network

ers ork memb tw e N t u 10 o 0 c 2 S y anuar ine for The magaz December 2009/J

CH INTOSU TEM FOR

A NEW SY EVENTS PLANNING

Choose your own adventure

The Explorer Belt goes to Switzerland

Year of japes Get our list of events in your calendar

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P O T E H T R O F JUMP he peak t s i d r a w A ’s Scout n e e u Q e h t Why journey g n i t u o c S r of you

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Your Scout Network Team Adrian Wray, UK Adviser (Scout Network)

Welcome

Emma Saunders, Programme and Development Adviser

Age of consent

Contributions to: programme@scout.org.uk ADVERTISING Richard Ellacott richard.ellacott@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1258

Important changes to the moving-on age between Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network are coming into effect. Emma Saunders explains all and introduces your supplement

GET YOUR VOICE HEARD! There is an opportunity for two people aged 14-25 to represent the UK at the European Scout Conference in Brussels in July 2010.

This is a fantastic opportunity to experience international Scouting, meet new people and learn about the decision making processes in European Scouting. To find out more and apply, see www.scouts.org.uk/eurosc

The Vetting and Barring Scheme will start to be implemented from July 2010 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. One of the effects of this scheme for Scouting will be that everyone aged 18 years old or over will need to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). In order to reflect these arrangements and to clarify the distinction between young people and adults in the Association, it has been necessary to change the Explorer Scout section age flexibility with effect from July 2010.

Feedback has highlighted that having Explorer Scouts aged over 18 can cause issues in various areas, such as making correct arrangements for residential experiences, criminal records checking, and activity permits.

Currently Explorer Scouts have until they are 18½ years old to move on from the section. However, from July 2010 Explorer Scouts will be required to move on from the Explorer Scout section before their 18th birthday. This rule change is effective across all areas of the UK. For more information please go to www.scouts.org.uk/vbs or contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 3001818 or info.centre@scout.org.uk

Make it up This issue of Network has a distinct programme flavour, as we focus on two of the major awards to achieve in the section. There’s also advice on how Networks might come up with ideas. As the new year approaches and you put your plans together, I hope what’s written in these pages might help, and even inspire, your thinking.

Contents 4 Swiss cheese challenge A chocolate-fuelled Explorer Belt expedition in mountainous Switzerland

6 By royal approval How the Queen’s Scout Award provides the ultimate test, and why you shoud get yours

9 Rally the troops!

What is a SSAGO and where do they gather?

10 Year of the Network A centrefold adventure planner for 2010

12 Who’s who?

An introduction to the UK Scout Network team

14 Bullseye!

A leftfield look at programme planning for your Network

17 InTouch Important news about planning events

18 Lee’s top three Feeling the chill, turning it around and piping the haggis

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S

s s i c w he

ese c ha l

e g len

Where can you experience ice cream and thunderstorms, mountains and chocolate, and camping and cheese? It’s called the Explorer Belt Award and is arguably the hardest challenge in Scouting

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ften described as the antidote to the package holiday, the Explorer Belt is designed to help you develop a real understanding of another country by travelling through it, working as a small team to complete a number of projects and meeting local people. A record of the trip and a presentation add to the challenge of this advanced award.

The award is open to Explorer Scouts and Network members aged 16 – 25 and three adventurers from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire completed it earlier in 2009. Christopher and Alex of the aptly-named Bonington Explorer Scout Unit were joined by Matthew Fox of the Vikings Scout Network, and spent ten days hiking with full camping kit across Switzerland. They covered a total of 109 miles through mountainous terrain, encountering the full range of Swiss weather to

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reach their final destination of Kandersteg International Scout Centre.

During the expedition, they were set a series of challenges. Matthew’s secret was to complete some of the smaller ones ‘by talking to people as we walked.’

Having to find lodgings in people’s gardens gave a candid insight into family life. ‘We had one luxury night in a youth hostel, run by a Swiss family. This gave us the opportunity to find out about family life and how it differs from British life.’

