Unable to take part in their regular activities, thousands of scouts have been earning badges by camping at home
Thousands of scouts and their families have been making the most of lockdown by camping out at home.
While face to face activities might be postponed for the time being, more than 2000 scouts and their families have managed to camp at home over the past three weeks. These have been just like a normal scout camp but with everyone taking part safely in their own homes and gardens.
The “at home” camps have been held across Scotland in Aberdeen, Perth, Helensburgh, Stirling, Edinburgh and the Lothians and Fife.
Just like at regular camps young people were set challenges like building their own den, making some bushcraft food, solving a murder mystery and there was even an online campfire at the end of the night. Some also took part in the neckie flip challenge.
Andrew Sharkey, chief commissioner of Scouts Scotland, said: “It has been wonderful to see our young people and volunteers embrace a new way of scouting.
“We know that young people have been struggling and feeling isolated from their friends, and these camps have been a great way to come together as part of a bigger community. It’s also been great to see families who aren’t part of scouts join in, and experience the fun and friendship that scouts is all about.”
Margery Naylor, regional commissioner for South East Scotland Scouts said: "The sleep out we held across Edinburgh and the Lothians was a great opportunity to give our young people and leaders some much needed fun. It helped with reducing social isolation and loneliness because of the tremendous number of posts on social media. Young people could see others doing the same things and having a real adventure. It’s important for us as Scouts to help young people get through tough times. We want to ‘Keep on Scouting’ at this time and that's just what we are doing.”
Morag MacLachlan was one of those who took part. She said: “What a blast we all had, a true family camp and a highlight of our lockdown so far. Some great happy memories made thank you for those, and this weekend has given us all the opportunity to try something a bit different and it was truly amazing.”
The events were open to everyone, although you needed to be a member of scouts to get a badge. People were encouraged to take part by camping or sleeping somewhere other than their normal bed this could be in a tent, or even in a den in their living room, whatever works.
There are lots of ways for families to get involved with activities like this. The scouts launched The Great Indoors, more than 100 free activities for families to use at home. The activities are designed to be user friendly, fun and help keep young people education and entertained during this extended period at home.
Scouts Scotland is open to everyone and gives more than 40,000 young people the skills they need for life. While face to face scouts isn’t taking place many local groups have moved their weekly meetings online.
