds in a a library book, William becomes
obsessed with the potential and wonder of basic engineering and building techniques, rising early and going to bed late in order to tirelessly research and work on a wind-powered device that he hopes will help to restore the land, and save as many people as possible while there’s still time. What follows is an amazing true story of a real-life hero; a
remarkable teen who harnessed his initiative and curiosity to change his community – before becoming one of
the world’s most famous engineers.

Scout values: integrity, co-operation

 

Words: Aimee-lee Abraham | Illustrations: Maria Suarez-Inclan.  Courtesy of Summer Scouting Magazine

Films that spark Scouting values (Pt 1)

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From brave orphans in a beautifully animated story to adventure seeking teenagers in a timeless eighties classic,
this movie round-up has something for all sections. 

He Named Me Malala (2015)
Suitable for: Scouts and up

booksIn October 2012, 15 year old Malala Yousafzai was riding the bus when a member of the Taliban came on board,
asked for her by name and opened fire, it was an attempt to silence her for speaking out against a ban on girls attending school across Pakistan. 

But Malala survived, and she refused to keep quiet, filmed over 18 months,  this moving documentary accompanies the Yousafazis as they go about their lives in the aftermath, with Malala’s subsequent rise to fame, her settlement into a new home in the UK, and the challenges she faces in juggling her global campaign work with being a teenager. In one scene Malala holds power to account at a UN conference. In the next playfighting with siblings and blushing 
when asked if she plans to take anyone to prom, and fretting over a failed Physics exam.  Although everything about Malala’s journey is spellbinding to watch, it’s these tiny glimpses into her daily life that makes this particular documentary special.  It reminds us that so many of our heroes are ordinary people, and that ordinary people are capable of exterordinary things. 

Scout values: integrity, care, belief, co-operation

Paddington (2014)
Suitable for: Beavers and up

honeyMichael Bond – author of the original author of the original Padding books (later a TV  series) – grew up in Britain during the second world war, and watched as his parents opened their home to evacuees fleeing persecution. 

Those early experiences shaped his view on the importance of kindness and hospitality, and ultimately inspired him to imagine the story of a bear who crosses oceans in shipping containers before ending up at Paddington station with nowhere to go, nobody to lean on, and nothing but a duffle coat and a suitcase stuffed with marmalade.  That is of course, until he meets the Browns, who take him under their wing – only to find themselves forever changed by this
chance encounter with a walking, talking bear.  On the surface, it’s a charming film about a very clumsy bear and the sticky situations he finds himself in.  But it’s also a story about a helping hand to someone from a faraway land, the importance of belonging, and the sheer deliciousness of the humble marmalade sandwich: all things we should endorse and encourage the next time we break bread on camp. 

Scout values: integrity, care, co-operation

Liyana (2017)
Suitable for: (Older) Scouts and up

LiyanaFilmed in an orphanage in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Liyana tells the story of five children who call it home and the paths that led them there.  With the support of their teachers, they’re encouraged to work together to turn past trauma into an original folk tale about a brave young girl who embarks on a perilous quest to save her twin brothers from danger.  Weaving together sublime 3D animation and behind the scens footage, the film is part documentary, part interactive storybook – seamlessly blending fact and fiction to offer a rare perspective, 
shaped almost entirely by the children’s  lived experiences. 

It’s impossible to avoid that punch-inthe-gut sensation, seeing these bright-eyed and brilliant children reveal details of their difficult lives with candour.  Leaders and parents should aware that it contains some topics not suitable for all young people (some children talk openly about losing family to HIV, for example; others of armed men stealing children in the middle of the night). But, for those who are mature enough, the film is educational in its content, remarkable in it’s execution and unforgettable in it’s messaging: hope always wins. 

Scout values: integrity, belief, care, co-operation

Words: Aimee-lee Abraham | Illustrations: Maria Suarez-Inclan.  Courtesy of Summer Scouting Magazine