Lost in translation ‘The final and most difficult goal was to find out about the “Fasnog” festival,’ continues Matthew. ‘We found this the most difficult project as all the churches we visited and passed were either empty or the people inside had never heard of it. Our luck changed towards the end of the trip, when we walked into an empty church which had beautiful stained-glass windows. As we walked out, a man walked in. We decided to ask him about it and he said that there wasn’t a festival called Fasnog but there is a major festival in the Swiss religious calendar called ‘Fasnacht’ so we found out about this instead.’

They also had a main project to find out about farming in the Emmental valley area. As if that wasn’t

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Explorer Belt

enough, they had the ongoing issues of navigation, language (in any of many languages spoken in Switzerland), obtaining water and buying food on a budget.

The group’s vote for favourite project was unanimous, as Matthew reveals. ‘We had to taste and rate as many different types of milk chocolate as we could find. You can’t go to Switzerland and not explore its stocks of chocolate!’

The Explorer Belt is not just about the two weeks on expedition. Chris, Alex and Matt spent over 18 months preparing for the trip under the expert guidance of Bromsgrove Ibex Scout Fellowship. Ibex comprises leaders and friends of Scouting with a common passion for the outdoors, in particular walking. As well as

organising events like the Explorer Belt, they also meet once a month for a walk or weekend away. Scout Active Support (the new name for Network member Matthew Fox Fellowship) is open to anyone aged 18 or over and provides active support to local Scouting. Three members of Ibex travelled to Switzerland to check on the progress of the expedition.

On returning to the UK, Chris, Alex and Matt each produced a report of their expedition (around 70 pages thick!) as well as giving presentations to local Scouts, leaders and parents. During this, they described the highs and lows of the trip (think stunning views and flooded tents). They concluded by encouraging the younger Explorer Scouts to aim to do their Explorer Belt Award in a couple of years’ time.

GET YOUR BELT ON

The UK Scout Network team are currently looking at the support and resources available for the Explorer Belt. To tell us about your experience of the award, email us at programme@scout.org.uk

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By royal approval

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he Queen’s Scout Award takes time and dedication to achieve, but that only adds to its status as the highest award in Scouting for young people. You have until your 25th birthday to complete it, and we are here to help and support you throughout the process.

You will need to register with the DofE to achieve the DofE Gold but you can count the five challenges for both awards. We highly recommend that you register with the DofE for a Gold programme when you start the process.

All you need to know

Case studies of Network members who have already completed the award could give you the impetus you need. Aditya Zaidi did her expedition by bike: ‘My expedition started months before my final trip, I had chosen to do a cycling expedition and so I needed to get familiar with my bike as well as find a team to work with on this challenge.

‘As the months progressed my cycling skills increased and my stamina when cycling with loaded panniers was also developing. I found a team, three others from Local Networks in my county. We arranged to meet and start planning, found a supervisor and started making decisions. July in Dartmoor it was. We started planning routes, and made sure we all found the time to get a practice expedition completed.

Two resources have been published: one for participants and the other for leaders and commissioners who support the award. Reach The Top! details all the requirements, including the five challenges and explains how you can link the Queen’s Scout Award with the Gold DofE, giving you two great awards for the price of one!

Along with the resources there are also some programme ideas and planners, which should help you make your choices when choosing the activities to complete for the challenges. These have been created by the DofE but also apply for the Queen’s Scout Award. You can find these online at www.scouts.org.uk/qsa 6

Leading by example

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Queen’s Scout Award

It’s the highest award you can achieve as a youth member in Scouting and the numbers of Network members completing it went up last year.

Will you reach the top and become a Queen’s Scout?

Emma Saunders has the facts

‘July finally came and after our pre-expedition checks we were off. We thought it would be an easy first day, but a puncture resulted in one of the group coming off his bike and us needing to do repairs (and first aid!) at the side of the road. Luckily we were prepared and before long were off again.

‘During the expedition we travelled the length and breadth of Dartmoor seeing huge expanses of the national park as well as making stops to assess the leisure uses of the area. Our final night was one to remember, we had a great dinner and loads of chat, reflecting on the week we had enjoyed together.

The final day was one of the most demanding in the week and seeing the minibus waiting at the last car park was a relief to us all. We met with our supervisor and assessor, had a debrief and then started the long drive back home.

