{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"The world\u2019s thrown plenty of challenges at us recently, but that hasn\u2019t stopped some groups getting back together. We caught up with some volunteers to find out what it\u2019s been like for them.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/12245/programme-roundup-restart-quote.jpg","width":1380,"height":776,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u2018We\u2019ve lit fires and cooked simple food, invested new Explorers, played socially distanced games (like rhythm master and table football), been on a night hike around our local area, and played a wide game. Next, we\u2019ll be holding a Unit Forum to decide on our name, and we\u2019re also going to try an escape room.\u2019 - Andy, District Explorer Scout Commissioner at Draco Explorer Scout Unit\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018As soon as face-to-face was announced, we were there. We\u2019ve done hikes, whittling, map work, obstacle courses, tomahawk throwing, fire lighting and cooking so far. To be fair, other than social distancing, risk assessments and extra care, things haven\u2019t changed much. Scouts and Leaders are back and having FUN!\u2019 - Paula, Scout leader at 1st Ferring Sea Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018We\u2019re keeping it all outside and this weekend we\u2019re doing our Expedition (not camping, but all the rest). So far it\u2019s challenging but OK. The smaller groups mean that we get to do age specific things \u2013 like expedition stuff with the older ones, fun shorter hikes and outdoors-y stuff with the younger ones. Social distancing is a challenge for them but we\u0027re getting there. I\u0027m lucky to have a very competent fellow leader (Jenny) and assistant, as well as helpful parents.\u2019 - Gina, Scout leader at 1st Wotton under Edge\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Since we\u2019ve been back face-to-face, the young people have been taking part in backwoods cooking, archery, and rifle shooting. We even got a shout-out on Radio 2 for our return! We\u2019ve put together a programme until the end of the year to encourage interest and commitment and we now have 29 of our 30 Scouts attending. Returning face-to-face required a commitment to do things differently, with more preparation \u2013 but it was the right thing for us leaders and the young people and we\u2019ve had super support from parents and our group. We\u2019ve had one Zoom meeting since we restarted due to bad weather, but have a beach hike planned for next week\u2019 - Richard, Scout leader at 14th Lowestoft.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe know that not everyone can restart face-to-face Scouts, including those who have extra restrictions in their area. Caroline, Scout leader at 4th Kenilworth, told us:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Due to the restrictions of our meeting place and the size of our Troop, we\u2019ve stuck with Zoom meetings. We\u2019ve done a fitness challenge and a map night and this week is astronomy. We use the breakout rooms for 10-20 minutes so smaller groups can have a discussion and I send out any supporting documents (like the maps) in my weekly email before the meetings.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"14 December 2020","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":48616,"nodeName":"5 volunteers tell us what they\u2019ve been doing since restarting face-to-face Scouts","title":"5 volunteers tell us what they\u2019ve been doing since restarting face-to-face Scouts","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/12245/programme-roundup-restart-quote.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1d9becd14b83550","caption":"Programme Roundup Restart Quote","type":"jpg","size":145369,"width":1380,"height":776,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"5 volunteers tell us what they\u2019ve been doing since restarting face-to-face Scouts","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80ODYxNiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/december/5-volunteers-tell-us-what-they-ve-been-doing-since-restarting-face-to-face-scouts/"}