WINGSPAN Thursday, August 6 2009
Issue 6
A lasting legacy from WINGS Transforming a boating centre for years to come BY KATE SMITH-CRALLAN AN essential part of jamborees is making a difference to the community in which we live for a week and leaving a lasting legacy. Paxmead Boating Centre lies on the River Thames and provides boating facilities for Guides, Scouts and other youth groups as well as local schools in the London and South East region. While the centre has excellent facilities, areas of the grounds required some heavy duty work on them, work which Guides and Scouts on the community service project undertook with great gusto and enthusiasm. During a much-deserved tea break, Ali from Axford Explorers said: “It’s really rewarding actually, we can see that we’ve made a big difference.” In just half a day, the team of about 25 have cleared swathes of overgrown vegetation, taken down old rusting scaffolding boat racks, and cut down trees. Clearing bricks and leaves and cutting down a tree in the front of the centre, Rachel from 1st Magheraculmoney Rangers said: “It’s really hard work, but we’re having loads of fun.” Unfortunately, last year ground keeping equipment was stolen from the centre, so Discovery Explorer Scouts were clearing an area for storage for the replacements. Chris, Michael and Tessa were singing and dancing while digging, their enjoyment shining through including a little air guitar on a shovel. Gill Wilkinson, the warden at Paxmead said: “The Scouts and Guides have been fabulous. We are very grateful for all the work being done.” Axford Explorer Scouts and 1st Odiham Scouts were clearing three years worth of overgrown ivy, weeds and other vegetation from behind the boat house, as well as dismantling
Scouts and Guides work together in the community to provide better boating facilities
some old boat racks. Attacking the ivy encrusted fence with cunning and the old tree roots with brute force, the Scouts were succeeding in transforming what was an unusable space, into an area that will be used for seating and storage.
The work the volunteers are doing was scheduled to be covered over the next three years, but thanks to the enthusiasm of WINGS2009 participants, it looks like it will all be done this week. The centre is now extending the
range of projects they hope to complete, with more work on the boat house as well as building some new homes for local wildlife.
l Turn inside for more on our WINGS2009 legacy.
Today’s highlights Page 2 - Having a Eureka moment
Page 3 - A lot of hot air
Page 4 - Dropping in at the Kids Club
Page 2
Thursday, August 6 2009 - WINGSPAN
Ready for some science fun in the Eureka zone? BY RICHARD SHEPHERD HAVE you got your thinking caps on? Good because the Eureka Activity Zone is promising an exciting mix of learning and fun with its explosive and energetic programme. Don’t worry – you needn’t be Einstein to have a great time there, but the test and craft science projects will keep you thinking, wondering and laughing throughout the session. The Eureka team have put together 22 science-based activities for your time in the zone and on top of that, the Science Museum in London is showcasing its latest live show ‘It Takes Guts’.
The 45-minute show takes you on a whirlwind tour through the human gut and will demonstrate the digestion of food. If you’re worried it might turn your stomach, the museum is throwing in a few old fashioned explosions to keep it fresh. They include the art of igniting cornflour to demonstrate the energy stored within your everyday food. Food plays a big part in the Eureka programme at WINGS2009. In Kitchen Science you have the chance to mix, make and fuse household chemicals to create some curious effects. How about turning PVA glue and Borax into ‘boing balls’? Or will you
be brave enough to venture across the custard pool? Due to some intriguing properties of custard, it becomes possible to walk on it without falling in, providing you don’t stop, and in Eureka you can take the custard challenge yourself. In the unfortunate event of a custard mishap, come prepared with a towel to dry up afterwards. If the thrill of walking on pudding doesn’t grab you why not launch your own rocket? Not only will you be able to send water powered launches skyward, but professional rocket men are coming to WINGS2009 to help participants
Above, a water-fuelled rocket heads skywards, and, above left, three youngstershave fun with one of the many experiments in the zone
launch real, chemical fuelled craft in the Eureka zone. For more creative minds Eureka leaders will be helping make and craft some truly random artwork. The smoky tiles, centrifugal paintings and enormous bubbles are all created with scientific techniques that not only look artistic, but are keenly steeped in scientific knowledge. The creative department of the Eureka zone is also home to the marvellous water molecule hanging
sculpture. During WINGS2009, the structure will be glued together by you and it’s hoped by the time we leave site it will be huge. Whatever you decide to do out of the imaginative, creative and exciting science experiments, you are sure to have fun in the Eureka Zone. As co-ordinator Nigel Smetham said: “Eureka is all about having fun but also having the chance to find your Eureka moment.”
