9th Harpenden Scout Group

Welcome to the 9th!

In our purpose built hut

 

since May 2014

 (see Hut Project page for more information)

 

 

 

Welcome to the 9th Harpenden Scout Groups website. I hope you enjoy reading about the fantastic experiences we offer our young people in the group. Scouting is about the personal development of young people and we currently have two Beaver Colonies, two Cub Packs and two Scout Troops seeing them right through from the ages of 6 to 14 and a half.

We provide a structured programme of events to develop young people mentally, physically, socially and spiritually thereby giving them a feeling of confidence and enhancing their life skills. 

We have an excellent team of leaders who are committed to providing a dynamic, fun packed time for your child. We are always looking for new leaders and people who would like to support the group in other ways, such as fundraising and practical support. If you have a skill that could benefit the group please contact me. I welcome all offers of support.  I welcome all comments and suggestions and look forward to meeting you,  

Elisabeth Grover, Group Scout Leader 

 Click on the buttons below for information about each of our Sections

   

Lochearnhead Scout Camp

29 young people and 14 adults made the train journey to the Scottish Highlands for our week-long camp at Lochearnhead Scout Station (23-29th May).  This restored and converted railway station features a fully fitted kitchen and and bunk accommodation and serves as the Hertfordshire Scouts' base in central Scotland.

 

Hill walking was the focus for the week with most of the scouts making it to the top of at least one Munro and several of them climbing all of Ben Vorlich (985m), Meall Garbh (1026m), and Meall nan Tarmachan (1044m).  Along with some easier walks, the scouts also did some cycling along Loch Venachar and Loch Achray, and chose between rafting along the River Tay from Aberfeldy or doing some canyoning along Keltney Burn.

 

The scouts also enjoyed a taste of Scottish history and culture making a visit to the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor and the nearby Creag an Tuirc (the traditional meeting place of the clan MacLaren) in Balquhidder on the shores of Loch Voil.  On the final evening we all enjoyed a feast of haggis, neeps and tatties with leader Gordon Bentley offering the Address to a Haggis.

 

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was a very tired and content bunch which made their way home to Harpenden to enjoy a quiet weekend of relaxation and recovery to finish off their half-term break.

 

Odakota Beaver Colony Opens!

On Thursday,  we opened our new section - Odakota Beaver Colony. The new Colony will be run by our leaders, Tricia, Anna, Adele, El, Mandy, Joanne and Jane and will run on Thursdays 6-7pm to compliment Cherokee Beavers who meet on Tuesdays at 6-7pm.

 

We are very excited to grow the 9th Harpenden and to offer the benefits of Scouting to more children and adults. We now have two Beaver Colonies, Two Cub Packs and Two Scout Troops at the 9th!

Kites

Cubs spent the evening making kites and then had the chance to fly them outside - although in very strong gusty winds (not exactly ideal).  We had some great designs and the cubs were very pleased to see their creations flying in the wind!

World Theme

We played some great games with an international theme that different cubs play from all over the world.

France: Palito Verde (Green Stick)

Cameroon: Bivoe Ebuma (Clap Ball)

Taiwan: Catch The Dragon’s Tail

China: Crossing the Rice Fields

We also learnt our cubs promise in French!

 

St George's Day Parade

We had another great turnout from all beavers, cubs and scouts in the 9th and in the district for our St George's Day parade through town and a small scouting service in Rothampstead park afterwards.

Redbourn Hike

Cubs had great fun following a trail around Redbourn, solving clues and competing for the top score.  There were also chips.  What more could anyone want? ;-)

First Aid

Cubs worked on their Stage 2 First Aid badge - over a couple of evenings.  Firstly to learn about burns and scalds, minor cuts and bleeding, the recovery position and how to both spot dangers and how to respond to an accident.  The second evening included major injuries, slings and bandages.

