Cub Scout Finlay Nutt from 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick) and little sister Isla Nutt aged 8 have taken on a super bike riding challenge to raise money for their Auntie Emma. Finlay and Isla want to raise as much money as they can for their Aunt, to go to Mexico for life changing treatment for her MS. Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition which affects the brain and spinal cord and can lead to serious disability. Instead of fighting off infection, the immune system attacks the nerves which control different parts of the body. The money that Finlay and Isla raise will go towards HSCT therapy to halt the progression of the disease and hopefully grab back some quality of life with their much loved Auntie Emma before her the MS get any worse! These 2 active fundraisers want to see their Auntie Emma well enough to take their cousins Rory and Skye to the park or even swimming one day.
They’re first challenge was to set a fundraising goal on their Go Fund Me page. Knowing that their Aunties treatment costs over £40,000, they asked each other ‘where should we realistically start’? They decided on £100 for the initial target and already they have smashed this and raised £1870. Their dream target would be to raise over £2,500 for their special Auntie Emma.
Although Finlay and Isla love cycling, they readily admit that this challenge is hard work and they will need lots of perseverance, particularly as it’s winter. Isla is a real trooper, even through this horrible weather we have had recently, Isla won’t stop or turn back! Both Finlay and Isla really understand how active this challenge is but their determination to help their Auntie Emma is heartwarming. The siblings will be cycling a total of 130km (80 miles) the distance from Prestwick to Auchterader, where their Auntie Emma lives.
‘Finlay and Isla said ‘We have never felt like we were doing this challenge alone. Our Mum and Dad always cycle along with us and support us. All our friends and family are so caring! We are loving the cycling challenge and knowing that we are helping Auntie Emma. Although we didn’t realise just how far 130km was in the Ayrshire winds! We can’t wait to see Auntie Emma and our cousins when lockdown is finished. It will be really special knowing how far we have cycled to help her raise money towards her life changing treatment.’
Currently Finlay and Isla have cycled an amazing 75km during the February half term break. Another 55km to go until they reach their target of 130km. Keep going Finlay and Isla you are an inspiration to us all and your Auntie Emma will be so proud to have such a special Niece and Nephew
Fiona Hainey 14th Ayrshire Scout Group Leader (Prestwick) said ‘ Wow Finlay and Isla you are demonstrating all the values of Scouting, it’s not the amount that matters but the meaning behind your donation!’
Please help Finlay and Isla reach their dream fundraising target of £2500.
“Last week 18th Ayrshire Scouts (St. Columba) were delighted to award the Chief Scout’s Gold Award to Ben. He has steadily worked through the Challenge Awards during his 3 or so years in Scouts and recently secured his final Challenge Awards. During this time Ben has volunteered with our Cubs and the 10:10 Trust, as well as using his skills in taekwondo and music. With his Chief Scout’s Gold Award in hand, Ben is now moving on from Scouts; hopefully to join Burns Explorer Unit.
From our leaders’ point of view, the last year has of course meant that we had a more limited programme and has made it harder for the Scouts to attain certain criteria. Some flexibility and adaptation has allowed us to largely over come this. It has also required continued dedication from our Scouts to work towards badges and awards with less direct input from us.
We hope to see more Scouts gain their Gold Awards through the year but also very much look forward to restarting a more active programme for all! ” James Edwards, Scout Leader for 18th Ayrshire Scout Group (St. Columba)
The Chief Scouts’ Gold Award is the highest award a Scout can earn. To complete it, Scouts need to complete all nine of the Challenge Awards, plus six Activity badges. Challenge Awards are all about young people stepping outside of their comfort zone. Trying out something they wouldn’t normally be interested in. To take the lead on something that scares them and along the way, they’ll unlock hidden talents and stand tall.
#skillsforlife
#kyleandcarrickscouts
A recent reports have detailed, there are plans for the Kyle Centre to be redeveloped. However this now leaves the Scout Group without storage for their activity equipment. They are urgently appealing for help in finding a new storage location. If you think that you can assist this community group then please get in touch. scouts@18thayrshire.org.uk
The 14th Ayrshire Beavers and Cub Scouts from Prestwick were launched into the galaxy for a SPACE CAMP @ HOME for fun and learning! With hands-on STEM investigation from the comfort of their own International Space Station (Home). The weekend long camp experience, had talks and activities from a specialised STEM Ambassador, astronomy expert and a virtual space themed campfire. What more could a Beaver and Cub Scout ask for during lockdown.
