1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Beavers, Uncategorized

Beavers Take on the Winter Olympics

Last night our Beaver Scouts brought the spirit of the Winter Olympics to life with an action-packed evening of (loosely adapted!) winter-themed games, teamwork, and plenty of laughter.

The hall was transformed into a mini Olympic arena as the Beavers took on three exciting challenges designed to test their balance, coordination, and determination — all while having a brilliant time together.

First up was an ice hockey slalom challenge, where Beavers weaved their way through cones using hockey sticks and beanbags. There was lots of focus, a few speedy runs, and plenty of cheering from teammates as everyone tried to beat their best time.

Next came the biathlon — Beaver-style! This combined a slalom course with a beanbag target challenge. Teams raced through the cones before taking aim at targets (the hoop and cone, not the young leaders… despite a few creative attempts!). Penalty points were given for accidental young leader contact, although some teams seemed suspiciously willing to “take the penalty” for a well-aimed hit or two!

Finally, things got even more adventurous with a snowboard/toboggan-style challenge. Using skateboards, Beavers navigated a course down to the young leader marker and back again, testing their balance, control, and bravery — with plenty of laughter along the way.

It was a fantastic evening of fun, teamwork, and imagination, showing once again how Scouting turns simple ideas into unforgettable adventures. Nights like these are what make Beavers so special — active, creative, and full of energy from start to finish.

1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Events, News

A Night to Remember: Celebrating Callum & James and the Journey to the King’s Scout Award

What an incredible evening celebrating two outstanding young people from 1st Clifton Sea Scouts — a huge congratulations to Callum and James on their presentation tonight.

It was genuinely brilliant to see so many people turn out to support them and recognise just how far they’ve come through their Scouting journey. Their presentation was a powerful reminder of what Scouting is all about — adventure, challenge, friendship, and growth across Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers.

A real highlight of the evening was hearing about the wide range of experiences they’ve thrown themselves into over the years. From camps, sleepovers, and water activities to expeditions and everyday meetings, it was clear they’ve made the absolute most of every opportunity Scouting has offered them.

But what really stood out wasn’t just what they’ve gained — it was what they’ve given back.

Both Callum and James have been brilliant role models within the group, especially as young leaders and even stepping up to support as adults. Having seen them first-hand in Beavers, it was obvious how important they were to the leadership team — whether helping run meetings, supporting activities, or making sure camps and sleepovers ran smoothly. That kind of commitment makes a real difference to younger members and helps the whole group thrive.

Their journey also reflects the spirit of the King’s Scout Award — the highest youth award in Scouting. It recognises young people who push themselves through adventure, leadership, service, and personal development. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about dedication, resilience, and a willingness to give back to the community that shaped you.

Callum and James embody exactly that. Their journey shows how Scouting isn’t just something you do when you’re younger — it becomes something you grow with, contribute to, and carry forward.

We can’t wait to (hopefully) see them receive their awards from royalty — a truly well-deserved moment for everything they’ve achieved.

From everyone at 1st Clifton Sea Scouts — massive congratulations, Callum and James. What an inspiration you are to the next generation coming through.

1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Explorers

District Youth Forum Event

Today me ( Bella)and Will (Explorers), along with Scouts Millie, Matthew and Vitus, went to the first ever City of York District Youth Forum. With Minster and Ebor districts merging, we got a really cool opportunity to represent 1st Clifton Sea Scouts and actually have a say in what the new district should look like.

We took part in loads of activities, sharing ideas on what events and awards we’d like to see, and how things like St George’s Day could be improved. We even got to pitch and vote on designs for a new district necker, and talk about what our “ideal Snowball Centre” would have in it (some of the ideas were pretty ambitious, not gonna lie).

It wasn’t all serious though — we met loads of other Scouts from across the district, played games, and there was pizza too, which automatically makes any meeting better.

They’ve said there’ll be more chances coming up to share ideas and get involved, so honestly, if you get the chance to go to something like this, do it. It’s actually a really good way to have your voice heard and shape what Scouting looks like in the future.

Written with thanks to Bella

1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts News, Scouts

Celebrating an Extraordinary Legacy: Richard’s Retirement from 1st Clifton Sea Scouts

After more than 80 years of dedication, service, and unwavering commitment, we celebrate the retirement of Richard, a truly remarkable volunteer whose contribution to 1st Clifton Sea Scouts has shaped generations of young people.

