Scouts group flying high in lockdown challenge

Scouts group flying high in lockdown challenge

24 February 2021

DOWNPATRICK Scouts Group has been taking to the air during the current lockdown.

For the past six weeks scouts, venture scouts, cubs and beavers have been wrapped up in a specially designed programme to keep them active and engaged as they work towards a new Air badge.

Meeting on Zoom on Sunday evenings, they have been taking part in a series of practical activities, such as making paper air planes, keeping a moon observation journal, quizzes and kite flying as they learn all about the skies above.

Sarah Taggart, Group Leader, said the past year had been difficult. 

“Lockdown is the very opposite of everything we encourage through Scouting where children and young people are out in the community, meeting new people, going new places and trying 

new things.  

“Although the scout hall is closed, we continue to engage and encourage our young members, including ping off activity packs each week for the children.”

Sarah said the latest programme followed on from the first lockdown last spring when the scouts continued their activities from their homes.

These included a camp at home in April, which they called an ‘indooree’, as opposed to the traditional jamboree, working towards a special STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Maths) lockdown challenge badge which involved making orange and vegetable oil candles, lava lamps, floating sharpie stick men and designing and building catapults.

Over the summer, scouts also took part in quizzes with other scout groups, a home hike challenge, a hydration challenge and a photographic lens lockdown challenge.

They also took part in a nationwide call to scouts to create the word ‘Bravo’ through a series of images to thank NHS and key workers.

“We all look forward to when the young people are piling into the scout hall for weekly meetings or preparing for a camp,” Sarah remarked.

“Until then, we will work to keep them engaged, active and connected to the community.” 

For further information on Downpatrick Scouts contact csidownpatrick@btopenworld.com.