March/April 2012 ELP

Latest News

Darwen’s Visit to Florida

Zorbing

Theo’s Big Leap

38th Rossendale’s Bonfire

Network News

Activities News

Looking for a new challenge?

Taste the Adventure

Swedish Bushcraft Update

Scouts Community Week

and lots more!!

Welcome to the March/April Issue of East Lancs Plus! As some of you will know, the media team and some other fantastic people have been very busy over the past couple of weeks with our Taste the Adventure initiative and we’ve had a great time in each of the Districts so far!

The media team could not do what they do without people submitting content including photos so if you have any photos that you think we could use, please send them to photos@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk.

Finally, if you prefer to get involved with the activities that the young people are doing and don’t want to be on the side with a camera, why not ask a member of the Media Team to come down and cover your event. More information on page 5.

Chris Taylor Editor chris.taylor@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk

Would you like me to give you a formula for successful Scouting?

It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You're thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all... you can be discouraged by failure - or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can.

Because, remember that's where you'll find success. On the far side.

Glen Glen Fendall County Commissioner glen.fendall@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk

New Scout Game The Scout Association is preparing to launch its first ever scout game app.

Scouts Secret Island Adventure is an all-action game that showcases the best of Scouting skills and activities.

Want to see an exclusive preview and learn more about it? www.elscouts.org.uk/secretisland

1st Turton (St. Annes) raise money for the Stroke Association with a sponsored hike.

Torrential rain, thunder and the occasional glimpse of the sun. Just some of the elements that 30 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from 1st Turton St Anne’s Scout Group braved when they went on a 12 hour sponsored hike around Wayoh Reservoir near Edgworth.

In the 12 hour period, the youngsters and their parents managed to walk 174 laps of the reservoir, which equates to 385 miles.

Group Scout Leader Mark Longworth said "All of the leaders are really proud of them [the young people]. What they put themselves through in some absolutely horrendous weather conditions is astonishing."

Funds raised from the walk are to be split between the Stroke Association and the Group and so far, they've raised almost ÂŁ1000! It is still possible to help too; just visit http://www.justgiving.com/MarkLongworth to donate.

The soon-to-be combined District of Burnley & Pendle has a vacancy, as does Blackburn District.

We are looking for two volunteers with management experience who want to do more in their community, with good interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others.

As District Commissioner you would be leading the District, ensuring that we provide good quality Scouting for young people.

For more information contact Roger Flitcroft (roger.flitcroft@btinternet.com) or download all the information you need from the county website.

We know that adults in Scouting like having fun almost as much as the young people do but you can sometimes be bogged down with administration and making sure you’re there with your camera to catch the action of someone else having fun, making friends and having an adventure!

Well, the County Media Team are here to help! We will be delighted to cover your event with photographs and a press release which we can send to our contacts at your local paper— and you never know, you might end up on East Lancs TV too!

However, before we can work our magic, we need you to tell us the details! You can do this in two ways… you can send an email to events@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk where our Events Coordinator Mandy will assist you, or you can fill in the form located at www.elscouts.org.uk/covermyevent

As part of our 100 years celebration Accrington St Pauls Barnfield Scouts enjoyed an evening of adventure with indoor zorbing at Accrington Academy.

The Scouts first experienced the zorb by being harnessed inside the zorbing sphere, so when rolled they ended up rolling upside down along the hall.

Later Scouts were walking the zorb around the hall avoiding other Scouts in a slalom course. The adventure continued with the Scouts being able to free-style inside the zorb with Scouts attempting to move the zorb while doing forward rolls, somersaults and even cartwheels.

The experience was provided by Ace Outdoors and zorbing is recommended by the Scouts of St Pauls Barnfield.

To watch the video of the Scouts zorbing visit http://elscouts.org.uk/stpaulszorbing

s “Great evening�

Alex

6

A snowy setting and a cold but dry February evening set the scene for 38th Rossendale (OPEN) Scout Group’s Annual Family Bonfire.

