network
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Heart of Network Students who Scout return What is it that makes Network special? Take a look at SSAGO The magazine for Scout Network members February/March 2011 Discover Paris in April scouts.org.ukTRANSCRIPT
WITH A PADDLEWITH A PADDLE
The Network Activity Academies return
The magazine for
Scout Network members
February/March 2011
Heart of Network
What is it that makes Network special?
scouts.org.uk
Students who Scout
Take a look at SSAGO
BON VOYAGE!Discover Paris
in April
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Important announcement regarding changes to the UK Adviser roles
On 1 January, the volunteer structure for the Programme Team changed and
Graeme Hamilton has been appointed to the role of Deputy UK
Commissioner for Programme. Previously Graeme was the UK Adviser for
Cub Scouts and has been heavily involved in Scouting in Scotland.
Adrian Wray will stand down from the role of UK Adviser for Scout
Network at the end of March after three years in the role. The Programme
Team would like to take this opportunity to thank Adrian for all his hard
work over the years including the time he spent on the Scout Network
Support Team previous to his appointment as UK Adviser. Adrian has made
a particular impact on the Scout Network review in 2002 and his work in
local Regions and Counties across the UK.
Should you wish a member of the Programme Team to support your event
or Scouting in your area please contact [email protected] to
discuss your requirements further.
New look Network
Published by:
The Programme TeamThe Scout Association,Gilwell Park, Chingford,London E4 7QW
Tel: 0845 300 1818
Contributions to: [email protected]
ADVERTISINGRichard Ellacott [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258
Contributors: Eleanor Rendells, Peter Ford, Patrick Rooke, James Boyle, Chris Dean
Cover photo: Allan Baxter
For ease of reading, this supplement refers to all variations of ‘county’ groupings simply as County.
You can read all the section supplements, and the main magazine, online at www.scouts.org.uk/magazine
Welcome
New factsheetA new factsheet has been produced to support the safe and responsible use of social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Social Networking Sites and Scouting promotes a common-sense approach as well as containing information about the training opportunities available
Find it by searching for FS103011 on www.scouts.org.uk
4 Network newsA round-up of what’s happening in the section
6 What’s the point?A new series of articles that go to the heart of the section
8 SSAGO and onionWhat do you know about Scouting clubs at UK universities?
10 Hallå SverigeSwedish meatballs and water awareness from the programme factory
12 Enter the academyWe reminisce about the pilot event as the academies whirr into action once more
14 Où est la piscine?A Parisian Network adventure
16 World aware, world helpfulThe latest Scouts of the World Discovery
17 21st-century penpalsThe International Links Scheme
18 EventsTeam Penguin look back at their Explorer Belt in Serbia
Graeme Hamilton
New factsheet
Contents
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4 Network February/March 2011
News and updates
Chief Scout’s Survival Camp20-21 August 2011
Chief Scout Bear Grylls is holding a
24-hour wilderness survival camp on his
island in Wales, and eight Scout Network
members aged 18 to 25 will be lucky
enough to join him!.
If you have achieved your Queen’s
Scout Award or will have by 13 August
2011 then you are eligible to apply. The
closing date for applications is 30 April
2011. To find out more and get an
application form visit www.scouts.org.
uk/survivalcamp
Factsheet UpdateThe following factsheets have now been discontinued and will no longer be updated:FS800016 | SDA Skills and DevelopmentFS800015 | SDA CommunityFS800014 | SDA InternationalFS800013 | Finance & NetworkFS800001 | Decision making in NetworkFS800011 | CRB & Network
New factsheet:FS103011 | Social Networking Sites and Scouting
All information on the Scout Network section can either be found in Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) or in the Information and Resources area of www.scouts.org.uk
A camp with the Chief Scout, make your own on-brand flyers, defunct factsheets and an old pioneer. The swiftest of round-ups of Scout Network news
Switch on to adventure in 2011If one of your new year’s resolutions is to smarten up your
signage and local communications, then help is at hand. The
Scout Association’s Print Centre is a free facility available to all
members. Personalise and print on-brand resources using
templates for flyers, calendars and more. To access, please log
in using your membership user name and password at
www.scouts.org.uk/brandThis year we will be launching templates for more events
including jumble sales, swimming galas, newsletters, annual
reports and District directories.