All Space Camp @ Home activities took place throughout Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland via Zoom and with assistance from budding astronaut parents. Each young person participated in a variety of hands-on STEM challenges, with photos and virtual calls to check on progress and generally just have some fun. Our future space explorers learnt what it is like to live and work in space with their whole family nearby.
During the Space Camp @ Home the young astronauts had too complete many missions:
Designing the Camp Flag
Build an out of this world place to sleep
Landing on the Moon (officially opening of the camp)
Virtual Space themed campfire with loads of singing
Aliens have landed!
Captains Inspiration
Mars exploration
Aliens lost in space
Space engineering
Hands-on STEM challenges
Team building, communication and collaboration
Interactive astronomy
What do you eat in space?
Blast off for home
Space enthusiast, Beaver Archie stated ‘my favourite part of the camp was designing my Mars habitat and listening to the astronomy talk’
We were so lucky to have Jonathan and Scott from Syston, Leicestershire, join us to lead our virtual space-themed campfire. Here’s what they thought: ‘Fantastic to see everyone getting so involved in the space theme – we even had a visit from Jonathan’s local storm trooper! We learnt that Aliens have Wrinkles, had a lesson on what to do if you need to have a poo in an English Country Garden, and peeked inside the Quarter Master’s Stores. Well done to all of the Beavers, Cubs, Parents and Leaders of the 14th Ayrshire Scout Group for your energy and enthusiasm – we hope to see you around another campfire circle soon!’
Cub Ethan said, ‘I really enjoyed the virtual camp fire, the storm trooper was really funny!’
Katherine Baxter Space STEM Ambassador said ‘When we talk about going to Mars most people think about rocket science and engineering, but there’s so much more to it than that. In the bigger picture we also need new developments in areas like space medicine, health, nutrition, and plant science to keep us healthy and well on the long journey to and from our neighbouring planet. Today’s young people are ‘The Mars Generation’- there are girls and boys who are currently Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who will go on to make contributions to human spaceflight, perhaps programming a 3D printed food menu, designing living quarters for deep space missions or even being astronauts themselves. To start their journey we need to encourage their interests and curiosities in STEM areas as much as possible, and show them how much fun they can have on the way. If you shoot for the stars, you’ll at least hit the moon!’
Cub Scout Keith said ‘that was a fantastic (very busy!) camp – a massive thank you to all the guests, my whole family really enjoyed ourselves (we’ve downloaded the star app & I am so excited to use it!’
Paul Blake, Astronomy expert: When I’m not volunteering to help Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, you’ll find me in Essex stargazing with the North Essex Astronomical Society. By day I paint luxury sports cars for a living. Great to see the young people having such interactive experiences of Space while in lockdown. I enjoy answering questions from young people about astronomy as they always have the best questions.
Cub Scouts Sandy said “Paul’s videos made my jaw drop – and the best part of Space Camp was the space pudding – I’d go into space for that!”
Louise, Mum of Beaver Logan said ‘It was so interesting and the whole family learnt loads 🚀’
“I loved learning about space, the solar systems and all the planets. The activities were so much fun. It was great fun from start to finish (Mummy and Daddy learned lots too) ” Beaver Cohen.
The 3 Strong brothers said – Cub Kaleb ‘That was definitely my favourite badge out of all my Beaver and Cub badges. The astronomy talk was the best part as I found out loads of interesting facts” little brother Jarod said “Fiona is the best because she always lets me join in with my big brothers. I want to eat spaceman food every day” Beaver Scout Izaak “I think I know what I want do when I grow up, become an astronaut because now I know I can do it as I know lots about it! “
Jennifer Mum of Beaver Scout Caleb said ‘the space camp has been an amazing weekend of fun activities and learning, presented in the most interesting of ways during these difficult lockdown times!’ Calebs added ‘I loved camping overnight in my space den and it was super fun doing the egg craft landing. I learned so much about space from the people who spoke to us.’