I was buzzing for weeks after I returned home. The hard work didn’t finish here, as we had to prepare our report back, which we did for some of the Explorer Units in our area telling the story of our journey.’

Final steps Once you have chosen the activities you are going to complete to achieve your award, you need to agree these with your Network Commissioner, who will be the person that signs off the award for you. Once they have agreed the activities it is time to get active!

The final part of the process (after you’ve worked hard to complete the requirements) is to complete a certificate request form, get it signed and sent to Headquarters for your badge and certificate to be generated. This three-page form is in the participants’ resource.

>>

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By royal approval >>

Breakfast with Bear All Queen’s Scouts have the option to attend a local or national presentation of their certificate. The national presentation is held at the annual Queen’s Scout Reception. The 2009 event was held at the Science Museum in London and Queen’s Scouts had a chance to meet Chief Scout, Bear Grylls for breakfast. UK Chief Commissioner, Wayne Bulpitt, who presented the certificates said ‘It’s great to be celebrating the successes of these Scouts who have worked incredibly hard to get to this point. The Queen’s Scouts can go on to be Britain’s leaders of the future.’

Further opportunities

more info To download the resources, programme ideas and planners please visit www.scouts.org.uk/qsa

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Queen’s Scouts are also invited to attend the National Scout Service and Parade of Queen’s Scouts at Windsor Castle. In 2009, 220 Explorer Scouts and Network members were on parade, and were ‘inspected’ by Major General Sir Michael Hobbs.

The Queen’s Scout Award is the pinnacle of your achievements in Scouting and to help promote it to others, and give something back, award holders can join the Queen’s Scout Working Party. For more information on the QSWP visit their website at www.qswp.org.uk

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SSAGO

Rally the troops!

Scouting doesn’ t have to stop when your studies begin.

Kirstie Wright loves to SSAGO, and wants you to join in the fun

I

bet you’re wondering, what is a rally? A rally is a gathering of over 30 different SSAGO (Student Scout And Guide Organisation) clubs from around the country for a weekend of adventurous, silly and fun activities that range from climbing and sightseeing to campfires and a barn dance.

Home pride Rallies are held once a term and each one is in a different location run by a different club, allowing everyone to have their chance to show off their town or city. Also with an average of 200 people per rally, it is easy to see why this weekend is the highlight of every student’s term.

It is not just the activities that make these unique weekends but also the chance to meet students from all around the UK. Making friends is a massive part of SSAGO and rallies give people a great opportunity to do so with or without the aid of silly games and the massive barn dance on the Saturday night.

Get your costume on Themes are commonplace when it comes to rally, as is fancy dress. Recent rallies include the Crystal Maze Rally, the Musical Rally and the Yam Yam Rally. The next rally will be held in Southampton. The weekend is being run by both Southampton and Portsmouth SSAGO clubs at Lyon’s Copse Campsite on 26 – 28 February 2010. With activities including a trip to Brownsea Island, an afternoon on the beach (in the middle of winter!) and a trip to the zoo, this is one weekend not to be missed. If you think it’ll be too cold then be advised that there is always a campfire to get warm by!

MORE INFO

Visit the SSAGO website www.ssago.org.uk or email info@ssago.org.uk

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Year of the Network Look no further for a bumper year of camps, walks and Network laughs. If you’ve not ventured out to one of these calendar highlights before, now’s your chance to bag yourself a Network event and expand your horizons

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ost of the listed events can be found by searching online for the event name. Many have a presence on Facebook. Some will require your Network to plan a programme around them, and some are guaranteed to get the pulse racing. Whether you network on Nemesis, or take pride of place at Windsor, these events are a chance to make more friends, have new adventures and develop greater skills. Enjoy!

