Upcoming Activities
MESSAGE from our NSC
Jan 23— Cub Scout Carnival Extravaganza
Feb 12— Cub Scout Leaders Meeting—Pointe a Pierre District
Feb 21—Founder’s Day
Feb 21—Quality Scouting Award Launch
Feb 28—Deadline for submission of adult nominees for awards
- Robert Baden Powell
Happy New Year to all involved in Scouting in Trinidad and Tobago; the youth members undertaking and facing new challenges each day as well as the adults facilitating and mentoring young people in their personal development. Although we are all in Scouting for fun and exciting experiences, life also puts less desirable challenges in front of us. However, I believe that the Scouting Community gives us the strength to work through them no matter how problematic they may be to us as individuals, or how trivial they may seem
to others! Let us look forward to the continued strengthening of the Scouting Community in this new year, and the development of Young People... after all Young People are not the adults of tomorrow but the CITIZENS of today. As we look to the coming months ahead, the challenge will be to continue the development of scouting and building a movement of young people who can positively impact their communities by personifying the
values that we hold dear. We have a real challenge in building the institutional capacity to meet the demands from the young people who wish to participate in our programme, as well as the growing expectations of our communities. Not
only do we need to strengthen and retool our existing leadership pool but also look towards expansion of groups into communities that can truly benefit from our programme. I am encouraged by the number of youth members who continue to demonstrate a passion for the movement and are desirous of helping to take the movement
What’s New @HQ
Send your photos to programme@ttscouts.org to be highlighted here!
Q: What kind of room has no doors or windows?
NEW Website—www.scouts.tt The new ScoutsTT website is finally here! Designed and developed by Royalty Club, months of work went into the updating of our website as part of the rebranding of the association. We wanted create a more youthful look and feel that appeals to young people when they visit the website. This is reflected in the colours, fonts and images used. The website will be a continuous work in progress with lots of content and a member resources section to be added. We hope to make this an interactive portal and an information source for not only our members, but the general public.
Produced through the kind support of
PHOTO of the Month
NEW Proficiency Badge Scheme The first update has been made to the Scout Proficiency badge scheme, with many more to come throughout 2016. This update includes the addition of two new badges and updated requirements for two existing badges. New are the National Heritage and Community Impact badges, while updates have been made to the requirements for the Pioneering and Music badges. Email programme@ttscouts.org for details
forward. I look forward to the launch of our Youth Forum and the Rover section. These two initiatives I am certain will provide the movement with leaders in the future and truly begin the process of transformation to a movement of young people. It is my sincere hope that 2016 is a superb year for you, your families and the scouting community. Please accept my thanks for all that you do in playing the "game of Scouting" in whatever capacity. Happy New Year and God's Blessings to you all.
A: A mushroom.
“See things from the boy’s point of view”
Roger N.C. Berkeley
POS District Camp Fire at Scout Headquarters
Scouting Around the World
FEBRUARY
Talking Cultural Exchange
Cub Scout Meeting Activity:
- Kyle Doman
Design with your Cubs a character compass using the 16 points of the compass. Identify for each point a character component that they will require in their daily life. 151 different cultures lived together harmoniously on one camp site for 10 days. It just goes to show that the world is a peaceful place, or at least it could be. In a global village where trade and commerce is rampant, especially where globalization plays an important role in spreading cultures, exchange is important to break the communication barrier and to facilitate the preservation of peoples’ cultural identity. It is therefore essential to provide a social balance, so people of the world could receive equal opportunities. Most of our behaviours are based on our culture, attitudes, demeanour and the like, which in turn reflects some of our characteristics as individuals. This helps to give foreigners an understanding of our culture, who we are and what we are about, making room for networking and relationships. Traveling gives us the opportunity to acquire first-hand experience relating to these
Scout Meeting Activity:
fascinating things - so don’t let these moments past you by! In February I will have the opportunity to travel to Sharjah, UAE to represent the ScoutsTT and experience the heat of the Arabian culture and also share a little of ours. I am open-minded towards this experience and I am expecting to gain a better understanding of the Arabian culture, Scouting and tourism world-wide. We see the world through scouting and as Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”
Celebrating the life of Venice Hayes Presented on behalf of The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago Venice joined the Scout movement in 1974. She was a Cub Scout Leader in the 10th Port of Spain Cub Pack until she was elevated to the responsibility of Assistant District Commissioner—Administration in 1992 and then to the position of District Commissioner of the Port of Spain Scout District in 2000—a position she held until she was called to join the 1st OHF Scout Group (Our Heavenly Father’s). Venice was one of the most dedicated and committed District Commissioners and yet one of the most criticized and misunderstood as she was a stickler for perfection and for the keeping of Rules and Regulations. She always felt that Scouts, and especially leaders, must always set the example for other members of the society—
be it in dress, language or deportment. As a member of the National Training Team, Venice was made a Leader Trainer and awarded with four beads—the highest level a member of the Training Team can aspire. She was awarded for her service to Scouting over the years, including the “Medal of Merit” for meritorious service in 1988; the “Silver Ibis” for especially distinguished service in 1994 and the Association’s highest award, the “Golden Poui”, for exceptionally distinguished service in 2006. The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago extends sincerest condolences to Venice’s family and shares the wish, like many others, that she rests in peace.
Have each of your patrols prepare a short yarn or discussion on the elements of the Scout Law for your weekly meetings.
With your scouts and/or venture scouts take part in activities that demonstrate Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Respect, Fairness and Citizenship.
With your Patrol Leaders’ Council put together presentation for your group to commemorate the life of Baden-Powell.
“An individual step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.” Scout Skills: How to find North without a compass If you’re stuck without a compass, you can figure out which direction is north with only a stick. 1. To do this, first place a stick or branch into the ground in a straight position so that it casts a shadow. 2. Mark the end of the shadow with a stone or a twig. This will become the west point (W). 3. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes and the shadow tip will have moved. Mark the new position of the shadow tip with another stone or branch. This will become the east point (E). 4. Draw a straight line through (or use another piece of wood) to connect the two marks together and form an east-west line. Stand with the first mark (the west point) to your left and the second mark (the east point) to your right, and you'll be facing north.
CORNER
"In Scouting, a boy is encouraged to educate himself instead of being instructed," stated founder Lord Baden Powell. From my perspective, Scouting is an amazing experience. Although often underestimated by people due to a lack of knowledge, Scouting is instrumental in the all-round development of any individual. In 2015 there were amazing experiences and in 2016 these can only get better. As scouts, especially the older ones, it’s all about community service, selfdevelopment, leadership, finding passion/purpose, exploring strengths/weakness and mastering strengths. As we consistently work towards these things, doors open up, opportunities that make us wonder, “how in the world did this happen?” Last year we went to Japan and as told by Rafael in the December issue, this was a spectacular experience. It provided opportunities with regard to making friends and exploring and exchanging cultures. I was in awe that more than
ACTIVITY