Richard’s journey with the group spans an incredible lifetime of Scouting — from helping deliver activities and supporting young people, to quietly ensuring the smooth running of countless events behind the scenes. His knowledge, kindness, and steady presence have been a constant source of strength for leaders, volunteers, and young people alike.

Few people can say they have given so much of themselves to a community for so long. Richard’s impact is not just measured in years, but in the thousands of young people who have benefited from his support, encouragement, and example.

As he steps back from active volunteering, his legacy remains deeply woven into the fabric of the group — in the skills passed on, the memories created, and the spirit of service he has inspired in others.

On behalf of everyone at 1st Clifton Sea Scouts, past and present, we offer our heartfelt thanks to Richard for an extraordinary lifetime of service. His contribution will never be forgotten.

1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Fundraising, News

Thank you to our supporters

We’re proud to launch a dedicated page celebrating the incredible local businesses, organisations, and community groups who have supported 1st Clifton Sea Scouts — both financially and through hands-on, practical help.

From generous donations that help fund equipment, activities, and camps, to those who have given their time, skills, and resources to support maintenance, events, and improvements, this page is a small way of saying a big thank you.

Scouting thrives because of community spirit, and we are fortunate to be surrounded by so many people and organisations who believe in giving young people opportunities to learn, grow, and explore. Every act of support, no matter the size, helps us deliver life-changing adventures for children and young people across our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers sections.

This page is dedicated to recognising that support — and to celebrating the difference it makes.

York Vikings Rotary

Huge thanks again to York Vikings Rotary for their wonderful donation for safety equipment for our boating Season. Their donation helps us keep safe whilst enjoying a range of activities on the Ouse including Pulling, Sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and canoeing.

Thanks to club president Mick Fox for joining us on Swift , our pulling boat , as we take the new safety equipment out for a spin.

As the report says we are the only Sea scout group in the City and have been providing a varied land and water based program for the city’s young people aged 6-18 for over 90 years.

If you are interested as joining us as a helper, leader, trustee, volunteer (on or off the water!) or have a young person who would be interested in joining one of our sections do get in touch #nyscouts #scoutingforlife #cityofyorkdistrict #yorkvikingsrotary #york #skillsforlife

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/…/26098622.york-vikings…

1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Beavers, Cubs, Events, Explorers, Fundraising, News, Scouts, Uncategorized

Adventure starts here: Why your family should join 1st Clifton Sea Scouts

In a world full of screens, schedules, and endless distractions, finding an activity that truly inspires confidence, friendship, and adventure can feel difficult.

That’s exactly why 1st Clifton Sea Scouts stands out.

From children aged 6 and upwards to adults looking to give back, Sea Scouts offers something genuinely special: a place where people grow, challenge themselves, and become part of a supportive community that feels like family.



More Than Just Scouts

Sea Scouts combines traditional Scouting values with exciting water-based activities, teamwork, leadership, and outdoor adventure. Whether it’s kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, camping under the stars, or learning life-saving skills, every meeting brings new opportunities to discover talents and build confidence.

For children, it’s a chance to:

Make lifelong friends
Learn practical life skills
Build resilience and independence
Gain confidence away from school pressures
Experience real adventure outdoors
And the best part? They’re learning all of this while having enormous fun.



A Place for Every Young Person
At 1st Clifton Sea Scouts, everyone is welcome.

Whether your child is naturally adventurous or a little shy at first, Sea Scouts helps young people grow at their own pace in a safe, encouraging environment.

Starting from age 6, children can join age-specific sections designed to match their stage of development. As they grow older, the activities become even more exciting and challenging, helping them develop leadership skills, teamwork, and independence that will benefit them for life.

Many parents are amazed by the transformation they see:
the quiet child who suddenly volunteers to lead a team activity, the nervous beginner who confidently paddles across the harbour, or the teenager who discovers a passion for helping others.



Adventures They’ll Never Forget


Ask any Sea Scout what they enjoy most, and you’ll usually hear the same answer: the adventures.

From camping trips and hikes to sailing expeditions and community events, every experience creates memories that last for years. Young people are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, try new things, and discover what they’re capable of.

In an age where many children spend less time outdoors than ever before, Sea Scouts reconnects young people with nature, teamwork, and real-world experiences.


Adults Are Needed Too — And You Don’t Need Experience

Sea Scouts isn’t just for children.

Behind every great Scout group is a team of adult volunteers who help make the magic happen. And here’s the good news: you do not need sailing experience, military experience, or even previous Scouting experience to get involved.


