Scouting Magazine - August/September 2010 by The Scout Association

g n i t u Sco tember 2010 August/Sep

Scouting AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010

.uk/magazi scouts.org

BACK TO SCOUTING Prepare for the new term MUSICAL YOUTHS Scouts who rock OVERNIGHT TRAINING Key changes to the training scheme NEW SCOUTING TERM SCOUTS.ORG.UK/MAGAZINE

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L L O R A ON drops t u o c S f e i h The C he North East in on t

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SCOUTING Scouting Editors: Chris James, Hilary Galloway, Elis Matthews and Dave O’Carroll Production Controller: Rose Wells The national magazine of The Scout Association ISSN 0036 – 9489 © 2010 The Scout Association Registered Charity Numbers 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland) Published by: The Scout Association Gilwell House, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW Tel: 0845 300 1818 Fax: 020 8433 7103 Email: scouting.magazine@scouts.org.uk Website: www.scouts.org.uk/magazine Contributions to: scouting.magazine@scouts.org.uk Please note that the views expressed by members and contributors in the magazine are not necessarily those of The Scout Association. Publishing Management: Think Publishing Ltd, The Pall Mall Deposit, 124-128 Barlby Road, London W10 6BL Sub-editors: Rica Dearman and Marion Thompson Art Director: Ian Hart ADVERTISING Sales Executive: Richard Ellacott richard.ellacott@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1250 Printed and distributed by: Headley Brothers Ltd Printed on 100% recycled paper

CONTRIBUTORS IAN HISLOP, Have I Got News for You team captain, editor of Private Eye magazine, writer, broadcaster, commentator and Scouting Ambassador, is on page 37. PAULINA SEKRECKA is a Programme and Development Adviser for Diversity at The Scout Association. She introduces The Faith Walk on page 46. Cover photo: Martyn Milner

LOG ON – DON’T MISS OUT If you have moved house, want to change your section supplement or amend your personal details, you can update with a click of the mouse: • Sign up at www.scouts.org.uk – you only need to do this once. You will need your unique membership number to hand (this can be found on the address sheet that comes with Scouting magazine) • Log on • Update your details and anyone else’s you are line manager for • Logging on today also means you can access Programmes Online, the revolutionary programme planner!

90,571 average circulation from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2009

WHY BEING

LOYAL

MATTERS OK, from my weird way of remembering the seven Scouting principles (Ten Little Fat Fingers Caught The Rat), we’re on to Little, and the L stands for Loyalty. We live in a very fickle world where if we don’t like something, there is great pressure just to bin it and replace it. We see this applied to so many things from shoes to marriages. The irony is that the more we seek perfection, the less satisfaction we find. Loyalty seems quite old-fashioned, but the truth is that it is more relevant than ever. Who has ever been let down by a friend? Or who has ever had a friend stick up for you in a difficult moment? Life is about relationships and relationships thrive when we show loyalty. How we act in big moments defines us, and how we behave when important things are on the line is how we are remembered and valued. So let’s be the sort of person that shows loyalty. Maybe this is why Scouting is experiencing such growth: we care and we value people. And loyalty is a very big part of that. Next issue we are on to: F…

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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Contents

REGULARS 9 IN BRIEF | What Scouts have been up to 11 MAILBOX 12 NEWS | Events, campaigns and updates 46 FAITHS & BELIEFS | Discover The Faith Walk with Paulina Sekrecka 51 FOR/AGAINST | Should Scouting try harder to be cool? 52 HEALTH & WELLBEING | Get ready for winter! 61 COUNTRY DIARY | Fresh fish is on James Taylor’s camping menu 63 CAMP COOKING | Oven-free ideas from Pauline Peters 76 COMPETITION | Win a stay in a Scouting Activity Centre 81 ROUND OUR PLACE | One Bristol Group is based in a children’s hospital 82 FIVE MILES WITH… STEVE SUDBURY | Yuan Bear’s story

FEATURES

20 MISSION: POSSIBLE | The Chief Scout’s tour of the North East 25 BACK TO SCOUTING | The new Scouting year is almost upon us 33 GET BACK IN THE (3G) SWING | Dust off the summer cobwebs and visit a Scout Activity Centre 34 ‘I TAUGHT MY DAD HOW TO READ A MAP’ | Parents play their part in The Big Adventure 37 MY OWN PRIVATE EYE | A look at Ian Hislop’s busy life 38 PRIDE AND PRIVILEGE | The impact that Scouting has had in the Lake District

42 ‘THE TREES HAVE EARS’ | Eighteen trees every Scout should recognise 48 SCHOOL OF ROCK | Scouts in Nottinghamshire are taking heavy metal very seriously 54 OVERNIGHT SUCCESS | Changes to the Adult Training Scheme 56 ALL JOIN IN | You don’t have to go to Sweden to enjoy next year’s Jamboree 58 SUPPORT BLUEPRINT | Scout Active Support and service agreements

CONTENTS OPINION

7 LASTING IMPRESSIONS | UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt on making volunteers feel welcomed and valued

PARTNERSHIPS 67 PROMOS & RESOURCES

IN THE SUPPLEMENTS BEAVERS Be prepared for the 25th anniversary and building projects | CUBS Create a treasure hunt, plus we meet a Cub Pack turning its community around | SCOUTS Tricks for teaching skills, judo partnership and winter activities | EXPLORERS Doing the DofE, make a soapbox cart and training for District Explorer Scout Commissioners | NETWORK Partnership awards, fundraising tips and why eating disorders are ruining lives | FOCUS Attracting new adults – and keeping them, plus make the most of Scout Active Support All available at scouts.org.uk/magazine

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Opinion

from the blog

SUCCESSFUL SUPPORT

While researching for an article regarding Scout Active Support, I came across the 4th Worcester Park Unit, just one of a growing number of Scout Active Support success stories. ‘In the face of tragedy’, 14 June

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

A large number of new volunteers leave within the first six months. Even more reason to be as welcoming as possible, says Wayne Bulpitt

’ve been a national volunteer for a while now, so it’s been a long time since I’ve had to do an investiture. I was a little nervous and rusty to say the least so it was a great relief when I got the Promise right – even if we didn’t quite synchronise the recital. The occasion was the investiture of Chris Harris, recently appointed Regional Commissioner, North West England. Chris has a wealth of youth work and management experience and is ideally poised to oversee and support

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

We had identified some time ago the significant amount of time spent by Groups looking to redevelop their meeting facilities and have tried to identify ways in which we may be able to assist from HQ. The building fund project has enabled us to learn a large number of lessons. Initial findings are that all projects have been successful, that positive publicity has increased local community support. ‘The rural home of food’, 7 June

County Commissioners, but he is also new to Scouting.

