Scouts - April/May 2010

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Your Scout Support Team Alasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section), Nicola Ashby – Programme & Development Adviser

WELCOME INTRO

Practical support

Contact them at: programme@scout.org.uk Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818 Advertising Richard Ellacott richard.ellacott@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1258

Alasdair McBay looks ahead to some forthcoming resources to assist leaders and the camps and expeditions which will soon take place all over the UK

A group of Scouts from Epping enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime, including rainforest camping, at the recent Asian Pacific International Scout Jamboree in the Philippines.

The next few months see the long awaited publication of three new resources to support Troop Leaders.

The Scout Games Book has lots of new ideas to add sparkle to the fun element of the programme; The Troop Programme Plus: Volume 2, with its focus on the Global Programme Zone, will support leaders in an aspect of the programme which they frequently tell us is the most difficult to tackle; while the new Nights Away publication will offer everything you need to know to take young people on a residential experience safely and with confidence.

If you have new ideas to contribute to this year’s theme of developing practical skills, let us know at scout@scout.org.uk. This issue features articles on how the Chief Scout’s Gold Award can be used to structure a young person’s record of their achievements. We also take a look at the importance of teamwork – something that we could all be reminded of from time to time.

As I write, Spring is quite definitely upon us. Troops up and down the country are finalising plans for camps and expeditions. As I have travelled in recent months, I have taken the oppportunity to talk with leaders about how we refresh the delivery of the Expedition Challenge. It has been exciting to hear the variety of creative ideas which are abundant in making sure Scouts have the opportunity of this adventure. It isn’t too late to be planning it for this year!

In that spirit, it seems a good time to let you know that bookings are now open for this year’s Gilwell Reunion event, held at Gilwell Park over the weekend of the 3-5 September. The event is open to all adults in Scouting. For more information about the event go to www.scouts.org.uk/reunion

Contents 4 Gold-getters Achieving the Chief Scout’s Gold Award can help a job application or academic portfolio

6 Lead the way Working as part of a team is an important part of developing skills and recognising potential leaders

8 Meeting sparklers Fun ideas for your meeting

10 Programmes on a plate This issue’s theme is an unplanned programme

14 Raise interest rates You can get parents excited in your Big Adventure now via a simple evening programme

16 Practical skills Firelighting is an essential craft for Scouts, but many are unaware of how to build a fire

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s r e t t e g Gold ROLLING ON THE RIVER

Max, a Young Leader with 1st Molesey Sea Scouts, told us how achieving the Chief Scout’s Gold Award helped him to secure a dream job.

‘I’ve managed to get involved in the field of work that interests me most thanks to Scouting. I’m employed by Turk Launches who operate pleasure boats on the Thames.

This allows me to develop the skills I use regularly at Scouts while my Scouting accomplishments show others that I am well-rounded, willing to help in the community and trustworthy.

‘Problem solving and effective teamwork are just two of the skills I’ve acquired through Scouting which help with my job. One of my tasks involves helping to navigate boats through many of the locks on the Thames. Working alongside fellow crew members ensures the job is done as efficiently and safely as possible. Scouting taught me the importance of working in a team and the difference it can make in a real-life situation.

‘Funnily enough, it wasn’t until I reached Cubs that I first took part in some sailing courses and found that I really enjoyed it. I am now a Young Leader and help out with the Cub and Scout sections. What I was taught by a Young Leader a few years back, I now find myself teaching to Cubs or Scouts. I enjoy passing on what I have learned and I feel this has made me a more confident person which, in turn, benefits my employers and work colleagues.’

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ent The record of achievem out’s required for the Chief Sc ly be Gold Award needn’ t on Scouting recognised within the d fraternity. Such skills an in ied pl ap experience can be t no the wider world, so why ctly? advertise your feat corre

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f a Scout achieves the highest award in the section it is right that it be recognised and celebrated. Many counties do so by holding a special reception or awards celebration but we could, and should, do more than that. We can help the Scout make it work for them by using it as evidence of accomplishment in a school portfolio, CV or job application.

