Advent Challenge 2016

UPDATE - OUR UK CHIEF COMMISSIONER, TIM KIDD, HAS ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE TO JOIN IN WITH OUR ADVENT CHALLENGE TOO !!!!!!!!

In the true spirit of scouting it's that time of year for all our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to take on this challenge for the month of December, and am sharing it now so they have the chance to "Be Prepared".

In the season of goodwill each and every one of them has the chance to prove they understand that actually sometimes to give is truly better than to receive - and the world is much better for people doing so.

So with that in mind please click the link below to download an advent calendar to print off and for each of them to complete. The difference is instead of a picture or gift for them to enjoy it is an opportunity for them to do a good deed each day, but they can only do each deed once!

Please encourage them to think about the good deeds they could do, and write in the relevant box as they complete each one. A good deed is not something that they do because they have been told to (so if a parent tells a Cub to make their bed and they do that doesn't count!!), it has to be something they do without being asked to (although hints for younger ones are fine of course). At least 5 of them have to be for people they don't know (applying your normal "safety" rules of course!).

Good Deeds Advent Calendar 2016

Perhaps pin it to the noticeboard or on the fridge to keep track!

Rather than dictate what the good deeds should be we list some examples below (consider age before sharing some of them), really just to help generate ideas, but lets see what they come up with themselves:

• smile at a stranger
• wave to someone from a train or bus and get them to wave back
• open the door for people all day
• let someone else go in front of you in a queue
• use your pocket money to buy a drink or snack for someone else
• cook a meal for your family (and do the washing up!)
• without being asked (!) tidy and clean your bedroom
• pick up litter whilst out on a walk
• compliment someone
• carry someone's shopping or school bag for them
• send a postcard to someone with a message on, just to brighten their day
• plant a tree
• make a thank you card or gift for a leader (remember we are all unpaid volunteers so a little thanksgoes a long way!)
• do something nice for a brother or sister
• donate a toy or book to a good cause
• help someone younger learn something new
• sit by someone different at lunchtime in school, especially if they are on their own
• do something nice for a parent or carer
• set the table
• recruit an adult volunteer into scouting!
• discuss organ donation / join the donor register 
• send a thank you message / gift to a local hero - think about who makes a difference to the local community
• bake cookies or a cake and give to someone
• help your teacher tidy up at school
• teach someone else some basic first aid, you never know what a difference it might make....
• help fundraise or donate to a local foodbank

Once you have completed your challenges please scan in and e-mail to me, or contact me for details of where to drop it off. Submissions need to be in by 6th January at the latest please.

Lynne Radbone (Assistant Group Scout Leader) and I will then look through them all, and perhaps award some prizes to selected winners........

So, are they ready for the challenge? How creative can they be with their good deeds? We look forward to finding out!

Whilst our youngsters take on this challenge please would all parents and carers take on one too?

Sign up and use our fundraising webpage every time you go on-line shopping (at the moment the 35 registered users have already raised over £480. There are at least 140 users if we just look at parents of children in our Group, so just think what we could raise if only half of the remainder sign up). There are literally hundreds of retailers and suppliers and it's really easy, and pennies soon add up! Please ask your friends, family and colleagues to help us too. 

YIS

Louise