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2012 r e b m e v o N Issue 17
sletter w e N t u o c S Somerset
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. this month..
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S at e r G e h t n o , a n i h C f o Wall e h t d n a a d Cana . North Pole
PLUSi.n..a day
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Vision 2018 gets to work
A
drian Ashford accepted the Vision 2018 project manager role in November. He has already started coordinating the work going on with volunteers from across our membership. Adrian is an experienced project manager and will be coordinating the vision’s progress alongside the Vision 2018 development team. Regular communications will be issued along the way and information can be found online:
somersetscouts.org.uk/vision-2018
Adventure to get your teeth into
Y
eovil Scouts and Explorers held their annual district activities weekend at Buddens in October. The event ‘Jaws’ sees everyone getting their teeth into rafting, caving, kayaking, go karting, archery, climbing and even dragon boat racing. Hundreds of participants attended the event.
Scouts Question Time in Bristol
T
his is your chance to interview an MP face to face with The Scout Association’s Campaigns and Public Affairs department in Bristol next month. You can join the conference on December 1st between 10 am and 5pm at @Bristol. Email citizen@scouts.org.uk or call Jack Rowley on 0208 433 7227.
Crying out for fruit and veg
W
atchet Cubs are working towards their Local Knowledge badge. Their Town Crier visited and the group held a harvest evening in October. Cubs brought in fruit and veg and their local Methodist minister put the offerings on the harvest table before giving a talk and a prayer to the Cubs. The fruit and veg was then given to the Phoenix Club who make dinners for Watchet’s elderly residents twice a week. Watchet also received a visit from The Princess Royal who named the Watchet Sea Scouts’ new safety boat ‘Jubilee’ in October.
k .u g r .o s t u o c s t e s somer
. . . t cou Joint ascent
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n top Dunkery Beacon in October two North Taunton Cubs were invested during a joint camp with the Henlade Cubs to Wheddon Cross on Exmoor. 23 Cubs and 8 Leaders hiked from camp at Wheddon up to the top of Dunkery where the Cubs flew kites in the sunshine and clear skies. This is the third time the two groups have teamed up for their annual camp. Leader Mark Curry said: “One of the main advantages of working with others is that you can benefit from learning the skills that you don’t have yourself and sharing the skills that you do have.”
Astronomical
C
ubs in Frome have been gazing at the stars in November. The Cubs at 5th Frome had an astronomy evening at Tedbury campsite which is a good distance from any interfering street or urban lighting.
With darkness all around the Cubs were able to pick out constellations clearly and learn about the night sky. The Cubs have been working towards their Science badge.
Helping those stuck in the mud
C
ubs at 1st Cheddar visited the Burnham on Sea RNLI and BARB (Burnham on Sea rescue boat) in October. BARB have special hovercrafts to rescue people who get stuck on the local mud flats. The Cubs are fund raising for the two charities and have made lifeboat shaped donation boxes from recycling. These will be decorated and filled with loose change.
G’day skip
C
ubs at 1st Coleford have been pen palling Cubs in Australia this month.
The group’s GSL lives between the UK and Australia making connecting the two easy. Pen pal letters have been flying back and forth whilst the Cubs have been doing their Global Challenge Badge, Road Safety Badge and Chef badge.
At the end of the fund raising the Cubs are going to enjoy smashing the lifeboats open, counting the money and making a their donations.
We’ve updated our adult code of behaviour...
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ancy hiking to the North Pole? Chris does and he’s in with a good chance of getting there. Over a hundred Scouts applied to join the first ever Scout expedition to the Pole and Chris, 18 and a Scout leader / Network member at 5th Frome, was selected to attend a training weekend on Dartmoor in November. The weekend went well and Chris is now fundraising to attend an intensive polar training week in Norway
before hopefully being selected to join the ski to the pole in 2014.
“Ever since I was a child I’ve wanted to be an Adventurer or Explorer,” said Chris. Neil Armstrong, Sir Chris Bonnington, Robert Scott and Bear Grylls - these astonishing people have inspired me not to have more but to be more. I’ve a compelling urge to follow in their footsteps.”