Warm welcomes Do you remember what it is like when you walk into a room of strangers for the first time, or when you go along to a function and everybody is chatting in their little groups and there doesn’t seem to be a space for you? As we begin another new Scouting year and term, give a thought to those that have offered to help you,

perhaps through your summer camp, or a Big Adventure, and are coming along for the first time. Are you making them feel welcome and giving them something to do, or are you chuckling because they haven’t yet grasped some of our traditions or things we take for granted? A significant number of new volunteers leave in the first six months, mainly because they haven’t been made to feel valued and welcomed – remember, first impressions are lasting impressions.

get in touch Wayne Bulpitt is UK Chief Commissioner. Email him at ukcc@scouts.org.uk or write to him at The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; catch up with his blog at www.scouts.org.uk/ccblog

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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In brief

A small slice of Scouting life

Moving on up As we all prepare for the new Scouting term, one Beaver Scout discusses the change to Cubs

‘I’ve just turned eight and will be going to Cubs after the summer. The best thing about Beavers was going on all-day outings. It was better than I imagined it would be. It’s great fun and I got to make new friends. We did all kinds of activities from educational stuff, like arts and crafts, sports, games, sponsored walks, barbecues, hiking in the woods, archery, walking and climbing. ‘I am very excited about becoming a Cub; I think I will be able to do many more outings and am really looking forward to going camping – that’s the thing I’m looking forward to most. I will miss Beavers, as I liked my leaders and Colony very much, but some of my friends have already moved up to Cubs and some will be moving on with me.’

Scouting peculiars As Scouts we all like a challenge. These ones took it to recordbreaking lengths. It was stripes all round for the largest collection of Where’s Wally? in one place in the largest 24-hour sleepover. Not content with joining 15,000 other participants for the Guinness World Record biggest sleepover, they dug out their Wally woollies mid-summer to make it an extra-special event.

Other world records: The largest neckerchief and woggle was made in 2009 by Holbeach and Spalding Scout District. Neckerchief: 14.2m x 11.1m x 11.1m Woggle: 40cm x 50cm 75 Scouts from Sweden baked the longest damper bread, stretching 125m And of course we’re the largest youth organisation in the world. For more world records, visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com

Top five tips for the new Scouting term

Use your imagination Keep yourself and your Scouts challenged by trying something new, whether it’s a new activity, visit or party. Make the most of resources Plan your whole term programme on Programmes Online, and sit back and relax. www.scouts.org.uk/pol Utilise assistance Invite your local Scout Active Support Unit to come and show you their skills or help. Be prepared Arrive early. Even better, visit the week before to sort out your kit. Give a friendly welcome Greet your old and new Scouts warmly (see page 7).

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Mailbox Email us at scouting.magazine@scouts.org.uk or write to Scouting magazine, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW

STAR LETTER

Best rd rewa We recently had a weekend Group camp. The activities were simple basic Scouting skills such as axe and saw handling, fire lighting, backwoods cooking and pioneering. Some were held as a Group activity and some in the individual sections, so each section was able to see what the others had been doing. This was a tremendous way to encourage the younger members to move up to the next section. We had no high adventure activities, just simple Scouting. The best reward for me was when a young Cub Scout said to me, unprompted, ‘Akela, this is way better than school residential. I’ll definitely come again.’

Diana Green CSL – 1st Great Broughton Cubs

The writer of the star letter will receive a copy of A Complete Guide to Scouting Skills, also available from www.scouts.org.uk/shop

Online – off-limits There is a growing tendency to promote the use of social networking sites among our Members (Scouting, April/May issue), but has anyone read the terms and conditions for these sites? Both Facebook and Twitter restrict the use of their services to those aged 13 and over. Should we be promoting the use of something which the providers themselves consider unsuitable for a large part of our membership? By posting information through this medium we are encouraging young people to break the rules put in place to safeguard them. And, as mentioned in the article, once you place something online, it is in the public domain where anyone can access it. Andy Stockden DSL Medway Towns Editor’s response: Scouting is sent to adult members although, of course, some young people read it. Social networks are useful communication tools and we use them within the Explorer and Network age ranges. There can be a problem with privacy and being tagged in photos, and of course, there has been much recent media coverage about the child protection and safeguarding issues. The guidelines are helpful, particularly for those who are new to social networking. We will still promote this means of communication along with good practice advice. As with most things, it is about finding the correct balance. www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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Events, updates and news from around the UK

news The Duke pays a visit

The Clewer Scout and Guide Group shares its birthday with Prince Philip so it was fitting that the Duke of Edinburgh himself paid a visit as it celebrated its recent Centenary. The occasion was also marked by the opening of the Group’s refurbished headquarters. The Prince was shown a variety of displays and spoke to both young people and leaders. Six Explorer Scouts delivered a presentation about the Duke of Edinburgh Award and responded to subsequent Royal queries about their expeditions and challenges. The Prince also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening.

Toys, toys, toys

A young person’s dream of spending the night in one of the most famous toy stores came true for the 14th Hackney Scout Group. Its members took part in the BT Giant Sleepover and were delighted to find themselves being given an exclusive out-of-hours VIP tour of Hamleys in London. The Cubs were impressed with a giant bed specially made for them which measured 17.5m (57’5”). They had a go on Paper Jamz, an exciting new toy which hadn’t yet been released, and the staff at Hamleys presented them with a goody bag each the next morning.

Kids Say Slow Down! The theme of this year’s Road Safety Week, 22-28 November, is Kids Say Slow Down! Scouts can join in by

requesting a free poster and downloading ideas for fundraising during the week and after. Organised by the charity Brake, the

idea is to publicise the dangers of speeding, especially in towns and villages and around schools and other buildings used by young people.

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News

Want more? Visit www.scouts.org.uk/news

Design your law

Jay has it all taped up

Jay Biggs would like to meet all of you – well, at least one person from every Scout Group in the UK, and shake their hand. Jay’s challenge is to take a Group nametape from every Group she meets and sew it on to a banner. The collection will then be auctioned and the proceeds split between The Scout Association and the NSPCC. Over the past few months she has met more than 100 different Groups. To find out more about Jay’s challenge and help her reach her target, visit www.JaysBigAdventure.co.uk

Brake is a charity working to stop road deaths and injuries and provides support to people bereaved and injured in road crashes. Police forces are getting involved by running speed

The Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) is running a contest open to Scouts worldwide. Groups or individuals are invited to create a piece of artwork or a concept which represents one of the International Scout Laws. Visit www.kisc.ch for full information.

enforcement initiatives and road safety education campaigns. Visit www. roadsafetyweek.org for more information.

Adventure for all Gilwell Park has resounded to the sound of summer adventure as thousands of young people attended major national events. The ever-popular Beaver and Cub Fundays attracted more than 8,000 young people and their leaders in June. Explorer Scouts and Senior Section Guides defied stifling temperatures the following month to take on the Gilwell 24 challenge.

From the mighty Oak

A small supply of 2010 edition Wood Badges has been made from the famous Gilwell Oak tree. Each badge comes in an engraved presentation box with a numbered certificate of authenticity. Prices range from £35 for a two-bead badge, £40 for a three-bead badge and £45 for a four-bead badge. Available from www.sbuk.org.uk/ info.centre/catalog.php www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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Events, updates and news from around the UK

FREE SHELTERBOX BOOKLET

More than 500 Scouts took part in a scavenger hunt for the Shelterbox Big Green Box Week. The hunt took Cubs and Scouts around famous landmarks in London. For fun ideas download a fundraising booklet at www.youngshelterbox.org

Scouting Sunday 2010 This autumn we hope to repeat the success of last year’s Scouts Speak Up events at the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour Party Conferences. These events are open to Explorer and Network Members and their leaders.