Those that braved the elements had a fantastic sing-song around the fire and were treated to hot drinks and snacks half way through!

The event raised £31.70 towards the group’s funds which will go towards group funds.

See their website report at: http://www.38throssendalescouts.org.uk/?p=3166

s 7

From 8th to the 19th February 2012, Darwen District Explorer Scout Unit travelled over 4000 miles all the way to Camp “La-No-Che” in Florida. After months of relentless fundraising and bag packing, all their hard work was paid off.

Leaving Darwen at 5:30am they landed in central Orlando and endured a hot, hour long mini-bus ride to the camp.

First night mainly consisted of tents being attacked by a giant monkey by the name of Dave and young people fearing the ever mysterious racoons and bears. As many of us realised that a nine hour flight is a generally bad idea loads of us just collapsed onto the wooden-boarded beds(02:00 UK time).

Waking up on the first morning at 7:3am (12:30pm UK time), and still not being accustomed to the local time zone, we headed out to the Universal’s Resorts Islands of Adventure. Straight away the majority of the group, as well as many of the leaders, headed to the OUTSTANDING Wizarding World of Harry Potter just because we were British. After that, the group dispersed to the other large attractions, such as the Hulk, Cat in the Hat and Ripsaw Falls.

Throughout the rest of the trip we enjoyed a range of theme parks, such as Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios, Wet ‘n’ Wild and the Disney Quest Arcade. On camp we took part in thrilling water sports like jet skiing and tubing and more calmer activities such as canoeing, kayaking, quad biking, shooting, archery and climbing. We also took part in the annual Tipsia Native American Weekend and the powwow at the end of the weekend, whilst putting our own twists on Native American dances, watched an amazing performance by the Blue Man Group and had a terrific last supper/BBQ with steak and (English) pancakes.

Overall, we all spent too much money in the shopping malls, didn’t really catch the sun or enjoy the heat but the entire experience was definitely worth the £800!

s

By Jake Scott (16), and Jack Greenhalgh (15)

8

“My name is Theo Bishop and I am 8 years old. When I was 14 months old I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, which causes me problems with my walking. The doctors said I would never walk but that didn’t stop me, and with the help of my zimmer frame and wheel chair it doesn’t slow me down!

s

At the age of 2, I attended Stepping Stones special needs nursery. Here I played, sang and had stories read to me. I also had massages on my legs and physiotherapy. At 3, I also went to Staghills nursery three times a week, where I did the same. I now go to Balladen CP School, where I'm made to feel at home.

I have been accepted for an operation in America (SDR< Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy). This operation will help me to balance, walk unaided and play football with my frame! To get the operation I need to raise £45,000. I hope to do this with the help of my friends and family. Please could you help me with ideas on raising the money or a donation.”

Having spoken to Theo myself, he is a very unique individual who enjoys scouting for all the right reasons; making friends, doing activities and the sense of adventure —he is not letting his problem with walking affect him and what he likes doing. The picture you can see is Theo at the recent County Awards Ceremony where his pack was awarded the “Scouting Through Adversity” award by the Lancashire Scouting Lodge of Allegiance.

If you can, please donate via his website www.theosbigleap.org.uk

9

Going to a pantomime is one of the highlights of the festive period; for cubs & scouts in Burnley, seeing one of their Scout friends in the Mechanicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performance of Dick Whittington made it a very memorable occasion.

Thomas Graham, aged 10 from St Matthew with Holy Trinity Scout Group, tells us about his experience with the pantomime.

So, Thomas, how did you get involved in the production?

I went to the auditions in September and I got the part.

What character did you plat in the pantomime?

I was in the chorus and I also played a villager, a rat, a sailor and a king (for the finale).

Do you think your characters are anything like you?

I think my characters were jolly and mischievous, just like me!

How long were you rehearsing?

At first, we had Tuesday rehearsals 7:00--9:00/9:30, then as we got nearer to the show we also rehearsed on Sundays 2:00--5:00.

Who, apart from yourself, was the best character?

