cumbria chat - september 2012
DESCRIPTION
Latest Scouting News & Dates from around the CountyTRANSCRIPT
www.scouts.org.uk - www.cumbriascouts.org.uk County Team Contacts:
County Diary:
County Commissioner – Graham White 09/09/2012 Getting Started, Barrow,
[email protected] Contact Cath Johnston [email protected]
Deputy County Commissioner – Julie Samson 15/09/2012 – Skills Weekend, Ennerdale
[email protected] Contact Linda Kitchin [email protected]
Deputy County Commissioner – Richard Hirst 22/09/2012 – Water Activities Weekend
[email protected] Contact Phil Hopley [email protected]
County Chairman – Tim Leader 27/09/2012 – County AGM, The Lakes School
[email protected] Contact Marion Dixon [email protected]
County Administrator – Marion Dixon 17/11/2013 – Cumbria County Scout Conference, Coniston.
[email protected] Contact Richard Hirst [email protected]
ACC (Network) – John Seed 26/01/2013 – (Scouts) Frostbite Camp, Great Tower.
[email protected] Contact John Sharpe, [email protected]
ACC (Explorers) – Steve Dawson 22/02/2013 – Re-Energise (Explorer Camp)
[email protected] Contact Steve Dawson [email protected]
ACC (Scouts) – John Sharpe 16/03/2013 – Getting Started, Barrow
[email protected] Contact Cath Johnston [email protected]
ACC (Cubs) – David Hodkiss 25/04/2013 – Chief Scout’s Gold to Queen’s Scout Awards Evening
[email protected] Contact John Sharpe, [email protected]
ACC (Beavers) – Vacant 11/05/2013 – County Funday, Lowther Park
Contact Graham White, [email protected]
County Training Manager – Linda kitchen
ACC (Activities) – Phil Hopley
ACC (International) – Richard Hirst
Cumbria Scouts Diary Online
http://www.cumbriascouts.org.uk/diary/home
September 2012
2
In this Issue:
1. Cumbria Chat Input
2. Cumbrian Queen Scouts
3. Water Activities Weekend
4. County Awards Presentation Evening
5. County Training
6. Cumbria County Scouts Conference 2012
7. 23rd
World Scout Jamboree Japan
8. Leaders Skills Weekend 2012
9. Frostbite Camp
10. National News
11. Local News from the Districts
i. Roverway
ii. Hawkshead Flotilla
iii. 13th Carlilse Jubilee Trips
Cumbria Chat Input: Let the rest of the County find out what you’re doing and what’s you’ve done, write down your plans for the coming months and brief reports of your recent adventures. It’s great fun reading the exploits of others, but twice as much fun if the article is about you or for you. Email your inputs for inclusion in the next edition of Cumbria Chat to [email protected].
HM The Queen recognises Cumbria’s top Scouting achievers 8 Cumbrian Scouts, Jack Armstrong from Keswick, Jonathon Winter from Threlkeld, Anna & Roger Brocklebank and Liam Redhead from Ulverston, Ellen Brown from Harrington, Chris Woolhouse from Frizington and Caitlin Ripley from Penrith have been honoured by HM The Queen and International adventurer Chief Scout Bear Grylls for gaining their Queen’s Scouts Award.
HM The Queen and Bear Grylls greeted over 600 new Queen’s Scouts from across the UK and The Commonwealth at Windsor Castle on Sunday 29th April. The event comes at a boom time for Scouting following last week’s announcement of the Movement’s continued membership. Total numbers now exceed 525,000. Significantly, more and more teenagers are becoming Scouts.
