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K.Scout is the Newsletter of the Derbyshire County Scout Council. All contributions and photos gratefully received and should be sent to news@derbyshirescouts.org for inclusion. Deadline for next issue: 20th April 2012!
rn Tom’ssionTeu e r, Derbyshir
mis County Com Scout Council County
March is the time when we look forward with some trepidation (well I do) to the annual census. Will we meet the 3-5% growth that is one of the associations objectives ? So far with two districts still to declare their numbers the County is up on numbers only one district with no growth and one that is slightly down on last years so looking good so far at just over 4%. I will let you know next time the final numbers. So brilliant news all round so far! Keep this up and that 10,000 in two years is in the bag. Elsewhere in K.you will se a request from Rita for people to volunteer to staff the mobile display unit at a couple of large scale events later on in the year. Obviously I hope that the display units the large HQ unit & Derbyshire’s will attract both adults and young people into Scouting. As importantly they will remind everyone of Derbyshire Scouting . The Chatsworth and County show will not be driven by the RDS so it is up to us to provide the support on the day. All will be welcome. I think it would be great if each district had 4/5 people who would be available to support development across the county if that were the case Rita could arrange some training and we would have a pool of 60 plus to call on and most events would only need 4-6 to support local districts if we had a pool of 60 then you may only be need once or twice a year . So if you feel you have a couple of afternoons a year please let Rita know so that we can get organised. Whilst on growth South Derbyshire had the DMDU out in January (brrrr) and a open night for anyone interested in supporting Scouting. There is not room here to detail all the work that went into the night and the professionalism with which the Scouters in South Derbyshire put into the night . But the outcome was 24+ young people wanting to join and some 18 Adults taking AA form home up to now a lot have turned up at the groups they were interested in . I think Tim is going to do a similar day in the warmer weather. Alfreton District is also showing an amazing lot of growth mainly due to a different approach in Sommercotes & Ironvill they are doing exactly what is needed in providing Scouting that’s fits their community. Paul the GSL is also doing a brilliant job in fundraising from a very wide range of sources and has offered to run a sort of surgery a couple of times a year for those interested . Pauls group has recently won - Community Champion Award for there Young People's contributions to the community and for our volunteers work with young people in the villages.
I am including the link to the associations fact sheet on social media ( Facebook , texting etc) I would encourage all who use those forms of communication to make themselves familiar with it as it offers some good practical advice. Following it might just save misunderstandings and difficulties for some in the future. Please share with all the relevant age groups who may not receive K. http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/ fs103011.pdf Really Big Week end Feed back fro the weekend was shared at the recent DC day together with the sectional ACCs so look out for that information at your next district ,ADC meeting some interesting things your young people have to say about their Scouting. The format for the weekend has attracted a lot of attention from other Counties Helen being asked to speak at several county meetings. We will have our next Young peoples conference in 2013. I am also being asked about when adults will be having their say. As you know we cancelled the Adult conference day due to lack of response but we are happy to revisit if you tell us there is serious interest please let Jacquie or your Dc know. I guess Now we will be looking late in the year or early next year. Sight of the month has to be two East Scarsdale scouts at there very nice Squirell wood camp site Scouts trying to cut through a metre wide tree trunk with a backwoods finger pull saw I hope all of you are aware of K. plus being delivered to an in box near you if you are not receiving it please log on via the website. Many thanks to Adam Thompson from Belper district for taking this on. Contact details for Adam on the website. The County Camp site staff have been busy as ever over the last months with a lot of digging and concreting being done to allow better access to the abseil tower. The steel for which is on site and due to go up in the next few weeks. There was a lot of activity their over this last week end with Staff , Explorers all being prepared for the coming year. It was also good to see Steve Hilditch our mountain activities advisor out on the tower. Finally well done to all the Beaver Scout colonies who have completed Furry Freds challenge I think Red Fox (Joy) and myself only have a couple more to visit to present their special present and medal. Tom
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Chilly Challenge Well done to the County team members, and a couple of others for surviving the Chilly Challenge at the County camp site. Are you with us next year?
Wanted - Your Best Photos Its that time of year again when I would like you to send me a couple of Photo’s taken in the last 9 months that you t h i n k illustrate Sc outing brilliantly. I would also like some of your favourite quotes from your Scouts or leaders for the forthcoming annual report. Please send to CC@derbyshirescouts.org
GSL DAYS East Midlands There are still a few places for the last two GSL events 24th and 25th March Booking form at the back!
