3rd Hampton Scout Group

The Beavers leadership team (which has grown in numbers recently – thank you!) have planned a jam-packed summer term for the children.

Working on achieving some new activity badges before the year is out, we are focusing on space and science experiments, cooking, and issues that impact our environment as well as communities around the world.

Whether experimenting with vinegar and baking soda (cue: explosions!), decorating cupcakes or learning about the journey of a Fair-Trade banana and some people’s struggle to access clean water, the children have risen to each challenge showing an amazing appetite for new experiences, and learning without realising they are!

We will say goodbye to 2 of our eldest Beavers at the end of term – we hope they finish their time with the group feeling proud and ready for Cubs. We also welcome 4 new Beavers and wish them well on the start of their scouting adventures. If you know of any young people who would like to try a session, please let me know – excited for the group to grow, and grow!

Beavers, as a scouting movement, is 40 years’ old this year so we organised a special birthday party-themed sleepover to celebrate!

The children were challenged with balloon team games to start, followed by a round of pass the parcel complete with party light-up prizes.

After enjoying some Beavers blue cupcakes (handmade by the very talented Fiona – new leader), the children decorated a T shirt with birthday party designs, before getting dressed up (complete with glitter, face paints and tattoos!) for a disco. Some serious shapes were thrown!

Then it was time for dinner followed a movie and popcorn in the Explorer room – a time to chill out and wind down after a fun-filled afternoon.

Torch-light stories and a star-projector helped to create a cosy atmosphere in the main hall…..and after some convincing…they settled down to sleep.

We were all up bright and early the next morning for breakfast, garden games, chalk drawings and sand art craft before packing up and heading home for a little more sleep(!)

It was amazing to see so many Beavers join in and experience a first (or 2nd) night away showing bravery and true scouting team spirit, and were awarded well-deserved Nights Away badges to prove it.

We are back where I started my journey with 3rd Hampton Cubs as a leader and running my own camp – Polyapes Campsite!

This campsite, which is tucked away near Oxshott Woods has been transformed since my last visit. It is so lush and clean having the benefit of an enclosed large site and The Warren building with a hall and kitchen for use during camps.

It seemed bigger than last time I visited. The Cub team were buzzing on arrival. Our van was driven up near to The Warren and was swiftly unloaded and the water urn was turned on for a cuppa. I checked out the site for positioning our tents and instructed where tables and chairs were to be set up inside for eating. The kitchen was being treated to a very professional scrub down by the “Chef Dad”. Yes, this was going to be a great camp.

It was Friday evening and the weather was being very kind to us! The trickle of Cubs arriving who were staying both Friday and Saturday night was steady and some parents came to help pitch the tents!
“Are the Cubs actually going to help with the tents?” asked one very concerned leader. It seemed a shame to “shatter” the happiness created by Cubs excitedly exploring every nook and cranny of the site.

“Raksha we’ve found a coffin!”

But they need to learn that there are times when we all have to attend duties and do a little hard work. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks so here goes!

“3rd Hampton Cubs” I bellowed out loud with a smirk! Will they listen? Oh, they’re slowly appearing from behind trees and bushes making their way towards me and not one unhappy Cub!

“Right Cubs! We need to set up Camp and tents…….. “Ooooh nooooo”! We were just …… “Oi! Where Dya think you’re going?”

Oh well! I thought to myself. At least I’ve got some parents who are helping! I think ……………..

Lizzie G (Akela)

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