Wingspan Issue 1 - July 2009

WINGSPAN

Issue 1

Saturday, August 1 2009

Welcome to WINGS 2009 Welcome to WINGS2009 and Windsor Great Park!

I hope it will be a fabulous week of adventure, challenge and fun. I hope you will make the most of the opportunities open to you.

There are nearly 300 units and more than 600 staff attending from all over the world, which will hopefully make it a wonderful international experience.

Please make the most of this week to meet others from across the world, or more local to you and build new and lasting friendships.

Remember the theme of WINGS2009 is “Making a Difference”, and we can all do this whether here at camp, or when we return home, even globally.

I hope that you will take away enjoyable memories from WINGS2009.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing to come to WINGS2009, as you are the camp, and without you, this event would not be taking place.

Please thank your leaders for making it possible for you to attend.

Also I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered as staff and given up their time to ensure the running of the camp.

So, go and try out activities that you have never done before, and meet up with friends at the variety of evening programmes.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can throughout the week.

So let’s have a great time whatever the weather!

Sam Knight

Camp Leader

WINGS2009

The beginnings of the wonderful WINGS international experience Challenge yourself to try new activities The WINGS Challenge Award is a series of tasks which you can complete over the course of the week to gain the Challenge Award badge.

The tasks are designed to encourage you to meet Scouts and Guides from all over the world as well as satisfying many requirements from sectional programmes.

This is a great opportunity, so get started straight away to gain this badge!

Record cards for the award will be available during the week from the Programme Team HQ, so don’t waste any time in getting yours!

And when you’ve completed all the clauses, why not come to the Media Centre and tell one of the WINGSPAN reporters, what you did to get it, and most importantly, how much fun you had taking part.

WINGS started in 1993 as the result of a national Scouting initiative challenging Scouts to deliver an activity in collaboration with Girlguiding UK. The then County Commissioners for Royal Berkshire Scouts and Guides Roger King and Janet Shurmer sponsored the idea of an international camp in Windsor Great Park and the WINGS experience was born.

The first WINGS took place over the week July 31 to August 7 1993 and welcomed just over 2,700 young people, leaders and staff.

Young people camped in sub camps which had the theme of flight. Scouts and Guides from more than 20 countries took part including Germany, Uganda, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Finland, England, Eire, Canada, Scotland, Switzerland, Netherlands, USA, Russia, Belgium, Spain, Bahrain, France, Luxembourg, Japan, Wales and Norway.

One of the memorable things was the attendance of a large number of Russian Scouts such a short time after changes in their country allowed Scouting to be reestablished.

The huge success of the first WINGS resulted in it being repeated over the week August 1 to 8, 1998. Just over 3,000 young people, leaders and staff took part and the

sub-camps on which they camped took their names from countries.

WINGS98 saw the introduction of the complete WINGS Experience with the camp fee including all food for participants and staff.

All people needed to do was get themselves and their camping equipment to the Great Park.

WINGS98 also saw the introduction of a challenge to participants and staff to raise money for the WINGS nominated charity.

WINGS week saw almost completely blue skies and high temperatures. Again over 20 countries were represented among participants and staff including Italy, USA, Australia, Austria, Japan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania and Zambia.

The third WINGS took place over the week August 2 to 9 2003 - by now it was firmly established on the international Guiding and Scouting scene.

Just over 4,000 young people, leaders and staff took part and once again the sub-camps took their names from countries.

WINGS2003 saw the introduction of the “take-off” programme, which allowed units to be part of the WINGS experience in the months leading up to the camp, the introduction of the Global Development Village, a

Brownie and Cub evening and leader training opportunities.

Once again WINGS had blue skies and temperatures were record-breaking. More than 30 countries were represented among the participants and staff, including Japan, Tunisia, Thailand, Canada, Grenada, USA, Malta, Israel and Ghana.

