We’ve had another incredible term, getting out-and-about, experiencing adventure, teaching life skills, and putting our new equipment to good use!
The Cubs and Scouts also enjoyed at camp at Youlbury in Oxfordshire – loads of opportunity packed into one weekend.
We are always looking for new volunteers to help with the sections, as well as behind the scenes. Our group is a community that values positivity and teamwork. We support each other and turn challenges into opportunities. If you would like to join us to help in anyway, please do let us know and together, we can continue to achieve great things.
Thank you for your continued support and help.
Liam
Group Lead Volunteer
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Youlbury
What a load of adventure that was! Over 75 of our Cubs and Scouts visited Scout Adventures Youlbury in June.
Kayaking, Canoeing, Zip Wires, Abseiling, Aerial Trek, Archery, Powerboating, Campfires and whittling. Loads of outdoors fun, new skills and friends in Oxfordshire.
Huge thanks to the incredible team of volunteers that made it happen.
Squirrels
A very exciting summer term was had by the Squirrels.
We had our first ever visit to Walton Fire Station. The squirrels had a tour of the station, tested some kit out and used the water hoses. Huge thanks to Barry, Ben and the team for an amazing evening.
One of our favourite activities is the Litter pick which always ends in collecting lots of rubbish!
We had two opportunities on the water. One on the Thames with the powerboats and another great evening at Island Barn Reservoir Club.
We had boat rides and a massive water fight!! The Squirrels loved getting all the leaders wet! Thanks Jonnie, Charlie, Uta and the Island Barn instructors.
The highlight of the term was the first ever Squirrels day camp. It may of rained for half the day but that didn’t stop us.
We made badges, learnt about first aid, hiked, played archery, made a graffiti wall! We ended the day with hot dogs, hot chocolate and marshmallows. So much fun!
We had such a busy term that we awarded 6 of the Squirrels Chief Acorn Awards, which was a very special moment as this was the first time we have awarded them to the 1st Molesey Squirrel Drey.
Monday Beavers
We like to take advantage of the fair weather during the summer term and plan as many meetings as we can outside. We began this term by visiting Esher Fire Station for a very informative and fun visit, that included hands on the water hose with a very exciting and well-timed climax to our visit when the Watch was called out on a ‘shout’.
We often make use of the activities available for hire at Walton Firs and this time round it was the maze – Beavers were adept at finding the castle in the centre and we discovered how tricky it is for some Beavers to stay quiet whilst playing hide and seek.
Another outing was a walk from Molesey Boat Club to Bushy Park keeping an eye out for various items on the spotter sheets along the way. Beavers showed us what brilliant walkers they are, making it to Bushy Park with time to spare allowing for wide games.
Pond dipping is one of our most favourite activities and we are very appreciative of the Countryside Team from Elmbridge Borough Council for hosting us at West End Common. It is surprising how many minibeasts can be found and we conclude the activity by identifying them.
We were very happy to be given another opportunity to visit the nearby Mounted Police at Imber Court after a few years since our last visit. We were provided a really interesting tour, which ended in the museum but meeting the beautiful horses was definitely the highlight of the evening.
Our thanks to all the dads and grandads who joined us for our round-trip river cruise between Hampton Court Palace and Kingston to celebrate Father’s Day. We couldn’t have been luckier with the weather, it was a pleasant evening to enjoy the cruise, scenery and company.
In 2022 we had a unique visit to the Molesey Apiary and this term they visited us at the Scout Hut instead. We were shown bees in an observation hive (concealed glass viewing), dressed up as beekeepers and made bee watering stations to take home. We are very appreciative of the beekeepers taking the time to visit us.
Our VE Day tea was fabulous! We celebrated together by decorating bunting, preparing scones with jam and clotted cream for our tea as well as colouring specially designed VE Day fuzzy art bookmarks as keepsakes. We ended the evening with an Act of Remembrance; the Exhortation was recited followed by the Last Post and a two-minute silence before the Reveille was sounded. Our sincere thanks to Mark, a Beaver dad, who came along to play the trumpet for us; we were very privileged.
Bazzaz is a fun day out that takes place every three years, it is organised by Surrey County Scouts and held at Merrist Wood near Guildford. Over 1,900 young people, nearly 900 adults and 142 Young Leaders experienced a fantastic day where 187 activities were on offer; they included ‘pig-racing’, a miniature train ride, paper rockets, obstacle course, weaving, and so many inflatables that I can’t even begin to list them. There were about 180 Beavers from Esher District in attendance and 25 of them from 1st Molesey Beavers; they went home tired but happy.
Tuesday Beavers
Tuesday Beavers had a successful and enjoyable summer term. We regularly had 24 children attend our weekly meetings during which they were able to experience a wide range of activities and have worked towards various badges.
