meetings, the question of the venue of the Easter camp arose. Mr. Duncan thought that 'Coniston presented the facilities that were required for climbing and canoeing; finally it was agreed that this would be the base camp.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES It is true to say that the Venture Scouts can be proud of themselves for their look ahead and adventurous attitude: the arranging of a dance in the Scout Hut and the work on glass-fibre canoes are the most outstanding activities achieved. The dance (the first to be held in the school) was the achievement of all who put so much into the preparations of decorations and buffet. The fibre-glass canoes, the first of their kind in York, were making rapid progress. To date, two have been taken off the mould, and all those people who have spent many tiring, anxious, yet rewarding hours working on them are awaiting their launching. The cooking lessons have progressed well; the successful cakes, pies and curries being devoured by the rest of the group on their return. We must again thank Mr. Dixon for a very informative talk on the maintenance of cars. Although the climbing group does not have the publicity of some of the other events, it has been very active; two expeditions were arranged by Mr. Duncan, a weekend to Pen-y-gent, where conditions unfortunately were not very good; the other being to Wain Stones. We would very much like to thank Mr. Vernon for his help on this day's activity. We must not forget Mr. Hirst who led a rope at Pen-y-gent and who on two other occasions has taken some of us out on Sundays. A.G.S.
THE SCOUT TROOP With the departure of the elder members to the Venture Scout Unit, it was found necessary to reorganise the troop at the beginning of the term. Rounthwaite, a Patrol Leader of last term, became the Senior Patrol Leader; the others being Fisher G. V., Fisher T. and Hepworth. About halfway through the term Mr. Craine was rushed off to hospital for an appendix operation and Mr. Coulthard took over. Training was continued throughout the term: the Scout Standard instructed by the P.L.s and the Advanced Scout Award by Mr. Coulthard and Mr. Allen. There were two trips into town: one as an observation test in Goodramgate and the other map making, each patrol taking a small area of the city and making a small sketch map. Perhaps the climax of the term was an exercise on the Ings three weeks before the end of the term. Four routes were laid with compass bearings and pacings for the patrols to follow. All four goals were eventually reached and bars of chocolate provided a suitable reward at the end. Altogether this has been a most successful term with the majority of the activities being run by the Scouts themselves. At the end of the Summer Term camp will be held near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, from Tuesday, 16th July until Wednesday, 24th July. Further details will be sent out during the Summer Term. D.P.R. 51
