Month: July 2021

My Time On The Water

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Written by Cub Scout KEITH WRIGHT from 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick)

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) and canoeing

Stand Up Paddle-boarding
Recently I’ve been spending more time in the sea because I got a wetsuit. It is really fun! First I tried Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP). Before we went on the sea, we watched the safety video, I learned that I need to wear a life jacket, stay in your depth in the water, and strap the board to your ankle so it doesn’t float away. I also always went with an adult who helped steer/row. We also needed to check the tides and the wind – if the wind in blowing off shore (out towards the sea) this can be dangerous because you can get blown away from the beach. We used thebeachguide.co.uk to check these things before we went.

I enjoyed practicing on my body board (this helped me get used to splashes of water in my face), and also had fun kneeling on the SUP while my dad paddled. I did try standing up but the sea was wavy and so I fell off!

Canoeing
During our recent holiday to Newtonmore, we went to Loch Insh and did canoeing. I still wore a life jacket because the Loch was deep, but we didn’t need to worry about the tides because it was a Loch. For safety you shouldn’t stand up in a canoe except when you are getting in and out, because you could fall in! I went in a two man canoe with my dad. I sat in the front and helped with paddling. It was tricky learning to steer, because paddling on the left side made you go to the right.

Scout Leader Fiona for the 14th Ayrshire Scout Group said ‘ Wow what an achievement for Keith being so active on the water. This time last year Keith was really scared of the water let along trying and mastering SUP and canoeing. Great to see the enjoyment and confidence he has found doing these water sports. Keith has earned stage 2 Paddle Sports activity badge and stage 2 Time on the Water for his knowledge, skill and safety on the water. Well done Keith can’t wait to see what you do for stage 3!

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

Calling All Campers

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The 2nd Ayrshire Ballentrae Scouts went on their first camp since 2019 last week! Camping in their greenfield site in Girvan on Friday night then headed on a road trip to Largs; caught the ferry to Cumbrae; caught the bus to Millport then hired bikes!

Everyone cycled around the island with several pit stops to fill up their water bottles and a midway ice cream break!

Once finished the round island cycle everyone paddled and climbed on the rocks before returning to the mainland by ferry.

The fire was rekindled for hot chocolate while the Scouts rekindled too, gaining their second wind (as we know as leaders this often happens). So the campfire burned on into Saturday night!

An early start was had on Sunday morning to break camp and tidy up before their Stand Up Paddleboarding session back in Girvan!

Scout Charlie said I really enjoyed the cycling but my favourite part was when we made the raft out if the paddle boards. I also like to keep the fire going 🔥

Wills says great to be able to be back out camping again 😊 Had a fab weekend doing activities with my friends.

Ruby said she enjoyed cycling around Cumbrae but her favourite part was going on the raft made from paddle boards and jumping off 🌊

Young people and leaders all had the best time camping as a group again, especially when they didn’t expect to be allowed to do it any time soon!!!

Our long awaited first camp in more than a year and half was a huge success and the weather was definitely on our side for once. As a leader it was great to see our wee scout group coming together and seeing them really gel as a team , for most of the group it was their first time camping with us as scouts so it was great to see how much confidence they gained from it. The young people and adults all had a blast and it was great to be back out doing what we love. Scout Leader Wendy (2nd Ayrshire)

Kate Scout Leader for the 2nd Ayrshire, We were delighted to finally be able to camp again, following all the COVID guidelines, and have a fantastic fun weekend of activities! We were supported in our funding with a grant from the Scouts, which also made a difference for our parents. Our weekend really stoked everyone’s enthusiasm again!!

Watch the 2nd Ayrshire Scouts wonderful camp

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

#ReturnToCamping #CallingAllCampers #SkillsForLife #Ballantrae #scouts #adventures #summerofplay

All Aboard….

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My week at Summer School with Prestwick Sailing Club. By Sandy Maitland, 14th Ayrshire Cubs Scouts (Prestwick)

After our taster sailing session with the Cubs a few weeks ago, I loved it so much I wanted to do it again! So I signed up for the summer sailing school to do a whole week of sailing.

It was a really busy and tiring week but I had so much fun. It was from 9:30am – 4:30pm every day for 5 days! And it was super sunny every single day!!!

On the Monday we were asked to choose a seat at a table, and while we met our other students, our instructor taped our names onto each place. This is the same seat where we did our lectures and ate our lunches.

Each morning we had a lecture about information we’d need to know – like parts of the boat, or how to understand how the wind affects your sailing.

