CC’s Message I am sure that when I was a scout we didn’t do half the things during the winter that scouts seem to do today. I have been regularly surprised and reassured in recent weeks to hear of beavers enjoying sleepovers, cubs off on pack holidays and scouts and explorers going on winter camps to say nothing of major events such as the Cotswold Marathon, putting the “out” in Scouting, whatever the temperature. And all this on top of the regular meetings in meeting places across the county and all that planning that I know is already going on in readiness for the better weather and longer evenings. Congratulations to everyone who has undertaken an outdoor activity during the Siberian weather we have recently experienced. But the number and range of activities we are able to provide is in direct proportion to the number of hours which volunteers are able to offer to scouting. So as well as encouraging more people to come forward to run and assist with events and activities we also need to ensure we are making the most efficient use of the volunteers we already have. We therefore need to make sure that everyone who volunteers receives the right training for their role as soon as possible so that the time they give can be used most productively. If you haven’t been in touch with your TA recently, give them a call or drop them a line and arrange to meet up and check where your training plan has got to. And having been in post for a while all adults’ service should be reviewed both informally and formally to ensure that the volunteer has the support and knowledge they require and that they are still in the right role for them. Some scout groups undoubtedly struggle to recruit and retain the leaders they need to run a full programme, while others are fortunate to have enough and sometimes more than enough leaders. This can feel like a good place to be in but it can mean that some adults are not experiencing the challenges and the fun that they actually joined for. By using the review process we can ensure that people are doing the jobs they are best suited to and are not getting stale or bored. Most, if not all, districts on the other hand struggle to field a full district team and the county has been short-staffed for many years. Most adults of course join scouting because they enjoy working with children and young people and that is after all what we are all about. But, for events and activities to take place and for information to be shared through groups and sections we need the help of many others working in less visible roles, such as ADCs or District Advisers, organising, advising and supporting those in the front line. So, on this cold winter night, as you look forward to the year ahead and wonder if the thermometer will ever get back into double figures, could you be ready for a change and to take on such a role or do you know someone else who might be thinking of doing so? An extra pair of hands or another head full of ideas can make an enormous difference to a small team. Please think about whether you could develop yourself and the movement by undertaking a new role in scouting. I might be just what you need to shake off the winter blues and reenergise your commitment to scouting. Paul D. Trott County Commissioner
3 - Our County 5 - Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 7 - Badge Courses 8 - Awards 9 - News 11 - Cotswold Marathon 12 - What’s your next adventure? 13 - Three Peaks Challenge 14 - County Beaver & Cub Funday 15 - Gang Show 2012 16 - The Beast 17 - Photo Competition 18 - Gloucestershire Network
What’s been Email us at n your event fo
The District’s young leaders have won the Cheltenham Young Volunteer of the Year award. Also in Cheltenham, the beavers enjoyed a visit to Cadbury World and 100 explorers attended a Trading Post activity evening. A District Cooking Competition is also scheduled to take place
80 cubs have visited the Science Centre @Bristol and 55 scouts attended a Quiz Night. New appointments have been made in the districts including ADC beavers, cubs and scouts; this is the first time in 7 years they have been filled.
In Gloucester, 160 cubs took part in a Scientist Badge day, 62 scouts attended the Chess Congress (a record number) and 40 scouts from Churchdown took part in a 10-mile hike. Silver Chief Scout Awards were presented to 64 cubs by the Mayor of Gloucester. A District beaver sleepover has taken place and a District Swimming Gala is due to take place. For all young people in Gloucester, a competition is being held to design a woggle for Gloucester District’s Centenary.
There are now four explorer Units open in the district and 135 beavers, cubs and scouts attended a District Swimming Gala.
n going on in your district? news@gscouts.org.uk and share or everyone to see.
Three scouts have received their Chief Scout’s Gold Awards in Cotswold Vale District. Also, Slimbridge scout group’s Gang Show was very successful. A District Swimming Gala has been held and a Cooking Competition is being organised
Here, taster sessions have been held in Mitcheldean to encourage more young people into scouting. So far, 12 young people have shown an interest in joining. Also in the Forest of Dean, a Jubilee Camp is taking place on the 25th - 27th May 2012.
Stroud and Tetbury is going to get a new website in February and a new explorer unit has been opened at Cranham. A District Swimming Stage 1 day has taken place and Stage 2 and 3 are set to take place soon. Scouts are going to visit London for the weekend in January and a Peacelight Service was held on the 21st December.
In Tewkesbury, the new explorer and young leader units are thriving and the new cub pack at Winchcombe is already full! A District Swimming Gala has taken place and David HemplemanAdams, the renowned explorer, gave an excellent presentation. Sixty young people were presented their Bronze and Silver Chief Scout Awards by the Town Mayor.
You can now visit scouts.org.uk/jubilee for lots of resources to help you celebrate the Queen's 60 years on the throne
Limited-edition 22ct medallions and Jubilee Badge Sets and Medals are now available from Scout Shops
I know that many Groups and Districts are already planning exciting ways of celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year. However, I would also like to challenge 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 Commonwealth. Service is a fundamental part of the Scout programme. Community service 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 QDJChallenge@gscouts.org.uk. I look forward to hearing from you and being amazed by your imagination and creativity.
