Angela Hutton writes about the Yuletide fun had at the 3rd Gidea Park Scout group

The hall looks like a glitter ball has exploded all over it as the polar bear beavers got arty and produced some wonderful decorations. Even the marshmallow snowmen had glitter streaks – not entirely in the recipe but festive none the less. The penguin beavers have been working on their animal carer badges and had a visit from two very lively guinea pigs. We’ve also been on our annual trip to see the pantomime at the Queens Theatre, where a brilliant time was had by all.

The Scouts have been working on their local guide and heritage badges, learning all about the Gidea Park estate and admiring all the festive Christmas lights along the way.

They’ve also been getting into the festive spirit themselves, finishing off their creative challenges with Christmas themed light painting photography. In teams of 12 the scouts had to work together with coloured torches to create a picture using long exposure photography. It looks a bit like a street dance routine gone wrong and they got some very strange looks from the residents of the hotel next door as they were dancing around the green, but the results were certainly impressive.

The scouts were even more pleased to have their pictures judged by one of our old boys who was fresh from taking pictures of international rugby at Twickenham and happy to offer up his words of encouragement.

The scouts are already planning their first camp of the new year - winter camp in January with onesies a must for those nippy nights. Then it’s time for the first the district competition of the new year with a battle for the orienteering competition first up.

The term has been rounded off nicely with loads of badges presented across the sections, including a bronze chief scout award in the polar bear beavers and a gold in the scout section. The group has also helped collect lots of toys for the community links project which is always a lovely way to end the year.

If you’d like to join us in the adventure as either an adult leader or youth member please contact us at angela@3gp.org.uk.

We look forward to meeting you in 2015.