1st Topcliffe Scout Group
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What Scouts do

Here's just a few of the things our Scouts do...
camping - cooking - games - hiking - archery - crafts - first aid - backwoods cooking - crate stacking - cultural cooking nights - survival camps - air rifle shooting - ice skating - tenpin bowling - incident hikes - canoeing - competitions - campfires - kayaking - climbing
... and much more!

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Why is camping so important to Scouting?

Camping has always been an important part of Scouting. It is both an enjoyable experience (in all weathers!) and a learning experience in one. For those in the Scout movement it allows them to bring a variety of things they have been taught into practice.

In addition the campers are also learning other important 'life' skills such as hygiene, self discipline, responsibility and such like. There are a variety of things to learn to enable your time at camp to go smoothly, from being able to erect the tents to starting a fire for a cup of hard earned tea there are many things that Scouts and Scouters pick up over the years.


Camping with 1st Topcliffe Scouts

We often give our Scouts the chance to experience camping with the troop throughout their time in Scouts, whether it's under canvas, in a cosy bivouac or even just a sleepover!

Every year we have our annual week long Summer Camp, usually in August. In recent years we have taken part in activity based camps as well as our a traditional 'greenfield' Summer Camps which consist of traditional Scouting skills and patrol competitions.

Check out our updated Summer Camp slideshows here.
Besides Summer Camp, other weekend camps take place throughout the year and for the last 3 years we have held a 'working display Scout camp' at the 'Deer Shed Festival', a local family music festival in North Yorkshire.
 
We also hold survival themed / bivouac camps that involve the Scouts building and sleeping in shelters using the natural materials they find - usually a woodland!
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Owls Patrol from Summer Camp 2013
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Hawks Patrol from Summer Camp 2013

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YOU'D BE WRONG TO THINK THAT SCOUTS ONLY GO CAMPING...

CHECK OUT WHAT ELSE THE TROOP GETS UP TO BELOW...


So what else do Scouts get to do then?
Good question. Read on to find out...

Scouts:
  • make their own decisions
  • choose their activities
  • challenge themselves
  • work as a team
  • learn about leadership and commitment
  • undertake outdoor activities and challenges
  • help others
  • undertake advanced proficiency schemes
  • become Young Leaders
  • Learn new skills

Look at our Scout photos to see what the Troop gets up to. You can also take a look at some of the past events and activities that Scouts at Topcliffe get a chance to enjoy. The best way to find out what Scouts get up to is to get in contact with us and come and see for yourself!

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What badges do they earn?Scouts can gain a wide range of activity badges and awards. There are also Challenge awards which culminate in the Chief Scout Gold Award that are gained as part of a balanced programme.

With 70 badges available, ranging from Aeronautics to Writer, Street Sports to Caver, Dragon Boating to Orienteering, Parascending to Pioneer, Camp Cook to Interpreter, there is something for everyone to seriously challenge the most able of young people.

What do they wear?

Scouts wear a full uniform. Scouting is a uniformed organisation and the uniform tells everyone that you are a Scout. 
  • Teal green long sleeved shirt or Group T-shirt
  • Group Necker

The exact details differ from Troop to Troop. The following may be included as part of your uniform:
  • Long trousers
  • Activity Trousers
  • Black shoes
  • Notebook, pencil, handkerchiefs


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Other Activities at 1st Topcliffe Scouts
  • Indoor & outdoor games
  • White Rose Walk
  • Cooking nights
  • Day / evening excursions
  • Activity & Challenge badge activities
  • Halloween parties
  • Christmas parties
  • Fire lighting
  • Knife / Axe / Saw
  • Knots (occasionally!)

PictureWhite Rose Walk 2012
Hiking - the great outdoors

A good way for Scouts to find out all about the scenic county of North Yorkshire, its wildlife, its changing seasons and the weather is to explore it on foot, so 1st Topcliffe Scouts organise hikes throughout the year. In the past we have done day hikes, incident hikes at night and short walks as well for those who are new to hiking.

Our main hiking challenge which is normally held once every year is to attempt and complete the White Rose Walk, which is a 37 mile hike over 2 days from the White Horse at Kilburn to Roseberry Topping which offers some spectacular views.

We have had some of our older Scouters walk the White Rose Walk twice and we hope to make it a hat-trick of treks to the top of Roseberry Topping next year! The photo above shows the hikers of 2012 ready to take on Roseberry Topping in the background.

On our hikes, the Scouts learn how to navigate, how to use a map & compass and at the same time gain self-confidence, observational skills and physical strength & stamina.

We hope that the hikes organised at Topcliffe will also give valuable opportunities for Scouts to earn activity and challenge badges and work towards the Chief Scout Gold Award as well as great practice for The Duke of Edinburgh Award.


Cooking - Food Glorious Food!

FACT: You'll never go hungry on a camp with 1st Topcliffe!

Cooking is a key part of Scouting. Whether its patrols cooking their meals on camp, a Troop cooking night, backwoods cooking (without utensils) or a cooking competition, at Scout we love our food. Check out an example menu.
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Mmm...That's one tasty looking breakfast!
Scout Skills - Knife, Axe & Saw Certification

The Scouts also have the opportunity to learn how to use these tools safely and constructively by taking part in the Knife / Axe / Saw certification. Each Scout must show that they can use the tools, know the methods, procedures of storing & handling and the safety aspects. Each Scout renews their certificate every 6 months minimum. Once certified, Scouts can use these tools on mainly on camp for making camping gadgets, whittling, carving and cutting & chopping wood.

The Scouts meet every Friday evening during term time from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at Topcliffe church hall                         Every Friday in the spring / summer, the Scouts meet at Blair’s Wood
How do I join?

Perhaps you know a friend who is a Scout with us at 1st Topcliffe...ask them if you can come along to a Troop meeting and see what all the fuss is about. The Scout will be earning their 'bring a friend' badge in the process!


Take a look at the 'How to find us' page to find out where we are.

You can contact us and request more information or download an application form in the first instance, to join the Troop.

We will be glad to let you stay for a night or two to see what it is like.

You will need to bring your parent/guardian along so that a form can be filled in. If you enjoy Scouting (and many people do!) you can find out how to become a full member by asking one of the Scout Leaders in person. Just remember to contact us first please!

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