Cub Lewis – “I loved the egg launch it was the best fun launching my spaceship down the stairs then checking if our spaceman survived . Brother and Beaver James “ I loved the zoom call with Katherine when we made rockets to see how far we could fly them” Mum Jill of James and Lewis said “The whole weekend was fab and very well organised. I loved all the activities and the zoom calls were great fun for the boys. We all learned loads and the talk from Paul literally blew our minds! Massive thank you to everyone involved it was amazing”
The Kyle and Carrick District Scouts create incredible, inspirational adventures that are packed with awe and wonder moments. This Space Camp @ Home aimed to developed scientific curiosity and creativity beyond the curriculum. This camp was made up from participants, working entirely on a volunteer basis as part of Team Space Camp @ Home. And the 14TH Ayrshire Scout Group are so very grateful for their time. Said Deborah Olesen, District Commissioner for Kyle & Carrick Scouts, South West Scotland.
Research has shown that when young people learn about astronomy this attracts them to science and technology. It is said that the two most popular topics for children are dinosaurs, and astronomy and space. May be our next camp @ home should be about dinosaurs!
Well done to all the young people who took part in this SPACE CAMP @ HOME you truly made it out of this world.!
ETHAN Toner has earned the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award. He is the first Beavers Scout in the Kyle and Carrick District Scouts to achieve this award in 2021!. This is the highest award possible to earn as a Beaver Scout.
Beavers are young people who are 6 or 7 years old. Around their 8th birthday they move up to Cub scouts.
To earn the Bronze Award, Ethan needed to complete four activity or staged activity badges and all six challenge badges, which he smashed.
The aim is that every Beaver will have the chance to earn their Chief Scout’s Bronze award before they move up to Cubs, although this has been made a little harder due to Covid restrictions.
Ethan’s Beaver Scout leader Fiona made a special (socially distance) doorstep visit to present the badges and certificates.
Ethan said ‘ I loved doing all my badges but the best one was My Teamwork challenge Award. My favourite thing is being part of a team and I had great fun telling my Mum and Dad all about the team games I played at Beavers.’
Ethan’s Dad said ‘ his Mum and I are delighted that Ethan has achieved his Chief Scout Bronze Award and we are very impressed with Ethan’s willingness and hard work to achieve such a high award.’
Fiona Hainey, Leader of the 14th Ayrshire Beaver Scouts, said: “Being a leader is great fun and I am so proud of the Ethan working so hard during lockdown to finish off his remaining challenge badges. He was truly focused and did some amazing work for this award, along side homeschooling. I have seen Ethan grow in confidence during his time in Beavers from nervously going on his first camp to hardly looking back to say goodbye to his parents on other camps and adventures he has had with the 14th Ayrshire Beaver Scouts! Well done Ethan welcome to the Chief Scout Bronze Award Club!”
THE 14th Ayrshire Beaver Scout Group (Prestwick ) were lucky enough to have Chris from The Blue Cross Animal Charity, to speak to them over zoom on Friday 5th January.
The Blue Cross find homes for unwanted cats, dogs, small pets and horses across the UK.
The young people learnt all about how to look after a pet, as part of their Animal Friend Activity Badge. Chris from the Blue Cross was fantastic and so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all animals. The young people even got to meet her therapy dog Alfie, who was a wee sweetheart.
Cohen and Chester loved the talk. Learning new information about animals and caring for animals. And finding out about the work the Blue Cross does. Thank you Blue Cross🐱🐶🐰🐹
Otis and Barney really enjoyed the Blue Cross session. “It was really good fun and it was good to learn more about other animals like hamsters and rabbits.”
Gregor loved the Blue Cross call tonight, he even came straight off zoom and fed Lily the cat stating “you need to look after your pets”.
Max really enjoyed the talk and learning about looking after pets.
Izaak said “that was really interesting. It would be good to raise money for pets that don’t have homes.”
Campbell said “I really really really enjoyed that because I love animals!’
Archie said ‘it was interesting to hear about what different animals need to be happy’
Even Beaver Toms cat was keen to get involved!