will see 4 Network Scouts ski the last 2 degrees of latitude to the Geographic North Pole. The expedition is organised by Cornish Scouting and will be guided by professional polar guide, Antony Jinman. Antony has been on 14 Arctic expeditions, many of which he has led. In 2010
The expedition has been coined ‘Scouts on the Pole’ and
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s e r u t een ! e r e h w y r e v
e l o P h t r o N na and the he skied from Cape Discovery to the North Pole. It’s cold up North as Chris explains: “The air temperature around the Pole will be between -20°C and -35°C. The wind dramatically increases the cooling effect. The sun neither sets nor rises high over the horizon and we will be walking on skis or on foot (depending on the ice conditions) for 8-10 hours daily for 16-21 days. We will each pull a 50 - 70 kg expedition sledge with
equipment, fuel, and food. The ice surface is mostly rugged, making smooth and comfortable sliding pretty unlikely. Through this expedition I can communicate, present and give talks on environmental awareness and the protection of ecosystems. I would like to promote the reduction of CO2 emissions in UK schools, businesses and homes. I hope to share my experiences with organisations, clubs, Scout groups and schools giving
talks with the aim of encouraging everyone to challenge themselves, to engage with global issues and inspiring people to get involved and make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. I hope to inspire people to follow their dreams and reach new heights and show them that anything is possible if you put hard effort and work towards it.”
Holly’s great adventure in China H
olly, a Scout from West Coker, took part in a five day charity hike along the Great Wall of China in October.
"My experience of china was incredible. It was an amazing life changing experience to be able to connect with one of the world’s most famous wonders and at the same time help others by raising money for charity. The wall’s steps were mainly stable but some were either crumbling away or too high to climb. Despite this I managed to trek over 60 kilometres in 5 days. I was also very fortunate to explore the Forbidden City, Beijing’s Olympic park, participate in a traditional tea ceremony and become good at using chop sticks. This experience has made me respect other cultures and makes me feel more grateful for some of the simpler things in life such as getting outside in the fresh air, walking with my dog Avo and creating my own fun too such as splashing in the puddles when it raining with my brother and sister. I have learnt that having the latest iPod or DS game isn't so important.”
S
omerset’s Network have three members that were successful in signing up to and gaining a place on the 14th World Scout Moot in Canada in 2013. The Scout Association advertised nationally for participants to take part in the event. The international gathering has participants attending from over 50 countries with over 5000 people expected to be on site in August next year. Peter, Charlie and Richard visited the first contingent training weekend at Gilwell Park in October.
k r o w t e n / k .u g r .o s t u o www.somersetsc
In October we updated our
The Young Person/Adult may b
Adults, please also refer to HQ fact Health within Scouting’ FS950000
EMAILS, TEXT MESSAGES, SO PHOTOS
Adult Code of Behaviour - A Duty of Care As an Adult in Scouting you have a responsibility to ensure that young people and other adults are protected from harm. All adults in Scouting, including members of the Scout Network who wish to work with young people must accept and understand these policies, and those contained in POR. Everyone, be they a young person or an adult, has a responsibility to behave in such a way as to not endanger themselves or others or spoil Scouting for all. Please ensure that these policies are understood and respectfully enforced. Thank you Shaun Dale County Commissioner
It is vital that all adults in Scouting have read and understood:
The ‘yellow card’ – Young People First code of practice The ‘purple card’ – Safe Scouting and what to do in an emergency
The information contained in the Somerset Adult Code of Behaviour (this document) summarises important information contained in POR and factsheets. It is expected that this is read in conjunction with the yellow and purple cards. This Adult Code of Behaviour applies at all times and at all Scouting events. V2 October 2012
SEXUAL CONDUCT The Scout Association YOUNG PEOPLE FRST – Child Protection – A Code of Good Practice – will be followed at all times. Failure to comply with the code will result in, The parent being notified of the incident. If the law has been broken – the Police will be notified. The Young Person/Adult may be asked to leave the site. Adults, please also refer to HQ factsheet ‘Promoting good Sexual Health within Scouting’ FS950000
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EMAILS, TEXT MESSAGES, SOCIAL NETWORKING and PHOTOS
Remember you are in a position Always copy another adult into Blind copy email addresses to e peoples contact details Conduct yourself in an appropri say and how you say it It is not good practice for adults facebook ‘friends’ Don’t engage in one-to-one con chat facilities or instant messag Use separate profiles and comm social networking to keep conta and your private life separate. Always ensure you have parent your people and only use their f Only allow photographs to be ta and in appropriate situations. Remember the Young People F Card) at all times All young people and adults at the e standards expected of them.