I think it was Dick Whittington who was played by Kevin Kay. Are the evil characters in the panto evil people in real life?

No, Martin, who played King Rat, in real life, is very nice.

What did you enjoy most about the production?

The best thing in the panto was really having fun!

Do you plan to be in the next one?

I don't know, we'll just have to see!

Is acting something you want to do after you leave school?

Yes, definitely! Acting is so much fun to do! I also go to the Burnley Youth Theatre and have been in a number of productions there too!

Were there any disasters or anything funny that happened you can tell us about?

Well, it has to be The Twelve Days Of Christmas! They really didn't have enough time so they had to shout or there would be a massive pause.

One time, Dave (Dolly) said 9 sweaty socks to the tune of 5 watering cans, he was so confused!

s

Yes that song was absolutely hilarious, we all enjoyed that one. In fact, we enjoyed the entire production and it was made ever so special that you were in it!

Well Done Thomas, he has achieved his Entertainer Badge for simply doing something he enjoyed doing!

10

3rd Padiham St John’s Scout Group’s Sixers, Secconders, PL’s and APL’s embarked on the journey of a lifetime.

On the 12th of February we travelled down to London for the day to partake in the National Catholic Scout Mass hosted at Southwark Cathedral (central London). It was an early start for the children and an even earlier one for the Leaders! We departed Padiham at 06:00 a.m., it was a foggy and cold morning but this did not dampen our spirits. The journey flew by with the help of some singing and fun; before we knew it we arrived at the Imperial War Museum.

After wolfing down our lunches we had plenty of time to explore. Not only were we surrounded by the impressive sights and features of he museum but we were also surrounded by Scouts… they were everywhere and had come to London, like us, to join together in Christian prayer.

After speaking with lots of leaders I have found that our journey was short in comparison to some others.

Some of our friends from the Association des Guides et Scouts d’Europe (AGSE) that had travelled over from France as well as Scouts from Northern Ireland we made our way over to the fantastic cathedral, from the outside it just blends in with the unimpressive landscape of office buildings and flats, inside can only be described as a different world that soon helps you leave behind the hustle and bustle of the busy street!

After sitting down Bishop Moth took the time to have a chat with us and before long, mass was underway; banners of tremendous colour paraded up the centre isle representing Catholic Scout Groups from the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. With this impressive display over, joyous celebration soon commenced.

The Bethlehem peace light was also presented to the Alter, what a fitting time for it to arrive at Southwark from Bethlehem!

After mass we set off back home, stopping at KFC for some dinner. We arrived back in Padiham at 10:55pm.

s

A special thank you must go to St Augustine’s RC High School for kindly lending us their minibus!

11

The Taste the Adventure road show has now started and has already visited both Accrington and Pendle in the first few weeks of February. The eye catching mobile unit is complimented with some stunning promotional flags and has been drawing in the crowds at both the locations it visited.

In Pendle, despite the snow, the local team put on a range of activities including tee-shirt printing, the construction of a 50 foot flag pole and a sausage sizzle. A week later the team supporting the Accrington event went all out with giant jenga and a tent building competition.

These 2 events gave out nearly 100 tickets for the activity weekend in April at Bowley International Scout Campsite and have had a number of adult volunteers already put their names down to come and join the organisation.

Taste the Adventure events continue in town centres across the region every weekend until the end of March.

If you want to get involved the details are on the website and we look forward to seeing you out and about soon.

The Highlight for Taste the Adventure is an Activity Weekend at Bowley on 27 th to 29th April 2012 where we plan to highlight the fun and adventure of Scouting to non-members by getting them to come along and have a go at a range of typical and not so typical Scout activities. To make this weekend a success we need leaders and groups to come along and help out. This could be either just getting involved and chatting to people who come along or by providing some of the activities themselves or by just being part of the overall experience.

The County is providing free camping over the weekend at Bowley (although you will, as normal, have to feed yourselves) and there may be opportunity to come along and try some activities out as well, although nonmembers will get priority. It should be a great weekend and a chance to show everyone why scouting is so good. If you are interested in joining in please let Glen (glen.fendall@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk) know as soon as possible.

