Firebowl fun

Local radio and firebowls

Last Wednesday Finlay, our information officer, visited Newtongrange After School Club in Midlothian to see what they were up to during the holidays and take some photographs for use in our publications and publicity. When he arrived he found them toasting marshmallows on firebowls (on loan from MAP- Midlothian Association of Play), as well as plate and mug painting and decorating frog plant pots. Newtongrange co-ordinator, Heather Dunn, is very keen that the children are not "wrapped in cotton wool" and encourages the children to participate in more adventurous activities (after completing an appropriate risk assessment of course); so the toasting of marshmallows on the fire was a huge success!

Finlay also made his radio debut when he, Heather and the children were interviewed by the local community radio, Black Diamond FM. Although slightly nervous, Finlay did a great job. The children however were natural performers and entertained by singing one of their favourite songs about a gorilla and his bogies.

A special thanks to Heather and children of Newtongrange ASC for sharing their day with Finlay- he had a great time.

Summer rain

Well, here it is: the first ever Scottish Out of School Care Network post on our new blog. We hope this blog will provide a forum for discussion, debate and sharing of information on topics relating to out of school care in Scotland.

At the moment I can see the rain pouring down and wonder how another summer has been washed away despite the sunny start in June. I am hoping that holiday services are still able to get outside and enthusiasm has not been dampened.

Here's a few photos of previous summer outdoor activities - shelter building, carting, rafting...