Handy hint Use the purple only version of the Scout logo as
it’s more visible on a white background and helps
us get recognised all over the UK. If you have any
queries, email [email protected]
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News
Charlie Horne, now
Appointments Secretary of
Deal, Walmer, Sandwich
and District Scouts
Young Leaders –Ongoing learning moduleAre you a Beaver,
Cub or Scout section
leader? Ever have Young Leaders
come to your section without
knowing much background about
the scheme? A new ongoing
learning module has now been
launched to support section leaders
in gaining vital knowledge about
the Young Leader’s Scheme and
their role in supporting it. For more
information, ask your training
adviser or visit the training area of
the Information and Resources
pages of www.scouts.org.uk.
Well I never…In the Hourglass Tower item in the December/January issue
of Network you asked if anyone had done a similar project.
Well, yes I have, but probably not in the time frame you
had in mind. The photo (below) was taken during my Scout
Section Leader Advanced course in May 1978. Sadly, even
then, I would have been too old to be a member of Scout
Network (if it had existed).
The course was held at the Kent County campsite at
Hamlet Wood near Maidstone. I hate to say this, but I do
think our tower was a little taller; although, I’m sure, even
less stable than the Cornwall Network’s version. It’s nice to
see that such activities are just as much fun in 2010 as they
were in the 1970s!
Charlie Horne
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6 Network February/March 2011
What’s the
point?As the Network nears its tenth
birthday, we take a look at what makes the section tick, why you like
it and if it’s seen its day. The search has begun for Network’s
beating heart
S ince its genesis in 2002, the idea of a ‘youth’
section for 18 to 25-year-olds in Scouting has
been tossed around, chewed over and
debated. By its members, by section leaders
who see it as a social club for those who could be doing
them a favour in leadership roles, and by managers
who are trying to find the best format and structure to
enable Network to be sustained and grow.
So what have we learned, nearly ten years down the
road? And have we answered the question: What is
Network for? Over the next couple of issues, we’re
going to be asking the questions that get at the heart
of the section in these pages, and talking to people
who were there at the start, and some current Network
members to sit down together and pick apart the
achievements (and pitfalls) of the section’s first decade.
You have the floorThere is clearly some genuine affection for the Scout
Network, as members who have been in touch with the
supplement over the years are quick to speak eloquently
about the effect international experiences, expeditions
and projects have had on them as individuals. It should
be remembered that the section is still in its infancy,
and hasn’t reached ‘teen age’ yet.
But there are also issues that have been slow to
resolve, such as the management of the section, and
communicating its identity to local Groups and Districts.
Stories of success are coupled with anecdotes that
express a frustration from those who have tried to
establish a Network and felt like they’ve been bashing
their head against a brick wall.
Dear to your heartJust before Christmas, we posed the question on the
Scout Network Facebook page, ‘What does Network
mean to you?’ A broad question, yes, but one that we
hoped would elicit the feelings and emotions that come
with reflecting on why Network is special. Here’s a
selection of the answers we received:
‘What does Network mean to me? Not as easy to
answer as it sounds. It depends on the individual and
the group leaders as well as the other members of the
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Heart of Network
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group. On top of that the activities combined with the
numerous camps change the idea of what Network
means to me. You get to do things you never thought
of doing before. It’s a chance to go new places, see
new things and meet other Network members.’
Victoria Hadfield, Starchaser/MENS (Manchester East Network Support)
‘To me, Network is a great way of making friends,
staying with old ones and having fun. Most of all it’s
that feeling of reaching 18 and not having to leave
Scouting and all the fun times that go with it!’
Rose Ware, Bedfordshire Clangers Network
‘Network is about getting something back from
Scouting. As an Explorer Scout Leader, being in
Network provides me with opportunities to enjoy
socialising with other people in Scouting of my age, and
enjoyment without responsibilities. I see the point of
Network as doing lots of activities, making new friends
and having a laugh.’
