Report and photos: Mike Price

Ormskirk and District Scout groups have been keeping busy during lockdown and most groups have been holding virtual meetings, camps and setting the young people activities to do.

Just because the groups cannot meet, this hasn't stopped the adult volunteers from staying in touch with their beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers.

Holding meetings via Zoom and creating Whatsapp groups have all helped keep the scouting movement going during the pandemic. The Scout movement has also been keeping young people occupied during the lockdown by getting them to camp, walk to the moon and by taking part lots of other fun games and activities.

Some of the groups are working on a new badge: 'The Great Indoors' badge - not just about learning new skills, but bringing out what is already 'inside' each scout. There are different stages which allow the young people to share what they have learnt and to find a way to support the local community.

Anyone over the age of six can participate towards this badge, regardless of whether they’re a Scout or not. This is a first for the scout movement, as normally you have to be a member to work towards badges.

There are nine activities in each stage and three stages in total, so that’s 27 activities the family can get involved in.

So how do you do it?

As you go through each stage, make sure you track your progress. One way to do this is by attaching a chart to the fridge or recording in a notebook.

The most important things to note are:

1. What activity did you do?

2. What did you learn from the activity?

To get more information on the activities and to start your adventure with Scouts, go tohttps://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors/the-great-indoors-badge/

You can also buy a badge to keep fromhttps://shop.scouts.org.uk/thegreatindoors

For more information on the Scout movement, go to www.scouts.org.uk or to join your local group email joinormskirk@westlancsscouts.org.uk