This is rocket science

It really is – design, build and launch your own rocket at the National Space Centre in Leicester. The centre promises an out-of-this-world summer for its visitors, with a new Space Theatre Show, Space Hop Summer Story Time and handson challenges. The UK’s largest planetarium and new Rocket Tower with three amazing decks can’t fail to impress. Visit www.spacecentre.co.uk

The details are as follows:

Liverpool: Liberal Democrat, 19 September, 1-3pm, Liverpool Hilton, 3 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool L1 8LW Manchester: Labour, 26 September, 5-7pm, Arora International,

18-24 Princess Street, Manchester M1 4LY Birmingham: Conservative, 3 October, 5.30-7.30pm, Malmaison, 1 Wharfside Street, Birmingham B1 1RD There will be refreshments and a light buffet at each event, and a travel bursary of up to £40 per person is on offer. If you’d like to help out please email citizen@scouts.org.uk with ‘Party Conference’ in the subject line, indicating which event(s) you want to attend and how many people from your Group plan to come.

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News

Want more? Visit www.scouts.org.uk/news

And oh, those summer nights

Image: Stephen Dalton

Go bat-mad, seek out moths and glow worms, look upwards for the Perseid meteor shower and tiptoe through the woods to find the shy nightjar. The National Trust has a variety of interesting and exciting night-time walks and talks for all ages right across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Some events need to be booked early so visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/darkskies now and enjoy a fascinating glimpse into the nocturnal world.

Scouting photobook No more sticking photos into an album, instead create your own book with digital photos, words, backgrounds and much more to record your time as a Scout. These make great keepsakes, presents or yearbooks for everybody in your Troop! www.blissettphotobooks.com

SWING HIGH, SWING LOW

Jungle Parc is a high-wire forest adventure where visitors can trek through the trees on more than 40 different activities, such as zip wires, Tarzan swings and cargo nets. The courses cater for all abilities and ages. Visit www.jungleparc.co.uk to find out more.

And the winner is

Some Scouts just can’t wait for 2012 and for the past three years have held their own Olympics. The University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, hosted the Muslim Scout Fellowship games, attracting more than 350 Scouts from across the country. The Wales Scout Chancellor, Yasif Hassan, opened the event in which young people participated in a variety of races. Competing on their home ground, the 1st Cathays Al Huda Scout Group was determined to hold on to the Cup for the third year in a row. They succeeded by a large margin with a total of 288 points. In second place was the 1st Bristol Muslim Scout Group with 205 points and in third place, the 11th St Marylebone Scout Group with 185 points. Naveed Rahamn, Scout Leader with the 1st Cathays, says, ‘I’m very proud of my Scouts. It was an amazing day, truly showing the spirit of Scouting.’

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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News

Want more? Visit www.scouts.org.uk/news

POWER TO THE PEDAL

The 2010 Cycle Show rides in to Earls Court during 8-10 October. As more people are taking to cycling, the show has something for all tastes, styles, abilities and budgets. There’s an area for disabled cyclists to test the latest kit, a commuter test track, Kids Craft Zone and amazing displays from BMX riders. All the latest fashion trends to help you look the part will also be on show. There’s free secure bike parking to encourage visitors to ride to the event. For details of ticket prices, visit www.cycleshow.co.uk

Uniform and badges

One of the most puzzling things facing parents when the new term starts is where to place all the badges their young Scout will be earning. If they are not too sure, direct them to the following web page where they can download a diagram for each section: www.scouts.org.uk/ documents/por/2010_ updates/uniforms_ main.pdf. For more on new uniforms check out page 28.

Scout honours

A number of Scouts have been recognised in a national awards scheme. Among them the 22nd South Shields (Brownsea) Scout Group received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for the Group’s facilities, training and friendship in South Tyneside. The 46th Norwich Scout Group was nominated by the public for the work it does with young people with special needs. The award recognises the hard work and contribution to communities by voluntary groups and individuals. Scouts were also recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours, with Steve Reeves, Head of Safeguarding at The Scout Association, and Roy Davidson, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Scotland, receiving MBEs for service to the voluntary sector.

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT SERVICE

Monthly rate after deduction of Management Commission: May 2010 June 2010

0.020% 0.020%

0.520% 0.520%

Interest at the higher rate applies to deposits of £5,000 and above. Contact Frances on 020 8433 7252 (Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm) for further information.

St George’s Day Award Recipients 2010

Amendment: The Silver Acorn was awarded to Lilian Henderson MBE, District President, Blackpool and District, West Lancashire, and not OBE as previously stated. www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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UPDATES

Keep up to speed with the latest changes to factsheets, new resources and policy news

News

Want more? Visit www.scouts.org.uk/news

Closure of roles

From 31 December 2010, all current Scout Fellowship roles will be closed on www. scouts.org.uk. Those who want to continue to support Scouting must be registered as Scout Active Support members, especially if they have no other active Scouting role. Before a Scout Active Support member can be added, a Scout Active Support Manager must be appointed and registered on www.scouts.org.uk. This role is an appointment of the Group Scout Leader, District Commissioner or County/Area/ Regional Commissioner. For further advice, contact laura.mcmanus@scouts.org.uk

GSL Support

Accounting and Audit requirements

Confetti Cubs

What more could the blushing bride ask for to complete her perfect wedding? The Eglinton Cubs (6th Londonderry) wanted to be more than just spectators on Bagheera’s big day. Looking resplendent in their uniforms, they formed a guard of honour for their Assistant Cub Leader Lorna and her new husband Steven, sprinkling them with confetti as they left the church.

The Scout Association has issued updated guidance on the Accounting and Audit Requirements for Groups, Districts, Counties/Areas and Scottish Regions. This is set out in Factsheet LT103950 which can be downloaded from www.scoutbase.org. uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/lt103950.pdf or obtained from the Information Centre.

Updated factsheets

FS120079 | Accidents – Leaders’/ Commissioners’ Guide

Updated resources

Module 30: Trainers’ Notes

New resources

Keys to Success: Group Scout Leaders This booklet is designed to help explain the role of the Group Scout Leader. For those who have taken on (or are considering) this role and are looking for guidance and further information. Group Induction Pack, District Induction Pack and User Guide A Group Induction Pack template is now available, designed for GSLs to use to create induction packs for new volunteers. This template will help you to create an induction pack for an adult taking on a new role in your Group. These resources are all available through www.scouts.org.uk/appointment

Vetting and Barring Scheme Take four Ambassadors

Ambassadors for UK Scouting provide a valuable resource for the Movement. Highprofile individuals help promote the benefits of Scouting to a wide audience, their areas of expertise covering a variety of roles. Joining our band of Ambassadors is Dawud Wharnsby, a poet and musician; pioneering climber and ski mountaineer Tom Avery and Jo Whiley and Chris Evans (above) who are both well-known radio and television presenters.

The UK Government has announced a review and remodelling of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, halting the planned implementation of the scheme. The requirement for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Access Northern Ireland disclosures remains unchanged. The Scout Association still intends to implement eCRB and is currently working with the CRB to assess the impact that the removal of the VBS requirement may have on this process.

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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M&Y Agency/Rex Features

A new virtual induction resource for Group Scout Leaders (GSLs) is now available on www.scouts.org.uk/gslsupport. In six sessions, GSL Support explains the key aspects of the role and puts GSLs in touch with the people there to support them.