Jess Flavin, Merseyside Scout Network
‘First and foremost it’s my way of keeping Scouting
for myself. Yes, I help out at a Group and help out
when I can to support events for all sections but
Network ensures I get the most out of Scouting.
If anything, my Scouting experience becomes richer
the older I get. Thanks to Network, I get much more
out of it now.’
Lewis Abbott, Chair of Ormskirk Local Scout Network
Don’t sit on the sidelines. Join the discussion about the real meaning of Network and play a part in its future development. We’ve started the ball rolling on the Scout Network Supplement group on Facebook. Sign in to have your say.
What do you think?
At the end of it all, Network is a great adventure with great mates
Getting involved at events is one part of the fun of Network
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8 Network February/March 2011
You can’t get a degree in Scouting, but you can continue the adventurous life at university through the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO). Eleanor Rendells joined up at Southampton Uni, and hasn’t looked back
SSAGO and onion
Of all the societies I joined as a fresher, I can
honestly say that SSAGO is one of the best.
It is great value for money (extremely
important as a student) but far more
importantly, it’s fun. The Student Scout and Guide
Organisation is open to anyone studying at university
who would like to join in with Scout and Guide style
activities.
This year, we accrued 42 members, including 20
freshers. There’s a good split between Guides and
Scouts which is great because we have a mix of people
and personalities. We also get a much wider range of
activities offered to us and it’s great to work with the
‘other’ organisation, a chance you don’t often get in
regular Scouting and Guiding circles.
MeetingWe have a weekly meeting in a local pub where we
catch-up and plan activities. Our diverse membership
has led to numerous interesting discussions and
debates. Meeting regularly is the best way to get to
know everyone else in the society in a relaxed, informal
atmosphere.
HelpingSSAGO also aims to connect students with local
Scouting in leadership or helper roles. At the start of
the academic year, one meeting gave us the
opportunity to meet with leaders from Groups in and
around the city. The Groups who were there
understood that students may not be able to give
regular commitment, but could work flexibly around
term schedules and allow us to keep up our Scouting or
Guiding.
CampingOne of the first events of the SSAGO year is Freshers’
Camp. This year it took place in Devon and is definitely
worth participating in. As well as spending Friday night
at the Tar Barrels Carnival in Ottery St Mary’s, we hiked
from Seaton to Beer and enjoyed a campfire on the
beach and a paddle in the not-so-warm sea. There were
also silly games on the campsite and a trip to the Rufus
Stone in The New Forest.
RallyingEvery term, SSAGOs from across the UK host a Rally
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SSAGO
SSAGO BASICS Student Scouts have several choices when they rock up at campus, and each university will have its own setup, so find out what’s on offer before you arrive and get swept up in the melee of student life.
Network – Some unis have distinct ties to a Network, which will be a combination of students and local residents who are of Network age.
SSAGO – Some college campuses are all-consuming, and the only time you see ‘townies’ is on the odd night out. In these instances, SSAGO may be the only choice you have.
Leadership – Joining up with a local group can help you connect with your university town, and give you a break from campus chaos. SSAGO and Network could hook you up, or you can contact the Information Centre with your new postcode.
Scout Active Support – You can still be involved in Scouting without the full time commitment. Scout Active Support Units provide a resource to Scouting by means of specialist skills and qualifications or services where required.
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Student Scouts have several choices when they rock up at campus, and each
GET INVOLVEDFor details of SSAGO go towww.ssago.org.uk
To find your local Scout Group (to volunteer) or Network (to join) visit www.scouts.org.uk/join 0845 300 1818 | [email protected]
To find your local Scout Group (to volunteer)
where everyone goes camping for a themed weekend.
In November, over 240 people attended the Silly Hat
Rally in London. The next (called ‘The Legends Rally’)
takes place in Cardiff in February. We’ll be there.
SSAGO’s got ballsSocial occasions are a mainstay of the student Scouting
life, culminating in SSAGO balls, which are held by
individual societies and at national level too. These too
are themed, and always give rise to some hilarious
moments.