Whether you can help every week or occasionally, there are countless ways adults can contribute:

  • Supporting activities
  • Helping organise events 
  • Assisting with water activities 
  • Fundraising 
  • Administration and communications 
  • Sharing practical skills or hobbies 

Volunteering is also incredibly rewarding.

Many adults join to help their children and stay because they find friendship, purpose, and enjoyment themselves.

You’ll gain new skills, become part of a welcoming community, and make a real difference to young people’s lives.



Building Skills for Life

Sea Scouts helps develop qualities that schools and employers value enormously:

  • Leadership 
  • Communication 
  • Teamwork
  •  Problem-solving
  •  Responsibility
  •  Confidence 

    But perhaps most importantly, it helps young people become kind, capable, and community-minded individuals. These aren’t just activities. They’re experiences that shape futures. Why Join 1st Clifton Sea Scouts? Because childhood should include adventure. Because confidence grows through experience. Because communities become stronger when people come together. And because somewhere waiting on the water, around a campfire, or during a shared laugh with friends, there’s an experience that could change a young person’s life forever. Whether you’re a parent looking for a positive activity for your child, a young person ready for adventure, or an adult wanting to make a difference, now is the perfect time to get involved. Join the adventure. Join the community. Join 1st Clifton Sea Scouts.
    1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Group News

    Paper collections are ending

    EDITED (June 2021): The skip will remain in place in our car park for a longer term (until further notice). Please leave any donations of paper as per the below or call if you have a large amount that requires a one-off collection.

    Unfortunately we have had to make the decision that it is no longer viable for us to recycle newspapers and we will not be making any further paper collections.

    The skip will remain in place for a short time if you have a store of papers to donate, please leave them under the side of the skip.

    If you would like to arrange a one-off final collection of any papers you have already stored, please call us on 03308 389812.

    Thank you to all those who have kindly supported this important fundraiser over many years – we really appreciate all your support.

    1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Group News

    Annual General Meeting 2020

    We’re holding our annual general meeting this year on Tuesday 29th September at 7.30 pm.

    The meeting will be held via Zoom online due to Coronavirus social-distancing restrictions.

    All parents, Scouts and volunteers are invited to join us.

    We’re disappointed that we can’t run our activities as usual at the moment but we’re trying hard to stay connected with our members and there’s still plenty of work to do to keep the Group in a healthy position for when we can return to normal.

    Volunteers are always needed, even in these strangest of times. Come along and find out about the plans we’ve got to make it even easier for you to help out.

    All statutory AGM documents and meeting registration details can be found under Useful Links/AGM & Annual Reports

    1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Group News

    The Great Indoors

    A fabulous list of over 100 activities kids can do at home, put together by UK Scouting.

    The Great Indoors

    “We know the coming days and weeks are going to be difficult for families across the UK, as the spread of Covid-19 causes schools to close. As the experts in developing skills and bringing adventure to young people, we want to do what we can to help.

    While we normally love the great outdoors, we’ve pulled together some inspired indoor activity ideas (if we do say so ourselves). Keep your kids learning new skills and having fun (and avoid hearing ‘I’m bored’ every 30 seconds) all in #TheGreatIndoors.”

    1st Clifton (York) Sea Scouts Cubs News

    Cubs activities & things to do

    I wanted to let you know the cubs Leaders want to keep scouting and we are planning to put some activities together. We cannot meet face to face but we will be meeting virtually in the near future to see what we can do. This is new for all of us, things are exciting for those that will be off school but we are aware that some of you, as children of key workers, will still be going to school. We would like to do some additional activities for those that want a distraction or to keep busy. This will be important for many of us in the coming weeks and months.

    The Scout Association has already put together a list of badge work that can be done at home. The online service, OSM, that we subscribe to as a group has also said it is working hard to produce material that can be used when there is no face to face meeting. We want to let the dust settle a little bit before we send out this information and try something. We will all have the challenges of adjusting to what is the new ‘normal’. Whether that be home schooling, working from home or avoiding close proximity to others.

    For now I would just like to say there are things you can be doing in your everyday activities.

    Think of your Cub promise

    I promise that I will do my best

    do my duty to God and the queen

    help other people and

    keep the Cub scout Law

    Please think of this promise every day

    If any of you have made your mothers a card or gift for mothering Sunday send us a picture of what you made. It would cheer us up but also count towards a badge.

    I am sure you will be helping about the house so keep a record and this will count towards your home help badge.

    If there is anything we can do let us know.

    Stay safe and we will be in touch

    Akela