Adam Assistant Beaver Leader said ‘ I’ve had dogs all my life and the tips I picked up were fantastic, thanks Chris!’
Chris from the Blue Cross said ‘I really hope the Beaver group got something out of the session and enjoyed it as much as I did! They were such a lovely group with some great questions!’
‘During lockdown the Scouts Association has had to find new and creative ways to engage young people over Zoom. And the Blue Cross didn’t disappoint. The talk got all the young people involved and educated us how to look after and care for our Pets, the very best way. From hamster to dogs to horses, we learnt about them all. It was great to hear the Beavers telling stories about their animals and they also asked some great questions. No question was too much for Chris.’ Said Fiona Beaver Leader from 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick)
Thank you Blue Cross for all you do. It’s great to know 20 young people have gone away from this zoom session thinking about what their pets really need. And be better equipped if they decide to ever own a pet in the future.
WHAT would Scotland be without its love of traditions? Every year on 25 January, Scouts Groups across the world celebrate Burns Night and pays homage to our beloved bard Robert Burns. Despite being in lockdown, Kyle and Carrick District Scout Groups have found fun alternative ways to have their own Burns suppers and celebrations at home.
12th Ayrshire Beavers (Kingcase) made armpit fudge across zoom and then played a Burns themed “Pairs” game online. The 12th Ayrshire Scouts did a Burns themed quiz and listened to the quiz winner recite “To a Mouse” and also played the Pairs Game as it had been such a hit with the Beavers.
14th Ayrshire Beavers (Prestwick) concentrated their Burns efforts in the kitchen. The young people showed their creative sides by baking shortbread over zoom, following their leaders instructions. While the shortbread was baking in the oven, a quick history lesson about Robert Burns’ life was shown on screen and some of the young Beavers recited Scottish Poems and interesting facts about our famous Poet. Their shortbread came out in many different shapes and sizes, my favourite being planes and the USA State of Texas from one of our new Beavers that has just moved from America. Well done also goes to Harry and Otis for earning their Beaver Thistle Award. Some really great work was done on several different topics about Scotland.
14th Ayrshire Cubs (Prestwick) also have been busy working on their Cub Thistle Award. Sandy and Kaleb have finished this fantastic badge. The badge focusing on Scotland, its People and culture whilst being fun and challenging for the young people. The young people must complete different tasks from each section which includes; Outdoor and adventure, Skills and The World. Well done Sandy and Kaleb your work was interestingand so well done!
The 18th Ayrshire Beavers have been busy working on their Thistle badges too. Harrison has been designing his own tartan and he also went on a nature walk to discover Scottish flora and fauna and made a fabulous poster. Beaver Crawford and Cub Innes have been making shortbread at home which looked absolutely delicious. To finish off Burns Week the group came together zia Zoom to make armpit fudge which is always a favourite activity with young people and played a Scottish inventor’s game which was truly inspiring.
18th Ayrshire Scouts (St Columba)
Well done to the 18th Ayrshire Scouts for their efforts on Burns Night evening. They held a truly virtual Burns Supper. Linking the group all around Ayr.
They started off with a recitation from Tam O Shanter by Samuel,he really brought the poem to life. Then visited the Bolte household where Joshua played Red Red Rose on the piano and Ann sang beautifully alongside. The Haggis was piped in and Eric really did well with his Scots address. You could have fooled usinto thinking he was born and breed this side of the border. James Wilson eloquently performed The Selkirk Grace and we had a look at all the delicious dishes the Scouts prepared for their badge work. Hamish in typical style entertained the group with a well-prepared Burns Quiz and Violet finished the evening with a super recital of Auld Lang Syne. All these activities go towards the Scout Skills Challenge Award which the group are hoping to have complete by the end of January.
Its great to see how creative our Beaver, Cub and Scouts sectionsare being during this pandemic. Well done to all involved.
Huge well done to everyone who organised and took part in these fantastic celebrations of all things Burns in what is a truly challenging time. By bringing Young People together on on a virtual platform amazing volunteer Leaders continuing to deliver Scouting for all & Skills for Life.
Kyle & Carrick District Scouts 