Because meetings happen in the evening, they rarely
interrupt studies and tend to get a good turnout.
Activities can be suggested by any member but are
usually the genius ideas of the committee. Comprised
of nine students who are elected annually by SSAGO
members, anyone from any year can stand for positions
such as president, treasurer, Guide/Scout liaison
officers, social secretary, webmaster and more. If you
know your onions, and would like to get involved in the
organisation of SSAGO, you’ll find a role that suits you.
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10 Network February/March 2011
Hallå Sverige
Our programme processing this issue has been done by the International Team, who remind us to join in with the build up to the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. Super (trooper)
The Join-in-Jamboree theme for February is Hallå Sverige
(Hello Sweden). Get involved by cooking up some Swedish fare at
your next overnight event
For the meatballs:2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 red onion 1 tsp of dried or frresh oregano
1 tsp of dried or fresh parsley300g beef mince300g pork mince
1 free-range egg yolk2 tbsp plain flour
Salt and pepper to season
For the tomato sauce:1 tsp of sugar
1 crushed garlic clove1 can (400g) of chopped tomatoes
2 tsp of Worcestershire saucesalt and pepper
To serve:100g cheese (cheddar or parmesan)
For the meatballs:
QUICK AND EASY SWEDISH MEATBALLS
Our World: World Water Day
March’s Join-in-Jamboree theme is ‘Our World’, promoting
awareness and action on international issues
22 March 2011 is World Water Day. This has been
observed since 1993 and was created by the United
Nations in order to recognise the issues surrounding
water supplies and promote activities relating to water
awareness.
In March, members of your Scout Network can come
together to promote water awareness to other sections
in your Counties and Districts. Be creative in how you
deliver some activities to another section. You could run
games involving water awareness which are in other
sectional Join-in-Jamboree resources, available to view
online at www.scouts.org.uk/wsj2011. Alternatively,
you can search for programme activities involving water
on Programmes Online at www.scouts.org.uk/pol.
You could also make a presentation to other sections,
discussing their own level of water use and what can be
done to reduce water consumption. The choice is yours,
but be creative.
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Programme factory
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Let us know what you’ve been doing to Join-in-Jamboree by posting your pictures and comments on the Scout Network Supplement group on Facebook.
Join in and share
Looking aheadThe themes for April, May and June are:
April – Make a change! Make a difference! Get
involved with a life-changing charity, such as ShelterBox.
You can do this via the ShelterBox Experience on
18-20 March or 13-15 May. Find out more at
www.youngshelterbox.org/events.php
May – Scouting Skills. Replicate a Swedish landmark
with a supersize pioneering project. Enter the Network
flagpole competition by building it and sending us your
photos.
June – Working together. Get the team going and
put your skills to use with other sections, or using
the Taking the Lead resource.
www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead
Instructions1. Dice the onion and fry in 1 tablespoon of
olive oil for 3 minutes until the onion softens. Remove from the heat and put to one side.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the pork mince, beef mince, oregano, parsley and flour with your hands for 2-3 minutes.
3. Separate the white and yolk from an egg. Beat the yolk using a fork and add this to bowl. The egg yolk will bind all the ingredients together.
4. Add the cooked onions to the bowl and season the mixture with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Mix the ingredients again for 1 minute with your hands.
5. Sprinkle a tablespoon of flour onto a work surface or plate. Take some of the mixture from the bowl, quickly turn it in the flour and then roll it in your hands to make a
golf-ball sized meatball. Repeat this until you have run out of mixture.
6. Using the pan you fried the onions in, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Then cook the meatballs on a medium heat for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. To ensure the meatballs are thoroughly cooked, cut one in half. The meat should be brown all the way through. If there are any hints of pink, put them back on the heat.
8. When cooked, remove the meatballs from the heat but keep them warm while you make the sauce.
9. In a saucepan, add the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, crushed garlic, salt and pepper. Stir well and allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes.
10. Pour the hot sauce over your meatballs and sprinkle with your choice of cheese.
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12 Network February/March 2011
Enter the academy
Trialled last year, the activity academies are
back, and an ideal way of fast-tracking your
Network to a series of skills. Elis Matthews
recalls the successful pilot
‘W hat’s the difference between a life
jacket and a buoyancy aid?’ The
question was thrown out,
followed by a pregnant pause.
