Big Splash 2023
(Updated 1 July 2023 )
The Big Splash, Cambridgeshire’s mega water activities event is back with all events now open for booking for August 2023.
12 & 13 August 2023 and 19 & 20 August 2023
- Two weekends of watersports,
- Beavers in boats for Beavers,
- Dinghy sailing, rafting and paddlesports for Cubs, Scouts, Explorers & Network Scouts,
- Venue: Paxton Lakes Sailing Club (PLSC), near St Neots,
- Any adults who want to take part are welcome too!
- Big Splash is not open to Squirrel Scouts as they are too young for these activities. Squirrels can, however, look forward to participating in Beavers in boats when they become Beavers.
It may also be possible, for some activities, to offer permit assessments over the course of the weekends. If this would be of interest, or if there are any other questions at this stage, please get in touch with the organiser; email below.
Beavers in Boats will be a fun one hour activity for up to 10 Beaver Scouts per session.
- Each session will be run during the mornings and afternoons on each of the four dates (above).
- 6x 1hr sessions each day: 9.30-10.30am; 10.30-11.30am; 12.30-1.30pm; 2.00-3pm; 3.30-4.30pm; 4.30-5.30pm.
- 10 Beavers per session
- We hope to secure the use of a bellboat and to be able to take them out to work as a team to paddle the boat, sing some songs and play some games on the water.
- For smaller groups (who may not be able to paddle the bellboat alone) or if a bellboat is not available or the weather makes it unwise to take Beavers out in one we will instead give them the chance to go out in a canoe and in a sailing dinghy with an instructor on board.
Beavers will also take part in some water-themed activities on the land.
Cost: £6 per 1 hour session
Questions? Here's the organiser's contact details
Please contact: simon.keen@cambridgeshirescouts.org.uk
Cubs, Scouts, Explorer and Network water sports
Sessions will be two hours duration, starting at 10am, 1pm and 3:30pm.
Cost: £12 per two hour session
Use the buttons below to book.
Bookings for other PLSC events (eg Beavers in Boats) will follow as soon as possible Please watch out for further details, and start generating interest with your sections!
Broads Yachting 19-22 and 22-26 August 2023 – Explorer and Network Scouts
Two half-week yachting expeditions on the Norfolk Broads
Cost £150 per Explorer and Network Scout. This includes boat hire, all mooring fees, food and drink for the expedition.
Payment can be made in full on booking or in three staged payments by agreement; see FAQ below.
Capacity is 17 Explorers/Network (max) for each of the two date options.
Due to expected demand, spaces will “provisionally” be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to payment being received within 14 days to secure the booking.
Explorer bookings are to made by section leaders and not by parents. Network members may book personally.
Organisers will be taking photographs, video and sound recordings for appropriate scouting use (current and future).
Questions? Here's the organiser's contact details
Please contact: simon.keen@cambridgeshirescouts.org.uk
Frequently asked Questions
Broads Sailing - What are the dates and key times for each half week expedition?
A. 1pm, Sat 19 to 6pm, on Tues 22 Aug
- 7pm, Tues 22 to 9am, on Sat 26 Aug
Food (Saturday evening meal through to Tuesday lunch, or Tuesday light supper through to Saturday light breakfast as appropriate to expedition date) and all mooring fees for a three day expedition.
Full fees can be paid on booking or in 3 staged payments (£50 on booking, £50 on 1st July and £50 on 1st August).
Precise arrangements to be confirmed after booking, with joining instructions.
We can potentially accommodate anyone with timing difficulties for a specific day – please add a note to your booking to enquire, or email simon.keen@cambridgeshirescouts.org.uk
Broads Sailing - Is transport provided to/from the event?
A. We are unable to provide transport. Participants will need to make their own way to and from the Broads.
Broads Sailing - What's the minimum swimming requirement?
A. All attending this activity must be able to swim at least 50m.
Broads Sailing - Are payments refundable?
A. All fees paid are non-refundable. The exceptions to this are where the event is cancelled by the organisers or where a space can be filled and the fee collected from another participant.
Paxton Lakes events - Do adults need to stay with their young people?
A. Yes we will want adults on site at Paxton Lakes with the young people, but we only need adults in ratio, not every parent for every child.
The required ratios of Adults to young people vary for each section. You can find the ratios on The Scouts website (link here)
Paxton Lakes - How and by whom are payments to be made?
A. All monies due from parents are to be paid into the appropriate Group/Section/Unit etc bank account. Full payment for all tickets booked is to be made from the bank account of the Group/Section/Unit that the leader making the booking is a team member of. Payments should not be made direct to County by parents.
Paxton Lakes events - Are rafting, paddlesports and dinghy sailing open to Beavers?
A. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept booking for Beavers on these events. However, keep an eye out for Beavers in boats information coming soon.