WINGS campers have hoopfulls of talent BY EMMA PARKER THE inclement weather had no effect on the fun and frivolity going on at the Entertainment Zone in the main arena as hundreds of participants displayed their talents. Although there has never been an Entertainment Zone at WINGS before, it had been requested by particpants at other events. The activity is split into four sections with each person getting a chance to try their hand at a variety of artistic activities. It’s hard to miss the extreme hula hooping going on the around the main stage, as the laughter echoes around the whole sight. Scouts and Guides work together in their 40-minute session to learn something new. From an instructor on the main stage, instructions are offered from
the easy to the extreme. “It’s fun, but annoying when I can’t do it. I just have to slow down to stabilise myself and then speed up again gradually,” explained Sean, 11, from Bournemouth who is staying on De Havilland Sub Camp. As hula hoops fly past, with participants chasing after them, there is no one not joining in, in this different activity. “I’ve never hula hooped before, but I really enjoyed it and my new friends helped me get it right,” said Hayley, 12, from Burghfield. Around the arena many different sounds were heard mixing together, which offered an insight into the
other activities in store. Drumjam is a firm who have been working at Scouting and Guiding events for more than 10 years and are offering an excellent drumming workshop. Feeling empowered by the music, the young people try their hardest to perfect the different rhythms they are learning from the instructors. “The drumming was brilliant, I’ve never done anything like this. It’s good to make a great sound as a whole group at the end,” said Darcy, 11, of 17th Lytham St Anne’s, who is spending the week on De
Havilland Sub Camp. In the next tent participants tried Scottish Country Dancing. Echoes of instructions and laughter fill the space as one enthusiastic Scout leader can be heard shouting “Dance at me Andrew, dance at me.” as the small circle try their best to keep up. Even the leaders can’t wait to be involved in this activity run by Scouts and Guides from the local area. The next base feels like you are walking into a different world and the sight was something definitely not to be missed. Greeted by smiles from Scouts in long blond wigs and fairy wings, everyone seems to be trying their best to produce the best fairytale that they can. Matt Cooper, 17, of De Havilland Sub Camp said: “I’m Snow White, so I HAVE to wear the wig. This is brilliant I’m having so much fun!”
Custard-tastic SPIRITS were high in the staff catering tent on Tuesday as chefs discovered a big wibbly wobbly custard monster lurking in the fridge. Two hundred litres of custard were churned up for Monday’s much-anticipated apple crumble but not all of it was eaten. So, when the left over custard set, staff decided to hold ‘guess the weight of the custard’ competition. At dinner on Tuesday, spurred on by the prospect of a bottle of wine being awarded as the prize, staff were encouraged to guess the custard monster’s weight. Linda Rayman from Unit Support Food Services won the prize as she was closest to its 18kg weight.
Watch WINGS2009 Highlights Watch video highlights of WINGS2009 so far at www.wings2009.org.uk or on our You Tube channel wings2009tv
WINGSPAN - Thursday, August 6 2009
Pumped up, participants party at the inflatable city BY SOPHIE MADDOCKS IT was once an empty field, now its home to one of the most energetic zones on camp, and it’s not just hot air. Hot Air is an inflatable theme park boasting eight vast blow up rides. It is an unmissable camp attraction. Just visible from the centre of the sub camps, multi-coloured inflatable skyscrapers peek over Bell Sub Camp as the odd Guide or Scout is hurled into the air on the bungee trampoline. Hot Air is a bustling hive of activity, harbouring small pockets of calm, as leaders take advantage of the opportunity to relax in the sunshine. Event organisers had some concerns about crowd control (well wouldn’t you with 400 participants and eight activity areas) nevertheless, queues of yellow-scarved Guides and Scouts formed steadily at each ride. The event ran without a hitch, according to staff member Janet: “It’s fantastic. We were worried about crowd control but the guys have been wonderful” For most, the biggest draw was the 35-ft mega slide; Gemma, a Guide from Hauraki, New Zealand, said: “The slide’s less scary than it was when I was younger.” Alex, from Ashbury Rangers said: “The slide was good, it’s kind of like a theme park here.” The assault courses were another popular destination. Forty-six Overstone Scouts couldn’t get enough of being bombarded with blow up barriers: “We’ve just been on the assault course, we went under the poles, past the big inflatable boxes, and then through the bungee chords,” said Matt. And the winning Scout?