3
The Queen’s Scout Award is the highest honour in Scouting and is awarded for outstanding personal achievement. This honour is achieved by young people aged between 16 and 25 who have completed a range of challenges, which includes service to their community, completed an expedition in wild country, undertook a five-day residential project in an unfamiliar environment and learnt a new skill or developing an existing talent. Ellen Brown, aged 17, from Harrington, said, “Gaining my Queen’s Scout Award has been an amazing experience. One of the best things I completed for the award, which my time in Scouting has prepared me for, was the expedition. I hiked 50 miles over 4 days with my team in the peak district, it was tiring, but well worth it. I also worked with the cub section from our scout group, I was with the group for 2 years, and the kids were brilliant, they inspired me to go into teaching, and I’m now hoping to study primary education at university next year. A few of my family members have the award from when they where in Scouting and my older brother Stephen achieved the award last year, so it’s like following in their footsteps. Working towards this award is certainly an experience I’ll never forget, and to be honoured by HM The Queen on her jubilee year was amazing”
Caitlin Ripley, aged 20, from Penrith, said, “For the environmental section of my award I undertook a three week expedition across North Wales, walking, sailing, scrambling, camping and climbing with other young people from everywhere between Carlisle and Bermuda. Only Scouting could have given me so many amazing opportunities.” A key element of the Queen’s Scout Award is
service. With more leaders required to keep up with Scouting’s growth, it is great that all three Ulverston former Xenolith Explorer Scouts have all now taken on leadership roles. Roger Brocklebank is now a Scout Leader at Windermere Sea Scout Troop and an assistant at the Xenolith Unit, Anna Brocklebank and Liam Redhead are also now Assistant Explorer Scout Leaders at Xenolith.
Jonathon Winter, aged 20, from Threlkeld said “Gaining my Queen’s Scout Award is to me the culmination of everything I’ve done as a Scout, from when I joined as Cub Scout to my present adult role as an assistant leader. To complete it I did so many different activities and all of them were fun, adventurous, and left me with memories and friends that I will never forget. Thanks to the leadership team at Keswick Scout Group I have walked over 50 miles along Hadrian’s Wall, helped restore a local mill, discovered a passion for kayaking and so much more. Going to Windsor was a really special occasion
4
and it made me realise just how much I’d done to get there, as well as inspiring me to keep moving on, not only through more adventurous activities but also by helping other Keswick Scouts to experience the same opportunities that I was lucky enough to be offered.” Chris Woolhouse aged 25, from Frizington said “Achieving my Queen’s Scout Award was one of the proudest moments of my life and the pinnacle of my Scouting career. Parading at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen, Prince Philip and Bear Grylls for St George’s Day was the culmination of years of adventure, fun and challenge within Scouting."
Jack Armstrong aged 18, from Keswick said, “The Queen's Scout Award allowed me to develop as a person, through learning new skills and working with new people. Whilst at the same time being able to help with the development of others as a Young Leader."
Chief Scout Bear Grylls said "All these young people have lived the adventure of a lifetime to achieve their Queen’s Scout Awards, and I admire that spirit so much. They are huge inspirations to all the other Scouts in the UK and I am so pleased that both Scouting has honoured them today. They are amazing.” The Windsor Castle event has been held regularly since 1934 on a Sunday close to St. George's Day (23rd April). St. George is the Patron Saint of Scouting. Since the Queen’s Scout Award was instigated, over 100,000 of these awards have been presented to young men and women for outstanding personal achievements and service to their local communities. They have learnt new skills and taken part in many of the 200 different activities on offer by Scouting across the UK. Water activities training weekend There will be a Water activities training weekend for Leaders, Network Members and Explorer Scouts on the 21st -23rd September at Scarness, Bassenthwaite. The weekend will be run by the Counties Activities Team and is aimed at people wishing to both learn and develop their skills at Canoeing or Sailing. To receive a flyer containing all the necessary information and a booking form email [email protected]
