Warwickshire Scouts Issue 89 - February 2011 www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk Get In County Camp 2011 | Sectional events 2011 | People's Millions Join the 2,400 already booked! That's right, over 2,400 members of Warwickshire Scouting are already booked to attend Get In, from 20th to 22nd May this year at Stoneleigh. Numbers are coming in thick and fast and you have only a few weeks more to register your Group or section to attend. Booking forms and all the current information can be found on the County website within the Activities menu. Here you'll also find the latest question and answer sheet. What you really want to know is what activities - we'll have a look at the Get In facebook page for the latest activities on offer. It's looking fantastic, so make sure you and your young people are there to JOIN THE FUN!
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Warwickshire Scouts Issue 89 - February 2011www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk
Get In County Camp 2011 | Sectional events 2011 | People's Millions
Join the 2,400 already booked!That's right, over 2,400 members of Warwickshire Scouting are already booked to attend GetIn, from 20th to 22nd May this year at Stoneleigh.
Numbers are coming in thick and fast and you have only a few weeks more to register yourGroup or section to attend. Booking forms and all the current information can be found on theCounty website within the Activities menu. Here you'll also find the latest question and answersheet.
What you really want to know is what activities - we'll have a look at the Get In facebook pagefor the latest activities on offer. It's looking fantastic, so make sure you and your young peopleare there to JOIN THE FUN!
HAPPYNEWYEAR!
Doesn't timefly? It's hard tobelieve we arealready in February, butbelieve we must as there isa whole new year ofScouting ahead of us!
You will have noticed we announced a new DistrictCommissioner for West Warwickshire earlier inJanuary; Wendy Williams is already settling inbrilliantly and I wish her all the very best for thecoming months as she completes her handover. Ialso hope to be announcing our new Programme andActivities Manager shortly; exciting times!
As for the future I'm looking forward to joining withthe DCs and GSLs at the national GSL and DC day inFebruary, and I know a number of the county teamare attending a similar development day around thesame time. From what I've heard of the EastMidlands event in November it should be a positivelythought provoking experience, and hopefully we'llhave a good laugh at the same time!
Of course census is the current hot topic; at the timeof writing this we are still in the process buthopefully by the time we go to print most of the workwill have been done. A big thank you to you all forsticking with this process, I know it's not easy, but itis vital and your hard work does not go to waste.
But for me it's a case of getting out and about andmeeting with the team as I'm currently holding myone to ones, as well as sneaking in the odd Groupvisit! To keep up with my exploits be sure to checkmy blog!
Welcome to the New Year everybody, make it a goodone!
Andy
Chairman'sCornerFirstly a belated Happy New Yearto you all.
As we move into the New Year Ihope you agree we can look forward toworking together in an exciting andproductive 2011.
Andy Shorter has outlined his plans andaspirations for the County and there area number of changes to the way wework together that will unify the Exec' tothe Districts and give more directcontact at all levels. This in turn willmake any decisions we make at theExec' more applicable to what you feelthe County needs from us; be itfunding, support and communication ordevelopment strategies.
As always ideas can only be consideredif they are made known so pleasecontinue to update the Exec' throughyour representatives as to what toolsyou feel we should be providing youwith to enable you to deliver the type ofScouting our young people deserve.
Already there are a number of newinitiatives being considered that indicatethis year is going to be, as always inWarwickshire, forward thinking,exciting and, more importantly, fun.
I look forward to working with you inorder to achieve these aims.
Sid Russell | County Chairman
26th March WAGS 40th Anniversary Ball
Have you ever thought aboutbecoming a Training Advisor?
Interested in supporting your fellowleaders?
Then please speak to your LocalTraining Manager (list on the Countywebsite) or contact:
People's Millions SuccessThank you to everyone in Warwickshire andbeyond who voted for the refurbishment of theParish Rooms at the Alfrey Activity Centre. Yourvote made all the difference.