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Feature

: n o i s s i m

possible

One Chief Scout + 24 events + 10,000 Scouts = one big weekend of adventure

xcitement hung heavy in the air as Scout Network Members stared expectantly into the sky. After some time, at last, a distant speck became visible on the horizon. As it increased in size, the murmurs became more audible: ‘Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s Bear and he’s in the air…’

The noise of the helicopter, dubbed ‘Bear Force One’, drowned out the cheers as it touched down at Grimsby Docks – one of the last destinations on Chief Scout Bear Grylls’ tour of the North East Region. Bear went climbing with Beavers in Raywell, shared survival skills with Cubs at Blackhills campsite and sailed alongside

a group of Scouts in South Shields. At Grimsby Docks he was to try out canoe polo. Afterwards he chatted to the Scouts before jumping into Bear Force One once again, which took off and disappeared over the horizon, leaving the Scout Network Members with an experience they would cherish for a very long time.

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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‘I thought he was really cool because he wore sunglasses. I would like to be like him because he explores woods.’ James, Beaver Scout

What Bear said ‘My visit was such a blast, and I was just so impressed, excited, humbled and moved. You know that there is something powerful afoot when you witness firsthand the amazing energy, commitment and dedication of so many volunteers. The great stories are too numerous to tell, but what shines through every Group and Scout I met was the deep-rooted conviction that together we are all part of something special. ‘Thank you to all the Scouts in the North East for making me (and young son Jesse!) so welcome. You are all amazing. I hope you enjoyed your event as much as I did being a small part of the weekend.’

The young people are excited to meet The Chief Scout

Boroughbridge Group camp ‘A flotilla of kayaks and canoes was launched onto the River Ure and the Explorer Scouts were ready to be on the water with Bear Grylls. The Chief Scout and Jesse were kitted up with buoyancy aids and seated in an open canoe ready to set off down the river. ‘After paddling up and down the Ure, they moored up and Bear Grylls talked to the crowd gathered on the bank. ‘He then had a surprise presentation to make to Explorer Scout Leader Phil Oakley [above]. ‘He awarded The Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct to Phil. This acknowledged the way in which Phil had continued to lead the Explorer Scouts, despite having lost a leg two years ago. Phil even organised and led their recent eventful trip to Morocco, trekking up to 3,000m in the Atlas Mountains and doing whitewater kayaking.’

‘The event went extremely well and it was a fantastic day. I had a really good time and I am very grateful to have this opportunity to meet him. I think Bear Grylls is an amazing Chief Scout.’

Beth, Explorer Scout

Bear visited Scouts of all ages during the tour

Scout Leader Mike Collins

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Feature Showing Beaver Scouts how to light a fire

Bear’s journey so far…

Saturday 29 May

Northumberland Medieval ‘Marra’, Beanley Project Northumberland – expedition visit and overview of project outputs 3rd South Shields sailing activity Climbing Ingleby Greenhow, Middlesbrough Regional gliding, Sutton Bank Easingwold District Centenary Camp, Kilburn Humberside Explorer Scouts mountain biking on MB course, Dalby Forest Pickering Explorer Scouts Expedition, North Yorkshire Moors, Dalby Forest West Yorkshire Duke of Edinburgh expedition, Ogden Moor Scout section event for 31st Wakefield Group, Canal boat expedition, Salterhebble Basin and locks Regional Scout Network Rafting event and barbecue, Mixenden Activity Centre

‘Bear is a genuinely nice person and a real role model for Scouting worldwide. ‘I thought his advice was very useful for our forthcoming expedition and this experience was a great opportunity to learn from the vast knowledge Bear has of the world. He has definitely made an impact on me and my fellow Scouts. ‘This was a once-in-alifetime opportunity to meet one of my idols in exploration and he has really spurred me on with the training and showed me that I must enjoy every minute of it. I’m glad to be here to see it!’

Tim, Explorer Scout

Sunday 30 May

62nd Bradford North launch master class in fire lighting, Blackhills campsite, West Yorkshire Survival camp and master class on fire lighting, Blackhills campsite. Presentation of the Gilt Cross to a Cub Scout Bingley Sea Scouts water sports day North Yorkshire County Cub camp, Pateley Bridge Canoeing, Borough Bridge 1st Garforth Scout Group water activities camp, Aldwark SY Event, Hesley Wood Humberside County Beaver fun day, Raywell site Anlaby Scout Group Family camp Archery with a Special Needs Group, Humberside Scout Network canoe polo, Grimsby Docks Sheffield Children’s Hospital International expedition evening

A social media event

The arrival of our top adventurer caused quite a stir and local media covered the event. Throughout the weekend, we were tweeting, and, locally, volunteers were capturing the momentous occasion on video, as part of Create.tv, and uploading their photographs to Flickr.

Coming to you

Over the next four years, Bear will be travelling across the UK to visit as many Scouts and volunteers as he can. He will be using it as a chance to highlight the different adventures that Scouts do week in week out, and bring more volunteers to Scouting. Watch the video at www.scouts.org.uk/tv

Behind the scenes

Organising such an event required a huge amount of work. Mark Tarry, England Deputy Chief Commissioner, said, ‘I am proud of all the volunteers in the North East Region, particularly all those involved in bringing together the 24 events across the weekend. It was an excellent showcase of Scouting, especially the speed at which these events were organised. Those at the events will be talking about their experiences with Bear for years to come.’

One year on

Where did the time pass? Bear has been Chief Scout for one year and already he’s made a big impact. Within a few months he met, congratulated and delivered an inspirational speech to Explorer and Scout Network Members who received the Queen’s Scout Award. He met Scouts at Windsor, and has also championed the importance of Scouting and his role of Chief Scout on television, radio and in print. ‘It’s year one of being Chief Scout and I’m more excited than ever about where Scouting is going,’ says Bear. ‘My favourite part of the year was hearing some of the Queen’s Scout stories. I’m looking forward to the next four.’

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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14/07/2010 14:58

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET READY FOR THE NEW TERM

guarding nes what’s new in safe p26 Steve Reeves outli James and centre with Chris br e lin on e th er ov sc Di p29 s with Stuart Carter p30 Safety preparation nce checklist p31 Ralph Doe’s insura PLUS uniform changes and getting back into adventure at a Scout Activity Centre

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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16/07/2010 14:11

The new

GUARD Protecting young people is our highest priority, and a huge amount of time and energy is spent ensuring that they are safe when Scouting. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and now is the perfect time to swot up on what’s new and what’s different in this area

Yellow card

Scouting’s Young People First card – or yellow card – has been providing essential advice to adults since 1994. Its fourth edition was recently published and a copy is enclosed with this issue of Scouting. The Movement now explicitly recognises its responsibility to do all that it can to protect young people from neglect and has included this in the policy statement on the front of the card. Obviously, we have always taken all issues affecting the safety of young people seriously, but ensuring that our terminology is up to date helps to focus our minds.

Technology

Our understanding of how to keep young people safe must adapt with the times. Many young people feel that they can’t be separated from their mobile phones and that social networking sites are almost indispensable. This ‘new’ technology provides an opportunity to communicate more quickly and cheaply than before. If we, as adults, are going to

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use this to interact with them, we need to remember to observe the same code of behaviour we would adopt in face-to-face contact. Despite their comfort with technology, young people are not always up to speed about how to stay safe online. Scouting can now provide opportunities for them to learn more about this by taking part in Thinkuknow training. This has been developed by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) – the UK’s specialist law enforcement agency for dealing with child safety online. In order to deliver the package to young people, leaders must have been trained themselves. There are lots of opportunities to attend this free training and, in consultation with the Safeguarding Awareness Coordinator in your County, it may be possible to put on a local training event.

