Beavers & Rainbows
Normally we only take out Beavers for the day. There are 2 Pickup points, Northolt (long day 9 to 5) & Bulls Bridge, Southall (short day 10 to 4). They board the boat & have a refresher safety talk & are all fitted with buoyancy aids or life jackets.
Short Trips, up to Cowley Lock or Down to Norwood Locks x 2:-
We make our way along the canal to either Cowley lock or Norwood locks (depending which way we travel) There the Beavers will alight the boat & “help” operate the lock under close supervison. Once through we find a place to “wind” the boat & return back to the lock, go through & then stop for lunch, packed lunch required, drinks supplied. After lunch we make our way back to the start point. Whilst the boat is moving all Beavers/Rainbows if they want to can have a go at helming the boat.
Long trip to Paddington & return:-
We make our way along the Paddington Arm through Perivale, Kensal Green to Little Venice, moor at Rembrandt Gardens for their lunch break & explore "Paddington" looking for the "Bear", then move on a bit further through Madia Vale tunnel & London Zoo to Camden Lock, we then wind the boat & return back to Northolt (no Locks)
The cost of the boat for the day to be split between the Beavers/Rainbows. The max I can carry, apart from me is 12. Normal ratio 3 adults & 9 Beavers/Rainbows or 4 adults & 8 Beavers/Rainbows. All Beavers/Rainbows receive a participation certificate to show their day out on the canal.
Cubs & Brownies
Weekend camps suit this age group best, Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Pickup point is mostly Northolt as there is secure parking. The standard route we take is along the Paddington Arm to either Kings Cross (4 locks) or Victoria Park (8 locks). To get to Kings Cross we go through 2 tunnels, Maida Vale & Islington, we also go through Little Venice, Paddington, London Zoo & Camden to name a few. At Kings Cross there is quite a few activities that the Cubs can do, also at Victoria Park there is a large play area with low ropes, gigantic slides, all free. At Little Venice the canal name changes to the Regents Canal & goes down to Regents Dock by the River Thames (Limehouse). All Cubs/Brownies have the opportunity to helm the boat & learn about how the canals work.
Scouts, Guides & Explorers
Weekend & week long camps are great for these sections, camps can be split into 2 or 3 sessions so all Scouts from a Troop can take part. How this works is you start the boat with the 1st crew & take the boat to a change over point, change over the crew & the new crew return the boat. Routes are unlimited from Northolt. (1) Down to Limehouse, Limehouse out to River Lee, up the Lee to Hertford via Broxbourne, Waltham Abbey & Olympic Village. (2) Up to Bulls Bridge, down the GU main line to Brentford, out onto the River Thames to Teddington. Then onto Shepperton via Hampton Court & down the River Wey to Godalming (good point to change over crew) The list is endless, summer camps can be & have been up to 3 weeks long, but normally 2 weeks. With that length of time we go up to the Midlands & do a circular route via River Thames, Oxford Canal & the Grand Union Canal.
Summer Camps
Groups can book a specific week or 2 during the summer school break & take the boat so far & another group can return it or take it further on for another group to return it. Groups can be mixed if you only have a few that wish to go.
What is Included?
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A qualified Skipper comes with the boat & all relevant certificates & permits, you need none apart from DBS.
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All food is supplied to a pre agreed standard menu (no takeaways unless self funding). I visit each Group to do a safety talk if required (especially Beavers).
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All fuel, gas & standard River/Canal licence for the length of the trip.
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Thames & River Wey licences will be extra at cost.
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Whilst on board we will teach knots used on boats, helming, engine management & all badges that can be achieved whilst on board.
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There are 3 DVD screens on board & DVD’s can be shown if the Leaders in charge wish this (but MUST be age appropriate). Buoyancy aids or life jackets as required are supplied (all tested yearly).
Ratios
Camps Scouts/Guides/Cubs etc. – 8 Scouts (evenly mixed) + 2 Adults Can be 3 adults if required. (Also there is a pole bunk in the leaders cabin that can be used for an extra child (9), say a leaders child that needs to attend as the parent is on camp.)
Week Camp Kit List
Week Menu
Our standard weekend camp menu is shown below, but it can be adjusted to needs