Last autumn the Big Lottery Fund - People’sMillions announced the Alfrey Centre bid wasthrough to the final round of voting. In earlyNovember a number of Beaver, Cubs and Scoutsassembled at the site to be filmed for theirappearance on Central TV News later in the month.
After an email and press campaign plus the CentralNews feature the Alfrey Centre's bid was aresounding success, securing 83% of the fivethousand votes cast. What a result and aresounding endorsement for Scouting!
Paul Skipper, site manager, was presented with acheque for £25k a couple of days later and workhas already started in putting it to good use. Theproject involves major work to bring the ParishRooms up to modern standards; including removalof an old asbestos roof, providing insulation in thebuilding, central heating, disabled toilet withshower, and a small kitchen. Completion of thework means the site will accommodate up to anadditional 700 people during the year.
AKA - FUN WITH MUDArrived Friday evening to a site that wasgetting a bit boggy due to the rain in the day.Atherstone Scouts are sent on a 'recce' to findwhat is out there; pumping sounds from thedisco in the Lid, the bright lights of the funfair,2 huge flight and ski simulators, 3,000 otherScouts, the smell of burger & chips and anight-time view across London. Then bedgone midnight!
Saturday morning, monster breakfast, washup, then it's 10 am and the fun starts. Quadbikes, getting lost, Zorbing, Argocat (over 14sget to drive) laser-clay, go to the shop, missedlunches, 100m zip wire, segway safari,chickened out of high ropes , saw a NinjaScout with Samurai sword, enormous stew westruggled to eat for dinner. Scouts off tocinema. Scouts collected from cinema thensupper and bed. A bit cold as there were noclouds but millions of stars!
Sunday, another big breakfast, except forConnor (he dropped his then blamed hisMum). How can you blame someone 110miles away? Pack away personal kit and readyto rock. 10am and the curtain is up, moresegway safari, ropemania, then the coconutclimb.
Back to camp for lunch where some oldpeople had taken the tents down, load thetrailer then head off towards home.
Kip in the car, smell like a polecat, visit amotorway services, arrive back at the HQ.
Can we have Gilwell mud on county campplease?
Alfrey Centre It's a Knock Out Scout Camp15-17 April
Mick Judd | DC Atherstone
BearTrekBearTrek20102010
BearTrekBearTrek20102010
BearTrek2010
Wally Williams Cup 20th March | Bear Trek 19th November
Up-dates to POR A new version of Policy, Organisation and Rules- the guidance document by which Scouting inthe UK is managed and operated - is availablenow. Dated January 2011, the updateddocument contains 27 substantive amendments.One of the main changes relate to the residentialexperiences of Beaver Scouts.
Other changes include the updating of rules forcaving and mine exploration, snow-sports, theappointment of adults, length of service awardsand the appointment process.
Changes to rules for Beaver Scouts - The rules forBeaver Scout sleep over have change. The timerestriction has been relaxed. Beaver Scouts will alsobe allowed to camp, and the minimum standardsfor the Colony are updated to reflect theexpectation that each Beaver Scout should now beoffered the opportunity to go on a residentialexperience each year (Rule 3.7).
International trips - The other change for BeaverScouts is that they are now included in the rules forvisits abroad. Beaver Scouts are now allowed to gooverseas, but only with a nominated adult (9.64).
Further information can befound at www.scouts.org.ukor contact your ADC BeaverScouts.
A cold & moist day in November didn't stop129 of Warwickshire's finest Scouts takingpart in the annual Bear Trek challenge hikein the West Warwickshire countryside.
1st Bulkington won outright, achieving anamazing score of 465. To get this theyhiked 11km, rock climbed, bungee ran,kicked footballs into a water bound target,demonstrated their first aid knowledge,carried a bomb around an assault course,orienteered, pioneered & catapulted theirway to success. Afterwards all 27 the teamscelebrated with a BBQ and Disco.
Congratulations to all the leaders from thecounty who took the time to make thisevent the success it was. You all didyourselves proud and produced an eventthat was pure quality.
Have a look at the Scout page on theCounty website for more pictures.