New resources

Free with this issue

We have also developed pocket-sized resources for young people themselves – to provide advice and guidance about how to stay safe and where to get help. These are available free from the Information Centre and section

14/07/2010 17:37

WHERE DID ALL THAT MUD COME FROM?

With Groups returning from the summer break it’s an excellent time to let parents know how important they can be. Many are likely to help out, but they do not necessarily know that you need assistance. The No-Nonsense Parents’ Guide to Scouting can help you break the ice and talk to parents about how they can get involved – whether that’s giving one hour a month or coming on a camping trip. The guide has sold more than 300,000 copies and is a proven successful resource. Scouting can be flexible, but parents need to know this before they can be motivated. This guide is an effective means to do so. Also available is The No-Nonsense Leaders’ Guide to Working with Parents. This explains how to use the parent guide and offers tips on approach techniques. To order the guide, call the Information Centre on 0845 300 1818 or go to www.scouts.org.uk/parents. All you pay is P&P.

leaders are encouraged to circulate and include them in any welcome pack for new members.

Adult training

Safeguarding training is essential to understanding how we can keep young people in Scouting safe, and it has been decided that when appointments are reviewed, adults should be asked to demonstrate that they have attended approved safeguarding training since their last review. Opportunities to take part in safeguarding training will be available locally, but if you find it difficult to attend a session or would rather do it at home, you could always undertake the NSPCC Keeping Children Safe online training package. Details are available from your Safeguarding Awareness Coordinator or the Information Centre.

Tips for engaging with parents

Ask mums and dads to come along for one session to see how it works. Let them know that we have a great section on our website dedicated to parents – www.scouts.org.uk/parents Parents like information on where to get uniforms, badges and sections – as this demystifies the traditions. Let them know about Adventure News, a monthly email for parents. They can sign up at www.scouts.org. uk/subscribe

Information for parents

We need to ensure that young people are kept safe and we should not be shy about this. So a leaflet has been produced which explains our arrangements to parents. This can be used on its own or in conjunction with other parent resources and is freely available from the Information Centre. SAFE And d. All of our contact with parents confirms SOUn that the more open and clear we are about our safeguarding arrangements, the more they trust us and value the leaders working with their children. Does The scouT AssociATion hAve A sAfeTy Policy?

Yes. As an organisation that provides exciting activities to young people we take safety very seriously. If you are concerned about the safety of any Scouting activity and would like to know more about the safety arrangements in place, you should speak to the leaders in your child’s Scout Group or Explorer Unit. You can also call the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818, if you prefer.

No Scouting activities ever take place while there is only one adult and one child present.

The nsPcc sAys ThAT PArenTs shoulD be WAry of...

WhAT Are The ArrAngemenTs for ouTings or cAmPs?

...activities where parents are discouraged from staying to watch or become involved

All leaders taking young people on outings or camps will give you notice in writing, ask for your permission and provide you with a way of contacting the group while they are away.

...behaviour or activities that encourage rough play, sexual innuendo or humiliating punishments

We will never ask to take individual young people away on their own or without another adult being present. ALL residential activities (camps and sleepovers) will have at least two adults present, unless the young people involved are participating in an expedition or event where adults are not expected to attend at all. We will tell you if there is to be no adult presence at an activity.

...individuals who show favouritism or personally reward specific children

No young people under the age of 18 are allowed to consume alcohol while on Scouting activities.

...individuals who take charge and operate independently of organisational guidelines

How we keep

your child safe

in Scouting

...encouragement of inappropriate physical contact

...poor communication and lack of parental involvement, leaving you feeling uneasy ...children who drop out or stop going for no apparent reason

...invitations for children to spend time alone with staff or volunteers (or even to visit their home).

We agree with the NSPCC and would not expect any of these to occur in Scouting.

If you would like to talk to someone about Scouting’s policies or programme please contact the Scout Information Centre on the number opposite:

0845 300 1818 or email

info.centre@scout.org.uk or visit

www.scouts.org.uk/parents

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ts scouts.org.uk/paren

9/11/09 13:14:35

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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14/07/2010 17:39

THE RIGHT TROUSERS Available to buy at Gilwell Reunion

Yes, part of the Scout uniform has changed, with a new range of activity trousers for both leaders and young people now available through Scout Shops, District Scout Shops and other specialist retailers. The results of a 2009 survey on the uniform were taken into consideration when designing the garment, and those who participated in tests – and women leaders in particular – delivered categorical thumbs up on both the fit and style.

Style features

One of the most striking changes is the fit on the women’s trousers, which have an amended front and back rise, an eased fit in the seat and a new waistband. Both men’s and women’s now have a similar style, which features enlarged belt loops, inset and deeper waist pockets (with the additional security of a zip pocket on the right), a new-style cargo pocket on the left leg, which includes a mobile phone pocket, an internal double knee, a less tapered leg and much more.

Size and length

Men’s trousers now start at 30” waist, while young people’s go up to 28” – eliminating any size overlap. Unfinished leg lengths are also available in key sizes for men and women, to cater for taller Scouts.

Better fit

The trousers for young people and adults now have adjustable elastic on the inside of the waistband, like school trousers, so it is easy to adjust the fit. Among the other changes, there are no back pockets on women’s or girls’ trousers or on ages 7/8 and below, while boys’ sizes from ages 9/10 up have a single back pocket with a zip. Adult sizes

£27

Boys’ and girls’ sizes to age 13

£16

Special offer of the

To mark the launch ops is new trousers, Scout Sh lantern giving you a free mini ir worth £6 with every pa sed of adult trousers purcha sit Vi (for a limited period). w w w.scouts.org.uk/ shop to order.

Available to order from 2 September 2010

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Your feedback

‘On the whole, the print centre is a great step forward in ensuring that everyone is “on brand” and corporate in their look’ Dean ‘I think it’s brilliant, thank you. Is there any chance of including cards such as “thank you” and “congratulations”? Some may even want Christmas cards in the future.’ Julie ‘Are we going to get a layout for newsletters?’ Ken

New term, new look, s e r u t n e v d a new

‘I’ll be using the brand centre for knowledge, inspiration and practical tools, and I encourage you to do the same!’ Wayne Bulpitt, UK Chief Commissioner

school uniform before the new w ne ur yo y bu to f of g ruce Remember goin tions need a similar sp ica un m m co al loc ur term? Well, maybe yo

Locally and nationally, we are competing for the same pool of volunteers and donations as many other charities. It is essential, therefore, that we convey a strong, consistent and inspiring image locally to give potential supporters a clear idea of who we are and what we stand for. Scouting is about offering everyday adventure to young people and adults – whether it’s canoeing, climbing or international expeditions. Let’s make our communications reflect this.

New resources

To make things easier we’ve expanded our online print centre, at www.scouts.org.uk/brand. Here you’ll find new templates for posters, flyers, banners, invitations, signage and many other items for you to adapt, personalise and print. It’s easy to use and you can either print resources at home or with our approved commercial partner. On the main brand centre, you’ll also find lots of resources to help bring adventure to life, including videos,

Word templates, our full design guidelines and more.

Easy to use

All items use Scouting’s visual identity, font and colours. There’s no need to own specialist fonts or software to use the system.

