The year for Rodborough Beavers began with significant changes. After an incredible 37 years of leadership from Mary and Tracey, a new team took the helm. While they knew they couldn't fill those big shoes, they aimed to continue the tradition with as much fun and enthusiasm as possible.
The new leadership team consisted of Wendy Johnson and James Dearing as leaders, supported by Sarah Williams during sessions and Katie Prince behind the scenes. We were also grateful for the help of many parent volunteers. The year kicked off with a wonderful group of Beavers.
Here are some highlights from our exciting year:
Autumn Adventures:
Camp Crafts: The Beavers learned essential camp crafts, gathering sticks and conkers with creative methods, such as using their wellies and neckers. They prepped apples, made crumble, and played team games, working towards their camp craft and outdoor badges.
Dens and Bonfires: They built dens and celebrated bonfire night with sparklers and marshmallows, continuing their progress on the camp craft badge.
Remembrance Service: The Beavers proudly carried flags at the remembrance service.
New Faces:After half term, we welcomed Auben, Benji, Dylan, Jasper, and Tobias as new Beavers.
Creative Winter:
The Beavers got creative by making puppets, jellyfish lanterns (joining the parade through Stroud), and decorations for the Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mary’s Church.
Night Hike: They enjoyed a night hike, learning about compass points, the moon, planets, and stars, all while working towards their explore and space badges.
Christmas Party: The term ended with a joyful Christmas party filled with merriment and food.
Winter Term Fun:
Cryptography: After Christmas, the Beavers explored cryptography by making cypher wheels.
Health and Fitness: They learned about health and fitness, used stethoscopes, and earned their fitness activity badge.
Tracking Symbols: The Beavers learned how to use tracking symbols, then used their new found skills to follow a trail on the common.
Leadership Changes: We said goodbye to James Dearing as a leader as his son moved up to Cubs. We welcomed John Tierney as a leader.
Spring Skills:
Baking: The Beavers got hands-on baking experience at Salt Bakehouse, enjoying making their own pizzas and pitta breads. The trip coincided with Mother’s Day and they brought home sourdough adorned with hearts.
Rodborough Egg Hunt: Beaver made a giant Chicken and Egg and dice challenge game for the Rodborough Egg hunt, which we used to help us recruit new leaders.
New Leaders: We welcomed Nicola and Bill as new leaders.
Summer Fun:
Despite the wet weather, the Beavers spent most sessions back in the field.
New Beavers: We welcomed 5 new beavers
Engineering Skills: The Beavers practiced their engineering skills by making water features and learned about knots.
St. George’s Day: They celebrated St. George’s Day with the Cubs and Scouts by making shields, eating scones, and playing games, with the Beavers' favourite game “hotdog.”
Donkey Sanctuary Visit: The Beavers visited Dawn at the Nailsworth Donkey Sanctuary, where they got to know Gussy and his friends and brought carrots for the donkeys' breakfast.
Eco Projects: They made bee and bug hotels from old milk bottles, planted pumpkins, and learned campfire skills and camp crafts.
Action-Packed Final Term:
Orienteering Practice: The Beavers practiced orienteering skills. They then put into practice with the help of John’s brilliant hand-drawn maps, earning their navigator badges despite some cow interference.
New Members: We were joined by 2 new Beavers and Tom as a leader.
Samba Drumming: The Beavers had an evening of samba drumming and percussion tutorials with the amazing Simbora drummers.
Camp Out Preparation: A practice session at the hut taught the Beavers how to put up a tent in preparation for the pinnacle of the year, the camp out.
Nature Walk: They enjoyed a nature walk on the common with Tamsin and the Stroud Valleys Project.
Beaver Bounce: 8 of our beavers are competing with other colonies from across the district in the Beaver Bounce event at Penn Wood on 13 July
Rodborough Family Fun Beavers will join Cubs and Scouts in an evening of family fun on 9 July.
Olympic Sleepover: The Beavers celebrated the end of a great year with an Olympic themed sleepover where 13 brilliant Beavers stayed in the Tabernacle and enjoyed Olympic themed games and crafts.
Leavers: we say goodbye to Leaders Wendy, Sarah and Katie and all the Beavers moving up to Cubs. Beavers will go forward with John, Nicola, Bill and Tom as leaders in 24/25.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our wonderful volunteer leaders and all the parent helpers who made this year possible. Here's to another fantastic year with Rodborough Beavers!
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