The competition to design the badge for Taste the Adventure is now open. We are asking Beavers, Cubs or Scouts to use the template on the website to design a 2 part badge that will be used to encourage young people to join the Adventure in East Lancashire.

Full rules are on the website along with the design template.

Final entries must be in by 31 March 2012.

At the start of February the Swedish Bushcraft Expedition got into full swing with their first event of the year. The team decided to take up the Challenge set by Andy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Scout Network Commissioner and try their hands at Khubb a traditional outdoor game from Sweden. The game which is a cross between chess and boules requires players to throw sticks to knock down pieces before the winning team can finally knock down the King.

Whilst it took a few turns to get the hang of the game, which the Bushcraft expedition played in teams, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long before the competitive nature of the game came out and play was intense and quite fierce! Everyone agreed afterwards the game was great fun and would be ideal for a patrol competition within a group or a wider district or county event.

The Swedish bushcraft trip is taking a group of Scouts to the woodlands of Sweden to learn how to live off the local environment whilst combining this with a canoeing expedition. A local bushcraft expert and his team are guiding the 6 day trip through the heart of the Swedish countryside teaching the Scouts some key outdoor skills to enable them to fend for themselves and ensure that this is a trip of a lifetime.

We have unexpectedly got 4 places now available if you would like to join this adventure then please contact Ed on ed@elscouts.org.uk for more information.

Bushcraft Training Weekend – Young Leaders & Explorers Do you fancy learning new Bushcraft skills or just honing in on the ones you have got already; well we have just the thing for you. The County Bushcraft Team are holding a weekend for Young Leaders and Explorers on 4-6 May 2012 at Bowley. You will be shown and take part in the programme below, cook your own food and generally have a great time sleeping under the stars. Once the course is successfully completed you will then run your own course with your colleagues and pass on your new skills to a group of Scouts. Places are limited to 12 so please book early by emailing ACC Activities at activities@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk to reserve your place.

• Knife, Axe and Saw skills • Fire lighting: recognise natural tinders, fire lighting techniques, charcloth, flint and steel, feather sticks etc • Tarps • Hammocks • Spoon carving And more!

Cost for the weekend will be £15 and further details will follow.

Bushcraft Training Weekend - Scouts Our newly trained Young leaders & Explorer “Experts” in Bushcraft need victims Scouts to teach and pass on their skills. The programme will be as above so if you want to follow in the footstep of “Mears and Bear” then this is for you. The course will be at Bowley on 29 Jun – 1 Jul 2012 and will cost £15.

Places are limited to 12 so please book early by emailing ACC Activities at activities@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk to reserve your place.

s

Outdoormanship for Adults

Just in case you, the leaders, were feeling a bit left out well think again. We are working with Mike Rushton from Tamarack Outdoors and his team of qualified instructors to provide a series of Outdoormanship Skills weekends at Bowley. There will be up to 3 levels of instruction starting with Level One which will take place between 6-8 April 2012. There will then be a period of time to hone in your newly found skills before coming back on 21-23 Sep 2012 to be assessed and awarded a qualification. The series of courses will take you from basic bushcraft skills to more advanced elements of Outdoormanship which, includes tree & plant recognition, wild foods and much much more.

Details are being finalised but please register you interest by emailing ACC Activities at activities@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk who will forward an application form and further details. Level One will be for a maximum of 12 people and expected to cost around £150 per student which includes the 2 weekends, professional instruction, all relevant training aids and equipment. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a qualified leader in your District or Group and keep the skills alive for generations to come.

14

National Waterways Directory The waterways directory has been developed to make it easier to update details. The information included is provided by each County, so if you find any errors please encourage your County to let us know. It would also be good if Counties could talk to their neighbours to ensure that water that crosses boundaries is classified the same by both! The directory can still be found at www.scouts.org.uk/waterways Recent updates Full details of all of these updates that have previously been communicated can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/activitiesupdates Paddlesports â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Introduction of water types for paddlesports activities and details of the new UKCC qualifications to sit alongside the old BCU qualifications.