Ideas wanted

If you have ideas for templates, comments on the brand centre or would like to share photos of your resources in place, contact communications@scouts.org.uk

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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, d e r a p e Be pr ting. It is the young people join Scou hy w s on as re n ai m ed e eived risk that has help Adventure is one of th rc pe a ith w d ne bi m ities co provide this excitement of new activ responsible adults is to d an rs de lea as le ro r epare e a few thoughts to pr our recent grow th. Ou ar re He le. ib ss po as ly as safe ramme adventure and to do it help you plan your prog to d an rn tu re ur yo r you and your Group fo

Safe meeting place

Ensure your headquarters is a safe place to meet. If you’ve had camping equipment out for the summer, make sure it’s safely stored away. Take precautions with the lifting and handling of heavy items and storage of tools and gas bottles. The factsheet Managing a Safe Scout Premises (FS320010) can help guide you through this process. Are your fire evacuation procedures up to date and clearly displayed? Take time to ensure the young people know what to do and practise this at least once a term. Familiarity will help save lives. Talk to them about it and even make it part of their badge work.

Programme planning

As you plan your programme for the new term, remember to think about safety aspects. Assess the risks as part of your planning, rather than as an afterthought. Conditions are usually still good enough for outdoor activities. Remember to consider elements such as first aid cover, extra adult help and InTouch if you’re going slightly further afield. If you’re travelling on roads and paths, use the opportunity to bring elements of road safety into your programme, such as walking, cycling and visibility (both day and night). You may want to run an adventurous activity, so ensure that the correct permits are in place for those in charge, or use an appropriate centre. Refer to Scout Led Activities Index (FS120084) and Commercially Led Activities Index (FS120086).

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Make sure games are suitable for those taking part

Games

We run games for all sections, so there are a few things to take into account. Prepare the area you are going to use. Move tables or obstructions. Consider controlling the space that will be used and the suitability of the game for the age and ability of those involved. Remind everyone of the rules – you may not have played this for a while or have new members. If you have Young Leaders working with your section, don’t forget that they are still young people with a limited amount of experience that we take for granted. They are a great asset but, however capable they are, they still need to be guided, supported and overseen by responsible adults. If you teach them the fundamentals of running a safe section, they are the best means of passing that on to the section. Don’t forget to record any risks and subsequent controls in an appropriate manner. It can be formally, in a note book, as part of the plan for the evening or as your rules for a game. Happy and safe Scouting!

14/07/2010 17:50

be safe Case study 1

ety ‘I once ran a road saf which rs ave Be evening with ferent dif a g yin had each pla g – the ssin cro n lica pe a part of ing noise, green man, the beep d so on. the car, the driver an they It was great fun and learnt lots too!’ Hannah Brodie r Scout Leader ave Be

Assess the risks as part of your planning, rather than as an afterthought

Insurance checklist Cycling activities are ideal for introducing road safety

Case study 2

g ‘As part of an evenin Pack b Cu my , ing on knott of e ng lle cha had the dge building a simple bri d using chairs, staves an ted na rope. Each Six nomi t en fer members for dif ning sig de : ing jobs, includ it, ing ild bu e, the bridg king ma d an it g ein overse sure everything was g done safely (includin

Ensure that you have the correct permits for adventurous activities

Before members take part in an activity, prepare the area

crossing it). The Cubs had a really n’t fun evening and I did l tel to art he have the g them that in the borin we rk, wo of rld wo would call that risk assessment.’ Matthew Ellis Cub Scout Leader

There are a number of steps you can take to ensure that a few pounds wisely spent now could pay dividends in lower premiums later on. This also avoids the heartbreak that serious damage or destruction of your Group HQ would undoubtedly cause.

Building checks:

Roof and window seals Security and fire doors Property inventory Equipment inventory Testing electrical circuits every five years Gas Safety Inspection. See gassaferegister.co.uk Loose or broken wall panels (wooden huts) Water pipes lagged Equipment stored properly For advice and assistance on any of the above, or for any insurance queries, contact Ralph Doe at Unity (Scout Insurance Services) on 0845 0945 703 or at info@unityins.co.uk Full details on all Scout policies are available at www.scoutinsurance.co.uk

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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14/07/2010 17:52

Scout Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Scout Members* Referral Bookings (nett per room per night) (nett per room per night)

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HK$55.00 nett per person per meal.

Airport Shuttle Bus

(Advance reservation is required.)

HK$85.00 nett per person per single trip.

For reservations, please contact National Scouts Organisation No.8 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2376 1111 / Fax: (852) 2376 1333 Direct line to Reservations: (852) 2378 7611 Reservation Direct Fax: (852) 2376 1159 E-mail: enquiry@bpih.com.hk Website: www.bpih.com.hk

32_Scouting_AugSept10.indd 32

14/07/2010 14:58

Get back in the (3G) swing R

With the new Scouting term nearly upon us, why not dust off the summer cobwebs at a Scout Activity Centre? You can build the confidence of your new team by taking part in some outdoor adventure

eturning after the summer break can sometimes feel like everything has changed in your Scouting Group, as some Members move on and a bunch of unfamiliar faces appear. One ideal way for your Group to hit the ground running and help integrate new young people is to go to one of our Scout Activity Centres. Team-building is often used in the corporate world to help colleagues bond, communicate and learn to work together – but these are all skills that will ensure a successful Scouting Group as well. With locations across the UK, Scout Activity Centres offer a wide range of team-building exercises and are perfect places to practise traditional Scouting skills. Working alongside experienced instructors can really help boost young people’s confidence and provides an amazing introduction to the Scouting adventure for new joiners. Of course, Scouting is all about pushing personal limits, so we also offer some breathtaking experiences to really test your Group. Activities such as Jacob’s Ladder – a 35ft ladder made from telegraph poles – will not only get them working together to reach the top, but also provide a sense of fun and achievement that will stay throughout the term and beyond. Our team-building programmes range from one or two activities over a morning or afternoon to a whole day or weekend. Want to stay onsite and run your own programme ideas but book our instructors for additional activities? No problem! Just speak to one of our friendly staff members who will work with you to make sure you get the most from your visit, fulfil all your objectives and, of course, ensure that you and your Group have as much fun as possible.

DOWNE: Rural Kent FERNY CROFTS: New Forest GILWELL PARK: Epping Forest HAWKHIRST: Kielder Forest YOULBURY: Rural Oxfordshire

c w w w.scouts.org.uk/sa Tel: 0845 300 2549 www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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14/07/2010 14:14

The Big Adventure

y m t h g u a ‘I t o t w o h d da ’ ! p a m a d rea illy Isles, The Big From Shetland to the Sc e right now Adventure is taking plac James across the UK, says Chris

here’s no one way to run a Big Adventure. So long as parents or other new adults are part of the team planning or delivering the event, the sky’s the limit when it comes to ideas. You’ve been sharing some of your stories with us – and here are just a few. From offering free places to volunteers to getting Cub Scouts to teach their dads how to map read or make wild leaf salad, imagination seems to be the main ingredient in this year’s events.

34 Scouting August/September 2010

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ting Wall’s is also suppor The Big Adventure

‘We decided not to have a camp, but to have an activity day jointly with another Pack in our District. The activity day consisted of four bases: canoeing, backwoods cooking, pioneering and shelter building. We had five parents helping who had never done anything like this with us before and the other Group had three parents in the same position. We had a great day and everyone enjoyed it – most of all, the 40 Cubs taking part.’ David, Cub Scout Leader

‘By organising our first Group Camp in years (no one can recall a previous one), we had a real chance to get to know our parents. Under The Big Adventure umbrella we had a very successful weekend, and the parents who attended want to be involved next time.’ Andrew, District Scout Leader

‘We involved more parents this year, showing them backwoods cooking. The Cubs cooked against their parents using no utensils. The menu included baked potatoes, steamed fish, wild leaf salad, bread and nettle tea. It was a fantastic day with lots of positive feedback from parents.’ Mally, Cub Scout Leader

‘The Big Adventure has been a great success. As a direct result of this we have recruited a total number of eight parents.’

