Raft Building for Teenagers on the River Thames in Caversham, Reading

Raft building gives teenagers a pile of barrels, spars, planks and rope and the task of lashing together a craft that will actually float and carry the crew. At Neptune they learn practical knots and lashings, then test their design on the Thames at Caversham, discovering first-hand how buoyancy, balance and weight distribution work. It is hands-on, slightly chaotic and enormously good fun, and the lessons stick because they are learned by doing.

As much an engineering and teamwork challenge as a water activity, raft building draws on planning, communication and a bit of practical STEM thinking about floatation and stability. No experience is needed and there is nothing to bring. All materials, buoyancy aids and wetsuits where required are provided, and DBS-checked, qualified volunteer instructors run every session to Scout Association safeguarding standards, with safety cover on the water throughout.

Raft building suits teenagers who love a practical challenge, working in a team and the satisfaction of testing something they made themselves, often ending in a friendly race or a deliberate soaking. It is a brilliant ice-breaker for new members from Reading, Caversham and across Berkshire. We meet at Wychotes, The Warren on Thursday evenings from 19:30 to 21:30, and the first two weeks are free before membership is £22 a month.