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Network events

Burns Supper .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .23 January 2010 Fairtrade Fortnight. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .23 February - 7 March 2010 HUB 2010.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .26 - 28 February 2010 Sport Relief .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..19 - 21 March 2010 Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 26 - 28 March 2010 Gathering . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..1 - 5 April 2010 IOW Revolution .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..1 - 5 April 2010 Apex Challenge .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 10 - 11 April 2010 Windsor* .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 April 2010 EVO.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 30 April - 3 May 2010 Festival .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 - 6 June 2010 MAD UK .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 25 - 27 June 2010 World Scout Moot .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 27 July - 7 August 2010 Chamboree 2010 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..31 July - 7 August 2010 Yr Hafod DofE Open Gold . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 - 28 August 2010 DNA . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 - 30 August 2010 X-treme .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 - 30 August 2010 Gilwell Reunion* .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 3 - 5 September 2010 Intense! .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .10 - 12 September 2010 Queen’s Scout Award Reception* .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 - 3 October 2010 (TBC) Apex Extreme .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 - 10 October Alton Towers Camp .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 - 17 October 2010 Sedan Chair .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..22 - 24 October 2010

Photos: John E Fry

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. *UKHQ event

Walking events

6 - 7 February 2010 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Cotswold Marathon.. .. .. .. ..

13 February 2010 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Southern 50 . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .27 March 2010 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Four Inns Walk. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..2 - 4 July 2010 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Sun Run .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

26 – 28 August 2010 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Scottish Scout Hill Challenge.

ANY MORE?

If you know of any events that are open to any member of the Scout Network, contact us to publicise them in the supplement. scout.network@scout.org.uk Events that are listed here are not formally endorsed by The Scout Association (unless stated). UK Headquarters takes no organisational responsibility for these events (unless stated).

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? o h w s ’ Who The Scout Network has a dedicated team of people who look after the provision of the section across the UK, but who are they and what do they do?

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Network December 2009/January 2010 Photo by Steve Berry, taken from the book TV Cream Toys.

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UK Network Team

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he UK Scout Network team will be visiting all the English Regions, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales meeting with Scout Network Commissioners over the next few months. They will provide updates on what the team are doing nationally but also giving sessions designed to help improve the provision of Network in your area based on the experiences of other Network Commissioners around the UK. The team is chaired by the UK Adviser for Scout Network, Adrian Wray. Adrian’s role is to develop and support the section and he does this by running development training weekends and producing support and resources where needed - the most recent being for the Queen’s Scout Award (see page 6).

Adrian has been the UK Adviser for two and a half years and says ‘I have enjoyed it the majority of the time, particularly working with Network members and Commissioners. I have also loved being able to make a difference to the section and see our membership grow since taking on the role.

‘Being UK Adviser for Scout Network takes up most of my free time and when not travelling the UK meeting with you and your Networks – to date I have clocked 20,000 miles – I work as a director of a professional property management company in the East Midlands.’

Adrian keeps his hand in local Scouting as a County Trainer and nurtures his creative side as stage manager for a local theatre company’ Adrian is supported and advised by a team of County Scout Network Commissioners, Network Leaders and Members who update him on what the current issues are facing the section, help him to promote the new resources and initiatives for the section along with sharing their good practice with other Network Commissioners and alike.

Adrian also works with Emma Saunders, a Programme and Development Adviser at Gilwell Park.

Emma is the prime contact for Scout Network enquiries and keeps the team up to date on what is likely to affect the section in other areas of the Movement. Any contact she has with Network Commissioners and members helps to inform any new initiatives and resources that are developed for you. She says: ‘I am a member of the Scout Network myself and have always enjoyed being part of the section. Being able to support other Counties, Areas and Regions about the Scouting they provide and the tools they need to do it is a great role to play.’

Making up the rest of the team are the following project leaders: Chris Grove. Scout Network Programme project Chris is looking at the current programme provision and researching what members currently do/want.

Pete Tamblin. Adventurous activities project Pete is looking at the rules for over 18s, permits and the like.

Ian Hammond. Explorer Belt project Ian’s project looks at the information and support provided to participants and supporters of the award.

Chris Dean. Scouts of the World Award Leading the trial of the award in the UK. Andy Jenner. Development, Advice and Support days.

Looking at what Network Commissioners want at these days and planning the sessions.

‘I’ve enjoyed working with Network members, being able to make a difference and see our membership grow.’

Of course, the team isn’t complete without Lee Allwood, who has been contributing to the Network supplement since 2006, and supports the team by penning articles related to the work of the section across the UK. Although he leads a hermetic life in a small, quiet village called Liverpool, Lee welcomes input from Network members and leaders of all descriptions, so if you’d like to become involved in putting the supplement together, please notify us of your interest.