“Ben was the quickest, but Reid came last – even though he cheated!” was the verdict from Jordan. Hot Air provided entertainment for participants of all ages; perhaps the most nail-biting race was between Kids Club members Rosie and Charlotte, who hurtled through the assault course at breakneck speed: “It was so much fun, I lost the race, but only because she’s older than me, she’s six and I’m only five.” Attracting a curious crowd was the lifesize inflatable table football game. Guides and Scouts stood in line for the chance to be strapped into the inflatable pitch and exhibit their footballing prowess. Towering over the table football; the bungee trampoline sent people high into the air, affording them a rare birds’ eye view of the camp below. Tash, a Pathfinder from Peter-
Two Guides grapple with the assault course; below, a Scout tries his hand at demolition ball; bottom, a youngster on an inflatable slide and, inset, a Scout perfects his technique on the rodeo bull
borough, mastered forward spins: “It was fun to do the spins; you have to really throw your body back.” Tucked away at the back of the campsite, Hot Air delivers an exhilarating experience (for those brave enough to ride the rodeo bull or face the inflatable demolition ball) as well as a relaxing one for the participants who chose to absorb the WINGS2009 atmosphere without attempting all of the rides.
Giving back to the community IN all, WINGS2009 has started seven community projects in the area. As well as the Paxmead Boating Centre, Sophie Maddocks took a look at two more. Runnymede, an internationally historic site managed by the National Trust, hosted one. Set to work by the National Trust wardens, participants began the day raking hay: “We’re just raking at the moment - but we enjoy it, it’s good to do something different,” said 14-year-old guide Philippa Stringer. Warden Jim Smith Wright really appreciates the Guides and Scouts’ enthusiasm for volunteering: “We get lots of volunteers which is really good, Englefield Green Cubs volunteer every year.” Project leader John Wyeth went on to explain why the projects appeal him: “It’s certainly worthwhile doing
something different – you don’t get to do too much raking in every-day life.” Many Guides and Scouts can’t get enough of the challenging nature of the community projects, explained programme team member Jennifer Turner: “Two young leaders from Morland were out with us all day yesterday and even asked to come back today” Picturesque Winkworth Arboretum, a tree lover’s paradise nestled in the rolling Surrey Hills, was the location for another community project. Rob Tyler, head arborist, guided us through the 46-hectare park; meandering down tiers of wooden steps into Badger’s Bowl as sparrowhawks and red kites soared overhead. Below, seven Network members from Minydd-du in Wales could be seen uprooting thistles and nettles from a large clearing. This work is vi-
tal: removing invasive species protects the native flora, birds and wildlife. The group enjoyed volunteering for last year’s Essex Jamboree so much, they returned this year to lend a hand at WINGS2009: “We volunteered because we thought it would be beneficial,” said Network member Thomas West. The team were obviously committed to the job – clearing 30 square metres of tall, thick thistle in less than three hours. Bob, a fellow volunteer from programme support said: “I wanted to give something back, doing something you don’t do everyday brings another string to your bow. We are the same as all other leaders – we volunteer because we enjoy it.” WINGS2009 participants are truly “making a difference”, leaving a legacy long after camp has faded in our memories.
WingsFM Broadcasting live 24-hours a day Web: www.wingsfm.org.uk
Page 3
Email: studio@wingsfm.org.uk
WINGSPAN - Thursday, August 6 2009
Fun for little ones too at WINGS ALONGSIDE the busy programme going on at WINGS2009, there are a few young people enjoying their own WINGS2009 experience. Emma Parker spends an afternoon with the children at the Kids Club to see what’s on offer. In the centre of the main arena is the Kids Club, home for 20 children aged four to 10 for the week. Children of staff from across the jamboree come together to make new friends and share their own, age appropriate experience of WINGS 2009. The children have already been and visited all of the sub camps and have started to work towards achieving the WINGS2009 challenge badge. The four staff running the Kids Club are leaders, mums and childcare workers aiming to offer the little ones a well-rounded programme. As a group of five boys play Lego in the corner, Patrick, six, exclaims: “My best thing about being here is the Kids Club - count me in for that.” Although he knew no other children when he arrived, Gethin, nine, enjoys the fact that he has made lots of new
Honeymoon delight SOME people’s commitment to Scouting knows no bounds, and one couple have taken theirs to a new level by spending their honeymoon at WINGS2009. Mark and Kelly Rosevear from Cornwall got hitched on July 11. And to celebrate the occasion the site security team, where the couple are both working, decorated one of the site buggies with trailing tin cans. The couple were then presented with a veil and top hat and driven on a lap of honour. The surprised couple blushed as their team showed the site their dedication to our shared passion.