Here is a worksheet that could be given to Chief Scout’s Gold Award holders to complete and use for the future.

SURVIVAL CAMP

Any Scout born after 1 August 1996 who has completed, or will complete, their Chief Scout’s Gold Award by 31 July 2010 is eligible to participate in a 24-hour survival adventure with Chief Scout Bear Grylls. Apply online at www.scouts.org.uk/survivalcamp

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CHIEF SCOUT’S GOLD AWARD

Have I planned an activity alone or with others?

My examples: Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I worked as a team member?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I led a small team?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I made decisions alone or with others?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I instructed others in a skill?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I worked unsupervised?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I taken notes of a meeting?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I handled and recorded money?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I made a presentation of a project?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

Have I represented the Patrol/Troop?

My examples:

Things to write on my CV:

 yes

 no

.............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

more info The Scout Handbook is your practical guide to the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. It is available from www.scouts.org.uk/shop

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Learning about effective teamwork is an important part of developing a Scout’s leadership skills. A fun activity is, as always, an ideal way to get this message across

Lead the way I

t’s been three years since the first edition of Taking the Lead was published for the Scout section. This guide to promoting leadership in young people was packed with practical programme material and activities covering a range of skills. It has now been revised and brought into line with the Explorer Scout and Network edition of Taking the Lead, all of which can be downloaded from www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead.

The resource is divided into four sections: 1. Team members – examining some of the issues raised by being in a team.

2. Self development – encouraging the development of the attributes of a good leader.

3. Leading a team – opportunities that allow the Scouts to move towards the responsibilities of leadership.

4. The wider picture – we encourage our Scouts to take the skills they have learned on to Explorer Scouting, the Young Leaders’ Scheme and into the wider world.

Activity: Water bombs Time: 45 minutes You will need: (for each team) 25 x 210mm paper squares, one copy of instructions per team member, flipchart and pens to record comments from Scouts.

Programme Zone: Creative Expression Awards/badges covered: Creative Challenge Activity description: 1. The team has to make as many water bombs as possible in the time allocated (ten minutes) using the equipment provided.

2. After the time has elapsed the team stops and counts how many completed water bombs they have.

Here are two activities from the resource for you to try with your Troop:

1. Your role in a team A team is only as effective as its members. Each brings a different set of qualities, skills and attributes to contribute to the overall dynamic. Imagine a football team in which all eleven players were goalkeepers but none were midfield players – not a recipe for success. It is therefore important to identify individual strengths so that separate tasks can be undertaken by different team members, using their personal abilities to the benefit of the team.

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TEAMWORK

3. The leader then challenges them to increase their productivity by each Scout being allocated one particular part of the process – thereby making a ‘production line’.

4. After a further ten minutes, ask them to stop. Each team should compare its results with its earlier efforts.

After the activity: The leader summarises by asking which was more efficient – everyone working individually or everyone working with a specific role within the team?

2. What are you aiming for?

The purpose of this activity is to develop skills to establish realistic and worthwhile aims and objectives given the constraints and opportunities which the resources available present. Imagine a mountaineering party setting out on an expedition without knowing which mountain they are about to climb. They wouldn’t get very far and the members of the party may all have different ideas about what they hope to achieve. This activity aims to demonstrate the importance of setting clear objectives right from the initial planning stage.

Activity: Shelter Time: One hour You will need: (for each group) poles, rope or string, ground sheet or cover for the shelter.

Programme Zones: Outdoor and Adventure, Creative Expression Awards/badges covered: Outdoor Challenge Activity description: Teams have 35 minutes to build a shelter large enough to accommodate their whole team.

After the activity: • Did the team manage to complete the shelter?

• Did all members of the team work together?

• Were all the resources used?

Review the shelter by using these questions: • Was the shelter large enough for the whole team?

• Is it waterproof? Test with a bucket of water.

• Is it windproof? Give it a good shake.

• Would it provide shelter from the heat of the sun?