Scout Active Support Jean Roulinson Welcome to our newest County Active Support Unit, the Climbing Team run by leader Adam Mitchell. Details and how to book are on the County website. Climbing activities are available for all ages even for Beavers so why not book a session and have a go. Our annual quiz takes place on 19th April at the Beaconsfield Club, Derby, (details on the attached flyer). Phoenix are hosting this year and I hope we can make this event as successful as last year in Chesterfield. Anyone can enter a team of four, £4 per team including a hot supper. Please contact me if you are coming by the week before, I hope to see a good few teams there.
Community Grant Western Power Distribution (WPD) has just launched its Community Chest grant scheme, and £50,000 is available to enable communities to install energy efficiency measures in community buildings in the Midlands. The application process is simple. Groups need to submit a short application form and provide quotes for recommended improvements, as well as completing an audit of their building. Guidance is provided on CSE’s website or you can email wpdcc@cse.org.uk for more information.
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Welcome Please join me in welcoming Tim Roast into the role of District Commissioner for South Derbyshire. Tim has thought long and hard about taking on the role and having accepted I know will do his best for South Derbyshire Scouting. Some of you will know Tim either in South Derbyshire or as an Archery instructor at various events and I am sure you will all give him your support, advice etc going forwards. Tim moved to Derbyshire twenty years ago, on joining Toyota, where he still works. Like a lot of people, Tim started Scouting when his son joined Beavers back in 1996. Joining the Scout Association in 1997 as ABSL, he has held positions as SL and more recently GSL and is now looking forward to this new challenge as DC South Derbyshire District. He has lot’s of enthusiasm and some good ideas with short term goals being to strengthen the District (more Adults to take on District roles), thus putting in place a strong support structure for the Groups that make up South Derbyshire District. Longer term (three to five years) is to host a County Event within South Derbyshire, an idea I think you will all like and maybe I need to encourage him to do, certainly before 5 years, 2013 would be good!! Tim can be contacted on Tim.roast60@gmail.com
Vacancies will be a regular feature in K. where everyone can post their needs. District Commissioners. We need two District Commissioners one for Derby South & one for Long Eaton district. Both have been advertised a couple of times in a variety of media as well as direct mailing. As yet no joy. So if you know of someone who would make a good DC even if they have not thought about it themselves please let me know. These are important roles and whilst Pat and Stuart are holding the fort as it were that is not and cannot be the long term solution. Please look a little wider as well Debra the new DC at Belper does not have a Scouting background other than Children in Beaver & Cub Scouts but the GSL of the Group thought she had all the right qualities of a DC . (well done Sandra) Development support As mentioned elsewhere a team of people willing to support Development by way of helping out with the Derbyshire mobile display unit . Media We are looking for people to support Dan in his media role as ever success breeds success and Dan now need some help from within the Districts. Ideal for people looking to support A levels , media or someone with a little time on there hands to follow up write up Scouting news. We have the opportunity to spread into papers other than the Derby & Chesterfield local papers but it does need your help Contact Jacquie if admin@derbyshirescouts.org
interested
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The Derbyshire Chilly challenge encouraged scouts and explorers to camp in January, but 7th Dronfield “waited” for the snow and lowest temperatures of the year for their winter camp at the beginning of February half term. Most of the 20 scouts and explorers combined the camp at Walesby Forest with a full practice hike for their formal expeditions through the snow carrying tents and cooking equipment to get there. When they arrived they had to pitch tents on the s n o w c o ve re d ground and discovered it's a challenge getting tent-pegs into frozen soil. Clearly, Lily Bovill and Becky Rayson enjoyed their hike (photo) – and all learned the value of what they took with them to keep warm and to eat enough high calorie food to replace those burned up in hiking in the cold. They also appreciated the advice given on keeping warm under canvas at nights with temperatures down to -8 Centigrade – double sleeping bags, liners, double camp mats, rugs and of course a good woolly hat. As Beccy said: “Incredibly cold – but incredible fun.” Winter camps are always
more relaxed than the activity packed summer and spring camps, with long dark evenings to sit around camp fires (picture 2), but this year they all had the opportunity to practice shooting skills on the gun range, and then learn how to clean, skin, and b u t c h e r pheasants and rabbits, so they could then make some real game casseroles. One of the leaders, Donald King, brought the game and as the pheasants were frozen having been shot in January, de-frosting in sub-zero temperatures was an interesting part of the process. He instructed the scouts in 2 quick ways of field-dressing pheasants and then skinning and jointing some rabbits. As ever, there was great competition from some of the young people to do the more gruesome parts of the job! There was also a small crowd of adults on a training placement at Walesby who came to watch and take part – they were impressed to see that scouts still do some proper backwoods food preparation. The camp also gave the opportunity for 7 of the oldest scouts to complete their Chief Scout's Gold award before they move up to Explorers in the next few weeks. The whole purpose of the camp was to allow scouts to understand how they have to learn how to do what is necessary to survive outdoors in winter conditions – s om e good t rai ni ng i n resourcefulness and resilience.