At the beginning of term the children enjoyed learning how to use the archery equipment at the hut. They learnt how to use the equipment safely and how to aim and fire the arrows at the targets.
Our Beavers had a fantastic visit to Esher Fire Station. They were able to learn about the fire service and how the team there deal with emergencies and the children were able to learn about the equipment they use, sit in the fire engine and fire water from the hose. They seemed to really enjoy blasting the water!
We had an amazing time out on the water during the summer term. The children were able to go out on the powerboats on the river and each took a turn to captain and steer the boat.
Later in the Summer term, the children were also able to take the kayaks out on the river. This was a first for many of the children and they had a really enjoyable evening paddling the kayaks around in the river at Sadler’s ride.
During the term, the children went ‘pond dipping’ in Esher Woods, during which they were able to learn about the varied pond life that exists in their natural habitats.
We also had a visit from a local Apiary group who came to speak to us about bee keeping. The children were able to dress up in bee keepers clothing and they also made bee watering stations to take home with them.
In June, we attended the Surrey Scouts county Beaver fun day, Bazzaz.
For Father’s day, we had a ‘Rain Gutter Regatta’. The children, along with their family members, were able to make a boat out of some pipe insulation and other resources which they raced along a piece of guttering. Everyone had a fantastic time trying to win the races!
At the end of term, the children visited Walton Firs activity centre and went on the ropes course there and were able to practice their climbing and communication skills.
At our last meeting, we had a family picnic at the scout hut. The children were able to play some outdoor summer games including mini golf, tennis, axe throwing and darts. Every member of our Beaver Colony earnt various badges during the term and we were able to award these at our family picnic which was lovely as their families were able to celebrate these achievements with them.
We are looking forward to an exciting programme of activities in the autumn term after the summer break.
Monday Cubs
We started the Summer Term with a bike ride!
The Bushy Park hike was also a favourite, lots of local knowledge on show!
In June the Cubs spent a couple of weeks on the river trying out our new kayaks. We have had such great weather this term which really helped everyone enjoy themselves!
Loads of the Cubs took part in an epic camp at Youlbury near Oxford. The high ropes and archery were a highlight, as well as of course the water activities our 1st Molesey leaders ran on the Thames.
In July our sixers joined Cubs from the Thursday pack for a Bushcraft weekend at White Beeches near Godalming. They focused on traditional Scouting skills and of course had lots of fun on the rope swing!
For the final evening of the term we took part in some higher-speed powerboating at Island Barn – lots of fun and a chance to see the skills we’ll work towards at Scouts.
Whilst at Island Barn we invested some of our newer Cubs, and presented some very well deserved Silver Awards!
Have a great summer Monday Cubs, we’ll see you in September!
Thursday Cubs
The Thursday Cubs have had another fun term, with loads of new skills and adventures outside!
We held a very successful joint meeting with the Monday Cubs at Polyapes, on a week when they would have missed out due to a bank holiday!
This term we also enjoyed loads of water time, including powerboating and kayaking!
Water activities were a highlight of the Cub summer camp at Youlbury near Oxford.
Youlbury gave our Cubs so many fantastic opportunities to take part in activities both on and off the water.
The Cubs helped to build, decorate and walk with our amazing Molesey Carnival float.
This summer’s great weather provided opportunities for extra boating which was enjoyed by all.
Together with the Monday Cubs, some of our sixers and seconders joined together for an exciting Bushcraft weekend in Godalming. We learned how to cook on thie fire, keep each other safe with first aid skills, and also build and set up hammocks!
It was a warm weekend so plenty of time for a water fight too!
Tuesday Scouts
The summer term saw us out and about most weeks, with a mix of activities on the water and in local parks. When we were at the hut, we spent most of the time outside.
WATER. Our scouts were fortunate to experience a variety of water-based activities this term, kayaking and powerboating on the Thames, and for some, Monday sailing sessions at Island Barn.
We had a joint trip to the RNLI station at Teddington, to learn about their activities and water safety.
Our final Tuesday of term, on the first day after the extended hot spell, the scouts worked together to get water from one place to another, which resulted in an inevitable water fight (although the leaders were remarkably dry at the end).
At the start of the holidays, many scouts went on the joint trip to Shepperton Splash and to end the term, a joint paddleboarding session with the Wednesday Troop.
DRY. Supported by a group of our parents, we cycled from Molesey to Kingston and back, staying LEFT (!), and enjoying the evening sunshine. We had an evening of, relative, success making kites; a pioneering session, making shelters – unsurprisingly, the scouts weren’t keen for the waterproofing to be checked…; two nights in the park – one for athletics and one for games.