SOMERSET COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL
Remember you are in a position of trust as a volunteer Always copy another adult into your texts and emails
For further information refer to: Em 330086, Photographing and Video FS295428, Social Networking Sites
ALCOHOL
Serious misbehaviour associated w provision or consumption of alcoho property, spiking of drinks, will not b those concerned being sent home/a
Under no circumstances should allowed to consume alcohol dur When responsible for young pe alcohol. During ‘off duty’ periods, adults account the effects alcohol can fitness to fulfil their Scouting du The consumption of alcohol by they are off duty and that at any Scout Group do not consume a Adults responsible for Explorer SOMERSET measure. C Any adults who do consume alc young people and should be ‘of Adults should not consume alco year olds. Adult Code of Behaviour - A Adults who do consume alcoho manner at all times. Asmembers an Adult in ha All ofScouting the Scoutyou Netwo young people and other adults expected to follow the same gui Scouting, including All young people andmembers adults atot with youngexpected people must accept standards of them. those contained in POR. For further information refer to Alco Everyone, be they a young per behave in such a way as to not
All members of the Scout Network and Scout Active Service are Adult Code of Behaviour - A Duty of expected to follow the same guidance as Care for adult leaders. All young people and adults at the event should be aware of the standards expected of them. As an Adult in Scouting you have a responsibility to ensure that young people and other adults are protected from harm. All adults in For further information refer to Alcohol andScout Scouting FS185092 Scouting, including members of the Network who wish to work with young people must accept and understand these policies, and those contained in POR. HARMFUL SUBSTANCES Everyone, be they a young person or an adult, has a responsibility to The possession illegal substance will resultorinothers those or behave in suchorause wayofasany to not endanger themselves concerned being sent home. spoil Scouting for all. Please ensure that these policies are Misuse of substances which are themselves legal (e.g. glue, understood respectfully enforced. solvent, lighterand fuel) will also result in those concerned being sent Thank you home. Shaun Dale Adults who confiscate an illegal or suspected illegal substance County Commissioner should contact the Police (through the Leader in Charge) for disposal. Serious misbehaviour associated with, or apparently arising from, the use of drugs, such as fighting, destruction of property, will not beIttolerated by the and will result in those is vital that all Leader adults in in Charge Scouting have read and understood: concerned being sent home/asked to leave Scouting. The people ‘yellow and card’adults – Young People code practice Allyoung at the eventFirst should beofaware of the The ‘purple card’ – Safe Scouting and what to do in an standards expected of them. Thoseemergency who knowingly or unknowingly break the law will be reported to the Police. The information contained in the Somerset Adult Code of Behaviour (this document) summarises important information contained in POR SMOKING and factsheets. It is expected that this is read in conjunction with the yellow and purple cards. SinceThis 2007Adult it hasCode beenofagainst the law to smoke in indoor Behaviour applies at all times andpublic at all Scouting placesevents. ie Scout Headquarters and Minibuses etc
Adult Code of Behaviour
be asked to leave the site.
tsheet ‘Promoting good Sexual
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nversations with young people via ging r apparentlyroutes arising munication forfrom, emailthe or h as fighting, destruction of act with young people in Scouting erated, and will result in dtal topermission leave Scouting. to use photos of first names on any caption one the age of 18 be akenunder of suitable dressed subjects couting events. adultsCode should not consume First, of Behaviour (Yellow
outing also need to takeofinto event should be aware the and how it may affect their ncluding the following day. s is permitted, provided that mails and Text messaging FS time at least two adults per recording Scout Events ol. sshould and Scouting FS103011 also follow this
should not interact with y’. n the presence of under 18 with, or apparently arising from, the ol, as fighting, destruction of uldsuch behave in a responsible be tolerated, and will result in asked to Active leave Scouting. nd Scout Service are e as for adult leaders. d anyone under the age of 18 be vent should be aware of the ring Scouting events. eople, adults should not consume nd Scouting FS185092 in Scouting also need to take into have and how it may affect their uties, including the following day. adults is permitted, provided that ysubstance one time at adults per willleast resulttwo in those alcohol. Units should also follow mselves legal (e.g. glue, this
those concerned being sent cohol should not interact with ff duty’. illegal substance uspected ohol in theinpresence e Leader Charge) of forunder 18
