1st Brechin Beavers Annual Report
2013-2014
I took on the role of Beaver leader one year ago to keep the colony going until we found a new leader, as I’m
already involved with the Cub Pack. This task has proved to be more difficult than expected, as we still haven’t
found a leader who is willing to lead the colony. That said, we have a wonderful team of section assistants, parents,
Cubs, Scouts who come along every week to help and join in the fun.
We have seen the colony grow from 12 Beavers to full capacity. At one point we had 32 Beavers. At present we
have 28. Ours is one of the biggest colonies in the district.
APRIL - We worked and had fun for the Explorer badge. We had a treasure hunt around the scout hall, went to the
park for a scavenger hunt and built a beaver’s dam out of sticks we collected in the park. We even put a little
beaver made of fir cone on the dam.
MAY- We worked for the Global Challenge badge, made an Indian headdress, a dream catcher. Best of all, we
made bows and arrows and had some target practice. We also learnt what Beavers are called in other countries and
that they have a different promise to ours.
JUNE – For the Fitness Challenge badge we went to the Den to play some sporty games then even more sporting
challenges the next week. Finally we quenched our thirst with a healthy banana milkshake we made ourselves. To
help us gain the Safety badge we had a visit from two firemen. We finished the term with more fun and games at
the Den.
AUGUST – Started the new term with some new games.
SEPTEMBER – For the Creative Challenge badge we made edible beavers. Entered the Brechin Flower show
with bunches of paper flowers. Made musical instruments and had a musical mayhem performance. Built cars out
of Lego that could transport an egg safely down a ramp.
OCTOBER – Made some weird and wonderful vegetable monsters and had a Halloween fancy dress party.
NOVEMBER – Working for the Friendship Challenge badge. Created a ‘good turn tree’, its leaves show all the
good turns we did at home. Had a visit from Special Constable and a police car. Made Christmas cards for the
residents of the Sheltered Housings and donated sweets for the Angus food bank to share out to the less fortunate
families in town.
DECEMBER – For our Christmas party we had a magic show and even Santa paid us an early visit with presents
for all. Our Christmas card sorting was very well supported this year. Thank you to all who helped.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY – Our next badge was the Scottish Challenge badge with nine weeks of activities all
related to Scotland. Games, Hama bead Scottish flags, food tasting, inventors, shortbread baking, story telling, mini
Highland games, making edible Loch Ness monsters, visit from a piper and drummer from the Brechin Pipe band,
visit from some Highland dancers who showed us the sword dance. We made a display of all Scottish things on our
badge wall. We had great fun.
We took part in a joint celebration with the Guides in honour of our founder, Robert Baden-Powell.
MARCH – Another new badge, the Imagination badge, was next. We used our imagination to play various games,
made up a story. Had a visit from Sylvia Troon puppeteer, storyteller. She enchanted us for the whole hour with her
stories and puppets. The following week we had fun letting our imagination free to make some puppets.
As you see, there is so much fun to have at Beavers. To see the enjoyment, excitement on the children’s faces
makes it all worthwhile. It’s great to see them making new friends, gain confidence and learn new skills.
So if you know anyone who would like to take on this rewarding challenge of leading the Beaver colony, let us
know. Trust me, it’s great fun!
Yours in Scouting, Sari Hill – Akela – Brechin Cub Leader