Upload
gloucestershire-scouts
View
224
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
A magazine to keep you up to date with Scouting in the county
Citation preview
What’s in this Issue?
1. 22nd WSJ - a
Reflection
2. Diamond Jubilee
Challenge
3. Our County
4. Upcoming Events
5. News
6. Awards,
Appointments and
Opportunities
7. News from Gilwell
and County
Vacancies
8. County Exec
Highlights
As Sub-camp Leader, it was a real pleasure for me and my
team to welcome over fifteen hundred Scouts and Leaders
from over twenty different countries to Polcirkeln (polar
circle) Sub-camp. All eighteen sub-camps were named
after places in Sweden with six sub-camps in each of three
centres named after three seasons, Summer, Au-
tumn and Winter. During the daytime, most of my time was spent
at meetings or involved with administration, but in the mornings
before the contingents left for activities and later when they re-
turned, it was my pleasure to walk or cycle around the sub-
camp, meeting Scouts from Korea, USA, Finland, South Africa,
Japan and all over Europe, joining in for a tea or coffee, an activ-
ity or even a meal.
Early in the camp, we challenged all the units to exchange half their Scouts to share a
meal and complete a series of challenges together. Wandering around the sub-camp,
I was overwhelmed by the success of this challenge as at each site, hosts and guests
were busy preparing or eating food together, teaching each other new games or ac-
tivities, sharing each others' language, traditions and culture, all mingled together en-
joying the essence of a truly international experience. This was such a success that
most units repeated the activity several times with different units from other countries
throughout the camp.
We tend to think of Jamborees as international events with many opportunities to ex-
perience different, exciting activities and Sweden had it's share of these, but the main
activities were all based around sustaining and repairing the environment and our
world in general with thought provoking challenges and activities
creating a lasting impression on the young people. The flagship
event of the Jamboree was "Camp-in-Camp" where Patrols were
bussed off to join local Swedish Patrols, camping, hiking and eat-
ing together in some of Sweden's most beautiful unspoiled coun-
tryside. This was a great event, thoroughly enjoyed by all with
the greatest criticism being that one night was not long enough!
Some lasting impressions:
• Looking out early in the morning to see the mist rising off many hundreds of tents.
• Escaping from meetings and admin. to meet new friends.
• Watching crowds of excited, happy and noisy young people, marching to their next
activity or to a stage event or just soaking up the atmosphere.
• Walking or cycling around the national pavilions and the avenue of flags in Four
Seasons Square and Time Avenue.
• Queuing for breakfast, chatting with friends from Belgium, Sweden, Canada, India
and many other countries.
• Watching the lowering of the 180 flags in Time Avenue by Scouts from Polcirkeln.
• Listening and watching Irish pipers practising in the woods.
• Leading a hard working, committed, truly international team of managers and IST.
Happy am I in the knowledge that all those who took part have come away, like my-
self, with many new life-long friends from many different parts of the globe, deter-
mined to do their part in working towards peace and harmony throughout the world,
and that I was able to play some small part in making this happen.
David L'Oste-Brown
District Chairman
Cotswold Vale
I know that many Groups and Districts are already planning exciting ways of cele-
brating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year. However, I would also like to chal-
lenge all members of the Scout County of Gloucestershire to mark the Jubilee in a
rather special way.
HM The Queen has given sixty years of service to the people of the UK and the Com-
monwealth. Service is a fundamental part of the Scout programme. Community ser-
vice is a great way of putting our skills and resources to use for the benefit of the
communities in which we live.
I want to challenge every section of every Group in Gloucestershire to undertake one
or more service projects for the benefit of their local community on a regular basis
during the twelve month period starting on Founder’s Day, 22nd February, 2012.
Opportunities for projects will vary depending on where you meet and live but
could include:
Adopting a roundabout or roadside verge and maintaining it for the year
Maintaining a local churchyard
Making contact with a local old folks home and visiting them regularly
Running an after school or holiday club for local children who do not attend
Scouts
Organising a scheme for recycling those items the dustmen don’t collect (e.g.
books, clothes, shoes etc.)
Delivering a local newsletter for the parish council or other community group
Establishing and maintaining a website for your village or locality to promote
local news and events
Running computer training sessions for “silver surfers”
Tidying and maintaining a local park or playground
I am sure you can think of many other ideas that will catch the imagination of your
members and your community. There will be a special certificate for each section
that completes the challenge and you will be able to access support from our Media
and Communications Team to maximise the publicity that can be gained from your
project.
To register for the challenge please email [email protected].
I look forward to hearing from you and being amazed by your imagination and crea-
tivity.
