A Scout Group on Luton’s Bushmead Estate now has 16 new helpers after Beaver Scout parents took part in a new volunteering scheme. Organised by the Scouts local development officer Jo Cockroft, the event gave leaders, parents and their children an exciting opportunity to try out science experiments in a real live meeting.

“The ingredients were simple, household items, said Jo Cockroft. “We fired rockets made from balloons suspended on thin string. The open end of each balloon included a whistle to make it sound like a NASA rocket lifting off. Then we combined vinegar, baking soda and vegetable colouring in a plastic bottle to create foaming monsters. Another experiment gave parents and Beaver Scouts the chance to build towers using straws and marshmallows.”

It gave parents the opportunity to see the fun and excitement their children have at a typical meeting. One said, “We never did this when I was young. It’s great.”

Controlling the 20 Beaver Scouts and their parents was a full time job for Someries District Commissioner Kam Patel and his leaders. At the end of the evening Kam had promises of help from 16 new volunteers and a colony of Beaver Scouts who have all gained their Experimenter Badge.

Lily Ashman, 6 one of the Beaver Scouts said, “The exploding monster was really cool.” And mother Emma added, “This was much better than watching TV. I enjoyed every minute.”

Appointed last April, newly-married Jo Cockroft adopted several skills from her previous job as an estate agent. She gathered a group of enthusiastic and persuasive local and regional Scout Leaders to convince parents that they would get just as much fun and enjoyment as their offspring as a volunteer. One key factor was that they could be flexible with their time as helpers. And it clearly worked as one after another parents signed up to help out.

[Back to News Front Page]