Coronavirus: Uniformed youth groups launch online resources

Schools have been closed for a week to most pupils due to the virus and government advice states people should only leave their homes to buy essential items and to exercise once a day.

In a bid to entertain children and support parents during the national crisis Girlguiding has shared a raft of indoor activities and opened up their badge system to all as part of their Adventures at Home programme.

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Adventures At Home has two key parts:

• Activity a Day: Every day, Girlguiding will share a fresh activity on its Twitter and Facebook accounts. These are for anyone to do, but are particularly useful for parents and carers with children at home. Activities will include scavenger hunts around the home and story-creating challenges.

• Weekly Programme activities: A selection of Girlguiding’s programme activities will be delivered via resources released online each week on the Adventures at Home hub. This is primarily to make sure that Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers can still take part in guiding – but the activities are available to all. Among the first batch of activities are Mascot Makers (where young children can create a friend from household items), Bowled Over (which explains how to make an upcycled bowl), and Jianzi (where older children can keep active using a homemade shuttlecock).

Meanwhile, Scouts has launched its Great Indoors programme pulling together one hundred activity ideas to do at home. 

Each activity has a clear set of outcomes, such as developing communication skills or learning how to problem solve. 

Scout Ambassadors will take part in Facebook Live sessions demonstrating how to get involved in each activity.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “Without a plan, a week stuck at home for a family can be as tough as a week in the mountains. Whether you’re climbing Everest, or just trying to make it through to bedtime, a little planning and positive spirit will make all the difference.

“There’s something for everyone here to keep learning and having fun, while warding off cabin fever. They’ll help families stay busy, focused and cheerful. It’s not often you’ll find me talking about the great indoors – but this is the exception. Try them out, look after each other, and most of all, make this challenging time a safe and positive time – it’s all state of mind.”