BOOK YOUR GROUP/TEAM PHOTO Appointments require a time, date and location
The Retail Mall is open every day during WINGS2009 to buy framed photos and order your copy of the event DVD.
friends from across the country. “It’s so good we can do loads of activities with our new friends.” The youngest member of Kids Club, was showing off the sun hat that he had just made. “I had to do all the colouring in myself, it was cool,” said Harry, four. Meanwhile, the girls were copying the hula hooping that was going on in the main arena, hoping that they could be like the Scouts and Guides one day. The staff running the club have a busy job, making sure that the children have all got a drink and are taking part, and really just having fun. As part of one activity Jennifer, 10, wrote the poem, right, which shows her appreciation of this huge event. l The youngsters from the Kids Club arrived on Tuesday to find the arena covered in rubbish, so they put on some gloves and helped clear the area of rubbish. They then designed colourful posters to encourage the Guides and Scouts not to drop litter.
Page 4
Daily Round Up What’s On Today IT’S the penultimate day of activities and while you should continue to enjoy them and everything else that’s going on around the site, thoughts can start to turn to the next Jamboree adventure. So, why not start thinking about what you want to do. To help you achieve that, it’s important to grab every memory available. So make sure you start noting the e-mail addresses of people you’ve met, finding their Facebook names and capturing a picture of them which you can have done and then buy from the Retail Mall.
Today’s Forecast Sunny intervals
WINGS2009 Weather: sunny, rainy or even both In my tent I wake up to find No one is in the tent or am I just blind Going to have breakfast on the first day of WINGS 2009 So off I go all the way back home with all my memories of WINGS 2009
Temp 25
Tomorrow’s Forecast Heavy rain showers
A young Kids Club member gets to work on a anti-litter poster
WINGS Say
What is the one thing that you wish you had bought to camp and why?
Temp 24
Tonight’s Ents Main Stage Song of the Eagle Archimedes Toga Party plus live band
Sam Dugan, 21st Waterloo Ontario, Canada Scouts
Maya Spence, 1st Clerkenwell Guides
“My watch because I keep being late for things.”
“My laptop so I could go on YouTube”
Andrew Lewis, 19th Maidenhead Scouts “A radio. The WINGS2009 radio station sounds pretty good and I’d like to listen to it more”
Danielle Paul, Bray & Holy Port Scouts
Conor Boyle, 33rd Kidlington Land Scouts
“More socks, because I’m running out”
“I ticked off everything on the checklist, so I’m good”
Acropolis Toga Party Bell Disco De Havilland Live band Morland Water Madness Harington Live band - Gimball
Emma King, 1st Finchampstead Guides “A bigger torch. It’s quite dark here at night and they turn off all the lights at night”
Guilame Groux, Notre Dame Panetiere Scouts, North of France
Emma Trevett, East Cheshire Senior Section Guides
“My watch because it’s boring not to have the time.”
“My walking socks, as I can’t wear my walking boots without them.”
Adam Humphries, Bray & Holy Port Scouts “A flag of my country to wave about. Other people have them and I feel left out.”
Charlotte HughesBroughton, 1st Hayes Guides “Shampoo and conditioner because everyone brought just small bottles without enough to share with me.”
Happy Birthday to.... Ellie-Mae Would, Happy 11th birthday Ellie, have a great day. Ellie Hart, 11, hope you have a lovely day from everyone on Harington Sub Camp. Gemma Parry, Happy Birthday Giggles.
WINGSPAN was bought to you by Antony Weller, Sarah Paget, Emma Parker, Sophie Maddocks, Richard Shepherd, Kate Smith-Crallan, Kathi Hamilton, Katherine Broomfield, Justin Mullender and Matt Robinson. Photography by Becky Smith, Becky Tompkinson, Graham Smith, Claire Holland, James Hage, Dave Brookes, Cheryl Stewart, Ed Jackson and Andrew Hawke.