5
County Awards Presentation Evening: On the evening of 29th March, Cumbria County Scouts recognised the great achievements of those Scouts, Explorers and Network members who had gained the highest awards in their sections: Chief Scout’s Gold, Platinum & Diamond Awards, and Queens Scout Award. The evening was held at the Rheged Centre, Penrith. Special Guest Peter Noblett, Executive Officer of HMS Ambush, presented the awards on the evening to the 74 young people from around the county. Our congratulations go to:
Chief Scout’s Gold Awards
Adam Huit David Seed Josh Reid Matthew McKewan Adam Laird Ellen Jones Joshua Selby Natasha Moore Ailsa Brock Emma Dixon Kaitlyn Murray Natasha Prangnell Alex Glaister Evie Tonkin Katy Aris Neil McLoughlin
Alex Bloom Ferghas Clavey Kester Roberts Oliver Joseph Wade Burbury Alex Warwick Finn Donovan Laura Mallinson Olivia Leslie Alison Hemsley Grant Casson Liam Adams Peter Young Angus Moffatt Hannah Andrew Liam Bagge Philip Woowat Ben Goodman Jack Crowther Linus Sandelands Robin Williamson Ben Jones Jack Smith Lucy Mather Robson Scott Ben McKean Jack Williamson Luke MaCGregor Ross Thompson Callum Murdoch James Neile Mark Laird Sula Cotterell Cameron Glaister Jamie Doogan Mary Rebecca Tyson Thomas Metcalfe
Christopher Whitford John Holroyd Matt Wood Thomas Singleton Daniel Cook John Mimmack Matthew Flemming Tom Norton
Chief Scout’s Platinum Awards Andrew Barnes Ben Gleed Bryony Mitchinson Tom Dennis
Chief Scout’s Diamond Awards Luke Norendal Keiran Stephenson Aran Browning Jordan Roberts
Jamie Carruthers John Palmer Chantal Price
Queen’s Scout Awards Craig Norendal Richard Donnan Chris Woolhouse
See more award pictures at: http://ayersesu.smugmug.com/Other/County-Scout-Awards-29-March/
6
This Awards presentation evening will continue to be an annual event and to help with diary planning it will be held every year on the nearest Thursday to Saint George’s Day. In 2013 the date will be 25th April. The venue is still to be decided, but we hope to move around the county for future presentations. As your Scouts, Explorers or Young Leaders achieve these great awards, please let the County know via John Sharpe, email: [email protected] and they, their families and leaders will receive personal invites to the next Awards Evening. Adult Training Opportunities in Cumbria: Follow this link to the County training diary. http://cumbriascouts.org.uk/blogs/news.php/2012/02/03/adult-training-opportunities-in-cumbria
County Training: These Leaders have recently completed and validated stages of their training. Getting Started Lindsey Bonson 4th Kendal Joshua McLeod 4th Kendal Kimberley Lacey 1st Broughton Sue Armstrong 1st Keswick Jennifer Sanderson 17th Barrow Wood Badge Liz Staley 1st Kirkby Stephen Mark Chambers Reivers District Ben Hodgkiss 13th Carlisle Well done, and congratulations to all of you. Roger Fisher
County Training Administrator Cumbria County Scouts Conference 2012 - Saturday 17th November – John Ruskin School A personal invitation was sent to every adult member that we had registered on the national database but we are well aware that many changes and inaccuracies have occurred therefore we are reissuing the invite for you to join us at a County Conference with the many Leaders and Adult supporters that make scouting a huge success in Cumbria. If you have already received this invite may it act as a reminder to book your place and more importantly your supper! We will be joined by Wayne Bulpitt, Chief UK Commissioner and the day offers many opportunities to meet new friends and renew old friendships. Chris Harris our Regional Commissioner will also be there to answer questions. Hopefully we can learn a little on the way and we will be providing information workshops on Training, Global, Adult Recruitment,
7
