Mountain Biking In The Moors

On Sunday the 10th July 2016 a group of Scouts set out on an amazing mountain bike trek starting at Sutton Bank Visitors Centre.  

 We were handed out a bike, gloves, helmet and glasses.  Then we had to do a check on the bikes but instead of checking our own bikes we checked the person’s bike next to us (trying to remember which way was clockwise!!).

 We set out on our adventure (after eventually finding out which way was clockwise!) heading down a steep hill that had some tight corners then over a bridge and then back up the hill to a road.
Along the road we went, when we came to a gate that led up to a really worn, muddy, dirty path. We played a game of slow races by trying to be the slowest up the hill and in this case trying not to fall off!

In total we cycled 32 km in about 4 hours. My favourite bit was when we had finished we went on a test track and it had some jumps, up and down steps , dodging trees as I raced passed at a million miles an hour!
It was the best but my bum really hurt for the next week!

By Matthew 
Cobra Patrol Leader

Kilnsey: The Horse Riding & Fishing Camp

It all began on the afternoon of Friday the 23^rd of October, at the base of the breath-taking Upper Wharfedale valley deep in the Yorkshire Dales. We all pitched camp in the usual scout fashion, pitching tents, brewing tea, sparking a cosy campfire and huddling up for the cold night ahead. What happened the next morning however was where things got interesting, because,  beforehand we had been told that this was in fact not a generic, cook, hike, sleep, repeat scout camp; but that it was in fact a horse riding  / fish murdering scout camp. SO we rolled up our sleeves in preparation for our first morning’s horse riding.

At ten o’clock sharp Saturday morning we were all ready to meet the horses, and after we’d actually shown the horses that in fact we were not their food, we got stuck in with grooming and saddling up the steeds we’d be riding for the rest of camp. We learnt how to approach our horses safely, how to clean their hooves and bodies of dirt and stones, and most importantly, how to fit their saddles and bridles, and eventually how to mount them. With all that sorted, we set out for our first proper ride of the camp, a pleasant gander along the bank of the River Wharfe.   It wasn’t the particularly fast and arduous trek that we were expecting, but it was a nice way to start. After a swift picnic lunch, for the second part of our horse-riding morning we were ushered to the trekking club’s horse arena for some basic skills (some handled it better than others) involving trying to wrestle ourselves and respective ponies round and round the circuit, whilst simultaneously trying not to fall off.

For our afternoon entertainment, (so the leaders said) we were to do fishing, and most of us managed to catch some fine, shiny trout. Despite the popular opinion of fishing being boring, in practice, it was surprisingly challenging and altogether very satisfying when you hauled in your catch. Although, the “humane” killing and gutting of our soon-to-be dinner, wasn’t, to say the least everyone’s cup of tea. Next, we came to the cooking of the fish, and following some professional preparation masterchef would have been proud to judge, we grilled our juicy meat to culinary perfection, and treated ourselves to a warm campfire dinner. Then, we fell asleep, believe it or not.

When the next morning arose, we briskly returned to the trekking centre for our second day’s riding, and, having said our hello’s and prepared our ponies for the second time, we set out on what would become our camp’s equivalent to the traditional scout stroll across the hills, a graceful saunter through some majestic views from the hills. And after another picnic lunch, we were again taken up to the arena, for some more advanced riding skills, including slaloms, mounting and dismounting, and trotting (to the obvious amusement of our leaders).

With the end of camp fast approaching, we returned to our deserted campsite for the traditional task of striking camp. And, when all was said and done, all the tents pulled down, all the food packed away, all the questionably edible fish digested, and every last trace of horsehair brushed from our clothes, we returned home in good spirits, and in no doubt why we had sore stomachs weeks later.

Blog by

Guy, Falcon Patrol Leader

Tohunga: The Training

Tohunga Training

Tohunga, Teko Teko and Tahwiri are 3 levels of an annual scout and explorers competition run by our local district Harrogate & Nidderdale District Scouts.  At 1st Marston Moor we had a team of 5 in the Tohunga section of the competition.

In Tohunga you have two route plan and hike a 7  to 8 mile hike, pitch camp, cook dinner, camp overnight, cook breakfast and hike a second (previously route planned) 7 to 8 mile hike.  All without a leader!

To do this we needed to have some navigation, cooking and camp skills and be able to work as a team!  We needed to learn first aid and rescue techniques as well - thankfully we didn't need them

Tent Pitching

Training began in March with a short hike around a nearby village called Marton cum Grafton.  /it gave us a chance to show what map and navigation skills we had.  While we walked we talked about the competition and our scout leader (SL) asked questions about first aid and rescue techniques if we became lost.  It was all fine -but the looked horrified when one of the team said they didn't need to look at the map because they had memorised it!

The second training session was orienteering on West Chevin Park, this was all about navigation and teamwork!  (With lots of first aid and rescue questions - on the way).

The wet practise hike

We had two training sessions in Kirk Hammerton, we practised cooking on the Trangia stoves pitching and striking tents and did some of the route planning for the actual competition.  Of course there were lots of questions on first aid and rescue.