Today WINGS2009 is under way. The WINGS brand has continued to gain in strength and approximately 6,000 young people, leaders and staff will be taking part.

The theme of WINGS this year is “Making a Difference” and the sub-camps take their names from people whose inventions or discoveries have made a difference to the world in which we live.

WINGS2009 will build on the success of its predecessors, further embedding ideas introduced at those camps and with an even greater emphasis on sharing the complete WINGS experience and celebrating and showcasing Guiding and Scouting.

It will also be the opening to celebrations for the Centenary of GirlGuiding in 2010.

Countries represented include Algeria, Australia, Egypt, Gambia, Germany, India, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Ukraine and USA.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS - International contingents count down to WINGS, page 2; Are you ready to have fun?, page 3; Making a difference, page 3; Finding your way around, page 4

Counting down to WINGS Here two units coming to the camp speak about their preparations for the event...

Morgan Pasquier, who is part of the 33-strong unit of Girl Scouts of Western Washington, writes...

“My WINGS2009 adventure started last spring. My Mom brought home a flyer and asked if I’d be interested in going.

Of course, I said yes! There was a lot of paperwork to fill out, including references.

Next was the interview. I was very nervous!

I met with Cheryl and Kathi, the women in charge of the trip.

They were very nice, and asked me a several questions. The most memorable question was: “How do you feel about going into old castles?” I stared at them for a second and almost laughed. “That sounds awesome!”

On the way out I bumped into another girl from my troop, Anissa. “Are you going to try

and get in too?” she asked. I nodded and she smiled. “Good luck! Maybe we’ll be going together.” I grinned back. “Maybe!” Then it was time to go home and wait to see if I was selected.

I can still see my mom bursting excitedly into my room. She thrust some papers at me. The first page said “Congratulations, you have been selected to go to WINGS2009/SCOTLAND!” I screamed with excitement! Anissa had also been accepted.

We would be travelling to the UK together after all!

At the first meeting, we talked about fundraising to earn the $2950 USD each traveller needed. There were many different ideas – from craft and bake sales to car washes, holiday gift wrapping, even putting fake pink flamingos in people’s yards.

The following months were spent getting to know each other, figuring out how to live together as a group, away from homes and families and deciding on our itinerary for our visit to Scotland after WINGS2009.

We’ve had an ‘Urban Shakedown’ to practice travelling as a group. At our ‘Outdoor Shakedown’ we learned how to make stools out of sticks and rope, practiced setting up our tents and cooked our own food. The tents were donated by “Race for the Cure” and are pink!

Now I’m counting down the days until we leave!”

Raring to go: Top right, some of the unit from Washington cooking during their Outdoor Shakedown Weekend, right the group’s unmistakeable pink sleeping tents, and left, our correspondent Morgan Pasquier during their outdoor adventure

Fundraising is the order of the day for New Zealand group Nicky Hartley who is bringing one of two contingents from New Zealand to WINGS writes…

“We are a contingent of 12 but are split into three groups, travelling separately and meeting up at WINGS. My group, four girls and me as leader, are from a place called Waiuku, which is south of Auckland in the north island. We also have a Ranger coming from Dunedin, which is in the south of the south island, who is travelling and staying with us but she is in 14-18 sub camp group.

It all started with me getting an award from our region for a leader to attend an international event either with adults or children. Guess what I chose?

I asked the girls if they wanted to come and four of them said yes, so we started fundraising as soon as we could.

We have done catering for various groups, helped out at weddings, took money on a

car racing gate, held raffles and cake stalls, sold firewood, and held a garage sale.

The girls and parents have done a fantastic job with the fundraising and we have raised more than $10,000 towards our trip.

We arrive in the UK on July 30 and are staying with my Mum who lives in Kent.

It will be all go when we get there, but we will have nearly two weeks after

WINGS to recover.

In those two weeks we plan to visit places including the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, London Eye and we are staying at Pax Lodge overnight.