You can do this via the Scout Network Supplement group on Facebook, or by emailing scouting.magazine@ scout.org.uk with ‘Scout Network Supplement’ in the subject line.

TEAMWATCH

Watch out for the team on their travels around the UK and if you would like their help and support in your county with any issue, event or similar please send the details to programme@scout.org.uk and they will try their best to come and support you.

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m Toys.

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Bullseye!

When it comes to Network, the programme is wide open.

Sometimes this is a blessing, and at other times it might feel like a curse. Elis Matthews explores some of the weirder ways to generate your meeting content

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n the corner of an English hostelry, on a blustery autumn evening, six members of an unnamed Network stand, swaying perceptibly at the oche, a dart in their throwing hand.

Just 2.37 metres away, the pub’s dartboard has been commandeered, with scraps of paper wedged between the wires. On each scrap a different idea for future Network activities is written in thick black marker. One of them says ‘blindfold cooking’, the others are barely legible. At a nearby table, the Network Chair sits, rearranging her hair, looking nervously on as the first (and tallest) Network member steadies himself and takes aim…

Bully for you This may not sound like a programme planning meeting to you, but when it comes to deciding the order and nature of your Network’s forthcoming events, you can afford to have a bit of fun. Besides, statistics show that 71 per cent of publicans class darts as a ‘sport’, which means you can legitimately count the above activity towards the Physical Recreation section of your Queen’s Scout Award. Okay, perhaps not, but the rules of 14

planning activities for Network are that, quite frankly, there are no rules.

In case you don’t know, the Balanced Programme for the Network section comprises three Self Development Areas (the other sections have Programme Zones) and these in turn have built-in flexibility to encourage a wide range of enterprises.

Self Development Areas The programme areas for Network are International, Community, and Skills and Development. Over a period of time, such as a year, your Network should be covering each of the areas, with a range of events and activities. Paramount within this is to create opportunities to network, so you may want to plan a few big events with other Networks, but also work closely as a small group, depending on how Network is structured where you are. Network Essentials has more detail on this, as well as ideas on what you could do in each Self Development Area.

Spice of life With an ocean of opportunity ahead, it can sometimes

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Programme factory

International experiences are a core part of the Network programme

be hard to know where to start. Also, some Networks get into the pattern of repeating tried-and-tested ideas over and over. There’s nothing especially wrong with this, but as you welcome new members, remember that they will have ideas to offer. Make time to periodically review your programme. This needn’t involve flipcharts and briefcases, just get out everything you want to say, and make the decision as a group about what you’ll do differently next time round.

Ways to generate programme ideas could be: • Bring in books, resources, magazines and catalogues and go fish.

• Have an assortment of random personal and Scouting items and brainstorm ideas from these.

• Use an internet search engine, or sites such as Wikipedia to generate ideas. In true Mallett’s Mallet fashion, type in a random word, then browse a few links until you get lost. Maybe one of the entries will ignite a spark and bring you new programme material.

• Make use of Scouting resources, eg Taking the Lead, Programmes Online www.scouts.org.uk/pol and even this supplement.

• Look at the calendar and take inspiration from festivals, appeals and anniversaries (eg Fairtrade Fortnight which begins at the end of February).

• Pick the brains of other Networks while you’re enjoying their company at a bigger Network event.

You could do this online, but in the flesh is always more satisfying.

>>

Caring for a cycle path will enable other Scouts to enjoy the outdoors on their bikes.

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Get an external award and use it to teach younger Scouts

Bullseye! >>

Starter for ten Here’s a list of ten ideas to get the ball rolling:

1

Challenge another Scout Network to a game of Kubb (Programmes Online, ref: 34675).

2

Volunteer to maintain a cycle path in your local area.

3

Twin with Senior Scouts in another country, make contact then arrange to visit them.

4 5 6

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Book an overnight stay at the nearest activity centre and use it to each invite a friend not in Scouting.

Spend an evening creating alternative lyrics to a song in the charts.