• Is it insect-proof?

It is likely that some (or all) of these conditions will not be met. The Scouts may complain that they didn’t know what was expected of them and this is a good time to explain how important it is to set objectives before the start of any activity.

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Meeting sparklers

er bag skits and a new type Large scale noughts and crosses, pap as Andrew Corrie delivers a series of card skill are par for the course both body and mind of activities to enjoy and exercise

Paper bag charade Give each Patrol a paper bag into which you have put ten unrelated items such as a potato, pencil, paper clip, fork, string, peanut, cotton wool, cube of jelly, notebook, rubber band.

Each Patrol is then asked to make up a skit using all the items in the bag.

One-Two-Three This is a good introductory warm-up and concentration activity. Arrange the Troop in pairs, facing each other.

The groups start counting from one to three alternating back and forth.

Each time someone says ‘one’ that person claps their hands. Whenever someone says ‘three’, they bend their knees:

A: ‘One’ (claps hands) B: ‘Two’ A: ‘Three’ (bends knees) B: ‘One’ (claps hands) A: ‘Two’ B: ‘Three’ (bends knees) This is a bit like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time – in fact you could try that afterwards.

Miss the bell This is fun and easy to arrange. A bell is suspended in a hoop about 20cm in diameter and a small ball is given to the Scouts. They take it in turns to

toss the ball through the hoop without causing the bell to ring.

One point is scored every time the ball goes through and three points if the bell does not ring.

Human noughts and crosses This activity is ideal for a mixed Troop.

Line up three rows of three chairs so you have a square of nine chairs. The first girl Scout sits on any chair. A boy then takes a chair of his choice. Boys and girls alternate taking seats until either completes an unbroken line of three; horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, or, as is sometimes the case, all lines are blocked.

Easter eggs Give each Scout a pencil and paper.

How many words can they make up from ‘Easter eggs’? The one with the longest list wins.

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GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

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Squares Put the Scouts in pairs. Each pair is given a sheet of paper with a square made of eight lines of dots, eight dots wide, as above.

They take turns drawing a line horizontally or vertically to connect any two dots. The object is to complete a square and prevent one’s opponent from doing so. Each time a Scout succeeds in completing the fourth line of a square they put their initials in it. The person who finishes a square draws the next line. The Scout with the most squares containing their initials wins.

Zip zap Form a circle with the leader in the centre. When the leader points to someone and says “zip” the player must give the name of the person on their right before the leader counts to five. If the leader says “zap” the player must name the person on the left. Anyone who gives the wrong name or is too slow either drops out, goes into the centre, or performs a fun forfeit.

Card toss Place a man’s hat on the floor about 2m away from a chair. Each player in turn sits in the chair with a pack of playing cards, and tosses them one at a time at the hat. It looks easy, but if a beginner gets more than five cards into the hat on the first try they are doing well.

Coin stretch Each Scout stands with their heels close up to a wall behind them. Place a coin on the floor in front of them about 45cm from their toes. The winners are the ones who can pick up the coins in front of them without losing their balance.

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e with This issue’s theme is a programm lor no planning, written by Tony Tay

POP

Activity

Time

Zone/Method

In

Flag break

5 mins

N/A

It h Lea

Crab football

10 mins

Fit for Life Games

Div lifti pla to

Silent witness

20 mins

Outdoor and Adventure Design and creativity

On inte are sug 1. C 2. I 3. I 4. L

Carry me

15 mins

Outdoor and Adventure Team-building activities

Tw req Ge the

Human basketball

10 mins

Fit for Life Games

Div bas tea wit clo

I’m a sat nav

20 mins

Outdoor and Adventure Design and creativity

Ask to The giv has oth

A morality play

20 mins

Creative Expression Design and creativity

Giv alc

Flag down, prayers

5 mins

Beliefs and Attitudes Prayer, worship and reflection

In s equ gift

Programmes on a plate

April/May2009 2010 10 Scouts June/July

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Instructions It has happened to us all at some time. You have not had time to meet with the Patrol Leaders to plan a programme and there’s a Troop meeting tonight. What can you do?