Young Leaders and On-line resources. In addition we hope to have many displays from throughout Scouting in Cumbria. There will also be the opportunity for a section get together, questions to an open forum and after supper a chance to relax and enjoy a social occasion. You will need to bring a packed lunch, supper is provided and should you wish to stay Saturday night camping is permitted in the grounds or a floor for the night is available indoors. You will need to bring your own “Scouting Spirit” for the evening. For families, we will hopefully be able to provide activities that keep the children occupied whilst you enjoy the conference (but not after question time). So we can ensure we meet everyone’s needs we ask that you let us know the following: Firstly just let us know if you plan to attend (with no commitment) just so we can start on numbers. Secondly if you intend to stay over and if you have children that need occupying (ages) please, You can do this by completing the card you were sent earlier, email ([email protected] or by phone 0845 6012977) This will be the first time for some years that we have had the opportunity to get all our leaders and adult supporters together so please try and be there. Please feel free to pass this information to anyone you feel should be invited. Looking forward to seeing you there, Graham White County Commissioner
The World Scout Jamboree is an official educational event of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. It is specifically designed for young people aged between 14 and 18 from National Scout Organizations which are members of the WOSM. Scout Association of Japan is going to be the host for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree. It will take place at Kirarahama, Yamaguchi, Japan. The 23rd World Scout Jamboree is a world Scouting event for young people aged between 14 and 18. It will be staged during July and August 2015. To ensure that the young people of Cumbria can experience everything a Jamboree has to offer it is essential that we appoint Leaders that are willing to give of their very best in support of our contingent. The role of Contingent Leader is an important one requiring exceptional leadership with skills and experience across a range of disciplines. This is a volunteer role, but one that will place substantial demands upon your time and require a thoroughly professional approach. The role is a significant personal commitment but tremendously rewarding.
At this moment in time the size of our Contingent is unknown as details have not yet been confirmed by WOSM, but the County Team feel it is important to start the process of putting together the plans that will work towards a successful outcome for Cumbria Scouts in
8
2015. To that end we are inviting Leaders to register an “Expression of Interest” in the contingent leader role with a view to running an information evening sometime in December 2012.
The most difficult part in this process is ensuring that all Leaders have the opportunity to put themselves forward to be part of the contingent leadership team. Therefore everyone is requested to pass this information to anyone they feel maybe interested, and promoting this opportunity at District, County, Group or individual levels. All you need to do to register interest is email Richard Hirst (ACC International) on [email protected] with your name. Leaders Skills Weekend 2012 When : Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th September 2012 Come all weekend or dip in and out as you like. Where: Ennerdale Campsite What : A fun packed weekend with a range of activities for you to experience. New activities include archery and geo-caching . *If you have a skill you would like to share please come prepared and let us know Accommodation: Camping please bring your own food and equipment. You can arrive from anytime after 6pm on Friday evening to set up camp. Activities start 9am Saturday Who: All leaders are welcome. Young leaders may only attend if accompanied by their section leader who must also arrange their permission to camp form. Cost: £10 if booked before the end of July £12 if after On Saturday evening we will have a Backwoods cooking/barbecue for our evening meal if you wish to join in just bring your food. To Book please contact Linda Kitchin By email [email protected] or by telephone 01229 471250 Cumbria Scouts – Frostbite Camp 25th to 27th January 2013 This is your chance to join other Scouts from around the County for your first camp of the year, hopefully the weather will be freezing! Campers will arrive on Friday evening and be ready for the activities at 9:30 am Saturday. The weekend will be filled with Challenging and Adventurous activities. Currently planned are: Archery, Shooting, Climbing Wall, Low Ropes Challenge, Milk Crate Climbing, Mountain Bikes and Chariot races. Saturday Evening will include either; a Wide Game or Night hike. Invites will be issued shortly.