We are going to Paris on Eurostar and hopefully Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park as a bit of relaxation. Also two of our group are going up to Scotland to meet up with family for a couple of days.”

Who’s coming?

There are 51 international units coming from 20 different countries.

In addition, some Scouts from Portugal are joining a UK unit, as are some Scouts from Germany.

There are 825 Scouts, Guides and Leaders and about 50 international staff coming from overseas. The countries are: Austria Canada Egypt Finland France Germany Kenya Luxembourg Isle of Man Eire Mexico New Zealand Nigeria Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Spain Ukraine USA

The lowdown on WINGS2009 When you first arrive on site, life can be a bit daunting. Whether you’ve been on an international camp before or are a first-timer, it takes time to get your bearings and work out what’s going on, where you have to be at what time and information on stuff like when dinner time is...

So to help you on your way, we’ve put together a mini guide to the key stuff you’ll need to know: Daily timetable: n Transport to off site activities starts at 8.40am. n Morning activity session: 9.30am – 12.30pm. n Lunch: 12.30pm – 2pm n Transport to off site activities starts at 1.20pm. n Afternoon activity session: 2pm to 5pm. n Dinner: 6pm n Evening activities: 7pm to 10pm.

Opening celebration: Takes place tonight at 7.30pm for 8pm in the Arena.

Are you ready to have fun?

This year’s programme is jam-packed with loads of activities THERE is a totally fab programme of activities to get your teeth into this week at WINGS. Building on the success of previous events, there is absolutely no chance you will get bored - it’s going to be the best week ever!

The activities planned will give you an unbelievable week of fun, adventure and learning with a variety of activities to suit all tastes.

All participants have been allocated one of 10 activity groups which you will stay in all week. To find out which group you are in look at your ID badge for an animal logo.

You will take part in 10 half-day sessions from Monday to Friday.

Activities will be split into 10 areas in total, with seven on site and three off site.

Activities in the on site zones include recycling and our environment and cultures

and faiths in the GDV; drumming, mime and dance in the Entertainment zone; climbing, caving, abseiling and bungee run in the Adventure and Challenge zone; discovery mazes, demonstrations and the art of science in the Eureka zone; space hopper racing, circus skills, stilt walking and scrap heap challenge in the Physical zone; three hours of fun in the Hot Air zone and finally, trash art, challenge craft and fast art in the craft zone.

The final three zones take you off site for loads of adventures. Twenty minutes’ coach drive away are the water activities which will include kayaking, open canoes, kata kanus, bell boats and rafting.

Fifteen minutes’ walk off site, via the South Gate, will be the Outdoor Skills zone with activities including air rifles, fire lighting, geo caching, bungee run and a giant slide.

The final off site activity is Windsor Exploration. This zone is an incident hike, leaving the North Gate, with teams of four to six people completing five activities on the way to and around the historic town of Windsor.

Sights on the way include Windsor Castle, The Leaning House and the River Thames.

To find out when you are doing each activity, take a look at your sub camp notice board, this will also tell you specific details about the activity and what you need to take.

And if that isn’t enough, there will also be plenty of fun in your sub camp being organised for tomorrow and loads of stuff to do in the evening.

Don’t forget to tune into Radio WINGS for more up-to-the-minute info on what’s going on, as well as grabbing your copy of WINGSPAN, out at breakfast time each morning.

Making a difference at WINGS The theme for WINGS2009 is ‘Making a Difference’.

There will be a variety of opportunities for you, your Unit and the whole of the site to make a difference at WINGS2009, in the local Berkshire community, around the world and back home in your village, town or city.

Some of the ways to help, include: Helping Others WINGS2009 will be making a difference by challenging everyone who attends WINGS2009 to raise at least £2 per person to help others less fortunate than those attending WINGS2009.

WINGS2009 is working in partnership with

UK-based charity, the Children’s Society, which is a leading national charity, driven by the belief that every child deserves a good childhood.