Divide the Troop into two teams. Each person sits on the floor and moves around by lifting themselves from this position on their hands and feet. Use a large soft ball to play a game of football with the team members in this position. No use of the hands to stop or propel the ball is allowed.

One member of each Patrol mimes a scenario or message that the others must try to interpret. Allow the rest of the Troop to watch as each Patrol has a go. If the Scouts are unable to understand the message, the other Patrols can join in. Here are four suggestions to act out: 1. Call 999, a boy has fallen off his bicycle and broken his leg.

2. I am going to the park with three friends to play football.

3. I want an egg sandwich and a cup of tea with milk.

4. Let’s all go swimming on Saturday afternoon.

Two Scouts will not be strong enough to lift and carry an adult, but they may be required to carry a colleague if, for example, someone twisted an ankle while hiking.

Get the Scouts to practise making both four and two-handed seats so that two of them can carry a third person in a seated position.

Divide the Troop into two teams. Each team will need one person as their human basket standing on a stout chair or box at the end of the hall in front of them. The teams pass a ball from person to person to try to get it to their basket. No travelling with the ball is allowed and there must be no tackling. Defenders are not allowed closer than 1m to the person on the chair for safety.

Ask each Patrol to use the local Ordnance Survey Pathfinder map in their Patrol box to describe a road journey from the Scout headquarters to a location of your choice.

They should write down the instructions in the style of a satellite navigation system, giving distances, left or right turns and exit numbers from roundabouts. If each Patrol has a different destination, they can read out their completed instructions for the others to follow and check that they are correct.

Give the Patrols 15 minutes to produce a short drama based on the dangers of alcoholic drinks. Each one will then perform their play in front of the rest of the Troop.

Diversity dates coming soon June LGBT Pride Month 5 World Environment Day 1-7 Volunteers Week 3 Corpus Christi (Christian) 12-19 Big Green Box week 14-20 Refugee Week 16 Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese) 16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan (Sikh) 20 Father’s Day 21-27 Recycle Now Week

July 6-13 Children’s Art Day 8/9 The Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascension (Muslim) 9 Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i) 11 World Population Day 13 Ratha Yatra (Hindu) 15 Chokor (Buddhist) 20 Tisha B’Av (Jewish) 26 Asalha Puja (Buddhist) 26/27 The Night of Forgiveness (Muslim)

In some parts of the world Scouts meet and carry out their programmes with no equipment. Thank you for the facilities that we enjoy in this country. Thank you for the gift of Scouting. Let it continue to unite young people in peace throughout the world.

For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol scouts.org.uk/pol 11

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Everyone’s a winner with Serco The Serco team would like to say thank you to everyone who submitted entries for our competition to organise a Clean up campaign

T

he winners of the main prize, a day out at a Scout Activity Centre with Serco, are 1st Forres Sandle Manor Scout Group. The Troop worked very hard during their three-day clean up and, after collecting 12 bags of rubbish were able to return a local stream and Bluebell Wood back to nature. Troop leader Chas

Cochand said: ‘People will dump if there is already trash lying around, but will be reluctant to drop something if the area looks good, so it was a win-win for us.’

Our judging panel had an extremely difficult job with so many diverse and inspiring entries, so we thought it was only fair to acknowledge some special efforts:

• 1st Mattishal & District found a UPVC patio frame that was so big that the local Serco Team had to get a larger truck • 1st Warley had to deal with a burnt-out motorbike • 21st Walthamstow held both a ‘Trashion Show’, where they made their costumes from rubbish, and a ‘Music from Junk’ evening.

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PROMO

Click Clever, Click Safe!

Internet safety tips from

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recent online survey that was run by MSN revealed that 64% of under-18s in the UK have been contacted by someone they don’t know online and, worryingly, over one third responded.

