Online Special Edition 2021
Bringing the Home of Scouting to You For the second year we cannot meet at the home of Scouting to catch up with friends and share our experiences of the last year. However, you can bring the essence of Gilwell Reunion into our own homes once more via the wonder of technology. We know it’s not quite the same but this years one day digital spectacular offers a fully packed programme. Why not take a peek at something you might normally walk by? Or perhaps that tent always looks overcrowded, and you’ve never really looked in. Here’s your opportunity to explore at your leisure and all from the comfort of your own home. So, find a comfy chair, grab that cup of tea and cheeky biscuit, and enjoy all that Gilwell Reunion 2021 has to offer. As we go to print the day has already begun with various live sessions for you to take part in and pre-recorded activities for you to visit or revisit at your leisure. Just as you would normally find, all of the activities and sessions
are spread across the virtual Gilwell site. Visit the Leopard Gate – Main Stage for a chat with Carl and the UK Leadership team at 15:00. Don’t forget Campfire at 19:00 and the annual Quiz at 21:00. If you pop over to the Buffalo lawn you will find an interactive session on The Magic of International Scouting at 14:00. Camp
Square is offering sessions with a Community Impact focus, while the Campfire Circle is looking at Inclusion. Nip over to the Swan Centre if you want all the need to know information on Youth Shaped Scouting and take a look at the new YouShape Awards. If you are looking at Growing the movement,
Essex Chase is where you need to head for support on Recruitment and even Media Campaigns. Meanwhile the Training Ground is a hive of activity with craft and activity sessions as well as supported programme ideas from The Scouts partners and sponsors. If you want to invest in people The Promise Path is offering sessions on everything from charity governance to delivery of hybrid learning. While the Lid Classroom is offering Safe Scouting sessions. All your need to know information is on the Gilwell Reunion website: https://www.scouts. org.uk/national-events/ reunion-2021/ with details of all the sessions, links to the pre-recorded sessions and the essential kit list of items you need to make the most of your day at Gilwell Reunion 2021. Don’t forget to visit the shop for the official merchandise! What are you waiting for? Jump in and take part, whether you are here to learn, catch up with friends or just have a nose around, Gilwell Reunion 2021 has so much to offer.
Online Edition 2021
Page
2
Reunion Express
Stepping forward to take the lead... Just moments before this years Reunion Express edition went live a very special event took place. Following five years at the helm Tim Kidd handed over the reigns to Carl Hankinson as UK Chief Commissioner. The official handover took place just after 12:00 today at Gilwell Park and everyone was invited to watch along live on Facebook Live. This video should be available again once the broadcast has finished. Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, even made a virtual appearance to thank Tim for his time and wish them well on their respective journeys. If you have questions for our new UK Chief Commissioner, head over to the Leopard Gate at 15:00 to chat with Carl and the UK Leadership Team. First lets meet Carl and reflect on Tim’s five years in the lead. Carl Hankinson takes the lead on the UK Leadership Team following over 30 years of volunteering with the movement at both local and national level. Carl has held a number of roles from starting out as a local Scout Leader in West Lancashire to running Ventures, Explorers and Scout Network. He ended a ten year term as County Commissioner in 2016. He has also held various national volunteering roles including chairing the Ops Committee between 2010
and 2015. He is an active supporter of the value of the international experience and opportunities Scouting offers having been a participant at a Moot and the UK Contingent Leader in 2004 to Taiwan, an Assistant Unit Leader, Unit Leader and a member of UK Management Team at a series of Jamborees including Holland, Chile and Thailand. Carl is looking forward to the challenge of the next 5 years as he seeks to take Scouting further into the 2020’s. He told Reunion Express he is keen to refresh what we offer across the age ranges as we look to ensure Scouting grows and continues to hold relevance for our members and communities beyond the Covid years. Carl passionately believes that one of Scouting’s successes is that our young people achieve through doing. “Our young people need to achieve awards and we should be shouting about it. We need to be encouraging attainment, celebrating achievement, and supporting peer leadership.” When asked about his leadership style and ideas Carl explained “ Our most contemporary challenge is to make our membership reflect UK Society. I believe The Scouts has a great future and the UK Leadership Team is here to lead, support, inspire and help our adult volunteers achieve it”.
Reunion Express
Page
3
Online Edition 2021
...and looking back after five years of hard work Whilst we welcome Carl as our new lead volunteer it would be wrong not to reflect on Tim’s time in post. There have been many highlights for Tim, notably Summit in 2016 where many of the plans of where The Scouts were headed was worked out. “Many of the things we were working out and taking inspiration from are becoming actions. Carl coming in now, is really exciting and great timing as many of these changes are starting to get traction”. Of course, we cannot reflect on Tim’s time as UK Commissioner without talking about the last 18 months. In Tim’s words the time has been Interesting “But an awful lot of good has come of it. We have seen amazing things achieved not only by volunteers but also by the staff who supported the movement in rolling out resources in a very short space of time. The last 18 months have been really interesting. I believe we have pulled more out of the box than we would have done normally. I hope that through the necessity to move online, more people are at ease with a flexible approach to programme delivery and the suitability for our young people”. Tim admits the last 18 months were made easier by the support of Team UK. “We’ve been a close-knit team and have rallied around each other. I have reflected that had we not been such a good photo credits - James Hage (top), Scouts.org.uk (middle and bottom)
team, it really would have tested us. Throughout the pandemic we met online almost every day and that has gradually reduced to weekly and now monthly”. The pandemic had one clear positive for Tim. He has been able to reflect on his own carbon footprint and the environmental impact of his role. “Before the pandemic I was doing perhaps 20-25000 miles a year driving all over the country for meetings and events. Through the pandemic I have filmed over 300 videos and been to over 100 local meetings virtually. I have met far more young people and adult volunteers in the last year than I would have done previously. As we bid goodbye to Tim in his role as UK Chief Commissioner and members of Team UK as they step away to make way for Carl’s UK Leadership Team, Tim wishes the new team well. “I know the new team will be fantastic.” Tim isn’t leaving scouting, he will still be found in his local roles as a Trainer and Training Adviser in Oxfordshire and he sits on the appointments committee for his local Scout District. “I’m going to let things settle for a bit and then see what’s next”. We would like to thank Tim for all he has done for Scouting, and would like to wish him all the best for the future. Its been a pleasure!
Online Edition 2021
Page
Reunion Express
4
Promise to the Planet We’ve all read and heard that we need to taking action to save this precious planet we call home. Have you thought about how Scouting can provide a catalyst to make your local community take steps of change? This is where #PromiseToThePlanet comes in, an initiative launched by the Scouts partnered with the WWF, it provides a programme of steps that through local actions we can all make steps of change. Reunion Express spoke to Rob Murray, a volunteer involved in the project. “The whole concept is about how we can support Scouts to take action, anywhere in the world, to
make an impact locally as well as on the wider world around them”. “The four pillars of Reduce, Recover, Recycle and Rethink are core to the project and will encourage Scouts of all ages to engage in credible actions and issues that affect them and their communities. Actions can be as big or as small you like , with 57 million Scouts from across the world making their promise to the planet our small actions will have a big impact”. For more information on how to take part and to log and share your involvement go to: https:// www.scouts.org.uk/aboutus/help-others/promise-tothe-planet/
Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns
In 2019 Scouts trailed an early years’ pilot to explore the possibility of welcoming 4 and 5-yearolds to Scouting for the very first time. Focusing
on storytelling, routine, and play, Squirrels aims to reach a diverse range of communities and provide our youngest members with the best start in life.
Saroj Watton, Squirrel Leader from 64th Birmingham Scout Group, was involved in the project: “We have had an amazing response from the local community interested in enrolling their children onto Squirrels. It’s helped build strong community links with Scouts and reached out to parents of different backgrounds, which has created an enriched and diverse section”. When asked why they felt it was important to prioritise rolling Squirrels out in communities most in need, Paul Little, GSL of 64th Birmingham Scout Group added: “Areas of deprivation have less opportunities plus families have less funds
for expensive activities. Scouting is often the cheapest activity out there and makes one of the widest impacts”. You can view a short video about the early years’ pilot on the Scouts website: https://bit. ly/3BHfq2k Squirrels will grow bit by bit over the next few years, with the first sections opening this Autumn. Interested in finding out more about Squirrels? How’s it going was this morning at 10:00 on Essex Chase and Squirrels: Engaging New Communities is available in the Campfire Circle at 13:00.
Reunion Express
Page
5
Online Edition 2021
Through Time and Scouting Those of you with previous Oggy hunting experience will be pleased to hear that the Oggy Challenge is returning for Reunion 2021! The Reunion Express has caught up with Mike from Scoutadelic to find out more about this years challenge and how you can get involved. Following the success of the challenge last year which also gave people a virtual tour of Gilwell Park, this year Mike was keen to celebrate scouting history through Oggy. Oggy may be a rainbow hedgehog but that doesn’t stop him from being just as adventurous as the Scouts he meets, and this year he’s decided that he’s going to insert himself into major Scouting events around the world. “As Leaders we try different ways of teaching new things to Scouts, so why not learn a few major milestones in Scouting from hunting a rainbow
hedgehog down through time and space?” Mike also discussed the importance of teamwork in these projects and that when he comes up with his wild ideas, Joe and Sam are around to help make these a reality. As a
Cub Leader, Mike would use these brilliant ideas to create themed camps, “so these are my virtual ones where I can dress up and be ‘normal’.” As exciting as it sounds to go time travelling, one thing
that many Scouts (and Leaders) love is a good badge, so it makes it even more exciting that there is a badge available to those who complete the challenge. If you would like to take part in this years Oggy Challenge or any previous events by Scoutadelic you can access them at http://play. scoutadelic.com
Your soundtrack to Gilwell Reunion! Scout Radio will once again be providing coverage of Gilwell Reunion for 2021. Tune in for your soundtrack to Reunion throughout the day with coverage of the hand over of the Chief Commissioner and the workshops from Reunion HQ.
We’ll also be running our classic Scout Radio Quiz and the Reunion Disco into the evening. Tune in online at scout.radio/play or on the TuneIn App and get involved throughout the day by contacting us. You can message us on Facebook, tweet us @scoutradio or email studio@scout.radio
Online Edition 2021
Page
Reunion Express
6
The Magic of International After 18 months of not being allowed to go very far (and some of our international friends still being restricted) Reunion Express thought it was about time we celebrated something exciting. In 2023 South Korea will host the 25th World Scout Jamboree and the UK Contingent Management Team are keen to get international activities back on the programme. Throughout our Virtual Reunion Day there are several live and recorded workshops you can drop into to see how the Contingent is preparing and will help you to put an international spin on your programme. Look out for the live sessions on: The Magic of International Scouting, Why Apply for the World Scout Jamboree, Crash Course in Using Social Media and not forgetting the Disney Bingo session! Of course, if you miss the live sessions there are still a number pre-recorded sessions in the programme zone which will cover Korean cookery and craft ideas. We caught up with Liz Walker, UK Contingent Leader about the plans for the Contingent and her passion for international adventures for all. “We want this to be the most diverse Contingent we have ever taken to a World Scout Jamboree. What we mean by that is, we want to be diverse by; where we come from,
who we are as individuals and as a group and by removing or limiting as many unnecessary barriers as possible. We want to be bold and brave and talk about diversity
team of nine young people who were all involved in the selection of Liz and her team of deputies, Rob, Clive and Peter and the Contingent Management Team.
and inclusion”. The initial steps taken by the Contingent have been bold and brave. There is a
These young people are also ensuring that the Contingent Support
Team (who are about to be recruited), and ultimately the whole Contingent, will be youth led, inclusive and engaging for all. Liz is firm on the theme of Draw your Dream. “We want to Think Big, Dream Wild and Act Together . We will be inclusive by how we look at preparing our adults and young people for their adventure. We want everyone to develop and grow together. “We also want this World Scout Jamboree and Contingent to be inclusive by involving those who cannot attend in person, through our engagement programme for all the sections.” “We want to engage the whole movement in sustainability, diversity and social action. We want our Contingent to be trailblazers ensuring the voices of our young people are heard.” Liz is incredibly excited about her role and the experience the contingent hope to offer to everyone in the next two years. It’s hoped that all recruitment will be complete by the end of the year, so in January 2022 the Contingent of CMT, Units with their Leaders and IST are all in place and ready to Draw their Dreams, Think Big, Dream Wild and Act Together for the adventure of a lifetime.
Reunion Express
Page
7
Online Edition 2021
Drawing your Dream Kester Sharpe steps down as Deputy UK Chief Commissioner this weekend, but she isn’t aiming for a quiet life as she undertakes a new adventure. Kester has joined the Contingent Management Team for the 25th World Scout Jamboree to Korea in 2023. “I think I have the longest role title. I am part of the Engagement Team, responsible for Engaging the Movement, Journey to the Jamboree and Legacy. There’s a lot in there and I think its going to be really exciting”. Kester explained “Our biggest wish is that this contingent will be the most inclusive and that’s not just about the people we take, that’s also about those who stay at home. We want to take as many people with us as possible on this journey. We’re looking at ways to engage everyone even when the contingent is in Korea”. Kester hopes that the contingent and the
engagement that the team hope to offer will build on the movement’s experience of connectivity during the pandemic. We have all learnt to adapt to accessing services and activities online, including our regular meetings, perhaps there is application there for the contingent too. “In my role, I am looking at engaging as many
people in the contingent’s activities as possible. In the past we have done this through the likes of Jamboree in a box, we’re now looking at how we can update this. Our first step was to invite everyone to take part in naming the contingent mascot – our tiger - and its not insignificant that we also requested gender neutral names so our Tiger
Were you in Korea the first time?
When the Jamboree takes place in 2023 it will be 32 years since South Korea last hosted the World Scout Jamboree. The UK Contingent are keen to get in touch with as many members as possible who attended in 1991 to form a Jamboree Alumni. The aim is to offer virtual, and potentially face to
face opportunities to meet up and share experiences from 30 years ago. It doesn’t matter what capacity you attended in 1991, be it IST, CMT, Unit Leader or Participant, the contingent want to hear from you. Simply fill out this form to be added to the mailing list and to find out more: https://bit.ly/3iK5cYk
is as inclusive as possible. It’s been really encouraging to see the entries and the effort all ages have put into this already. We will be announcing the Tiger’s name soon”. Kester is keen to ensure the Jamboree is exciting and accessible to all of our members, from our youngest Squirrels to our volunteer adults. “Jamboree is often seen as the main thing to do, but gaining engagement before the age you can attend can be hard.” “We want to change that so even our Beavers know it’s happening and want to get involved. We will have programme resources coming out over the coming months to support this engagement with the contingent, the themes of the jamboree, Draw your Dream and even related to our UK Programme awards. This is all about making international scouting, local scouting. I really can’t wait to get going”.
Online Edition 2021
Page
8
Reunion Express
How a virtual group transformed the way the world Scouted Your through COVID shout outs It’s fair to say that the past eighteen months have been difficult for everyone and that with the uncertainty surrounding our personal lives, many leaders had less time to commit to their Scouting roles. That’s where the 1st Virtual Scout Group stepped in. The group, created on Facebook at the start of the pandemic by Andy Smith, began as a resource sharing site, allowing leaders to share programme ideas which worked well online. As the pandemic evolved, so did the group, growing very quickly to its current membership of 23,000. It has contributors from across the globe, now sharing socially distanced activities, thoughts on rebuilding membership numbers to pre-pandemic levels and how to keep everyone safe. Dave Wood, one of the group admins, told us how “it was great sharing these ideas and using others shared from the members… we rarely had any arguments… [and] it made lockdown Scouting much easier for many, many thousands.” Even famous people that got involved, with Konnie Huq, an Olympic medallist and an ITN TV newsreader all joining in.
@GilwellReunion
A: “Our Cubs loved the hidden animals PowerPoint. Plus the online duck race [where] Cubs shout their name to make their duck move was really funny, especially hearing parents asking the Cubs why they were shouting” By: Ruth, 46th Gloucester, UK
Q: How did you find out about 1st Virtual Scout Group? A: “[I] recognised the value of engaging with an online community [and] the diversity of Scouting pointed to… support to deliver Scouting online.” By: Mark, Forest of Dean Scout District, Gloucestershire Q: How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted your Scouting? A: “[We] founded a new group during Covid [and] we think we are stronger as a group and our parents appreciate and support us more.” By: Andre Shapton, GSL Fforestfach Scout Group, Swansea, Wales Q: Do you have any favourite activities or tips you have picked up or adapted from members of 1st Virtual Scout Group?
Q: Do you think Scouting through the pandemic has changed your Scouting skills and/or leadership style? A: “It [taught] me to think fast on my feet when tech let us down [and] we got to know our Scouts much better. We included their families much more… and younger siblings really want in on the fun, which is a good thing for our future membership.” By: Adrian Whitman (SL) 4th Basingstoke (Winklebury) Scouts, Hampshire, UK Q: If you could sum up or send a message to the team behind 1st Virtual Scout Group what would you say? A: “Words cannot express how grateful I am to the group for all the help and ideas they gave me.” By: Dawn, 10th Fareham, Hampshire, UK
/GilwellReunion
Reunion Express 2021 was brought to you by members of the Scout Content ASU. Team Leader; Sarah Paget Production by James Hage Reporting by Holly Sloan, Jake Dixon and Laura Fagg Online Edition
Wishing my wonderful Husband a very happy 23rd Wedding Anniversary for Sunday 12th September. Love you so much Ian, and looking forward to spending many more years together xxx Barbara, 1st Crayford Scout Group Wishing my husband Tim a Happy 33rd Wedding Anniversary. Scouting brought us together and long may we carry on sharing our Scout journey. Karen,1st Nork (St Paul’s) Cub Pack To all my Gilwell friends whom I meet once a year and message on facebook. Lets hope we are back face to face next year will be good to see you all and share what you have been doing. Stay safe and fingers crossed we meet up next year. Lydia, 3rd Heald Green Scout Group A big shout out to the incredible team at 12th King’s Lynn Scout Group for their great support to one another over the last 2 years. Thinking of our Elder, Merv, one of the best, gone home. Alex, 12th King’s Lynn Scout Group
@GilwellReunion