Shiree May 18th 2012 A Camp for Leaders and helpers of any section, I you want a brilliant weekend look no further, a camp just for adults ( over 18 ) The activities so far are, on site
Shooting. Archery.
Climbing Tower.
Off site
White water rafting*
Wind surfing*
Obstacle Course.
pyrography COTSWOLD Camp
EQUIPMENT SHOW ! Survival base.
Sailing*
Canoeing*
Canal boat ride*
* these would be off site and you have to get there, OWN TRANSPORT, These have an additional cost shown on the booking form information.
Water Filtration.
Geo Cashing. Go Karts PEDAL completion.
*Railway ride, collection from the site in old style bus, train
Kubb game!, (Scandinavian team game).
ride, AM and PM trip
Wheel chair course. Back woods cooking.
Mountain biking , BLUE & RED & EASY COURSE OFF SITE. SOME BIKES TO BORROW OR BRING YOUR OWN Mountain biking SKILLS ( Sunday am) on site.
African Drumming.
Amateur Radio.
Giant puzzles.
( both with lunch in the price! )
Evening activities
Badge swapping.
Idea Swap Shop. bring YOUR ideas share. PAPER OR USB
Barn Dance.
(Friday)
Assault course competition you’ve stamina for it.
Quiz. (Sat)
grand Campfire. (Sat)
Disco.
(Saturday) and BAR
On camp cafe. Creative Zone Tent Hama Beads.
Ceramic tile coasters.
Mug & plate decorating. Recycling base. Cake decorating. Candle decorating.
Bottle top man. Glass decorating.
ROPE CRAFT, Bread craft. NOTTING CRAFT.
if
and BAR !
Tethered HOT AIR balloon lift. sat Golden Ticket, 35 people 16.00 till 18.00. Weather dependant.
WANT TO COME !!!!!!!!!!! For a booking form and more information please e mail,
shireecamp@aol.com
camp location post code, nn14 1qf KETTERING, NORTHANPTONSHIRE
If someone had told me two years ago that I was going to the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden I wouldn’t have believed it possible. To have been given such an opportunity was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It would not have been made possible without the help of my friends, family, district and my local scout organization all helping me afford the funds for such a journey. Looking back on my journey with the Jamboree it made me realize how fortunate I was to have been chosen to go. The many flights and the long waits in the airports were all worth it when we got off the bus in Sweden to be greeted by people from all over the world. Everybody was so friendly wanting to help us with our equipment; it instantly gave you the feeling that, although we were so far from home, it was as if we belonged there. On the first day we had to make camp and we didn’t get much chance to venture out and meet people but on the second day we were set free and allowed to meet and greet people from all over the world. I remember the first person I met was an Italian girl in the camp opposite us called Irene and we are still in touch to this day. At the opening ceremony all the flags from every country were carried onto the stage and welcomed to the World Scout Jamboree. The sheer mass of people was overwhelming, the atmosphere was amazing and unlike anything I had ever witnessed. To get to know some of the people in our area of the site we swapped with half a group of Italians for a night to have a traditional dinner cooked for us and the other half of us stayed in camp and cooked a traditional dinner for people from another camp. We played games that they played in scouting and showed them some games that we played as well. Some of the games were similar but had differences; it was really good fun. It was great learning new games and being able to take them and show people back home what we had learnt.
