Big Day Out - Loudoun Castle
Always a popular day trip, this year saw around 55 youngsters and
adults visit the park on a gloriously sunny Saturday in June. As
well as the usual rides and attractions, most of the group watched the High Dive show. It was very spectacular - if the
number of oohs and aahs from the Cubs and Beavers was anything to go by!

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| Pirates of the Caribbean? Well, nearly! |
Group Summer Weekend Camp - "Adventure
at the Movies"
A weekend camp involving all our Sections at Fordell Firs over the June holiday
weekend. A one night Beaver Scout sleepover in the Scout Hall, two night camp for Cub Scouts and three nights for Scouts
and Explorers. In all, more than 70 young people took part in a very busy programme of activities, that included kayaking,
sailing and raft-buildling at Longcraig water activities centre (above), rock climbing, night hike over the Forth Road Bridge
and many of Fordell Firs' on-site activities. As a more unusual camp activity, 60 youngsters and adults went to see
the movie "Prince of Persia".
Explorer Scout Hiking and Cycling
During April, a group of Explorer Scouts used the Scout Hall as a base to
develop their expedition planning, navigation and hiking skills. Day hikes took place in Blair Adam Forest and the Lomond
Hills - encountering deep snow, which added a new dimension to the hike! A further day hike in May saw a large group of
Explorers take part in a hike around Tentsmuir Forest, nr St Andrews. April also saw part two of the Cycle Expedition, this
time covering Falkirk to Ratho.
March Big Days Out: DisneyLive! and Dundee Swim 'n' Bowl
Two Big Days Out during March catered for all tastes!
Beavers and Cubs (including a group from Limekilns Cub Scouts) went to see the DisneyLive! show at the Braehead Arena. two
weeks later, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers went to Dundee for a swim session in the Olympia Pool and 10-pin bowling at Megabowl.

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| Sunshine - after the snow! |
Disneyland Paris
Someting new for us - a February mid-term trip to
Disneyland Paris. A small group of Scouts took part in this first-time activity. Staying at the Explorers Hotel, we had two
full days in the two parks! We arrived from Scottish sunshine to heavy
Paris snow. This continued for the first full day, with day two dry but freezing cold! The queues, however, were short or
non-existing so the group were able to make really good use of the time,getting on many more rides than during a busy, Summer
visit.

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| Some of the weekend camp participants |
Group Winter Weekend
Camp
Our 11th annual winter
adventure at Fordell Firs. 44 Cubs, Scouts and Explorers + 12 Beavers on a Saturday day visit - and lots of Leaders, mums
and dads keeping the whole weekend running smoothly.

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| Party time! |
Children
in Need Party Night
Lots of Beavers and Cuba came along to our first-ever BBC Children
in Need party. Fancy dress, disco, games and food ensured that everyone had a lively time - and
we raised nearly £240 for the charity. Well done everyone!

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| What's a Plasma Ball? |
Glasgow
Science Centre
Our second visit to this superb Science Centre. More than 50 young people took part, with
loads to see and do for all ages. We also took the opportunity to see Disney's "A Christmas Carol" and 3-D and
IMAX.

|
| Keeping the keyboards busy |
Jamboree
on the Internet (JOTI)
Making e-mail and live chatroom contact with Scouts around the world (and just down the
road!). Youngsters came to the Hall for sessions on-line through an 18-hour session. Some Scouts kept contact going throughout
the night at our overnight session.

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| Wet and muddy group at Falkirk Wheel |
Explorers cycle Glasgow to Falkirk Wheel
Another Explorer Scout Adventure Day saw the group cycling from just outside Glasgow
to the Falkirk Wheel. Heavy rain ensured a wet and muddy experience for everyone. Back next year for Falkirk to Edinburgh!