County Commissioner
Beavers celebrated their 25th birthday with a
Teddy Bear’s picnic. Malvern Challenge and
Sun Run were attended by many groups from
Cheltenham. 1st Hatherley Monday Cub Pack
has completed the “Baden-Powell Traditions”
badge - See www.lobguides.org.uk/assets/
Baden-Powell-Traditions-badge-booklet.pdf
The swimming gala went well. Two Queen’s
Scout Awards – Philip Horsfield, No Name
Explorers and David Kelly, ACSL 7th Cheltenham
(Charlton Kings). Cheltenham Volunteer of the
Year Awards – the Young Leaders have been
nominated for the Group Award and Greg King
(Explorer) for the Individual Award. The District
has been awarded a grant from Cheltenham
Borough Council for expedition equipment for District Explorers .
The Beaver Colonies in the District are
full. Lechlade Scout Group has
experienced a huge increase in
numbers – there are now 65 young
people in the Group.
This is the first time, in the last five
years, that all Groups in the District
have had all sections operational.
The County Team was thanked for
assisting with recruitment at the Steam
Rally.
Two new Explorer Scout Leaders have
been appointed and are being
supported by Colin and Ruth Illman.
Membership enquiries are at a very high
level. Beavers are oversubscribed but the
District is doing its best to accommodate
requests. Churchdown Scout Troop has
75 Scouts! Planned events include a Cubs’
Conservation weekend at Robinswood
and a Patrol Leaders’ Camp, plus many
activities that form part of Gloucester
District’s Centenary celebrations. Nutty
Badgers are planning to attend a camp in
Denmark in 2012. Touch Rugby is to be
trialled with Scouts. This will take place in
February at Saintbridge Rugby Club.
A £5,000 bid for IT equipment has also
been submitted to NatWest.
The largest challenge for the new DC is
finding three new GSLs.
Leaders are being encouraged to share
ideas, programmes and skills. A “swap
a leader” event is planned for next
year. Leaders are being encouraged to
assist with at least one District event in
order to ensure that the maximum
number of young people can
participate in activities and events.
The Stomp and the Farriers Challenge
(very well attended Scout and Cub
Challenge events) are due to take place
in October.
What’s been going on in your district?
Email us at [email protected] and share your event for
everyone to see.
The Beaver Colonies in the District are
full. Lechlade Scout Group has
experienced a huge increase in
numbers – there are now 65 young
people in the Group.
This is the first time, in the last five
years, that all Groups in the District
have had all sections operational.
The County Team was thanked for
assisting with recruitment at the Steam
Rally.
Two new Explorer Scout Leaders have
been appointed and are being
supported by Colin and Ruth Illman.
With the closure of the Wilderness Centre,
Freeminers ESU are meeting in Pludds
Village Hall .
The District joining list is growing with some
groups having more than 20 names,
particularly at Beaver age. The closure of
youth centres is likely to increase pressure on
joining lists.
The Mitcheldean Development Project has
been very successful. The Colony is now full.
A new Group in Newnham is being
developed. It should be operational by the
beginning of the new year.
A successful Scout Backwoods Challenge
weekend was held, despite the fact that wild
boar had damaged the camp site.
The largest challenge for the new DC is
finding three new GSLs.
Leaders are being encouraged to share
ideas, programmes and skills. A “swap
a leader” event is planned for next
year. Leaders are being encouraged to
assist with at least one District event in
order to ensure that the maximum
number of young people can
participate in activities and events.
The Stomp and the Farriers Challenge
(very well attended Scout and Cub
Challenge events) are due to take place
in October.
What’s been going on in your district?
Email us at [email protected] and share your event for
everyone to see.
14th-16th
October
Mountain Activities
Weekend
26th-27th
October
Climber
28th October Prinknash Bird & Deer
Park Halloween Special
28th July Snorkelling
12th November Scuba Try Dive
26th-27th
November
Module K First Aid
Masterclass
28th November Module A
17th-19th
February
Information Technology
Weekend
26th February County Cooking
Competition
14th-16th
October
PADI Open Water Scuba
Diver Qualification
19TH NOVEMBER
Feel ignored by the system? Think MPs don't care about you and
your friends? Well, this is your chance to get heard at Scouts'
Question Time. Join us to learn campaigning and debating skills
and put them to the test in the afternoon at Scouts' QT with some
well-known panellists.
Want to find
out more?
Visit:
gscouts.org.uk
Want to find
out more?
Visit:
gscouts.org.uk
9TH TO 11TH SEPTEMBER
The weekend saw the annual County Air Activity Camp at
Croft Farm Airfield near Pershore. Catering was provided by
Black Pig ESU (Pershore)
9TH TO 11TH SEPTEMBER
Seven intrepid adventurers attempted their Scuba Advanced Open Water
qualifications and passed their practical assessments. Under the instruction of
their new diving school they underwent some technical practical skills training
on the Saturday at South Cerney and on the Sunday made the longish trip to
Vobster Quay to do their Deep Dive (22m) and Multi-Level practicals.
