Since the beginning of 2020, technologies such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams have entered the public arena as schools and workplaces needed tools to allow the continuance of working, but from home. Wokingham District Scouts wants to take advantage of those technological advancements, and build on an idea that some rural areas, like Derbyshire CyberScouts, have been using for some years.

We are looking to open a virtual Scout Group partly in response to Covid-19, but more in response to the sheer size of the list of young people waiting to join Scouting in Wokingham District.

To that end, in Early 2021 we’ll be opening our first Beaver Colony and our first Cub Pack, each for 15 young people. The reason it’s 15, and not up to 24, is that the Covid Guidance from the National Youth Agency as applied by The Scouts varies as we navigate our way through the pandemic, and the evolving responses.

So for the foreseeable future, the new Group will meet online, and encourage outdoor Parent-led activities, such as Parks Trust walking routes or art trails, to supplement the online programme. Parents, Cubs and Beavers will be encouraged to share their adventures using Online Scout Manager and Teams, from Microsoft.

As the guidance changes to more face-to-face, but still covid-secure activities, then our programme will evolve with more in person Scouting around the District using available venues, and locations, using the blended approach of online, parent-led and in-person Scouting.

Until we are ready please see some activities to try now at home and over Christmas and if your already a member of a Group show the activity to your leader. These can be found at wokinghamscouts.org.uk/vscouting