February saw the launch of the UK Click Clever, Click Safe, digital safety code – ‘Zip It, Block It, Flag It.’ To help make the online world a safer place for young people teach your Scouts to follow these simple safety rules: • When chatting to people online, try not to give out any personal information about yourself such as your name, address, phone number or school • Never open an email from someone you don’t know always delete it in case it contains a virus • Treat people online with the same respect and consideration as you would in the real world. Never write anything that might hurt or upset someone

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• Never meet up with someone in the real world that you have met online unless you take a trusted adult with you to verify the person is who they say they are • Always block people on social networking and instant messaging sites that you do not wish to be friends with • Make sure any profiles you have on social networking sites have the privacy settings set so that only your friends can see your personal information • If you are ever worried about anything you see on the internet talk to an adult you trust such as your leader, parent or teacher For more information on internet safety visit the Microsoft page on the Scout Association website www.scouts.org.uk/microsoft

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Raise interest rates

Louise Henderson explains how one simple evening programme could involve parents in your Big Adventure, get your Troop cooking for themselves and give everyone a tasty treat

A

re you running a Big Adventure this year? Are you wondering how to do the catering and who on earth would want to come along to spend their weekend in a mess tent?

Well firstly, why not have the Patrols cook their own meals?

That may sound like a recipe for disaster but actually it could present an ideal opportunity to bring parents in. By running a special cooking evening as part of your preparations, you can get them involved early.

Here’s how it works: Step 1 – menu Think up as many different menu options as you have Patrols.

Favourites include: nachos, chicken and rice, fajitas, mince and potatoes, sausage casserole and corned beef (or haggis) hash. For pudding: syrup sponge and custard, tiffin (made at camp), chocolate crispie cake (made at camp), chocolate sponge and custard, and toffee banana pancakes.

Step 2 – volunteer request Ask for volunteers to supervise and coach a group of Scouts while they

prepare the meal. You could do this by finding out which Scouts have parents who enjoy cooking and specifically ask those parents to come along, or you could send a note home asking for volunteers. Prepare full instructions to give to Patrol Leaders the week before, and make sure that you have talked to the parents about how you would like them to help.

Step 3 – on the night Make up groups containing one member of each Patrol so that when they come back together they have

the combined knowledge to cook all the meals. Then, let them get on with it (keep an eye on things to make sure that it is the Scouts who are doing the cooking and not the parents).

Step 4 – tasting Once all the meals are cooked let the Scouts go round and taste each dish. If there’s still time after the washing up, get each Patrol to decide which meals it would like to cook at The Big Adventure (although realistically you could leave this until the following week).

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BIG ADVENTURE

TIFFIN

This needs to be made the morning before you need it.

110g butter 110g sugar 110g sultanas 220g digestives 110g chocolate Put the biscuits in a plastic bag and bash until they are just large crumbs. Melt the butter and chocolate in a pan, making sure it doesn’t burn. Once melted, add the sultanas and the biscuits. Press into the tin and leave in a cool place to set.

Leave it to cool and then cut into 12 pieces

MARSHMALLOW CRISPIE This needs to be made the morning before it is needed.

1 bag marshma llows 110g butter 170g rice crispies 1 block chocolate Melt the butter and marshma llows in a large pan. Once it is just liquid remove from the heat and beat until it is smooth. Add the rice crispies and mix until they are all covered.

Turn into the tin and press level with a metal spoon. Now melt the chocolate in a pan.

Be very careful as the chocolate will burn in an instant. Once the chocolate is melted pour it over the crispie and spread it evenly. Leave to set in a cool place. Once set, cut into 12 pieces.

NACHOS

Ideally, the parents who have helped on the evening will have enjoyed themselves, and be encouraged to come and help a Patrol with their cooking on the camp. This way, you may find that parent who really enjoys working with the young people and becomes a regular helper rather than a once a year camp cook.

And even if all that results from this is that a young person is able cook themselves a decent meal then we have something to be proud of, don’t we?