Eyes fell to the floor, course mates looked suspiciously
at each other. From the back of the room, an answer
was offered… ‘A life jacket puts the buoyancy behind
the neck to keep your head the right way up when
you’re in trouble in the water; a buoyancy aid keeps you
generally afloat.’
This could have been a scene from any activity
assessment, but the setting was Hawkhirst Scout
Activity Centre on the banks of the picture-perfect
Kielder Water, and the context was The Scout
Association’s pilot Activity Academy. The week-long
course, organised to allow Scout Network members
and leaders aged under 25 to gain canoeing, sailing
and power boating qualifications and Scout activity
permits, focused on water activities, making the most of
the facilities the centre has to offer the outdoor enthusiast.
Repeat formulaThis spring, the academies return with an extended
offer. As well as repeating the water activities course at
Hawkhirst, there’s a more general (but no less useful)
Introduction to Instructing course being held at
Youlbury Scout Activity Centre which aims to give you
the tools to become an effective outdoor instructor.
If the first academy was anything to go by, these
intensive courses are worth investing the time in, as you
have the opportunity to gain experience and
qualifications that usually would take several weeks at a
greater overall cost. There’s also the added benefit of
attending the academy with like-minded souls from all
over, rather than the same old faces.
Skilful mentorsIt takes a special something to turn a group of
twentysomething strangers into a crooning bunch of
wetsuited posers within 48 hours of first meeting, but
that’s the memory I’ll take away from the sun-kissed
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Activity Academies 2011
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jetty of the Hawkhirst site. Young men and women,
who signed up to learn technical skills on the water, got
new friends and new ideas about what it means to be a
Scout in the 21st century out of the bargain.
The staff are brilliant. Working at everyone’s level,
offering honest and practical answers to the technical
questions, offering reassurance and guidance without
condescension. The expertise that exists within the
teams at our national Scout Activity Centres is first rate,
but it’s cheerfully passed down, with the newer members
of the staff being subjected to the usual rites of passage
(Mike, the sailing instructor, was dunked in the water by
the sailing class shortly before I left).
We take all comersSome of the participants had only just turned 18, and
new to Network and adult leadership. The course
opened their eyes to the section and to the possibilities
getting activity qualifications can lead to. There were
also seasoned leaders, and competent sailors and
paddlers, for whom the course offered a timely
refresher and a chance to validate the skills they had
with the appropriate certification. But in the middle was
the social melding of a new group, the first graduates
of the ‘Activity Academy’, who continued their
conversations via Facebook and Skype.
You might not be the first class to experience the
academy, but you’ll be part of a select bunch if you get
quickly booked on the impending courses. I can’t
recommend them highly enough, and indoor
accommodation and hearty food is provided so you can
focus on getting the most out of the sessions. Both
academies take place during the week from 28 March
to 1 April, and full details can be found at
www.scouts.org.uk/events
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14 Network February/March 2011
Où est la piscine?
T he international element of the Network
programme is one of its shining lights, as it
allows us to discover new countries and
broaden our horizons as Scouts and active
citizens. Yet sometimes our nearest neighbours hold the
key to discovering more about our Scouting, and about
ourselves.
I was recently introduced to a new event being
organised by the Scouts et Guides de France, exclusively
for Scouts and Guides aged 17-22. Staged over four
days (22-25 April) in the French capital, Paris d’Avenir is
geared towards giving youth members the tools to feel
empowered in making a difference in their local
communities, inspiring creativity (for which the
flamboyant French are famous) and invoking cultural
exchange in the centre of one of Europe’s greatest
metropolises.
Everybody needs good neighboursAs UK Scouting’s Global Adviser for Europe (one of
two) I’m keen to highlight the advantages of Networks
exploring what Scouting has to offer in our own
continent. An active and diverse Scouting community
awaits, and Paris d’Avenir would be one of the most
economic ways to access this in 2011.