This year, we planned in more social time. Sitting around together after a hard day’s activities had them all going back and telling the other parents what a good time they’d had. Keith, Cub Scout Leader ‘There was a bigger range of activities at this year’s event. The young people have loved all the camps and cooking. Parents telling other parents that Scouting is fun works really well.’ Roz, Assistant Group Scout Leader

‘We previously had free places to encourage volunteers, but we found that in reality all parents who came chipped in and so the freebie was unnecessary.’ Stib, Quartermaster

Shirley, Group Scout Leader

‘

‘We’re holding meeting nights as “away days” with parental support required. The Scouts recently did a bike ride for example, which five parents attended. Two parents ran our five-a-side team with no leader input at all!’ Keith, Cub Scout Leader

Your advice for engaging parents Don’t pressure them, but listen to what they want for their children. Use their ideas. Make them feel part of the team and value what they have to offer. The key is not to be pushy, but to let them experience Scouting at their own pace initially. Invite them down to another evening with a specific role in mind.

WEAR THE BADGE!

The Big Adventure Uniform Badge can be worn by any adult or young person who attends a Big Adventure event. Available now and only £1, item code: 1027641.

What you’re doing next ‘Several parents have already been asked to help out in a specific way. One mum who is a minister worked with the Beaver Colony and the Cub Pack this past week. A dad will be leading a climbing lesson for the Scouts at the end of the month.’ Lisa, Assistant Beaver Leader ‘We’re inviting parents to another event – a combined AGM and camp – this is a complete weekend where the AGM is held before the youngsters go home. This maximises attendance and ensures that parents get to see their youngsters in a different light.’ Bob, Group Scout Leader

Tell us your story and win £230 worth of camping equipment or a free weekend’s camping for your Scouts How did your event go? The Big Adventure survey is open until 20 September and can be filled in at www.scouts.org.uk/ thebigadventure

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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16/07/2010 14:13

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14/07/2010 15:44

Ambassador

My own private eye Have I Got News for You team captain, editor of Private Eye magazine, writer, broadcaster, commentator and Scouting Ambassador… one thing Ian Hislop is most definitely not, is ‘lazy’ I was never a Scout The jokes were easy when I was young (I know, I made them), but the hard thing is motivating and bringing the best out of disaffected young people. B-P, unlike so many of my generation, was neither scared of teenage boys nor willing to write them off. He wanted to help them make something of themselves. He was also, of course, both a genius and, in the words of his grandson, ‘bonkers’. I support Scouting in a vague ambassadorial kind of way It could be out of a sense of guilt that I am too lazy to get stuck in like the thousands of volunteers. Scouting is as positive a way to achieve the above objectives for young people as any that a government has come up with it. In 2007, I was inspired to make a documentary about Scouting I re-read the book Scouting for Boys on the 100th anniversary of the Scout Movement and realised that it was an extraordinarily ambitious and interesting book with a great modern relevance. It addresses issues such as citizenship,

disaffected youth and social responsibility. These are all things that we think are an ill of contemporary society. If a Scout is considering a career in journalism I say go for it. It is a tough business and not always pretty. But if you can retain some sense of honesty and commitment to the common good as well as the requisite intellectual curiosity (or ‘nosiness’ as it is known), then that has got to be good news. I feel happiest When I’m with my children, the location isn’t important. If I could change one thing about myself It would be a very English unease about answering that sort of personal question.

in the spotlight As well as producing and presenting the Scouting for Boys documentary, Ian Hislop champions Scouting on a regular basis.

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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14/07/2010 15:25

Scouts from the District of South Ribble in West Lancashire enjoy some outdoor activities

Pride and privilege

As members of a Movement the Chief Scout has called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a worldwide force for goodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we may not need convincing that Scouting works. But as Elis Matthews discovered on a trip to the Lakes, the impact of Scouting is more profound than we may sometimes realise 38 Scouting August/September 2010

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Impact of Scouting

Scouting gives young people a safe place to hang around (sometimes literally)

t’s a Friday night in the Lake District, and at Great Tower campsite more than a hundred adults are gathering for a weekend of Scouting. Without the children. ‘It’s all about bringing the District together, building up the leaders’ skills and showing them what the Activity Centre has to offer,’ says South Ribble’s District Commissioner Sue Sullivan. The idea for Skills and Chills, which is now in its third year, came when Sue and other members of the District team were relaxing at the end of an enjoyable day at Gilwell Reunion, and wondered if they could bring the focus and support of that event home to their West Lancashire District. ‘We felt it could have an impact on the kind of Scouting we were offering if we concentrated just on the adults for one weekend each year,’ continues Sue. ‘This year we’ve got leaders from all the groups, including several new leaders, and they’ll be doing the types of activities we hope they can introduce into the programme. We’re also making costumes for a dragon boat race on the lake tomorrow.’ South Ribble is a relatively normal-size District in the north-west of England, serving 11 or so towns south of Preston. It has 24 Groups, which are supported by nearly 400 leaders. It also boasts the largest Scout Group in the UK, which has 381 members according

The service team Sarah and Matt are leaders in Penwortham, but are also part of the volunteer service team at Great Tower. ‘I’m up here every other weekend at the moment,’ says Sarah. ‘It’s become my second home. When I’m here I clean toilets, dig ditches, fix things and run some of the activities.’ I put it to her that this doesn’t sound like a normal hobby. Is it fun? ‘It’s more than that,’ is her reply. ‘I’ve been coming here since I was 16 and have pretty much never left. Scouting has helped me through a lot of stuff, and this place in particular. If I hadn’t met the people I’ve met here, I don’t know what I would have done.’ Matt, who lives down the road and shares the driving duties up the M6, has a similar story, and being outdoors in 250 acres of countryside has had its benefits. ‘This is a place where you can go for a walk, get lost and you can sit down and have some time to yourself to think things over. Just by walking off and exploring your surroundings can help you with problems, so it’s an amazing place to be.’ The enjoyment of the young people is a major factor in adults taking on a leadership role

‘Scouting has helped me through a lot of stuff. If I hadn’t met the people I’ve met here, I don’t know what I would have done’ to this year’s census. The impact that Scouting is having on its local communities can be observed in many ways, and I’m keen to explore what is happening to give so many people the Scouting bug.