The Children’s Society provides help and understanding for those forgotten children who are unable to find the support they need anywhere else.

In 2003, WINGS raised more than £4,000 for the Feed the Children Charity.

Working with Others WINGS2009 will be making a difference by bringing together young people and adult volunteers from all parts of the world to work together providing a great opportunity to

learn about other cultures and other perspectives.

Supporting Adult Volunteers WINGS2009 will be making a difference by supporting adult volunteer leaders at the event through opportunities for taking training modules, workshops and sharing programme ideas.

Showcase for Guiding and Scouting WINGS2009 will be making a difference by using the event to show community leaders, educationalists and councillors what Girlguiding and Scouting offer thousands of young people across Berkshire and beyond.

Mobile phone recharging: There will be a facility to charge up mobile phones in the Internet Café. There is an admission charge to enter the café which covers the cost of charging phones. Alternatively payphones are available which take sterling coins only.

Keep fit: If you fancy an early morning workout, the WINGS workout team will get you into shape and ready to face the day before breakfast.

Tune in and turn it up: WINGS FM will be broadcasting across the site and across Windsor from today, keeping you up-to-date with everything that’s going on, as well as playing all the latest tunes and putting out messages to your new friends. And if you see yourself as a budding DJ or want to have a go at presenting your own show, then head to the Media Centre, next to the Arena, and we’ll help you get on air. The centre is also the place to request a song or shout out. Alternatively, email the studio at radio@wings2009.org.uk.

Your Photos @ WINGS: We know many of you will be capturing memories with your own cameras. We are keen to gather these images to use online, show on the stage screens and in other places. Just email them along with a story about who is in the picture, what you’re doing and where you’re from, to mypics@wings2009.org.uk Forgotten something crucial?: Left home without your toothbrush or shampoo? Head to the WINGS shop were there will be a range of cool gifts and toys, but also essentials like soap and toothpaste, just in case!

And for staff: Meal times: Breakfast - 7-9am

Lunch - 12-2pm

Evening meal - 5-7pm Bars: Open for over-18s only from today until Friday, 6pm until 10.30pm, with restrictions in place during opening and closing celebrations.

Staff entertainment: Kicks off tonight with a welcome drink in the Staff Restaurant and informal music in the bar. Make new friends and meet old chums!

The site map

The sub camps

Archimedes was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer and inventor who innovative machines, including the screw pump that bears his name.

Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone.

The de Havilland Aircraft Company was a British aviation manufacturer founded in 1920.

Sir John Harington invented the first modern toilet in 1596 which released wastes into cesspools.

Get out and about and help the planet Muck In4Life is a new campaign from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to encourage more people - including families, Guide and Scout units and individuals - to take part in conservation volunteering activities which help the environment.

Muck In4Life is all about having fun, being healthy and getting out and about and doing something to help wildlife and nature at the same time.

There are lots of ways to get involved and anyone can join in.

Many Guide and Scout units are

already getting involved by helping with local conservation volunteering activities which benefit the community, the environment and are a great way to spend time.

Guide and Scout units can take part

in all sorts of activities to help wildlife.

You could go bird watching or bat spying, wildlife gardening or pond de-sludging - there is something for all ages to enjoy.

You will learn new skills, make new friends and get some exercise without setting foot in a gym.

Whether you live in a town or in the countryside, Muck In4Life will help you get the best out of the great outdoors.

There will be more information available Muck In4Life during the week.

Alternatively, visit www.direct.gov. uk/muckin4life

Samuel Morland invented the ‘speaking trumpet’, an early form of megaphone, and is credited with inventing several arithmetical machines.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a British engineer known for creating the Great Western Railway, a series of steamships, bridges and tunnels.

WINGSPAN was bought to you by Antony Weller, Sarah Paget, Emma Parker, Sophie Maddocks, Richard Williams, Kate Smith-Crallan, Kathi Hamilton and Mike Szewciw. Production by Katherine Broomfield and Matt Robinson.