9
NATIONAL NEWS: CRB identity check process
Members may be aware that the Criminal Records Bureau are introducing new ID checking guidelines. The Scout Association is currently consulting with the government regarding these changes. We will inform members as soon as there is an update on how these new guidelines may affect CRB checks for Scouting volunteers. Online membership system
The Scout Association is working on a replacement for our online membership system. The new system will offer more tools to manage local Scouting within a safe, easy to use online system. Work on the new system is being closely guided by groups who hold executive committee, leader and manager roles in Scouting. Find out more. http://scouts.org.uk/newsandviews/module/31/660/a-better-system
The adventure of a lifetime Fancy climbing the highest freestanding mountain in the world? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is no event for the fainthearted; it demands commitment, stamina and a passion for adventure. Not only will you take on an incredible personal challenge, but you’ll join a team who support you right to the summit (and back down again!). http://www.scouts.org.uk/events/module/2/406/kilimanjaro-trek The ShelterBox Experience 2012 Take part in an exciting weekend for Network members and adult volunteers, organised by international disaster relief charity ShelterBox. Develop your team, navigation and survival skills while taking part in a challenge that offers a rare chance to experience ShelterBox’s global disaster relief work. More information and a booking form available online. Download the Go Global programme resource for all sections. http://www.youngshelterbox.org/events.php
Speak, surf and go global A Scout meeting in the jungle? Or maybe the desert? Or maybe inner city Cairo? Get involved in Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) or Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) on the weekend of 20-21 October and you can speak to Scouts in all of these places. More information.
http://www.scouts.org.uk/jotajoti
14th World Scout Moot, Canada 2013 Online bookings for next year’s Moot are now open. Taking place 8-18 August 2013, the World Scout Moot is an international gathering of Scouts between 18 and 25 years of age in Awacamenj Mino, Canada. 5,000 young adults will be taking part in outdoor adventures and expedition challenges. Book now. http://www.scouts.org.uk/moot2013/cms.php?pageid=3320
10
LOCAL NEWS: ROVERWAY ...An adventure waiting to happen! From July 20th to July 28th myself and James Wylie from Reivers District along with Duncan Edwards and Caitlin Ripley from Eden District will be joining a group of like minded Scouts from around the UK to take part in something called Roverway in Finland. An event that promises to be the highlight of this year’s Scouting and Guiding calendar! The UK contingent has had two briefing weekends to prepare, one in Gilwell (London) and the other at Great Tower (Windermere), and I can tell you that everyone is raring to go! We have been assigned our patrols, made new friends and built up a sense of comradeship quickly, a feat that could only be achieved so easily through Scouting. The few short days that the 50 of us have had together has been enough to make long lasting friendships, but as I said the adventure does not stop here. Scouting occurs at the local level, the regional, and the national, but it is arguably at its best at the international level. In just a few short weeks we will all be heading off to Finland to meet Scouts from around the world. This is what Roverway is all about, it's what many people would characterise as an 'intercultural learning experience', however I'd be more inclined to call it, more simply, 'fun'. Roverway aims to teach young people about nature, society, and ones relationship to others, but it will be through a platform of adventure, fun, and challenge that this will be achieved. Roverway is more than just a gathering of young people, or a traditional Scout camp, it is an opportunity, an opportunity to explore a foreign country over four days with your patrol, an opportunity to spend the next four days camping with 4000 other young people from around the world, and an opportunity to give something back. Roverway hopes to keep the 'momentum' of the event right through the year and equip participants to carry out a community projects once they're home. In sum, it is an event I cannot wait for! A chance to make new friends, and to meet old ones, but also a chance to explore the cultures of other people. James Ferguson – UK Roverway Rep
11