The event has three themes, spread over the
weekend. They are:
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT. Making choices and being
committed here and now allows us to reach our
potential and find happiness.
CREATIVITY. By innovating and creating we are the
change we want to see in the world
INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE. Meeting each other is
using our differences as a basis to build peace.
Lost in translationOnce you get past the bizarre version of English spoken
in Europe by Scouts who are not native speakers, and
try and wheel out your best GCSE French (Je m’appelle,
Je voudrais, Où est? and so on) you’ll soon find much in
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International
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A new event across the Channel could open up
a new avenue of discovery. James Boyle says bonjour
to Paris d’Avenir
common with your French counterparts (known as
Compagnons) and begin up to ‘104 journeys’ that will
help you build a better world.
Add to this social occasions (Souk), an Easter
celebration, a street action in Central Paris (Happening)
and some Scouting activities and you’ve got a perfect
Parisian weekend with your mates (and some new
friends).
Saturday programme – The number 104The main day of Paris d’Avenir centres around the
number 104, with projects, partners, hunts and arty
stuff to participate in.
104 JOURNEYS. An afternoon of community service
with Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) involved
in building a better world. These range from ‘Double
click on the mouse’ to ‘Handi lip dub’.
104 CLUES. A scavenger hunt to discover the
cosmopolitan Paris. Armed with a metro map and
a sense of joie de vivre, you’ll be challenged to work
in teams to find the answers.
104 MINUTES. An artistic evening exploring
intercultural dialogue. What talent will you bring?
This event does have a unique ring about it, and the
more UK Networks that take part, the better it will be.
Give the website a visit and take your place in
contributing to the Paris of the future.
If you’d like more information, or can’t wait to book, get what you need at www.parisdavenir.eu or drop James a line at [email protected]. There are advisers for all world Scouting regions. See them at www.scouts.org.uk/globaladvisers
Bienvenue
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16 Network February/March 2011
World aware, world helpfulThe third Scouts of the World Discovery was held over two weekends in September 2010 at Ullesthorpe Scout Campsite, Leicestershire. Scout Network members from all over the UK attended and, for the first time, the Discovery focused on two themes: environment and peace. Chris Dean reports
On the first weekend participants spent a day
exploring one or other of the themes. A
group visited the Derby sewage treatment
works at Spondon to learn about waste,
clean water and renewable energy – the site is already
60% self-sufficient – and then travelled to Carsington
Water to assess the environmental impact of this Severn
Trent reservoir. The other group headed to Leicester,
where their task was to investigate the success of
various initiatives aimed at improving community
cohesion. Results were shared amongst all participants.
Another day was spent on generic skill training
including prejudice and stereotyping, conflict resolution,
and problem solving.
Turbine testersThe main emphasis of the second weekend was
developing such skills as project management, and
working on action plans for the Scouts of the World
Voluntary Service, a project lasting 14 days. This was
reinforced with presentations from Practical Action and
the first two UK Scouts to achieve the award, Rosie
Hawley and Matthew Abbott, and a real hands-on
demonstration of assembling a medium-size wind
turbine suitable for generating energy in rural villages in
developing countries.
Next stepsThe second stage is for the participants to spend a
period of time reflecting on their experience at the
Discovery, introducing programme ideas in their local
Scouting communities, and planning their voluntary
service projects in detail. The Scouts of the World
Voluntary Service will take them to many different parts
of the world in small teams, from Nepal to Singapore,
and Korea to Uganda. Mentors will be on hand to
support and keep track of progress, and a Reunion and
catch-up weekend took place in December 2010.
SCOUTS OF THE WORLDThe Scouts of the World Award is an award of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). Find out more about it at www.scout.org
The team works as they build a wind turbine
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International Links
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As the old adage goes, ‘There are no strangers in Scouting, just friends you’ve yet to meet.’ Peter Ford considers the International Links Scheme, and how it might just hook your Network up with a new global possibility
T he International Links Scheme offers a
means of communicating with other Scouts
abroad and provides an ‘international
experience’ without necessarily having to
leave town. The traditional concept of writing a letter
has now given way to members all over the world from
Australia to Malawi and Hong Kong to Zimbabwe
requesting links with Scouts online.
