RNIB – 10 DECEMBER

This year, as part of their 2015 Challenge, 2nd Onchan Thursday Beavers decided to start collecting USED STAMPS for the RNIB (Royal National Institute for Blind People) who are based at the Manx Blind Welfare Society in Onchan. We managed to raise a fantastic 2.26kg!

Now here is an interesting fact – for every kg of UK stamps the RNIB receive £10, and for every kg of Overseas stamps (which includes IOM, Channel Island and ROW) they raise £15 per kg. We had a mixture of the UK and Overseas stamps so am guessing raised nearly £30 for the RNIB – and all for tearing off a stamp! The equipment they can buy with this money, to make life easier for the visually impaired, is truly amazing – adapted Monopoly, packs of cards, scrabble, talking watches, alarms for every need, large print books, magnifying glasses and state of the arc magnifying gadgets, Braille tape measure – the list is endless.

It was a great experience for the Beavers to visit Julie and Tanya at the Centre, and hand over our stamps. As well as explaining how the stamps are used, Julie and Tanya and her guide dog Bailey, took the Beavers on a tour of the premises and showed them some of the fantastic gadgets and equipment they have. Julie also invited everyone to try on a pair of visually impaired glasses – sight problems come in many different forms and it was interesting to understand the different ways in which people can and cannot see.
Our huge thanks to Julie, Tanya and Bailey. I think we were all inspired to continue collecting used stamps for the Centre – particularly over the Christmas period when we will be receiving lots of cards. If anyone would like to help in collecting their stamps – just to tear off your stamps (about 1cm around each) and save them in an empty chocolate tin or spare envelope over the coming weeks – we would be most grateful. I am hoping, now we have been inspired, that we can triple the weight of stamps for December 2016. So please start saving your stamps tomorrow – spread the word to family members and into the work place. I will put the Blue Stamp Box back in the Den at the Scout Hall. Many thanks.

CHRISTMAS PARTY & PRESENTATIONS – 17 DECEMBER

MOVING ON TO CUBS

It is always a sad time, saying goodbye to Beavers as they move on to Cubs. After two years in Beavers they are definitely ready for a new adventure. We see some amazing changes in their characters and their confidence, and we hope that we have done what we can to spark their passion for their Scouting journey. We wish Jack, Joshua, Nicholas and Alex all the very best in Cubs – we will miss you all – what fantastic boys – our very own Thursday Beaver Champions!! Our thanks go to Andrew and Rob from Manannan and Snaefell Cubs, who came along during the evening to help present the Moving On Badges.

LODGE POINTS AWARD

This term we started awarding Lodge Points, to encourage good behaviours, friendship and, teamwork. The Lodge with the most points were awarded with our new Points Trophy, which they get to share for a term, before returning for the next winning Lodge. This term the winners were Red Lodge! Well done to all the boys – Nicholas (Lodge Leader), Samuel (Assistant Lodge Leader), Rowan, Lowian and Callum – a great effort – keep up the good work.

BEAVER CHALLENGE 2015

This year, Island Beavers were set a number (12) of challenges by Big Beaver Bev. Thursday Beavers have been working hard to complete these challenges over the year. Here is a summary of what we have achieved:
OUR WORLD – Nature Scavenger Hunt – St John’s Arboretum
OUR WORLD – Science Night – Experiments
OTHERS – International Theme – Burns Night
FAME – Parents Activity Night – Games Evening
FAME – a picture in the newspaper
OUR WORLD – Help the Environment – Bug Hotel
OURSELVES – Try Something New – Disability Awareness Badge
OTHERS – Joint Meeting with Colony or Pack – Group Camp
OTHERS – Good Good Turn – Used stamp collecting for RNIB
Log – create a Log of the Challenges
OURSELVES – A Meeting with a Crazy Theme – Water Evening

We finished the Challenge at our Christmas Party, when we were able to sing our Colony Song (OURSELVES) for Big Beaver and Tuesday Beavers. Many thanks to Charlotte for organising and orchestrating the song. Considering it was the first time Thursday Beavers had all sung it together, I thought it sounded fab. Well done boys!
Big Beaver then presented the Beaver Challenge Trophy & Certificates to Samuel – who represented all the Thursday Beavers.
It was the perfect end to what has been a fantastic year at Thursday Beavers. We have all worked really hard – Leaders and Beavers – and achieved some amazing things this year, not least two Island Trophies!! We can’t promise more trophies next year, but we will have another fun packed year.