There were many activities around site, and there were tents set out from most countries that you could go into and see some of their culture and experience something from their country. The United Kingdom tent had mini Golf inside, there was a Japanese tea house you could visit and a Danish cafeteria with some amazing traditional Danish pastry. There were set activities for everyone on the site to do, some of which were physical and some were more psychological like when doing an activity called Dream in which you went down a journey starting from death all the way back to birth, viewing images along the way, such as puzzles to solve. At the closing ceremony, when the Swedish passed over to the Japanese for the next Jamboree, there was a huge display of fireworks that shook the ground. This was a fitting ending to such a brilliant journey. After leaving the site we stayed in Munich with a German family for a few days, where we experience traditional German culture and I loved every minute of it. This really made the experience truly amazing. We all met up for a tour of the centre of Munich and for a party. After home hospitality was over, it was sad because we had grown so close to our hosts. I am still in contact with them as I made such good friends. My most memorable moment on the entire journey had to have been when we were at the opening ceremony and it hit you how large it really was and that I had been given the honour of being part of the journey. Jon Heinke Note: There were four unit members from our District Explorer Units. Callum Sanderson 3rd Sandiacre Jonathan Heinke 3rd Sandiacre Joshua Halford 15th Long Eaton George Goodall 1st Breaston Scouts then 3rd Sandiacre James Stafford went as an Assistant Unit Leader. We enjoyed his Jamboree article last September.
COMING SOON AN EXITING NEW ACTIVITY TO DERBYSHIRE SCOUTING
Become a PowerKite instructor Register an interest to be part of Derbyshire Scout Powerkite Team Experienced or Not email kiting@derbyshirescouts.org for further details
acAlistecor ut Section Dave Mew on the S
couts) vi The ACC (S cross The County A
The response to the Chilly Challenge was tremendous, with the 1000 badges ordered only just being sufficient. I was pleased to visit a number of District camps around the County and it was plain to see everybody was having was having great fun – no matter whether it was snowing, raining, icy cold or windy (we saw it all!) –they were just good Scouts and got on with it. The “Roll of Honour” is now available to download from the website, under Scout section/downloads –if your names are not on it yet, please let me have them so that it can be updated. I suspect this is now established as a Derbyshire tradition for January – how many badges do we order for 2013 I wonder!
Dragon Awards do seem to have taken off over the last few months; maybe the Chilly Challenge has been the impetus to get Troops started. We have seen Bronze and Silver Awards achieved from 1st Sawley, 86th Derby and 4th Belper. If you are not sure of the requirements or how to get started, just go to the County website and under Scout section you will find the link.
acAlistecor ut Section Dave Mew on the S
couts) vi The ACC (S cross The County A
is a splendid venue for what we believe to be a very special occasion to mark the highest award in the Scout section.
After a delay because of the snow on the previous Sunday, we recorded a total of 101 Chief Scouts Gold Awards – the most we have ever had. The certificates were presented by our County President, Sir Richard Fitzherbert Bt. We were welcomed to County Hall by the Chairman of the County Council George Wharmby. We do thank George and all the staff at the County Offices who were very helpful and made us most welcome. It really
After the presentation of Gold Awards, W illyTucker the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire presented two Queen Scout Awards - the highest and ultimate achievement in any Scout’s life. W e had a most interesting presentation from our young people who attended the World Scout Jamboree last year – who couldn’t fail to be inspired by their experiences? M y th ank s are ex te nde d t o Chesterfield SASu who provided a light buffet afterwards. We have set the date for a mid-year presentation at Spring Bank Camp at Drum Hill – 2nd June. Names are beginning to come in already for this – closing date 12th May.
Rehearsals are going well for Flying High 2012, the Derby East Scout and Guide Gang Show with a cast of 144 of all ages at the Derby Theatre next March. Tickets are now on sale from the Derby Live box office, prices are £12 with £9 concessions for all performances. Show dates and times are Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th March, evenings at 7.15pm with Saturday performances at 1.30pm and 6.00pm. Tickets are available from either the Derby Theatre or the Assembly Rooms box office, telephone number 01332 255800.
I hope you will bring a party from your Group to see this award winning gang show in it’s 44th year, three times winner of a Derby Amateur Theatre Eagle Award in 1996, 2002 and 2010. Jean Roulinson Producer
Residential Experience Training Weekends Drum Hill INCLUDES TRAINING MODULES 16, 17, 18 AND 38 Friday 25 – Sunday 27 May Friday 21 September - Sunday 23 September Book now for an opportunity to learn skills for running a residential experience and prepare for applying for your Nights Away permit. Booking form available in the download section of the county website : http://www.derbyshirescouts.org/downloads
Training Module planner Please find refer to the above document on the next page for a quick reference as to where and when courses are being run. Application forms are available on the website. Evening courses run from 7.30 and Saturday/Sunday courses will be between 9.30 and 4.00 but timings will change subject to demand for places. Sally Eccles – County Training Manager