Wednesday Scouts
We started the term by welcoming our new Scouts, getting used to working in patrols and focusing on some key teamwork and Scouting skills that would help us on the water and out-and-about this term.
Although a lot of time in the summer is spent afloat, we enjoy traditional Scouting skills just as much and so ensured plenty of time was spent building fires, cooking and pioneering!
A favourite in the summer term is always the cycle ride!
The good weather meant we could get afloat lots this year, we had a brilliant season kayaking, powerboating and sailing.
We made good use of our new water activities kit, running RYA powerboat training.
We continue to work with our friends at 1st Walton Sea Scouts to provide oppportunities to Scouts at both groups to sail at Island Barn Reservoir.
This term we spent a lot of time at Polyapes, our local campsite to practice Scouting skills and play games!
The warm weather also lent itself to the water slide!
Our Patrol Leaders paddled 40km from Godalming to Walton-on-Thames for their Expedition Challenge. This includied the entire length of the River Wey Navigation and a final section on the Thames. A great effort and a memorable trip.
Together with the Tuesday Scouts, we visited the Teddington RNLI station to find out about their lifesaving work.
We visited Shepperton Splash, always a highlight!
The last week of the term was spent paddleboarding on the Thames, loads of fun!
The highlight of the summer was Kent International Jamboree, our summer camp for 2025, an event we had been looking forward to since our previous visit in 2022. Loads of new activities and friends from around the world.
Explorers have enjoyed a mixture of activities this term including smores on the campfire, making catapults, tie dying, baking dough balls and making butter, baking a ‘rations’ condensed milk cake for celebrating VE Day, one of our ‘Jim walks’ round Desborough Island, a hydrant hunt around Molesey, made boats from pipe insulation to compete in a Raingutter Regatta, played tennis at Molesey Hurst Rec on a beautiful summer evening and on one very hot day had a great deal of fun with water games before ending the term with Shepperton Splash. Our thanks to all leaders and parents who have leant a hand at our meetings this term.
New to District Explores was a painting competition and two of our Explorers came 1st and 3rd in the Age of Sigmar category (well done!). We also enjoyed the summer social at Polyapes joining with Units from other Groups for games and barbeque.
Some of our Explorers are Young Leaders volunteering in the younger Sections for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and a few have decided to take that further and are participating in the Surrey Scouts Young Leader Scheme. Two of these YLs took part in the Bushcraft camp at Polyapes in July where they learned skills such as how to make rope out of nettles, various fire lighting techniques amongst other things and they also slept under shelters they had made themselves.
Over the summer three of our Explorers took part in their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Silver expeditions; the practice canoe expedition took place along the Medway in Kent, which included some exciting chutes and the qualifying expedition along the Thames near Oxford in very changeable weather. They did exceedingly well, showing teamwork and some excellent cooking of their meals using trangias.
Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime and four of our Explorers took part in Poland this year. They were away for 15 days, with 10 of those days walking through Poland. They met local people, talked to them in order to complete a series of projects and to gain a deeper understanding of Poland, its people, culture and way of life. During their expedition, they selected their own route, found their own accommodation or camped and covered about 200 km on foot. Well done for achieving one of Scouting’s most challenging Top Award.
We are extremely proud of all of the DofE expedition and Explorer Belt participants and congratulate them on their achievements.
Fundraising
In the Summer term we ran a candy floss stall at St Lawrence summer fair, had a book and tattoo stall at Molesey Carnival, and a bubble tea stand at the Monday Beavers Summer family event. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we raised £500. We will also have a bar and second-hand uniform stall at the AGM, and are in the process of setting up a ‘paint and sip’ event, so watch this space.
There are lots more opportunities for us to raise money for our young people, which will mean they get to do more fun activities, and we can keep monthly fees as low as possible. However, we really need your help to run these events. I have put together some job descriptions of the roles (attached) we would love to fill so you can see what is on offer and what it involves. These can be taken on by one person (with a group of helpers) or a group of people. Please have a look and let me know what you can help out with. If you have any other ideas that you would like to make happen to raise money for the Scouts, then please also get in touch with me. You can contact me on jo.jethwa@1stmoleseyscouts.org.uk
The events are:
Jo’s email address is jo.jethwa@1stmoleseyscouts.org.uk
- Bingo night
- Quiz night
- Molesey Carnival stall (June 2026)
- Cinema club
- Magical Molesey (Dec 2025)
- Coffee Stall at Circular Market
- Candy floss stall at your child’s school fair
- Sponsor a Kayak
- Sports events water stations
3 – 4 October 2025
The 2025 Molesey Beer Festival will be held th to 12th October 2024 and tickets are now available.
This is an important fundraiser for the group and we depend on your support.
Please share the dates and link to the website with your friends and family.