1st Handcross Scout Group

23/07/2026

1st Handcross has had another excellent year and we've shared a lot of the highlights of it here 🎉

The Scout Association as a whole in 2026 has been celebrating 110 years of Cubs, 40years of Beavers and 5 years of Squirrels.

In comparison 1st Handcross is still very new however we celebrated its 2nd birthday by opening an Explorer unit Kingsley ESU to provide Scouting and the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme to those aged 14-17 in the local community.

Through building our Scout troop and opening the Explorer unit we have grown from having 48 young people this time last year to having 83 now across Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, with a waiting list for Squirrels of many more.

This growth hasn't happened by accident; this has been down to the amazing programmes that the leadership teams have put together, the effort that they've put in to deliver them and from the fun and enthusiasm that they bring to every meeting, camp or activity.

Thank you to all of the leaders for everything they’ve contributed this year.
Thank you to the volunteers who work behind the scenes to keep the group running smoothly and safely.
Thank you to all of the parents who are fantastic at ensuring that their children are in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment and can always be relied upon to stay and help run a session.

Hope you all have a great summer and those Cubs and Scouts going on summer camp come back with some great memories.

16/07/2026

Cubs ended the term with a water fight at Stanford where everyone got very wet, especially the adults!

We also took the time to celebrate everyone's individual contribution to the Pack through some awards at the end of the evening ranging from the Cub who asks the most questions to the annual Cub of the Year award.

We're all now looking forward to Summer Camp! 🏕️⚜️

15/07/2026

Beavers had a great trip to Clip & Climb in Pease Pottage. They were all so fearless at having a go on all the walls, and there are some budding climbers in the group. They all gave 100% effort, well done Beavers! 🧗‍♂️⚜️

14/07/2026

What an amazing last session of the term for the Squirrels 🐿️

They have done us all so proud, venturing deep down in the caves at Broadstone Warren. Some of the drops were extremely deep but this didn't faze our Squirrels, they all gave 100%. Well done to them all!!

Have a lovely summer and we look forward to seeing you in September ☀️

08/07/2026

A big thank you Handcross Petanque who welcomed Scouts for an evening to allow them to try out their sport.

Scouts really enjoyed the evening and some were really good players. There were definitely some closely contested games throughout the evening!

03/07/2026

02/07/2026

Scouts enjoyed a beautiful hike on the South Downs this week as they put the skills they have been learning into practice.

Starting from the Jack and Jill windmills car park, Scouts hiked out to the Chattri Memorial, learned a little about the history and then hiked back to the windmills via a different route that got them up close to some cows and sheep.

Just under 7km travelled, many snacks consumed and a great time had by all. ⚜️

25/06/2026

When it's too hot to think but most of the Cubs still want to come to the meeting, the only sensible thing to do is have an impromptu water fight!

Although the original plan was thrown out the window, Cubs had a fantastic evening and the water helped to keep them nice and cool! 💦☀️⚜️