More than 130 Beavers gathered for the annual Maidenhead Beaveree at the end of last term, bringing together Beaver colonies from across the district for a day of adventure, learning, and space exploration – perfectly timed with the Artemis II space mission.
Altwood Church of England School acted as mission control for the Beavers as they explored being Eco Space Warriors for the day, helping them work towards two of their badges – Space Activity and Global Issues.
The Space Activity badge took the Beavers on an out-of-this-world adventure, learning all about the planets, imagining what life is like among the stars. Beavers launched into space, using magnets to help sort space junk, before heading to the moon. While on the moon they munched through its different phases, ingeniously made from Oreo biscuits.
Clara, a 21st Maidenhead Beaver, said “I really enjoyed making the moon out of the Oreo biscuit, because I love the taste of it and you get to eat it”.
Back at base, Beavers created a mobile featuring all the planets, a suncatcher of the Earth – as seen from space – and made a tracing of the constellation of their astrological birth sign.
The Global Issues badge encourages children to make the world a better and more sustainable place. Beavers learned about endangered animals, including turtles – modelled and coloured – and bees made from paper, before trying to blow onto flowers using a straw tube.
Samuel, from Furze Platt Beavers, gave this important environmental message: “We should save the planet. If we don’t care, it will kill the plants and trees, and we need oxygen to live.”
The Beavers also learned about recycling – building a model compost bin before playing a recycling game using pegs to pick up different items, sorting them into the correct recycling box.
Grayson and Isaac from 1st Maidenhead Beaver Colony, both enjoyed making the compost bin.
Grayson said, “I really liked making a compost bin as I got to put things on it and be creative” and Isaac agreed, saying, “I like creating things as it is one of my favourite things to do.”
The Beaveree also offered an opportunity to support a charity, chosen by the adult Beaver volunteers. This year, the charity chosen was the local Baby Bank, supporting families in extreme need, regifting preloved and new items to families in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hillingdon.
Matilda from Pinkney’s Green Beavers, summed the spirit of fun and friendship among Beavers, “I love that we are all together and doing a really nice thing.”