1st Hawkshead Scouts Olympic Flotilla On Thursday 21st June 2012 12 young people and 2 leaders from 1st Hawkshead Scout Group took part in an Olympic Flotilla at Ambleside. The Scouts decorated a 12 man Voyager Canoe from Great Tower Scout Activity Centre with Bunting, Union Flags and a Scout flag before being towed up the lake to Waterhead, Ambleside. They then paddled out to join decorated boats from all of the local primary schools, the local Guides and many other boats there to cheer as the Olympic Torch left Ambleside on the MV Tern. The Flotilla was organised by Ambleside Parish Councils Olympic Committee. Just one week before the event the Scouts were told that the boat that they planned to use was no longer available. By this point they had made all the arrangements and selected the Cubs and Scouts to take part by a ballot, luckily the staff at the Scout Activity Centre at Great Tower managed to arrange for them to use their Voyager Canoe and Safety boat so that they could still take part in the flotilla. One of the Scouts, James said, "It was a brilliant experience one that I'll never forget", his friends, Edward, added, "It was an amazing way to take part, much better than just watching from the pavement"
12
Reivers District Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts celebrate the Jubilee weekend from The Scottish Islands to The Nation’s Capital. 13th Carlisle Cub Trip The Jubilee weekend saw members of 13th Carlisle Cub Pack visiting the nation’s capital to take part in the festivities celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Cub Scout Leader, David Hodgkiss, arranged the weekend to totally immerse the Cubs in the atmosphere of the Jubilee celebrations. Ben Hodgkiss Assistant Cub Scout Leader said “The weekend was an amazing experience for everyone involved. The 22 Cubs were given an unforgettable experience that they will likely tell their children and grandchildren about in years to come. From the fun of the Science Museum to the experience of seeing the Pageant go down the Thames to hearing Stevie Wonder sound check
in The Mall, it will be a hard programme to top for future camps. However, I'm sure that we will be able to provide a new adventure and challenge for our young people. The Cubs' behaviour and manners were impeccable and made the trip an experience for myself and the other leaders.” Cub Scout Robbie Clarkson aged 9 years summed up the weekend beautifully "I thought that the London Eye was the best because you see for miles. The Thames was full of boats. Seeing them all was a brilliant experience. I enjoyed the Science Museum. In the Space section it explained how rockets work and how you could be a
spaceman. I thought the war museum (IWM) was awesome." Finley Ward, a Beaver Scout at the 13th Carlisle, was on holiday with his family but was keen to represent Cumbrian Scouts on the Mall. He joined fellow Scouts from around the UK in the youth enclosure. Finley also joined the 13th Carlisle Cub Scouts during the weekend when he visited the London Eye. Finley, aged 7, said: “It was great to see and meet so many Scouts from around the UK and everyone was very friendly. I got a great place at the front and got to see the soldiers, horses and the Royal Family. I was stood next to Horse Guards Parade, so when the 60 gun salute started it was very loud!”
13
13th Carlisle Scout Trip
While members of the 13th Carlisle Cub Pack visited London, the 13th Carlisle Scout Troop celebrated the Jubilee weekend doing what Scouts do best, by filling the weekend with fun, adventure and challenge. Twenty-two Scouts, 5 Leaders and 2 Young Leaders took the opportunity of the long Bank Holiday weekend to visit The Isle of Arran. The weekend started on Friday morning at Carlisle Citadel Station and then travelling by train, ferry and coach to PGL Adventure Centre Loch Ranza, Isle of Arran. The weekend was packed full with mountain orienteering, canoeing, hill walking, abseiling and rope ladders on a natural 80ft cliff face, raft building and racing, mountain biking, and many more wide games. Scout Angus Moffatt said ”This has been one of the best weekends ever, the train journeys, followed by
the ferry and being able to visit the ship’s bridge even before arriving at the PGL Adventure Centre was an adventure alone. Then to have the opportunity to have a go at and take part in so many different activities over the weekend was awesome, the Leaders really put the OUT in Scouting” Emma Seabrook a PGL instructor “it was great to have such an enthusiastic group visit the center, they were all willing to have a go at every activity, they were awesome!” Group Scout Leader Bruce Kirton said “to have all sections of the Group represented as far afield as Lochranza and London all celebrating the Jubilee weekend and enjoying the core values of Scouting is such a great achievement for the Group as a whole”. Scout Leader John Wylie added “We can all be very proud of how well the 13th Scouts conducted themselves on our trip to Arran, as well as getting every last bit of enjoyment the trip had to offer and more” The Group’s own fundraising, involving Cubs, Scouts, Leaders and Parents, as well as support from ASDA Carlisle and Stanwix Neighbourhood Forum, made both these events affordable and possible.
14