Phil Houghton | ACC Scouts
County News:Good Luck Wendy!
Congratulations toWendy Williams on herappointment as DC forWest Warwickshire.Wendy (from a strongScouting background)has recently held the
positions of DESC and Deputy DC. Wewelcome her to the team and look forward toworking with her in the future.
Wendy succeeds Steve Bennett, as hecompletes his 10 year tenure as DC. Thankyou to Steve for your hard work and good luckin your next Scouting appointment!
Stratford
Congratulations to 6 Cubs from Newbold SeaScouts on gaining their Chief Scouts SilverAward which were recently presented by theirDC. In the same week, Adam from 6thStratford Scouts was presented with his ChiefScouts Gold award at the Troop Christmasparty.
Congratulations too to Dave Smith on his 30year service award and to Robert Hearnden &Helen Coombes on 10 years excellent work!
Gill
WAGSWAGS Gang Show is less than 4 weeks away;tickets are going fast with very few left for thematinee and the best seat sold for most evenings.Over 120 Scouts and Guides from 6 Districts aretaking part in this our 40th Anniversary Show,which is looking terrific, with items from Bee Gees,Wizard of Oz and the 3rd excerpt from Lord of theRings. The Cubs take on Henry V111, whilstBeavers are “flying” with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.There is a special selection from the 40 years ofWAGS from the very first items in the first show,through each decade to the present. WAGS arekeen to hear from anyone who was in the first showat the Pavilion, Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spain 1972. Contact us at [email protected]
This year is the final year as the producer of WAGSfor Nigel Hailey after 14 years, this period includedproducing shows at for the Jamboree ContingencyHeads during the Centenary Year (2007).
With such a special year get your tickets nowfrom WAGS Ticket office 0845 601 4348,www.wagsgangshow.org.uk or complete thebooking form with this month's WISPA.
In these dull, dreary winter months we start to dream about summercamps and long sunny days, cooking outside and sitting round
talking in the long light evenings. If you are thinking of planning a tripabroad as part of your programme then please make sure you get in contactwith me as soon as possible.
If you fancy doing something different, there are lots of opportunities onthe horizon, so take a look at the latest issue of International Opportunitieswhich is available on the County website.
To occupy those wintery programme evenings, when you can't get outside,the Join in Jamboree resources have lots of ideas for all sections, which willentertain you and allow you to get a greater understanding of the worldaround you.
For more information on any of the international and global aspects of theprogramme then please contact me. Jane Newbould | ACC International
International
For Adult Training Dates check www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk/calendar
Diary Dates:2011
12 Feb - GSL & DC Forum24-26 Feb - Explorer's Pineapple Cup28 Feb to 5 March - WAGS15 March - Cub Road Safety Quiz26 March - WAGS Ball28 March - Papers for County Exec31 March - Get In final payments due20-22 May - Get In - County Camp
For more information & specific trainingdetails please consult the County websitecalendar.
Next WISPA deadline:7th May 2010 - all articles & adverts. Contact: Alan Peedle - 5 Broomybank, Kenilworth CV8 2SF | 01926 851195 | [email protected]
County useful numbers:See County website.
Warwickshire Active Support - Catering Unit Over 60 people have now signed up as members of Warwickshire Active Support with 20 more inthe pipe-line. Scout Fellowship has ceased and all appointments have been cancelled; give me acall for more information if you haven't yet signed up for WASU.
We plan to set up another unit for people willing to be part of a County Active Support CateringUnit supporting County events. This is a flexible volunteering opportunity and you just need to bewilling to offer your services on an occasional basis to get involved. Some of the potential eventsthat need catering are Bear Trek, Get In, Beaver Fun Day, among others. It doesn't matter whetheryou have experience as a caterer, chef, cook, buyer or none at all - anyone can join. Adults (insideor outside the Movement) who would like to be involved should contact Tony Guy.
Once sufficient people let me know of their interest then a meeting will be held to discuss details.Don't be shy get involved and enjoy the experience!
