Scout News

Scout News - 1st Stretford (Longford) Scout Group
Sunday, 14 September 2025 20:20

Summer Camp

his summer our group headed to Welshpool for an incredible camp that brought together all sections for adventure, teamwork and plenty of fun in the great outdoors.

Our Scouts and Explorers kicked things off with a full week away. Cubs joined in for four days, while Beavers and Squirrels made the journey for a special day visit, making sure everyone had a chance to experience the excitement of camp life.

The campsite, set right on the river and surrounded by woodland, gave us the perfect backdrop for adventure. Days were filled with cooking on open fires, working as patrols to collect wood, and learning how to live together in the outdoors. These simple but essential skills helped build confidence and teamwork as everyone played their part.

There was no shortage of activities to keep spirits high. On the water, Scouts and Explorers took to kayaks, paddling directly from our own campsite. On land, they tested their aim at archery, braved axe throwing, and set off on hikes through the stunning Welsh countryside. Cubs got a taste of all the excitement during their shorter stay, while Beavers and Squirrels packed a huge amount of adventure into their day visit.

As the week went on, patrols became closer, fires burned brighter, and the camp came alive with laughter, teamwork and plenty of marshmallows.

The camp finished with a big finale — an exhilarating white-water rafting trip that had everyone buzzing with energy and ready to take on the rapids together. It was the perfect way to end a week full of new experiences and memories.

A huge thank you goes to the leaders, volunteers and helpers who made this summer camp possible. Without their time and dedication, none of this adventure could have happened.

Friday, 12 September 2025 22:17

A Fresh Start to the Term

We kicked off our first week back at Scouts by welcoming the Cubs who have moved up, making sure they felt part of the group straight away. We also took some time to rework our patrols, getting everyone settled into their new teams, and talked about the rules and expectations for the term ahead. It was a good chance to set the tone for the months to come and remind everyone how we can work together to make meetings fun and safe.

After that, we got stuck into some games to burn off energy and get everyone moving. The activities gave the Scouts a chance to work with their new patrols, build teamwork, and have some fun after the discussions. It was a lively start to the term and set us up well for the exciting programme of activities we have planned.

Our Scouts and Explorers headed to Tatton Park for one of the best weekends in the calendar – the annual Water Camp!

The weekend was packed with adventure, laughs, and (unsurprisingly) a whole lot of water. Scouts took turns kayaking, canoeing and building rafts—rotating around the three activities throughout the day. Whether paddling in sync or wobbling their way across the lake, everyone threw themselves into it with full energy (and sometimes fully clothed... whoops!).

This year brought an extra splash, with plenty of rain joining the party. But that didn’t dampen spirits—in true Scout style, everyone embraced the weather and kept going, soaked smiles and all.

A camp classic is the walk into Knutsford for the all-important sweet shop raid—essential for topping up supplies before the evening's campfire. Once back at base, we wrapped up the day with songs, treats and the glow of the fire, drying off and winding down after a packed day.

Tatton’s always a favourite, and this year was no exception. Loads of time spent in boats, on the water, and having adventures with friends—what more could you want from a Scout camp?

The Troop headed off on camp to Linnet Clough—and what a weekend it was! Sunshine, non-stop action, and a chance to put all those Scout skills into practice.

First up: pitching tents. Scouts worked together to get their camps set up, perfecting their pegs and mastering guy lines (with only a few minor tangles). Once we were all set up, it was straight into classic camp cooking—on fires, of course! Burgers, pasta and all sorts of smoky goodness filled the air as everyone took turns cooking and clearing up.

We explored the area too, heading out for a walk around Marple to stretch our legs and take in the views. Plenty of water and suncream kept us going—it was a warm one!

The highlight for loads of the Troop was tackling The Cube—a massive structure packed with challenges: the Leap of Faith, Wobble Board, Balance Beams, Cargo Net, Cross Walk and the Budgie Cable Walk. Whether you’re a climber, a crawler, or someone who just gives it a go, there was something to test everyone’s nerves and balance.

It was a weekend full of teamwork, resilience, and loads of laughs. The Troop really showed how much they’ve learned—bringing together skills we’ve been building back at the Ranch and taking it all up a level.

Here’s to more sunny adventures and even bigger challenges!

This week the Troop took on the challenge of pioneering—but with a twist. The mission? Build a catapult strong enough to launch a wet sponge at another Patrol. Yes, things were about to get soggy.

Using poles, ropes and plenty of creativity (and some very questionable knots), each team got to work building their masterpiece. Some were sleek and steady, others... not so much. But every single one managed to launch a sponge across the field—often with surprising power and excellent aim.

Once the first few sponges started flying, there was no turning back. Patrols ducked, dodged, and definitely got drenched. Before long, the catapult battle turned into a full-on water fight, with Scouts legging it across the field, buckets and bottles in hand, absolutely loving it.

It was a brilliant way to cool off, blow off some steam, and wrap up a session full of teamwork, building skills, and soaking wet uniforms. Top effort, Troop!

 Longford Scouts is an active Scout Group based at the Ranche in Longford Park, Stretford in Manchester. We accept boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 18. We are a registered charity.