3rd Hampton Scout Group

The last term of 2025 is nearly over!

We hope that you all have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.

The first term of 2026 will start on Monday 5th January (Beavers), Wednesday 7th January (Scouts) and Thursday 8th January (Cubs).

Also, while you’re enjoying the holiday – why not get your booking form in for our Group Family Camp in June 2026??

Film Sets Week

Our Beavers were challenged to become film set designers for the evening, working towards their Teamwork and Creativity badges. New leader, Amelia, runs a film and TV prop house so brought in real movie props to provide some inspiration.

Then the Beavers were given a character and asked to work together in teams to create mini film sets, inspired by the work of stop-motion animation icons – Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas), and Aardman Pictures (Wallace & Gromit).

In true scouting-style, the children got stuck in! They used cardboard boxes, felt, modelling clay, paint and anything they could lay their hands on at HQ to build these miniature worlds, and were very happy and proud of what they produced. Lots of smiling faces!

Italy Week

As part of work towards their International Badge, Beavers must learn about arts, food and culture from other countries. For one of our meetings this term, our young people were transported to Italy for an evening of craft, games and delicious treats.

Listening to opera, they played musical islands inspired by Venice – imagining they were hopping onto a Gondola when the music stopped.

Continuing the Venetian theme, they each designed and decorated a mask for a masquerade ball – getting creative with paint pens, sequins and feathers.

Finally, Beavers helped to prep toppings – chocolate, crushed biscuits and strawberries – and were treated to a yummy scoop of gelato. After learning a few Italian phrases, there was no “thank you” on the night, only “grazie”!

Well done and thank you to all those that were able to take part in the parade this year. We were thankful for some good weather (for a change). Photos that parents have submitted are in the gallery below.

Great to be able to invest a new beaver leader into the group afterwards – but as usual we still need lots more people to join the team to help deliver a fantastic scouting programme for our young people – it is immensely rewarding and also great fun!! Speak to Andy or Nigel to find out more…….

The new terms for beavers, scouts and cubs start in September on Monday 8th, Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th respectively.

Parental Rotas will be in place for all 3 sections as we have lost the regular services of 5 leaders across the sections – leaving us short of adult leaders, again!!

If you want to ensure that your beaver/cub or scout gets as much out of their scouting experience as possible – please seriously consider becoming part of the section leadership teams as the saying “many hands make light work” definitely applies – the more leaders we have the smaller the workload of each individual leader and the more scouting we can deliver…….. Just get in touch to do your bit

Last weekend saw 12 scouts and 12 cubs enjoyed a weekend of activities and competitions along with a mixed bag of weather conditions – very hot for the most of the weekend – but just when not needed rain on pack up day – and a torrential downpour at the closing ceremony.

An interesting sight watching hundreds of scouts and leaders running for cover……..

Thank you to all those that helped load the van and unload at the HQ and those currently drying out tents at home.

Don’t forget it’s our AGM tomorrow night (8th July at 8pm) – if you haven’t told Nigel if you are coming or not please do so ASAP

Bentley Copse Activity Centre is situated in the most beautiful woodland area of the
South Downs.
The loaded van had set off just before us with all the food and I wondered if they’d
arrived already!
This camp was going to be packed with 147 Cubs and their Leaders plus helpers
and all the wonderful on-site Staff.
As the Mess tent and other sleeping tents were being pitched our splendid site was
bustling with Cubs and parents helping the Cub team.

Water was fetched, the gas urn was lit, sandwiches handed out to “starving cubs and explorer young leaders“. Adults grabbed and scoffed anything going before it was too late.
Reluctantly leaving the site, some of the team were needed and escorted the Cubs
to the first activity – a movie night with popcorn !
Not a stir in the night ! Snores from afar and near, a few owl hoots lulled the camp
into a deep slumber!
What did we do? Was it the food, the movie, the warm weather!
Mmmmm Ben is up and cooking breakfast. Oops so are a few Cubs.
Let’s get them to work!
Most Cubs were on their first camp and so far no tears . Only excitement and
anticipation as the “experienced campers” boasted about their experiences of crate
stacking and zip-lining!!
I’m scared . I’m belaying! I’m still hungry! I listened to the general banter as we
organised the Cubs into two groups lead by Andrew M and “moi” and set off to tackle
the Night Line (blindfolds are worn) and Climbing Wall manned by our very own
Anya, Wyatt and Amelia.
Hotdogs for lunch were gobbled up leaving the remainder of the afternoon to do as
many activities as possible.
“Bye Seb! Bye Lucas!”
“I don’t want to go – it’s not fair Mum!”
“I could stay for a whole month” added another.
“My hands are sore” laughs an explorer young leader who had been belaying all day!
“I’m hungry” was echoed out loud so “mum we had the best ever pasta I’ve tasted”
was served up and greedily eaten.
After a full day of bouncing, climbing, hanging on, aiming and firing the young people
were high on adrenaline. Personal goals achieved! New heights conquered and “I
know what I’m doing now” made a happy ending to the day, in front of the campfire,
with a ridiculous amount of “s’mores” for all.

A small on site disturbance during Saturday night followed by an off site (another
group nearby) incident broke the sleep but not for long twit twoo – hoot – cough!
Eat Up Day Sunday! My favourite! Ben offers “leftovers” for breakfast and including
the breakfast menu. Yummy! Glamping you say !
Two last hours of activities then even more food – fruit kebabs or croissant anyone?
Whilst packing up and loading parents arrive to help with the Mess Tent and all is
swiftly and efficiently cleaned packed and ready to leave.
(I won’t mention the horrendous amount off accumulated dust!)
“Okay let’s go!”
“I don’t understand. Has it finished? Can’t I go on the zip-line again!“ Softly moaned
a very tired cub.

Akela

Last week saw our beavers transplanting their cherry tomato plants from indoor pots to outdoor growbags.

Let’s hope they thrive in the hot weather – desperately trying to make sure they get regular watering in the heat so we get a bumper crop

All sections have now restarted after the Easter break and are looking forward to a busy term of activities.

The scouts having enjoyed a 4 day Easter camp at Phasels Wood are looking at more camps/overnights coming up – with the Monopoly Run, Water Weekend, Family Camp, Borough Camp and the District Summer Camp all scheduled to happen between now and mid August!!

The cubs are looking forward to the Chaos Camp as well as Family Camp and Borough Camp and the Beavers are looking at a sleepover at the HQ, Family Camp as well as a few activity days organised by District.

If you haven’t booked yet for the Group Family Camp there is still time to join the fun – just contact Nigel

Well done to the scouts who braved the frost and camped last weekend at the HQ to work towards their Outdoor challenge badge and help out tidy up the wood store.

The cooked on wood fires and did all their own washing up – here’s looking forward to the next camps (Expedition in March and Easter Activity in April) – if you haven’t signed up yet there is still time – just check OSM.