Beaver Fun Day

Thanks to Derbyshire Beaver for sharing some of their ideas from their 10th Birthday Party for the Beaver Scout section.

On the 7th July All of Derbyshire Beaver Scouts had a Fun Day to celebrate the Beaver Scouts 10th Birthday. The Fun day was at the County campsite at Drum Hill and there were approx. 2000+ Beaver Scouts plus leaders. The Bonanza was opened at 10.30 with the opening ceremonials and short speeches by various dignitaries.

The site was split into five lands. Future, Fantasy, Frontier, Healthy and Adventure. Each of the colonies were allocated a starting Land to try and ensure minimum congestion. The variety of activities on each of the Lands was such that they could not be done within the day. As several of the activities were duplicated this was not a problem. My Beaver Colony started at Frontier land.

Frontier Land

As the name suggests this was devoted to the "Wild West".

There was an Indian village of Teepees which the Beaver Scouts were invited to paint an/or decorate with various materials. The teepees were built using garden canes and a white cotton/paper covering.

Scouts and Venture had built a "Death Slide" which followed the slope of a hill to ensure it was not too high, safe but still "Death defying". They had also constructed a Rope bridge and both of these were very attractive and had queues all day.

There was a craft tent which was doing a good trade in Indian headresses.

The next Land we moved to was FANTASY LAND.

Fantasy Land

The entrance to this land was through a dark tunnel, made out of pioneered framework covered with black polythene, various wet and slimy objects were hung from the roof etc. Any Leader unwise enough to try and go round were soon shown the error of their ways by means of water pistols. (Yes I did try and avoid it!)

There were craft tents were the Beaver Scouts could make Dragon Puppets, Paper "twister" snakes, rockets and Clown noses, hats and dickey bows. One tent had face painting which did a good trade. Being an ex-patriot Welshman, yours truly had the flag of St. George on both cheeks. Many Beaver Scouts seemed to have strange attacks of the spots in many colours. This epidemic was seen amongst the Leaders and Helpers too.

One stand had flying plastic pop bottles. The bottles were primed with water. A rubber bung attached to a foot pump wad inserted in one end. The bottle was then rested on a piece of guttering at 45degree angle and pumped until the pressure launched the bottle with a watery wake! The fact that telephone lines were in the way only added to the pleasure. The height of achievement was to get the bottle over the wires.

Also in this land was a Tug of War, Large inflatable ball to be maneuvered around the field and bouncing balls.

My party, having seen the pirate hats etc. come past, decided that ADVENTURE LAND was next.

Adventure Land

The entrance to this land had various fairground style stalls, coconut shy, ring the bell with hammer and the inevitable bottle launcher.

Further on was the pirate craft tent. There the Beaver Scouts, with some help, were assisted in making a felt eye patch, pirate hat, hook and the sword. These items were made out of plastic bottle ends, newspaper, silver foil and sellotape. I can post details if needed.

We then went to the "Indiana Jones Adventure Trail". This was a mini assault course comprising a tire obstacle, rope swing across a water/mud filled ditch (Breath sigh of relief when none of mine fell in) and an assisted Rope walk. A certificate was issued on completion.

Having met up with more of out colony we participated in the "Parachute " games and some new and variations on old games were learnt.

The Day was to end with a camp fire sing song and a Closing ceremony. On the way back we had a very quick look at FUTURE and HEALTHY Lands.

Future Land

This had the obligatory bottle launchers and various craft activities centered around recycled materials.

Healthy Land

There was an Ambulance, Fire engine and various craft stands.

We did not really have enough time to see much of Future or Healthy lands but the Closing ceremony beckoned. On the way the drinks and hot dogs had been reduced to 10p each and all the Beaver Scouts stuffed their little faces.

The Camp fire was lit and all the Beaver Scouts were seated around the fire. The sing song commenced and the Leaders and Helpers had a chance to have a well deserved drink and relax.

After the singing it was time to go home. We gathered our exhausted but happy band and herded them to the bus. The price of the day included a plastic beaker stenciled with the Bonanza day and the Derbyshire Beaver Birthday mascot Furry Fred.

The icing on the cake for our Beaver colony was to find they would still be on the top deck of the double Decker and we were going home by the same route as we came! I must explain. Drum Hill Campsite is approached via country lanes with many low overhanging trees which means the bus has to force its way through accompanied by the OOOHS and AAAHS from the little devils.

The best compliment I can pay to the County team was a request to go back next weekend!!