Welcome to our latest digital weekend of fun, challenge, and adventure from the comfort of your own home! While we normally love the great outdoors, But we have a SPOOKTACULAR virtual event for you this October. We’ve pulled together some inspired indoor activity ideas (if we do say so ourselves) to keep you and your young people entertained while schools out this half term. Keep your kids learning new skills and having fun (and avoid hearing ‘I’m bored’ every 30 seconds) all in our Autumn at Home weekend!

Check out our Spooktacular Programme challenges for all the family!

Beaver Programme

• Autumn Scavenger Hunt
• Build a Den inside and sleep in it tonight!
• Eye-Eye High-noon Selfie – Let’s see your Autumn Masks!
• Autumn Leaf Windows
• Have a Party Tea (Halloween or Autumn theme) you choose!
• Have a go…
• Tidy Away Challenge – Be a Kind and Helpful beaver by helping to tidy up and put away your Den after your sleepover.

Check out the full activity pack here

Cubs Programme

Edible Spiders

Paper Bag Autumn Tree

Scary Halloween Fancy Dress – Making a Fake Wound

Pumpkin Carving – We would love to see you get creative and send us in your photos of you with your carved pumpkin. In need of some inspiration, here’s a handy template. Make sure you send us your photos here! Or share them with us on social media

Scouts Programme

Pumpkin Carving – We would love to see you get creative and send us in your photos of you with your carved pumpkin. In need of some inspiration, here’s a handy template. Make sure you send us your photos here! Or share them with us on social media

Make and draw a map of your own local area – Make and draw a map of your own local area, identifying features such as shops, churches, pools, etc.

1. Add gridlines and reference numbers to your maps. So you can make a 6 figure grid reference.
2. Use your grid reference system, write down the grid reference of any house that has a Halloween lantern in the window, so now someone else can locate the lanterns using your map and grid reference system.

Here’s one we made earlier! (always wanted to say that)

Explorer Programme

Pendle Witches Challenge – The challenge to all explorers to produce and fun and informative walking route card for other people to follow.  The routes need to be matched to any section or a multi-section walk.  The more route cards we get I will put them all together and share with all people in West Lancashire Scouts allowing all sections to take a scouting tour of the Pendle Witches. We’ve collated some examples for you to check out:

1. Create a route to follow using the route card
2. Add in a picture file or video clips
3. Send them back to the following email here Don’t forget you can use google maps/OS mapping to help you plan your route but don’t forget these are walks open to all sections so think about the length and informative places they can visit or look at

Vlog or blog for better mental health – Share your thoughts and experiences to raise awareness and share ideas about looking after your wellbeing.

• Mind has information about online mental health and telling your story. For more guidance on online safety, check out Get Safe Online, the UK Safer Internet Centre, or the NSPCC.
• If you’re making videos, there’s plenty of free options for editing software. There may already be some on your devices or you could download a free app.

Plan it

1. Everyone should decide whether they want to make a vlog or a blog.
2. Everyone should think about what they’d like to share on the topic of mental health. They could think about facts and information, advice and tips for boosting wellbeing, or personal experiences.
3. Everyone should think about their audience – who will they aim their blog or vlog at? What would they like them to know? How will they engage them?
4. Now they know what they’re making, their topic, and their audience, everyone should plan the content of their vlog or blog. They should decide whether it’ll be funny or serious, and choose a format too. For example, do they want to present some wellbeing tips, create a how-to for a wellbeing-boosting craft, bust some common myths, or tell their own story? It’s really important that you don’t include triggering content – head to ‘Things to consider’ to find out more about what to avoid.
5. Everyone should think about the skills and equipment they’ll need. Will they need filming equipment, or a laptop to write on? Where will they share their creations (for example, on their group’s social media or by emailing it to Mind, SAMH, or Inspire)? Do they need to think about anything else (for example, images to go alongside writing or props for a vlog)?

Make it

1. Everyone should get stuck in with their camera, keyboard, or pen to create their vlog or blog.
2. Vloggers should set up the camera so it’s facing them. They should try to speak slowly and clearly, so it’s easy to understand them. It doesn’t matter if they don’t get it right first time – it’s usually easy to put clips together with basic editing software. It’s OK if people want an adult to help with this.
3. Bloggers should try to find a quiet space to gather and share their thoughts. When it comes to words, between 400 and 600 words is ideal (though, of course, it all depends on the person and what they have to say). It’s good to find a balance between having enough information and being overwhelming.
4. Once everyone has a solid first draft, they should ask a friend to take a look. Do they have any advice on how to improve it? Making edits is an important part of any creative process.

Share it

You could use this challenge to help you earn your Explorers Chief Scout’s Diamond Award or your Chief Scout Platinum Award