County Commissioner
2nd-4th March
Badge Weekend 2012
9th-11th March
Narrowboat Steerers Course
10th March
Scuba Try Dive
12th March
Young Leaders Module A
18th March
County Air Rifle Shooting Competition
4th & 5th April
Climber Badge
13th-15th April
Expedition Challenge Weekend
27th-29th April
Experience Dive Weekend
4th-6th May
PADI Open Water Course
4th-7th May
Mountain Activities Long Weekend
5th May
Cub Naturalist Badge
18th-20th May
PADI Open Water Course
2nd-4th June Survival Skills
Want to find out more? Visit: gscouts.org.uk
Margaret Bryant Robert Lawson Richard Page
Adrian Austin Maureen Keogh Tracey Newman
If S S
Substantial changes have been made to activity badges for Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. Click HERE for full details
Please read the important clarification HERE between Occasional Helpers and Sectional Assistants
Places are still available if any of your group with to audition for a week long course and perform with the National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra. For more information click HERE
f you know anyone who was once a part of scouting they can join the cout’s Campfire Circle. For just £2 a month they will receive couting Magazines and help to support Scouting. Learn more HERE
You can still register to take part in “Our Sporting Adventure”, the Scouting competition inspired by the Olympic Games. See if your group can get to the top of the medal table!
The Programme team is on the search for any local badges to inspire new badges available to young people. If you know of a badge that could be spread nationwide send the title, design, badge requirements, who the badge is for and a contact for the person who created the badge to: programme@scouts.org.uk
Richard Buxton, ASL 1st Tetbury, Stroud & Tetbury District
On the 4th February, over 300 people were stood in Murray Hall waiting to head out into the Cotswolds. After 5 o’clock, Scouts and Guides could be seen scattered around Gloucester and the surrounding area, trudging through snow on some parts of the route. Despite the cold temperatures and the less than ideal conditions over 200 people finished the routes and a good night was had by all. Overall winners came from Worcester Network and finished in a time of 9 hours 52 minutes. Other trophies were won by 46th Gloucester, Churchdown, Devil’s Chimney ESU, 21st Gloucester Guides, 11th Gloucester, Gladiators ESU, Worcester West ESU, 22nd Gloucester and 41st Gloucester
So what’s your next scouting adventure? Seriously, have you got one? Most people have one, whether it’s the next chief scout award or the Queen’s Scout Award. But after gaining his Queen’s Scout Award last year things hadn’t felt as challenging for Alex Chestnutt. We spoke to him to find out what he’s doing to keep the adventure going. “I have started to challenge myself and push my limits again, which is great! I’m silly enough to enter the Cotswold Marathon [gold route] and it’s my first time. Although I’ve done some training for it, [cotswoldmarathon.org.uk] it’s definitely going to push me.” 36 miles of gruelling Gloucestershire countryside is certainly a challenge but Alex isn’t stopping there. “I’ve signed up to do the 3 peaks challenge, which many people have heard of but few have attempted. I’m going to do it for the Meningitis Trust as it’s such a great cause (see next page if you’re interesting in getting involved). I’d like to raise £500 and if anyone is interested in helping then I would be very grateful”
nutt@explorerscouts.co.uk
THE CHALLENGE: To climb Wales’, England’s and Scotland’s highest peaks (Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis) within 36 hours.
Taking place over a weekend a double-decker coach becomes your home, as it transports you on a whirlwind tour of the British Mainland. It starts early on Friday morning and stops first at Snowdon, in North Wales, the smallest of the peaks. Later that day we head to the Lake District and Scafell Pike, which we conquer through the night with the aid of head torches. A few hours sleep follow as we are carried northwards to Scotland and our final peak, Ben Nevis. After this fantastic feat celebrations are provided in Fort William where a hot meal and comfy bed await, not to mention a few celebratory drinks to be shared with newfound friends. Sunday morning brings a hearty breakfast, before the final leg: The journey home. If you have any questions, please contact the Event Organiser Liv Maybank Address: Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 3TJ Telephone: 01453 769081 Email: oliviam@meningitis-trust.org.
SATURDAY 16th JUNE
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
Archery Rope-Bridge Crazy-Bikes Inflatables Climbing Wall Assault Course
The recent Glos-opoly Challenge took place in Gloucester and Cheltenham where teams of 4 or 5 travelled via public transport, finding and photographing places on the unique Glosopoly board. The rules were similar to that of the infamous game of Monopoly, but each team had to try and snap a photo of their team at the various locations in Gloucester and Cheltenham. The catch was that other teams were trying to do the same – who was going to earn the most money? The bitter cold weather didn’t stop a team of network members from being the winners and being the proud owners of a shiny new trophy, even though a spot of running took place, much to the disgust of some of the team!
An application for money to support the Madagascar expedition was considered and will be shared with other Counties in the Region. A draft Development Plan was circulated to Exec Members and Districts. Comments are invited before being debated with DCs and hopefully signed off by the Exec in March. Consideration is being given to a more detailed mandate from the County to Cranham Activity Centre. Additional members for the Management Committee would be welcome. The County Safety Manual has been reviewed but further work is required before it can be adopted as it needs to address activities at Cranham as well as county-led activities generally. The County Council is changing the way it funds youth provision and has offered to pay for adults to support young people taking part in activities such as Scout meetings. However there are issues around employment rights and responsibilities that it was difficult for Scouting as a voluntary organisation to address. Further discussions will take place with GCC. Restrictions on the use that the Guides were able to make of Cowley Manor have been reduced and action will now be taken to develop opportunities for the joint marketing of Cowley and Cranham. The possibility of establishing a county water activity centre was discussed and it was agreed that suitable locations should be identified where such a centre could usefully be established within the county. The county is to investigate the need for minibus driver training and its effective provision.
For more information visit: gscouts.org.uk or phone the County Office on: 01452 812309
The next edition of gscouts will be published soon! Please submit all contributions by 31st March 2012.