1/4 large onion per person 100g mince per person 1/2 red pepper per person nacho spices 1/4 large bag nachos per person 50g chedda r cheese per person Peel the onion and chop into small pieces. Chop pepper into small pieces Put a little oil in a pan and fry the onion until translucent. Add the pepper and fry for a little longer making sure not to burn the onion.

Add the mince. Stir the mince and onion until the mince becomes a different colour.

Add the spices together with ½ tsp salt. Once the sauce starts to boil time it for 30mins.

Wh ile the meat is cooking grate the cheese, open and dra in the sweetcorn and get the cris ps ready. Empty the crisps into the fryi ng pan and ma ke a foil lid for it.

Once the meat is cooked, add the sweetcorn and retu rn to the heat to war m through . When it is hot aga in, tip it over the crisps in the fryi ng pan and then cover the whole lot wit h the grated cheese. Put the foil lid over the pan and place ove ra hot flame. After a few minute s, check to see if the cheese has melted . The mea l is ready as soon as the cheese melts. If you leave it much longer the foo d at the bot tom of the pan wil l be bur ned .

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Grow your own grub This year Scouting is teaming up with the BBC to encourage Scouts to grow their own grub. Here’s our potty guide to plotting your own Troop garden

D

ig In is designed to get you and your Troop growing their own vegetables to eat at camp.

There are five featured vegetables this year: carrot, salad, courgette, basil and French beans. You can order free seeds by logging on to Programmes Online, downloading the Dig In activities and using the special Scout link that accompanies the ideas.

From window boxes to greenhouse mania Following the success of BBC Dig In 2009, this year the campaign focusses on growing your own grub using any

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space available to you. You don’t need an allotment to get started. There are several activities on Programmes Online to guide you through the process. From sowing and growing to harvesting and cooking, there’s lots for Scouts to do, and the can play an active part in every stage.

Travelling carrots To begin your Dig In project go to www.scouts.org.uk/digin where you will find links to Programmes Online and a Get Started guide. The ‘carrot road trip’ has to be seen to be believed, so get online today!

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SKILLS

Ready. Aim. Fire.

Fire is an important component of a Scout’s life. As skills go, few are as necessary or potentially hazardous so it’s important to ensure that a Troop learns about it in the right manner

W

hile Chief Scout Bear Grylls has the enviable skill of starting a fire with no more than a fire-steel, many Scouts still struggle to start one even with a box of matches.

Here is a worksheet that can be used as Patrol Leaders training and then by Patrol Leaders to help Patrols avoid some of the common mistakes of fire lighting. Copy the main points but leave the conclusions blank for the Scouts to fill in.

Each Scout needs a box of matches.

1. How thick is a match?

Why? The match should not be significantly thinner than the wood you are trying to light. A thin match cannot light a thick log.

2. Strike a match and hold it with the flame upwards.

What happens? The flame goes out.

3. Strike a match and hold it with the flame down. The flame grows.

Lesson? To light a fire the match has to be held with the flame down.

4. Take note of how long the flame is.

Why? There is no point holding the match further away from the kindling than the length of the flame. Also, once alight the pieces of kindling need to be no further apart than the length of their flame or one piece can’t set fire to the next.

>>

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Ready. Aim. Fire. >>

5. Take two matches, strike one and then pick up the other holding the red end.

Slowly bring it towards the flame from below.

What happens? The unlit match doesn’t catch fire.

6. Same again but this time hold the unlit match above the flame. The unlit match catches much further away from the flame above than it did below.

GAME

This will reinforce the lessons learned. It sounds simple but you’ll be surprised how tricky some Scouts find it.

Arrange Patrols in relay formation and make a line of tea-lights for each Patrol running from the opposite end of the hall towards them. There needs to be as many tea-lights per patrol as the number in the biggest one with about 1m between tea-light.

A box of matches is left at the first tea-light.

On the word ‘go’ the first Scout runs to the first tea-light and lights it. The second Scout picks up the matches and goes to light the second tea-light. This continues until all the tea-lights are lit. This is especially popular when played in the dark.

Lesson? The match has to be underneath the kindling.

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