We also did two more hikes - on one it was so wet and cold that we had to abandon the walk part way.   Even though we all had waterproofs on we were still getting wet through to our clothes.  These hikes were all 8 miles or more - distance practise for the actual competition. (Plus more navigation, first aid and rescue!).

Finn Perkins-Hill

Wolf Patrol

Trees for the future

North Yorkshire Moors Week 6

Tree Planting

We first had a ride in the mini bus to an open field and then walked to a section of the River Esk.

The Pearl Mussel Project is designed to stop the banks of the river slipping into the water. When this happens this pollutes the river harming the wild life.

Our task was to plant 48 Oak and Hazel trees along the river bank to stop this happening.

We were given the correct tools and told how to use them safely.

First we put the posts into the ground and cut a square of turf out. We dug the hole deep enough for the roots. The tree was planted and the soil put back in the hole pushed down. The turf was replaced making sure it was placed upside down. Next the protective tube was placed over the tree to protect it from wildlife until it is established. We repeated this until all the trees were planted.

By Ben,
Stag Patrol

Fungi & Forestry in the NY Moors

Scouts at NY Moors 29 November 2014   

We arrived at the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre on a cold and foggy day.  We met Tammy, the co-ordinator of the North York Moors Explorers.  She told us our mission which was to chop down some trees, to make a new footpath and to allow the heather to grow.

First, we went for a walk looking for fungi.  We found quite a lot.  Tammy told us about them and we also had reference books to help us identify them.

We drove in a minibus to the place where we were working.  It was only a short way, but we had a load of equipment to take along with us.  We had our lunch, I was glad I had my flask of hot chocolate!

We got down to work, cutting down some trees.  We each had a folding saw and loppers, which are long handled cutters.  This tree chopping technique is called the notch and Back Cut.  We all worked very hard and finished a bit early.

At the end, we were dancing in front of the Centre webcam while we were waiting for our lift home.  I think we were all tired at the finish, but we had done a good job.

By Luke

Cobra Patrol

North York Moors Conversation Poject

North York Moors Conservation Project 1:

Sutton Bank Visitor Centre

On Saturday 27th September four Scouts and one scout to be went to Sutton Bank Visitor Centre as part of the first day of the North York Moors Conservation Project.

We cleared and resurfaced underneath benches and we also painted 44 sq metres of fencing.
When we all arrived in the morning we met Tammy, Explorer Club Co-ordinator for the National Park, who showed us the tools we would be using, how to use them properly and what we would be doing throughout the day.  First of all we used spades to clear out the grass that was growing too far onto the bench area and did the same to branches that were in the way but with secateurs. We then covered the area in wood shavings to stop the grass growing through. When we were eating our lunch we had to walk around in groups and find out what different types of tree bark and leaves look like. 


After lunch and the tree spotting we got dressed in protective suits and each got a roller and a paint tray and started to paint.
Everybody in the party from 1st Marston Moor really enjoyed it and we are looking forward to the next time we go.

Finn
Wolf Patrol.

This is the first out of 6 conservation days our scouts will be involved in with the North Yorkshire Moors.  During the project they will be learning about conserving a National Park for the good of the wildlife, plants, residents and visitors, plus working on various badges including the Environmental Partnership Award.

 

New Experiences: Windsurfing

On the cold 28th June 2014, many Scouts went windsurfing at Scaling Dam near Whitby. The day was split into 2 sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I went in the afternoon with Tom, Oliver H, Abigail, Eva and Lucy. 
   When everyone had arrived, eventually, our coach gave us a wet suit each and told us to go and get changed into them. Oliver took the longest to put his wet suit on because he managed to get it on but when he had zipped it up at the back, he only then realised that it was the wrong way round! When Oliver had done, about 30 minutes longer than everyone else, we waddled down like penguins to where the boats were. 

   
The coach showed us how to get on and how to get moving and before we knew it, we were on the water. The parents all the while taking embarrassing photos of us trying to get moving and instead falling off. 


When we all got the hang of it, the coach let us go further out. Most of us got a long way out before falling out and not been able to get back to shore. By this time, we were all cold and tired so the coach let us a 10 minute break.   He made us all a warm ribena to make us warmer. 
    Everyone finished theirs and got back on the water. By this time, the boys all went in to have a really warm shower while the girls and the instructor went all the way to the other side of the Dam. The boys were still having a shower even when the girls got back! Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and went home with a big smile on their faces! :D

Testing The Waters - Literally.

On Sunday the 8th June, Strider, Luna, Treebeard and their families went on a Leaders Water Activity day at Ellerton Lakes, the Scout Water Centre.  We wanted to find out what activities were available for our Group.

We tried out Kayaking which was really fun











TreeBeard showed off his canoeing skills











 Bob the rescue dog wanted to play all day and was a very good swimmer.









We all tried sailing.  Luna said "I've always wanted to have a go at Sailing.  It's a little scary when the boat leans right over but we had a good instructor"






Watch out Cubs for a possible Water Activities Day in the near future.  Sorry Beavers, you are not allowed to do Scouting Water Activities without your parents, so you will have to wait for the next Parent Beaver Activities day to earn your Water Activities Staged badges.