We sailed each morning until lunch, had some games, then sailed again in the afternoon. Normally we’d sail on the Bahias in the morning (it’s a bigger sailing boat, with 4 or 5 people and has 2 sails), then into Toppers in the afternoon (smaller boats with one sail, for 1-2 people, and can topple easier than Bahias!)

Over the week, I sailed in the Bahias, Toppers, Speedboat and a Laser. We also had fun on a big paddleboard on the Friday to finish.

I learned so many things – like tacking (steering into/against the wind), reach (the side wind), hiking (leaning out the boat backwards), using the tiller / extension (which steers the rudder), and how to capsize and right the boats.

After sailing, we got the boats back onto a trolley, rolled up the sails and took them back ashore. We all helped each other get all the boats up to the compound to be washed down before we got changed to go home.

I loved meeting and making new friends. We didn’t know each other before, but by the end of the week, we were all playing together and working as a team.

Captain Sandy

On the last day, we were presented with a RYA Log Book and our RYA Stage 1 Certificates.
I’m also excited to have earned my Cubs Stage 2 Sailing Activity badge, and Stage 1 Time on the Water Activity badges!

“I just want to say a big thank you to all the instructors. They were really kind and helpful, taught us so much and gave us lots of fun” Sandy

It was a busy, tiring week, but I really loved it! I learned so much and had fun doing it. I’m looking forward to being able to do it again!

Scout Leader Fiona for the 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick) said ‘as a Leader it’s great to hear that one of the activity sessions have inspired a young person to grow their skills. Being a Cub opens up a new world of fun and adventure for young people through access to a massive range of exciting activities including camping, adventurous activities, such as climbing and sailing, plus creative and cultural pursuits. Cubs are encouraged to challenge themselves to try new things and are rewarded for effort, teamwork and leadership. Well done Sandy you definitely had an adventure on the sea.’

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

A Lifetime of Memories

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Dougie Nairn from the 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick) was presented with his 30 year Long Service Award outside of St Nicholas Church, with all the Groups leaders present. I asked Dougie if he was happy to share what made him become a Scout Leader 30 years ago.

Dougie joined the Phoenix Venture Scout Unit when he was 17, encouraged by several friends who were already members. Dougie didn’t go through Cubs and Scouts but really enjoyed the activities he took part in as a Venture Scout, and the many new friends he made from across Ayrshire. At the age of 18 best friend Nigel started helping out at the 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick) as he had been a Cub and Scout with the group, and eventually persuaded him to become an Assistant Scout Leader.

Dougie said‘There have been many great times at camps, particularly when there used to be District camps involving a couple of hundred Scouts from all over Ayrshire. I can remember many such camps at places like Stair, Mauchline, Culzean and Galston to name a few. The Scouts always had a great time taking part in activities like kayaking, climbing and abseiling, zip slides, orienteering, archery, bivouac building and many more activities I have forgotten I’m sure.

Residential weekends at centres like Lochgoilhead also provided opportunities to take part in activities we as a group couldn’t provide, such as sailing, raft building, burn runs, mountain biking, abseiling and hire rope activities. I even got sunburnt feet on one occasion from the amount of time I spent getting kayaks and rafts in and out of the water.

Skiing has for many years been a favourite pastime of mine, so it was great to be able to take Scouts to the snow at Cairngorm for a weekend of skiing. I don’t know how many times we made the trip over the years, but the enjoyment Nigel and I had for the sport seems to have rubbed off on one former Scout who is hoping to become a ski instructor. There are I’m sure many other activities I have forgotten, when we had authorisation there were numerous day trips to hill walk and mountain bike in the Galloway hills or take part in District challenge hikes.’

But sadly after 30 years of Scout Leadership with the 14th Ayrshire Scout Group (Prestwick) Dougie has decided to hang up his neckie.

Adam, Pete, Daniela, Craig, Mark and Fiona (leaders for them 14th Ayrshire Scout Group) said ‘ Dougie, you can be so proud of all that you and Nigel have done with 14th Ayrshire…you have made a tremendous difference to the lives of so many young people. Now you can appreciate those well-earned Friday evenings. 30 years, Dougie…you are an absolute star! 🌟😇🍻

Finally from all the young people, parents and leaders of the 14th Ayrshire Scout Group- new and old, we would like to thank Dougie for all he has done throughout his 30 years. Dougie will be greatly missed, but fingers crossed he will come and see us all soon.

Thank you Dougie!

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

#LifetimeOfMemories #30years #volunteering #Scouts #Prestwick #SkillsForLife