24TH TO 25TH SEPTEMBER
We went to Cotswold Water Park to start a two day course
for our Kayaking badge and discovered about two different
types of Kayaks. One was a sit on Kayak which is unsink-
able and the other was the type that you sit inside. We used
both of the types during the day.
We then moved onto an open, two person canoe that uses a
single paddle. We would paddle the different crafts round
the really large lake that had a small island in the middle. The first day was
very enjoyable as we learned something new and the people made it fun.
The second day we had a new instructor and went over what we had learned
the day before and tried different types of Kayak and paddles.
A web site has been recommended which is already in use within the
County - www.onlinescoutmanager.co.uk This is a safe site on which to
store info. It has been developed by a professional software developer
who is also a Scout Leader in Southampton. Worth a look and passing on to
all Leaders.
Registration for this European Scouting and Guiding
event opens on 1 October. If you’ll be aged between 16
and 22 on 20 July 2012, you can go as a participant. If
you’re over 22, then there are opportunities to join the
IST. Visit the Roverway 2012 website.
You can have your say on what you think is great about the programme,
what should be updated or developed, plus a lot more. To add your voice,
visit the updated YPYV web page and tell us what you think.
The movement celebrating the contribution of our leaders at a special
service of thanksgiving in November. The event will take place on
Saturday 5 November, at Westminster Abbey, London and you’re invited.
Further details will be provided nearer the time.
A new video has been produced to help you with recruitment in your local
area. You can download it now
New rules have been introduced about Hill walking and high ropes
activities. Full details can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/activities. For
hill walking, the new regulations come into effect immediately whereas for
the high ropes they will be introduced by March 31st.
The County Beaver and Cub Scout Funday will
take place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Satur-
day 16 June 2012. During the day Beavers and
Cubs will have the chance to take part in a range
of activities and be part of something really spe-
cial. Contact Liz Hodge for details.
Don’t Raise Our Rents!
HQ has been running this campaign to
persuade local councils not to penalise
Scout Groups by raising their rents. If
you rent your HQ from a local authority
don’t forget to complete the
questionnaire and get involved in this
important campaign.
Leadership and
Management Don’t forget to visit the new
managers’ area of scouts.org.uk
that has been launched to offer the
support and advice that managers
in Scouting have requested. The
area gives you easy access to a
wide range of resources that will
help you with the challenging
aspects of your role. The
information is aimed at
Commissioners and GSLs.
Scouts Speak Up
Six nationally co-ordinated
communications courses are
being run for young people in
Scouting. These courses are
designed to give young people
the skills needed to talk about
their experiences in Scouting to a
wide variety of audiences, and
learn how to plan and carry out
campaigns.
Click here if you are interested.
Firework Safety If you are intending to run a fireworks
display this year please ensure that it is
run in accordance with the rules and
guidance provided by the Scout
Association. Further information can be
found in the latest issue of Scouting
magazine.
We really need to identify
able and willing people who
may be interested in
undertaking the following
roles to fill some important
gaps in the County Team.
Sectional ACCs
ACC Development
ACC International
County Fundraising
Adviser
If you think you have got the
necessary skills and
experience to take on one of
theses key roles please
contact the County
Commissioner at
Scouts Speak Up
Six nationally co-ordinated
communications courses are
being run for young people in
Scouting. These courses are
designed to give young people
the skills needed to talk about
their experiences in Scouting to a
wide variety of audiences, and
learn how to plan and carry out
campaigns.
Click here if you are interested.
Firework Safety If you are intending to run a fireworks
display this year please ensure that it is
run in accordance with the rules and
guidance provided by the Scout
Association. Further information can be
found in the latest issue of Scouting
magazine.
1st
November
County
Leadership Team
Meeting
17th
November
Chief Scout’s
Platinum and
Diamond Award
Presentation
1st
December
County
Executive
Committee
8th
December
DCs and District
Chairs’ Meeting
For more information visit:
gscouts.org.uk
or phone the County Office
on: 01452 812309
The new Exec met for the first time following the County AGM with
Joan Goldsmith in the Chair.
Members are needed for the County Finance sub-committee
and the Appointments Advisory
Committee.
The Madagascar 2013 expedition was approved as a regional project
to be overseen by Gloucestershire
as lead county.
Plans are under way for the Beaver and Cub Fun Day at the Race-
course on 16th June 2012.
In addition to the usual training modules extra training sessions for
leaders and Exec members are
planned - see page 11 for details.
The budget for 2012-13 was approved and it was agreed that
the County Levy payable by 1
April 2012 will be £10.75 per
person, an increase of 25p. The
national subscription will be £21
per person (less the 50p prompt
payment discount).
The next edition of
i.SCOUT-GLOS will be
published in December.
Please submit all
contributions by 30th
November 2011.