Scouts hunt small critters on mini safari
By Joshua Thomas, 1st Finchley Scout Group. As published on The Archer, June 2022
In a break from our usual meetings at the scout hut, 1st Finchley Beavers, Cubs and Scouts spent a spring evening at Long Lane Pasture, our local green space, tucked away off the main road.
The Cubs were kept busy with their own bughunting kits, scooping up all sorts of different snails, slugs and insects. They replicated the insects' natural environments inside the jars whilst they peered through magnifying glasses.
With thanks to Maureen Delandro of the Pasture committee, a tank of tadpoles and a large frog were also of great interest. At the end everything was returned to where we found it.
The Scout meeting was occupied by a game. In small groups they were challenged to find a collection of symbols across the pasture, corresponding to a colour on the map. This sent them looking in every corner as they raced against the other teams.
It was great to be outside on a warm evening. I wonder how many others know about this hidden pocket of greenery, just opposite the fire station on Long Lane, N3.