As well as exchanging emails, International Links/
penpals can now talk to each other on Skype, share
photos and videos using any number of online tools
(including Group websites, MSN and YouTube), and link
up with each other in October during JOTA-JOTI, the
world’s largest International Scouting event! There’s still
room for snail mail though... badge swaps, anyone?
Why make an international link? Scouting has always promoted international peace,
understanding and co-operation by encouraging
contact between members from various countries and
cultures. These connections help develop a broader
awareness of the global community, seeing what they
have in common and what the differences are between
themselves and Scouting friends globally.
Reasons to be global:
• Opportunity to make new friends
• Helps you complete the International Partnership
Award and International areas of the International,
Values, Environment list for Chief Scout’s and
Queen’s Scout Awards
• Build relationships that can last a lifetime
• Swap photos, programme ideas and camp
experiences.
• Leaders can exchange ideas with, and gain support
from, an international counterpart with similar
interests and goals
• Maybe even visit and camp together.-
How do you find a link?If you are interested in trying to organise a link, please contact Peter Ford, International Links Co-ordinator, by email [email protected] or register online at www.scouts.org.uk/intlinks. The scheme can be used by individual youth members and leaders, as well as Group links between sections. You can also search for, and share experiences of, international campsites online by using the new Globe Trekker tool. Go to globetrekker.scouts.org.uk to start your quest.
21st-century penpals
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18 Network February/March 2011
FebruaryFun in Beds.25-27 Feb.
Bedfordshire Network Camp.
Cost: £25 (before 5 Feb) £35 after.
Hub Camp 2011.25-27 Feb.
Nethy Bridge, near Aviemore.
www.scout-network.org.uk
MarchOperation Red Flare.5 March, Surrey Hills.
Night incident hike for teams of 4-7.
www.glswscouts.org.uk/2011/
operation-red-flare
Network Activity Academies. 28 March to 1 April.
Introduction to Instructing @
Youlbury | Watersports @ Hawkhirst
See p12-13 for more information.
AprilApex Overnight Challenge. 9-10 April, Sherwood Forest.
Tough challenge event including
climbing, caving, mountain bikes
and more.
www.apexchallenge.co.uk
Paris D’Avenir.22-25 April 2011.
International Rover event. See
p14-15 for more information.
www.parisdavenir.eu
Events
SErbiaN ExplorEr bElt ExpEditioNTeam Penguin, a group of three Scout Network and Guide members undertook their Explorer Belt Award expedition across Serbia in August 2010. Helen and Louie tell us what it was like
The trip was for 17 days and was the biggest challenge in Team Penguin’s lives so far. We gathered at the Serbian headquarters in Sabac ready to begin. We were very nervous as we couldn’t plan routes until the day before we were due to leave, which was nerve-racking. Our nerves increased after we planned our route and it dawned on us how far we would be walking for ten days with our really heavy bags – our first day was 22km.
We had a fantastic time during the expedition.
The Serbian people were so kind to us and helped at every opportunity, even though many couldn’t speak a word of English. We were offered drinks and food wherever we stopped or even when just passing by their house. We helped on a farm doing chores, hiked like a walking jumble sale with washing drying on our backs and Ben even had his hair shaved off as one of the challenges. Along the way we made some great friends, who we hope to keep in touch with in the future.
It felt like we had walked 1,000 miles but completing the challenge gave us a great sense of achievement. If you ever get the chance to experience an Explorer Belt, then do it. www.scouts.org.uk/explorerbelt
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WALTON FIRS ACTIVITY CENTREConvent lane, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1HB
Owned and managed by Walton Firs Foundation
Warm & Friendly Welcome3 Accommodation Buildings, 30 acres of Camping Ground
Activities, Open Fires & Easily Accessible
Wardens: Sue & Dave McIntosh 01932 8632243Email: [email protected]
www.waltonfirs.co.ukWalton Firs are pleased to welcome Scouts
Please note that while we welcome Scouts, this centre is neither owned nor run by The Scouts Association
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