Play the Blockbusters Gold Run of international cuisine. Make a simple dish from a chosen country then follow it with a dish from a country that shares a land border. Continue until you’ve made a chain of five (or until you’re full) For example: France: French Onion Soup > Belgium: Waffles > Germany: Bockwurst > Denmark: Beer bread > Sweden: Lingonberry tart.

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Plan, prepare and execute a long journey via several different modes of transport. Use your imagination and contacts to bring it to life. This could count towards a DofE programme or your Queen’s Scout Award.

Skill up your Network by qualifying for a national governing body (NGB) award. NGB awards exist for activities as diverse as caving and sea yachting.

Make it relevant to your local community so that you can pass the skill on to Scouts in younger sections.

Have an evening building rafts in teams, then race them against each other on a fair weather weekend. You could challenge another Network and celebrate with a fish supper.

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Take your Scouting back to the roots, and organise a back-to-basics camp. Let veteran campers teach Scoutcraft to the less initiated.

Snuggle by the campfire and recite yarns from Scouting for Boys. Come back smelling of woodsmoke and ready for more! www.scouts.org.uk/pol

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Activities

InTouch As detailed in the main magazine, the existing Home Contact system is being replaced by a new system called InTouch.

Rob Lyon explains all

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t is important to note that although InTouch should make the lives of Network Leaders easier through its flexibility, it is a requirement for all Network activities and not something that can just be ignored.

What does this mean for Network?

This means there is no longer a specific requirement to appoint a third party Home Contact to sit at home by the phone whenever there is a Network event. Instead you will need to put in place the most appropriate system for any event,

Arrowhead Flashing LED Adult Scarf Item code: 1027389

£12

which will allow for the flexibility that Network events often include (no pre-booking, attend part of an event etc).

InTouch will be implemented across the UK between now and 1st September 2010, and your County Commissioner will be able to let you know when your Network will be moving across from the Home Contact system. more info Full details of InTouch can be found at www.scouts.org. uk/intouch and in the InTouch factsheet (FS120075)

i.Scout Embroidered Hoodie

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Sizes S-XL

01903 766 921 Be Prepared Waterman Rollerball Pen

Item code: 1024579

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With the Scout Arrowhead logo, this scarf is perfect for wearing on a campsite, day or night. Replaceable batteries (ref: 1027403) available – two for £1

Be Prepared Laptop Bag

Item code: 1027383

A Waterman Pen in a gift box, in the popular rollerball style. Adorned with the Scout logo. Ideal for gifts or to treat yourself.

£15

Suitable for laptops with a 15” screen size, with three separate compartments, the middle one being padded.

Sizes S-XXL The very popular i.Scout Hoodie makes a great Christmas gift; it’s the funkiest winter warmer you’ll find this year.

All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

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Lee’s Top Three

Jan-umerry

the rage, Lee With the new year nearing, and resolutions all a difference, each Allwood sheds light on some diary dates with on with an idea to tempt your Network into acti

13 January: St Hilary’s feast day The festival gained the reputation of being the coldest day of the year due to past cold events starting on or around this date. One of the most severe winters in history began on St Hilary’s day 1205, when the River Thames froze over and ale and wine turned to solid ice.

20 January: St Agnes’ Eve On this day, unmarried women who wished to see their future husbands in a dream would customarily perform rituals before bed. These included fasting all day, walking backwards up the stairs to bed, and eating ‘dumb cake’ (a salty concoction prepared with a group of friends in total silence).

Idea: Sub Zero Camp

Idea: Back to front meeting

Why not get together for a below zero camp? Try and get your Network out camping in the coldest conditions. Take a thermometer with you to record how low you go. Send us your photos by uploading them on the Scout Network Supplement Facebook group and we may feature the hardiest Network.

Organise a simple activity like a tent-pitching contest or quick cricket but everything has to be done backwards! You can even dress back to front. How would this affect you?

25 January: Burns Night This is when Scotland honours her greatest poet, Robert Burns. He was born on 25 January 1759 and wrote his first song when he was 16. A traditional Scottish meal of neeps, tatties and haggis is washed down with whisky.

Idea: Burns night Get out your sporran, or improvise traditional Scottish attire. Get brewing, and sample some proper Scottish cuisine. Then get your entire Network to scribe or select a short poem and recite them into the night.

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Network December 2009/January 2010

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