Activity Training Courses The Scout Association have published the 2012 activity training schedule across all activities. So if you need Mountain Leader Training, Hillwalking or Watersports then please look the URL below and follow the instructions to find the activity training of your choice. www.elscouts.org.uk/permitassesments

Upcoming reviews

s

There is an ongoing rolling review of the governance of all activities in Scouting. Reviews of the following areas will begin in 2012. As with all other reviews when these start we will communicate directly with all those recorded as having an involvement with the activity: Combined water/rock activities (coasteering, canyoning etc) Generic water and boat rules Bands Adult groups in adventurous activities International activities Generic activities rules (approval, risk assessment etc) Banned activities.

The aim is to keep this and all talk of rules separate from, and secondary to, ensuring we are providing activity opportunities for our young people. You can find full details of the review process and progress on current reviews at scouts.org.uk/activitiesreview

15

Want more information on Scouts Community Week? Visit www.elscouts.org.uk/communityweek

s munity out Com c S e h t g part in oup takin r g t u o c s or your ! ents as Are you to know many ev t s n a a t w a e e ! like to b Week? W tion too m would a e T ia r promo u d e o y M h y t it n w l do our The Cou elp you and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l k we can h .u d g n r a .o le s ut possib shiresco astlanca e @ s t n e il ev e there!

Just ema we can b e r u s e k a we can best to m ee what Email s ? l is â&#x20AC;&#x2122;l e th w e d oster lik rg.uk an Want a p escouts.o ir h s a c n eastla design@ d o!

16

Network Gathering – April 6th-9th – Great Tower Network Gathering is the biggest activity weekend for Network across the country, consisting of lots of activities, plus a legendry nightlife, camping in the woods of Great Tower in the Lake District making it a weekend that cannot be missed. The theme for this event is ‘The Olympics’ so fancy dress is an option and as East Lancashire we are currently debating what to go as, you never know we could have our own bobsled team!

If you wish to attend this camp, you can book online here http://www.gathering.westlancashirescouts.org.uk/ and let us know that you’re attending by going on our Facebook event here - http://www.facebook.com/events/255009884556798/ Essex Mad UK – 22nd June to 24th June Mad UK is a must go for every network Member, with its high intense atmosphere, and its famous “It’s a knock out” on the Sunday.

Based in the heart of Essex, outside Billericay [get the accent right] you will have the time of your life which you will want to go year on year. Bookings are not open yet, but keep an eye on our Facebook Event - http://www.facebook.com/events/212147168854440/ So what else are we up to, well we are changing the layout of our meetings, by aiming to meet every other week, and one of those weeks be working on awards and badges such as DofE, so if you’re still looking to achieve these sorts of things - Network is a great thing to be apart of. If not, just look at the pictures to what we have been doing!

s

That’s all for now! Remember to follow us on Facebook—facebook.com/groups/159324294132209/ and Twitter - twitter.com/ELancsNetwork/ Skiing—Chill Factore

Andy – County Network Commissioner

Two new recruits!

Fire Toys

New T-Shirt!

17

So—what did you think of this issue if ELP? We’d love to hear your comments in the usual way (elp@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk).

If you have news which you want to appear on the county news page, just drop an email to elp.newsdesk@eastlancashirescouts.org.uk and if you have a story or article that you want us to publish, please send it to the media team or to the ELP team!

Before we go… here are a list of ELP Submission dates until the end of 2012 and each issue of ELP will be sent out on the first Monday of every other month.

Issue Month

Final Date of Submissions

May/June 2012

30th April, 2012

July/August 2012

18th June, 2012

September/October 2012

20th August, 2012

November/December 2012

22nd October, 2012

This is an annual walking challenge competition open to all members of the Scout and Guide movements and the invitation is open to all counties and districts.

Fore more info, please see the East Lancashire Scouts website: http://eastlancashirescouts.org.uk/events/border-sevens-2012