BONALY SCOUT CENTRE
Self-led activities
Activities supervised by your group
We offer a wide range of activities, facilities and equipment.
Self led activities
We currently provide a range of exciting and stimulating self-led activities for all ages. These are offered in two-hour sessions. i.e. 10am to 12 noon, 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm.
The cost for the Mini Zip Line, Grass sledges and Escape! are £20 per session however the others are £10 per session. We can also provide the use of the archery range and equipment to those Leaders with an appropriate permit for £40 per session. These activities must be supervised by a Leader with up to 12 participants at a time. (See risk assessments).
To reserve any of these activities, please use the Booking Enquiry Form. Don’t leave it too late as they are very popular.
Camouflage Tracking
Cubs, Scouts & Explorers
The activity starts at a central meeting place and the leader gives a briefing. The group splits into two teams and the first challenge for each team is to lay a trail of tracking signs for the other group to follow into the “Hiding Area”. Then one member of the team is chosen to hide and is camouflaged using equipment provided and natural materials. The teams now follow each other’s tracking signs and attempt to find the camouflaged person. Who will be found?
Mini Zip Line
Cubs, Scouts & Explorers
Fly through the air like a bird as you whiz down our Mini Zip-line (unavailable from 3rd April to 30th September 2023 due to the construction of our new Amenity Hub).
Giant Games
Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
Giant games are large, outdoor versions of popular games. Choose from:
- Giant Jenga
- Connect Four
- Giant Dominoes
- Noughts and Crosses
- Twister
- Ten Pin Bowling
Highland Games
Highland Games are a spectacle like no other. Try your hand at Caber Toss, Barrel Roll, Farmers Walk, Hammer throw Haggis Hurl, Sword Dance & Tug of War
Problem Solving – Team Challenges
Cubs, Scouts & Explorers
Team building activities to help build team confidence, motivation and cooperation.
As well as being fun and stimulating, these exercises are designed to help to bring out trust, consideration, leadership skills, cooperation, team building, coordination and many other life skills. Problem solving sessions test your initiative and ingenuity. Groups work in small teams to solve puzzles and complete set tasks – it’s a great way for teams to get to know each other really well. By the time they finish they’ll have an appreciation and understanding each individual’s ability (including their own!) when it comes to planning, communicating and making decisions – skills which are all key to achieving the objectives of each task.
Parachute Games
Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs
Work as a team to turn the parachute into a mushroom, or play “cat & mouse”. There are numerous games you can play with our giant parachute.
ESCAPE!
ESCAPE! is Bonaly’s brand new self-led activity. Made up of five problem solving challenges to test teamwork skills. Do you have what it takes to complete all five and escape? First, The Vortex must be negotiated and there is only one safe route! Next is Shark Island and if you survive, the Spiders’ Web must be tackled. Now, the Unexploded Device must be defused before you attempt to cross the Acid Lake to freedom. ESCAPE! is available to book NOW and is suitable for Cubs and older.
Grass Sledges
Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
Sledging but without snow, grass sledges have caterpillar tracks instead of runners, allowing them to be used all year round. (Except when it’s snowing!) 2 sledges provided.
Orienteering
Cubs, Scouts & Explorer Scouts
We provide maps for orienteering
Teddy Bear “hide & seek”
Squirrels & Beavers
First you have to find a cosy hiding place for Teddy and their friends. Then your friends have to find them all. Working in two groups
Burn Dipping
Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
An investigation to find out what lives in the Bonaly Burn. Use our nets, specimen pot and identification kits to discover what lives in this underwater world.
Mini Beast Hunt
Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
Using our bug hunting kit, you’ll be amazed by the mini-beast that live at Bonaly. See how many you can find.
Circus Skills
Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
Learn to spin plates, juggle, use a diablo, make flower sticks dance and much more. Then put on a performance for the leaders!
Molkky (Finnish Skittles)
Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers
Played in teams from 2 – 15 or more, Mölkky can be played and enjoyed by groups of mixed ages. Using the throwing pin to knock down the numbered bowling pins, the first player or team to score 50 points exactly wins the game. Sounds simple? – but there is a twist which makes it exciting!
Scoring of the game is recorded on the scorecard (supplied) and the game can be played on the field, on paths or in the barn (if wet).
Free Resources
Pioneering
Scouts & Explorers
Pioneering is the art of using ropes and wooden spars joined by lashings and knots to create a structure. Pioneering can be used for constructing small items such as camp gadgets up to larger structures such as bridges and towers. These may be recreational, decorative, or functional. Poles only – you’ll need to bring your own ropes. Must be booked in advance.
Natural Sculpture
Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers
Inspired by the Art of Andy Goldsworthy, natural materials are used to create land art sculptures. Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers