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Smoking should not be tolerated in the following situations:V2 October 2012 In the proximity of food or in food consumption or preparation areas.disposal. In ‘programme areas’ duringassociated programmewith, sessions. Serious misbehaviour or apparently arising from, In multi-occupied sleeping areas. the use of drugs, such as fighting, destruction of property, will not In anybe situation where it isLeader considered an unacceptable safety or tolerated by the in Charge and will result in those fire risk. concerned being sent home/asked to leave Scouting. In the All proximity of young people. young people and adults at the event should be aware of the standards expected of them. During camps, each Scout Group will provide a designated Those who knowingly or unknowingly break the law will be smoking area for adults; this should be well away from canvas reported to the Police. and food. Non-smokers and younger members are not allowed in these areas. It is important that no leader smokes around young SMOKING people. Not only does smoking around young people subject them to passive smoking, but it also increases the fire risk. 2007itit is has been againstto the law to smoke in indoor AsSince a Leader unacceptable allow young people to public places ie Scout Headquarters and Minibuses etc smoke while in your care. Don’t offer cigarettes to young people. shouldand notadults be tolerated in theshould following AllSmoking young people at the event be situations: aware of the standards expected of them In the proximity of food or in food consumption or preparation areas. For further information refer to The Right to Smoke-free Scouting In ‘programme areas’ during programme sessions. FS320005 In multi-occupied sleeping areas. In any situation where it is considered an unacceptable safety or fire risk. signed to help keep e depeople. elinesofar In the young idproximity gu e Thes
ve any youaha . Ifprovide r allwill n foGroup d fuScout fe aneach g sacamps, Scoutin During designated smoking arease adults; thist:should be well away from canvas ntac plea for co nsfood. questioand
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Non-smokers and younger members are not allowed in these areas. It is important that no leader smokes around young people. Not only does smoking around young people subject
w o d o g e m So e m ti t rs fi e th r fo d n u ro ll a es g d Caving ba l. el iw ll a H e et P SL E s rt o p re rs in five yea
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or the first time in five years three Somerset Scouts received their caving badges in October. It was all part of a county caving camp run on the Mendips. In total six Scouts and instructors braved Pierre’s Pot and Goatchurch cavern all in one day! There were tight squeezes in Pierre’s Pot and the underground expedition involved a complete submerge through a sump with the cavers being pulled through with ropes. Friday evening, before the
caving commenced, was spent working on caving theory with a workshop looking at cave conservation, caving etiquette, mapping of passages and local history. “Amazing – I didn’t want to leave the caves,” said Peter, a Scout from 2nd South Petherton. Oliver, an Explorer at the King INA Explorer group, reckoned going through the sump was pretty cool and Jack is ready for the next caving trip as soon as possible: “It was brilliant fun. When’s the next caving weekend?!”
At the end of the camp, led by our specialist caving instructor Rob Franklin, the three Scouts received their caving badges. The three Explorers hope to attend a further caving camp soon in order to earn the equivalent Explorer caving badge which is more demanding. Rob is definitely up for another underground adventure: “It was like being 18 again with a bunch of mates. Everyone working together, helping each other, they were a proper team.”
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aunton’s Dragon Explorers enjoyed a walking and climbing weekend in Snowdonia in October. The Explorers divided up into groups, each explored a different part of the mountain range. Some ventured into the foothills, others around the Snowdon Horseshoe and onto the
Glyders and Crib Goch. This is where I was posted. It’s a very narrow ridge with a steep ascent. Being so high above the ground with little to hold on to made for slow going but it was a challenge which the whole team overcame through teamwork as everyone helped each other along the knife edge.
JAWS
The second ridge was skirted in part as we climbed around the side and then saw just a glimmer of sunlight at the saddle-back shortly before the summit. We reached Snowdon’s summit and stood around the trig point briefly before retreating to the warmth of the café for a quick break.
We descended and had lunch overlooking the lake "Glaslyn."
over the Glyders back to the bunkhouse.
With a spot of map reading the team established that it was approximately 3.5 km back to the Pen-y-Plas car park so they decided that they would run it. I met them, some time later it has to be said, next to a lake skimming stones before we met the other group and hiked back over the Glyders to our bunkhouse.
Well. All I can say is that I was definitely unfit since that last mountain saw me slow the pace a little. Anyhow, we made it back to the bunkhouse around 8pm having walked for the best part of 12 hours. Suffice to say, I was cream crackered but we were greeted by the smiling faces of the other the other two teams and presented with an excellently prepared and delicious hot dinner of chicken casserole.
Following a short break at the lakeside, we made for the car park to re-group with the other team walking our route and then to head
Day two we climbed and walked near Yr Hafod. We
tracked some interesting routes up the slab and three of the Explorers learned to belay during the day demonstrating, by the end, competency and ability. I can only say that I had a fantastic weekend and thanks all the Dragon Explorers and leaders for allowing me along for the ride. Here are a few things that the Explorers said too: “I was the scardiest I have ever been (up Crib Goch).” “Nice camp. Really enjoyed bivvying out under a clear sky and watching the sun set from Tryfan.”
n o o m e h Over t t o o M t u abo The woolly winter Network and Explorer adventure.
T
en years in the making, Somerset’s celebration of the Network and Explorer sections’ joint tenth birthday was held in November. Over 150 camped at Huish Woods for the event – the biggest Moot the county has ever held and there were no shortage of activities.
But the real race for the finish line came with Sunday’s finale activity and talk of the woods – the ‘Over the Moon Chariot Race’. Each group on camp constructed a chariot. A dazzling array of vehicles lined up for the race with a totally inconsistent number of wheels between them.
The Network’s sheep herding on the Beacon Field was a woolly affair whilst the rocket building competition went off with something of a bang. There was a major plane crash survival scenario in which the ‘passengers’ cleaved themselves from the ‘wreckage’ and looked at ways to stay alive on a desert island. Fortunately, just before lunch, they were all rescued.
Wheelbarrows, sack trucks, metal and wooden construction chariots leapt into action – each with a Moon for a passenger and the crowds cheering, jeering and otherwise showing their appreciation for these bonkers craft. But the crowds broke down and lolled when a beautiful wooden chariot with old fashioned cart wheels rolled off the starting blocks and promptly collapsed no more than two metres from the start line.
Breaking not only the record for ‘biggest Moot ever’ the event also broke the record for the biggest ever training session for Module A. Huge numbers of Explorers got through this first stage of Explorer Young Leader training.
The Moot’s chariot race was won by Bishops Lydeard and the newly formed King INA Explorer group from Yeovil district was awarded the Betty Clay shield for the quality
Ready, steady....go! crowds flocked to the Moot Chariot Race.
of their camping skills. The King Ina group was opened in February this year with 4 Explorers but that figure has trebled and the group is enjoying real success. Moot was King Ina’s first camp and for ESL Pete: “Being awarded the Betty Clay Trophy within 9 months of starting was beyond all our expectations. All the Explorers worked as a team to build a rocket (top 3 finish - no positions given), create a cake celebrating Moot and Halloween (placed 2nd) and build and race a chariot on site (placed 3rd). One explorer Danny Barrett-James described it as his best camp ever whilst others, who normally plug into their IPods on the way home, bored their parents rigid with their excitable chatter. Trophy now hangs very proudly at our HQ.” 2013’s ‘Cool as Cucumber’ Moot takes place between the 4th and 7th of May.
a show In g in K m o fr rs re Explo de shield. a m d n a h ’s p u ro g their
g n i n i Tra s h p m triu ndreds of hours of hu in rt pa ke ta ys gu ad Every year you r most recent Wood Be ou to ’s re he so ng ni ai . adult tr ion of all their training et pl m co e th g in at br holders - cele Julia Hendrie Martin Allen Paul Bentley Jo Bottomley Luke Bugler Clare Chapman Jan Crocker Siobhan Dow Lindsay Dumble Grant Floyd Tim Gaines Mark Girdler Janet Hall Mike Haslam Neil Heyes Tracey Hyman Jo Luke Joseph Osborne Graham Page Keith Piper Will Puddy Liz Reynolds Nic Thompson Christine Vickers Richard Webley
Rosie Wilson Hazel Altria Duncan Biddulph Abbie Brewer Tim Burch Sam Charlesworth Roly Cox Jan Doyle Paul Edwards John Gallimore Pat Gaylard Sylvia Gosling Robin Harris Steph Hawes Lyn Hopkins Dawn Jeffery Ellie Marshall Liz Osborne Louise Peacock Rob Pitts Margaret Read Colin Simmons Caroline Tilbury Peter Walling Chris Weeks
Between April 2011 and May 2012
Sara Withall Paul Barlow Dan Billing Kevin Bull Elliot Card Phil Clackson Sam Cox Fred Drakeford Sean Ellett Pam Gaines Peter Gaylard Robin Green Chris Harrow Anne Hunt Tommi Juntilla Nick Miller Sue Ovenden Gail Phillips Giles Prewett Ben Reynolds Susie Simmons Nick Turner Roly Weaver Clive Welch Alice Wines
The County Diary Sat 26/1
County Masterchef Competition
Whip out your whisks for the county masterchef in 2013. Finalists from the district competitions will come together in Shepton Mallet this coming January to perform culinary magic on nothing more than two gas burners and with only equipment found in a Scout kitchen. We’re hoping the food should be good enough keep you sated till the.... SUN 3/3
County Mountain Bike Challenge Try Tedbury’s testing woodland route and win races for the championship. Heats arranged by age. See online for more details.
Your ScoutOut Tell us what’s Scouting where you are:
scoutout@somersetscouts.org.uk
Issue 17 will be published November 2012.
SOMERSET
Written and Produced by Richard Shepherd. www.richardesigns.co.uk Copyright Somerset Scout Council July 2012
k .u g r .o ts u o c ts e s r e m o s t@ scoutou