‘We’d love a hand with giving Kyle and Carrick Scout District’s young people skills for life’. Join our team: scouts.org.uk/volunteer
The Kyle and Carrick District covers an area of approximately 422 square miles from Ballantrae in the south to Dundonald in the north. We have 14 Groups across the District and 4 active Explorer Scout Units providing Scouting to over 900 young people within Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers.
Please let us know if you can help – the leaders were all just like you at the beginning! ‘It can feel awkward to ask, but over a quarter of people would love the chance to volunteer.
The Scouts award-winning training scheme for volunteers means that adults get as much from Scouts as young people.
If you want to get involved or join the Scouts Association in Ayrshire we have groups across the Kyle and Carrick district. Find more information on http://www.kcscouts.scot
Leaders of 18th Ayrshire Beavers (St Columba) were delighted on Friday (4 June) to award Tom King with his Chief Scouts Bronze Award.
As the top award in Beavers it is challenging at the best of times but coupled with lockdown this makes it even harder to achieve. However Tom did not let this stand in his way.
Tom has always approached Beavers with a can do attitude and has taken part in many adventurous activities such as night hikes, archery, climbing wall, den building, and assault courses. Tom is also an avid walker and explorer and has enjoyed hiking up Conic and Loudon Hill, as well as climbing up to the Straiton monument and exploring areas such as the River Ayr and Barony A Frame, amongst others.
Tom will shortly be moving on to Cubs. When asked what he enjoyed most about his time in Beavers he replied. ‘I like the activities at Beavers, inside and out. I like all the people there, and playing with my friends. I also like getting badges, but some of them are hard. I am very happy with my Bronze Award’.
Fiona, Beaver Leader from 18th Ayrshire commented ‘Tom is an amazing Beaver, he is kind, caring, never says no to a challenge and his smile warms your heart. We will miss him in Beavers but look forward to watching his Scouting journey continue in Cubs.’
If you want to get involved or join the Scouts Association in Ayrshire we have groups across the Kyle and Carrick district. Find more information on Kyle and Carrick Scout District
My name is Otis, I am seven and a half years old and I am a Beaver Scout with 14th Ayrshire (Prestwick). I have recently earned my Gardener Activity badge, for my hard work in my garden.
A couple of years ago, and especially during lockdown, my family and I learned a lot about the garden. Last May I-planted sunflower seedlings to give to my whole street, I think it made my neighbours happy.
I am growing lots of vegetables in my garden. We planted our peas first. We planted them in rows in a fishing container we found on the beach and we used bamboo sticks because they like to climb up as they grow.
We also have root veggies including carrots, potatoes and beetroot, which grow in the ground and do well in the Scottish climate. We also planted onions with our carrots because I have read that the smell of onions is believed to protect carrots from carrot flies.
I have also been growing rocket, spinach and lettuce. We have been growing them in raised covered planters that are useful because the plants are protected from our chickens, frost, flying birds, slugs and snails. They have also got holes in the top which we can open to let the rain and air in.
I have damsons, Rowan berries, blackcurrants, strawberries and raspberries. The fruit is not ready yet but when they are ripe I will bake with them, make jam or just pick and eat them straight away in the garden.
We also have cress, tomatoes and cucumbers inside. They like warm temperatures and the tomatoes need feeding and more care. I really enjoy the cucumbers because we planted them on a clotheshorse and the tendrils wrapped around the bars! Once they grow my sister and I like eating them straight from the plant.
My absolute favourite thing about the garden is MY CHICKENS!!! They are very interested in absolutely everything me and my family do in the garden, but we have to put netting around our veggies to stop them from eating them. The chickens are good for the garden because they eat the slugs and snails, keep the lawn trimmed and their poo makes great fertiliser. Our three chickens are very loveable and they give us eggs and entertainment.
I all round really love being with our chickens and spending time in the garden. I am looking forward to getting my gardening badge on my Beaver uniform.
Otis’s Beaver Leader Fiona said ‘Wow! Otis has definitely got the gardening bug and learnt invaluable first-hand experiences in the garden. From recycling containers to his creative planting solutions for the tomatoes. Otis and his family are going to eat well come harvest time. I love that he is caring for chickens as well and learnt how essential they are for pest control. I was so very proud to present Otis with his Beaver Scout Gardening Activity Badge, he had more than earned it!
Written by Otis Heavenor, 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick)
If you want to get involved or join the Scouts Association in Ayrshire we have groups across the Kyle and Carrick district. Find more information on Kyle and Carrick Scout District
James Wilson of 18th Ayrshire Scouts recently took up the challenge of walking the entire length of the River Ayr from source to sea.
On the 31st May James finally achieved his goal having completed all 44 miles of the River Ayr Walk from Glenbuck Loch in East Ayrshire to the mouth of the River Ayr. James completed the walk in just 5 stages, hiking through moorland, bog, woods, nature reserves, gorges, fields and towns.
When James was asked what he enjoyed most about the walks James replied “I liked the sense of achievement and also the treat of a fish supper at the end!”
James is already thinking about his next challenge, the Ayrshire Coastal Path perhaps?
18th Ayrshire Scout Leader James Edward said “Congratulations to James on completing his personal challenge for walking the River Ayr Way. James and his mum covered the 66km route in 5 legs, each qualifying James for a Scout Hike too!”
If you want to get involved or join the Scouts Association in Ayrshire we have groups across the Kyle and Carrick district. Find more information on Kyle and Carrick Scout District
Kyle & Carrick District Scouts 