Wednesday, 8 June 2016
The circus is here
The children made their own spinning poi, and worked hard practicing with them. We also had some spinning plates, juggling balls, and other circus bits to experiment with.
Saturday, 4 June 2016
Spring camp and caving.
Preparations for camp started early, in our group we've made welly pegs to keep our boots together, made signs to hang on our beds and made a new group banner to take along to decorate the marquee.
Each year there are also a few bits of equipment which need replacing and this year was no different. A new colander made draining the potatoes so much easier.
This years Spring Camp was a little different to the previous couple of years. The site was mendip canvas village, where the tents are all ready set up, we slept in bunk beds and there was a fantastic central "hub" tent. With lots of room and space to play. As it turned out that was very handy as the first night and most of the second day were quite wet!.
We still had our bushcraft space with some fire lighting, whittling and the odd toasted marshmallow, along with a wide game and of course everyone still had their clans to help out with all the jobs to keep the camp running.
The site is also close to a number of caves, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go and explore.
The banoffee pie was mentioned by quite a few children as one of th best bits of camp. 70 people eat quite a lot of pie.
As the rain finally started to clear on Saturday evening we were treated to a lovely rainbow.
The giant bubbles worked really well, so much fun.
A busy term
It's been a very bust term with lots of different things going on. Warm weather and lighter evenings mean we've been able to make the most of the outdoors.
We've decorated posts and planted sunflowers, which are growing well. I wonder how tall they will get this year.
Paper marbling was great fun too, all the swirling patterns were lovely to look at.
Clay is always popular and the children made some lovely creations.
It also lead to our big hit of the term, lots of the children wanted to splatter paint their clay creations, a bit too much mess for the hall. However, old clothes and a warm evening made for a very messy but fun evening. We had to leave the paint to dry before we could peel off the tape and revel the pictures, so sadly there aren't very many pictures of the finished items.
We were also getting ready for our Spring camp, everyone needs a welly peg to keep their boots together, and with bunk beds this year the children got creative making signs for their beds.
We've decorated posts and planted sunflowers, which are growing well. I wonder how tall they will get this year.
Paper marbling was great fun too, all the swirling patterns were lovely to look at.
Clay is always popular and the children made some lovely creations.
It also lead to our big hit of the term, lots of the children wanted to splatter paint their clay creations, a bit too much mess for the hall. However, old clothes and a warm evening made for a very messy but fun evening. We had to leave the paint to dry before we could peel off the tape and revel the pictures, so sadly there aren't very many pictures of the finished items.
We were also getting ready for our Spring camp, everyone needs a welly peg to keep their boots together, and with bunk beds this year the children got creative making signs for their beds.
Wednesday, 9 March 2016
Park in the Dark
Spaces which are so familiar during the day take on a whole different feel after sunset, so while we've been many times to our local park in the summer it felt quite different this evening. Not being able to see out into the distance, or quite where the muddy spots were underfoot. Being a clear night gave us a fantastic view of the stars though, and as our eyes grew accustomed to the dark we were able to pick out more surprises, like the clumps of snowdrops under the trees.
Our plan for the evening was a treasure hunt. Each group was given a map of the park, with the locations marked. The treasure pots were covered in reflective materiel, very easy to miss until the torchlight hit them.
After the treasure hunt and a warming drink of hot chocolate it was time to tackle the "incredibly scary swamp of doom". In the corner of the park is a rope and plank bridge, another area which looked very different in the torch light than on a sunny afternoon.
Our plan for the evening was a treasure hunt. Each group was given a map of the park, with the locations marked. The treasure pots were covered in reflective materiel, very easy to miss until the torchlight hit them.
After the treasure hunt and a warming drink of hot chocolate it was time to tackle the "incredibly scary swamp of doom". In the corner of the park is a rope and plank bridge, another area which looked very different in the torch light than on a sunny afternoon.
Masks and a big pot of soup
Each year all the groups from across Bristol join together for an afternoon of games and fun. Each group also brings along a short performance to share at the merrymoot.
The year our Elfins performed a sketch about the bravest camper, each trying to scare the other campers with their masks. I certainly think I'd be scared if I saw some of these coming .
Following on from their T shirt recycling project earlier in the year the Pioneers told the story of Aunty Meg, a dedicated recyler who turns her old coat into a whole range of new items of clothing.
Following the performances it was time for a quick meal of home made soup, lots of people means a big pan of soup!. The even was rounded off with songs around the camp fire. Great fun if a little chilly!
The year our Elfins performed a sketch about the bravest camper, each trying to scare the other campers with their masks. I certainly think I'd be scared if I saw some of these coming .
Following on from their T shirt recycling project earlier in the year the Pioneers told the story of Aunty Meg, a dedicated recyler who turns her old coat into a whole range of new items of clothing.
Following the performances it was time for a quick meal of home made soup, lots of people means a big pan of soup!. The even was rounded off with songs around the camp fire. Great fun if a little chilly!
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