Harpenden Food Bank Sponsored Evening

Cubs gathered sponsors and then spent the evening on various physical challenges (skipping, press-ups, sit-ups, throwing and catching, dribbling footballs, shuttle runs and jumping jacks).  A very tiring evening, but a really great effort from the cubs, both in doing the exercises and in raising sponsor money of over £600

Dinosnores

Cubs took the train to the NHM in London, and spent a fab night with the dinosaurs.  They got to create dino t-shirts, hunt through the dinosaurs exhibits in the dark (including past the animated T-Rex) and had a fascinating talk about arachnids, followed by sleeping in the main hall by the Diplodocus.

Mothering Sunday

Cubs made some delicious chocolate chip cookies for Mother's Day - and had a small sample themselves.  I hope some of them made it home!

Watford Mosque

Cubs were invited to visit the Mosque in Watford to learn more about a place of worship.  It was an interesting and informative evening and thanks to all who hosted us, and well done to the cubs for their great behaviour and good questions.

Sledging

Cubs had great fun sledging in Hemel Snow Centre on rubber rings, plastic sledges and scooters dodging (or aiming for) the foam snowmen at the bottom of the run.

Disability Awareness

Cubs spent a few evenings raising their disability awareness, learning more about people with disabilities and the things that help them live their lives to the full. We had some inspirational visitors over a few evenings and the cubs really engaged well.

Hatfield Police Station Visit

Cubs had a fab trip to the Hatfield Police station to talk to the police about their work and see how they do their jobs.  They particularly enjoyed trying on the protective body armour, handcuffs and trying out the battons, and of course getting into the police cars and vans.  They were all released at the end of the evening ;)

Gang Show

Cubs attended the Gang Show in the Harpenden Public Halls.  A great evening that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.  Wonderful performances by all the cubs, scouts and explorers involved (especially those from the 9th of course!)

Carol Service

Cubs attended the Carol service as usual in the local Methodist church.  This year we performed a short sketch and readings to commemorate the centenary of the First World War - re-enacting the Christmas cease fire with soldiers coming out of their trenches during a brief lull at Christmas time.  Well done to all involved and thanks to all who attended.

Panto

Cubs went to the Harpenden Panto to see Snow White - a change from our usual St Albans trip.  A great night was had by all. "We'll have to sing it again then, won't we, ..." ;)

Cubs Got Talent

You'd have to see it to believe it ;-)  Lots of great performances - music, dancing, singing, magic, comedy.  Unbelievable!

Christmas Wreaths

Cubs created Christmas wreaths from multi-coloured cutouts of their hand-prints arranged in different patterns around a wreath template.  A fab effect.  All were entered into the district competition.

Cinema Night and Sleepover

Cubs spent Saturday night at the hut for a cinema night and sleepover, with the pop-up tents put up inside to make it even more fun. A great night for all.

XC

Cubs went to the XC for fun and excitement Climbing and on the High Ropes course.  Don't look down!

Remembrance Parade

A few cubs and leaders attended the Remembrance Sunday parade in Harpenden town center this Sunday.

Guy Making

Cubs made guys for the upcoming fireworks night - there should be some interesting characters adorning the bonfire this year!

Autumn Crafts

Cubs created some wonderful autumn crafts - shrunken apple heads, artwork with leaves, berries, pine-cones and had a go at playing conkers.

District Football

Cubs took part in the District Football competition on Saturday. Well done to all who took part!

Dog Training

Cubs had a very interesting visit from the Luton Hoo Dog Trainers and some of their working dogs - learning about what roles the dogs take and how they can help searching for bombs and drugs.

Gilwell Camp

Cubs had a great camp at Gilwell - the scouts' main campsite - with hiking, super 3G swing, climbing and many more activities involved

Cycling

Cubs had a fab cycle trip along the Nicky line and around the Rothampstead area - finishing the second part of the cylcing badge for those cubs that made the cycle maintenance evening.

Campers

Our fabulous Young Leaders helped the Cubs learn to pitch and strike a tent - practising in sixes out in front of the hut.  This is a key part of the Camper badge that cubs don't often get to practise as we usually have tents setup in advance when we go on summer camp!

Cubs County Night Hike

9th Harpenden cubs entered a team in the county night hike.  Well done for completing the long hike and the incidents along the way.