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16/07/2010 14:14

Great Tower is set in 250 acres of the Lake District with some picture-postcard views

Mike Sullivan GSL, 5th Penwortham

Scouts from Penwortham enjoy adventurous water activities at Lochgoilhead Outdoor Activity Centre

Space to think It strikes me that Great Tower is synonymous with myriad other open spaces that belong to Scouting, and one of the greatest influences of Scouting is to offer these thinking spaces to young people. Being outdoors is good for both physical and mental health, and by honouring our commitment to the outdoor life, those of us in Scouting are leaving a valuable legacy of generations of nature lovers. The other aspect Sarah and Matt’s story highlights is that by getting lost you can sometimes find yourself. ‘I know the 250 acres here like the back of my hand now,’ reveals Matt. ‘That’s through exploring, getting lost and then figuring out where I was by listening and looking around. Scouting’s taught me to look after myself.’ Experiences that take young people away from the home environment are another core ingredient with immeasurable impact. Matt is leading a community project at the World Scout Moot in Kenya, working alongside Kenyan Scouts to maintain Baden-Powell’s grave. His excitement at the prospect shines from his eyes as he describes the activities planned. For Sarah, local adventures at her home from home satisfy her, ‘Everything in Scouting is a different adventure. You never know what’s going to happen or who you’re going to meet. And it’s boosted my Facebook friend count hugely!’

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I come across Mike, the man in charge of the country’s largest Scout Group, which meets at the United Reformed Church in the priory town of Penwortham. Whatever you might expect the Group Scout Leader of such a supergroup to look like (Richard Branson crossed with Ray Mears?), Mike confounds all expectations. A Captain Birdseye beard and a humble demeanour are the things I notice initially. So, how does he manage such a large group? ‘With difficulty,’ comes the reply, accompanied by a quiet chuckle. There are four Beaver Colonies, three Cub Packs and four Scout Troops, meeting one after the other every weekday except Wednesday. In the last 15 years the Group has expanded threefold, and I want to know why. ‘Basically, whenever we’ve had a need for a waiting list, we’ve opened a new section. We find the leaders and away we go. The latest Scout Troop opened three weeks ago and now there’s 25 in it.’ When put so simply, it’s easy to forget the amount of work that must go into running such an operation, but Mike’s simplistic approach seems to be reaping rewards. ‘You’ve got to be able to take your Cubs up, and if the other Troops are full, that means opening a new section. With so many children in the Group we potentially have 600 parents to ask.’ Family camps and parental involvement means that they know what Scouting’s about and are more likely to help out. ‘Parents see what goes on and are encouraged to become a section assistant at first. Once they get into it, they ask to become a leader.’ A full and active programme ensures

‘Seeing the enjoyment on the Scouts’ faces is great. It keeps me young. I reckon if I keep with Scouting I won’t grow old’

16/07/2010 14:15

Impact of Scouting

‘Whether it’s playing games or getting dirty with craft, I don’t know – I just really enjoy it’

Exciting outdoor programmes will always get the thumbs-up

that young people stay, and parents tell others about the great opportunities that their children are getting in Scouts.

The secret of eternal youth? Mike may not be a spring chicken, and with 28 years in the Group behind him, I wonder if he’s thinking of handing his woggle in. ‘I still enjoy it. Seeing the enjoyment on the Scouts’ faces is great. It keeps me young. I reckon if I keep with Scouting I won’t grow old.’

replicated at campsites and village halls all over the country. The real impact of Scouting courses through the blood of adults who have long since made the Promise as much as it radiates from the elated faces of young people getting their first taste of adventure. Scouting’s impact is a force that is crossing borders on international expeditions, working in partnership with good causes and local services, building up confidence and casting out fear. Preparing young people for their future, equipping them with the skills to fulfil their potential and giving them a place to breathe and grow is our duty, our privilege and our pleasure, and its impact knows no bounds. South Ribble may exemplify this, but it’s everyone’s story and to everyone’s credit.

The new leader Mandy Clark has been in Scouting since January, and has certainly caught the bug. ‘I really love it. I’ve got eight Cubs and we like following the badges. Last week we started the Promise Challenge. I went to the library and got a book about Buddhism, which we talked about and then I made up games to see if the Cubs had understood the faith. It was great to see them running around the hall knowing that they’d taken what I’d taught them on board.’ I ask Mandy what it is about Scouting that she finds so special. ‘I don’t know what it is – I work all day on Mondays, and then run Cubs straight after. I shouldn’t look forward to it as much as I do, but it’s the kids, the fun we have, and acting like a kid myself. Whether it’s playing games or getting dirty with craft, I don’t know – I just really enjoy it.’ As I leave Great Tower, the feeling that such a large group of assembled adults have such a passion for Scouting sticks with me. And I can’t help feeling that the same sense of pride and commitment is being

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Giving young people a space to breathe is a duty and an honour

14/07/2010 15:38

S E E R T E H T â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S R A E E V A H es of Great den-Powell listed 18 tre 10 is In Scouting for Boys, Ba ld know by sight. As 20 ou sh t ou Sc y er ev at th Britain any of the 18 of Biodiversity, how m ter? the International Year ise, in summer and win gn co re to le ab be u yo would

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Skills & activities

f you’re unsure yourself, will you be able to pass the knowledge on to young people in your section? Using this article to get you started, or getting hold of a guide, such as the Nature Detectives resources from the Woodland Trust, could turn you from a nature novice to a treemendous expert. On top of this, it’s important to know the uses of different types of wood. As B-P wrote in 1908, ‘If the

wood were of fir or larch trees it would mean you could get poles for building bridges; if it were palm trees you know you could get cocoa-nuts (or dates if they were date palms), and the palm juice for drinking. Willow trees mean water close by.’ At camp, trees provide a good source of fun, but also a bounty of firewood. Learning the burning properties of wood will aid you in knowing where to go for your fuel.

HE 18 TREES THAT HOW MANY OFTTSH OULD KNOW EVERY SCOU YOU NAME? BY SIGHT CAN N ANSWERS O PAGE 76

Resources and links

Ngaire Takano Environmental Consultant

Bee prepared

Over the past two years, an environmental issue that has come to the fore is the desperate situation concerning the world’s honeybee population. Here, I’ve laid out some suggestions to incorporate the year’s environmental buzz word in your section programme. Since the shocking decline in numbers of British bees became clear, it seems everybody has been getting in on the act with projects to save them. The Cooperative Group launched Plan Bee, which provides activities to help bees by creating a bee-friendly garden. They also supported the documentary film The Vanishing of the Bees to raise awareness. Häagen-Dazs launched a range of bee-friendly ice-cream products earlier this year and is helping you spread awareness by sending bee-mail with an animated bee you can design yourself. There is also a design for a bee hotel from the Open Air Laboratories project, which would make a terrific group activity using plastic drinks bottles, bamboo, string and a fence post. Whatever you can do to help honeybees, remember that one in three mouthfuls of food consumed in the UK relies on honeybees to reach your plate, so bee prepared!

Resources

Plan Bee | www.co-operative. coop/planbee Send a bee-mail | www.helpthehoneybees.com Bee hotel | www.tinyurl.com/ hotel4bees

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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P U E H T N O

e of the r the outdoor life as on fo ste ta a t go rt Ha h Sara passion ales, and is taking her first female Scouts in W uer as she attempts to conq ar ye xt ne s ht ig he w to ne Mount Everest

‘My sense of adventure was sparked off by going up mountains with the Scouts,’ recalls Sarah, who is now a lead member of an Everest expedition that aims to raise £100,000 for UNICEF. ‘Being in the mountains always gives me an enormous sense of peace, and you can’t beat it for fresh air.’

Biggest team The Patch Expedition is a novel concept for undertaking the astronomically expensive process of mounting an attempt at Earth’s highest summit. Companies, groups and individuals can sponsor one of 50,000 patches on the flag that will be unfurled at the top of the mountain, becoming part of the Patch team and helping to make it happen in the same stroke. Sarah is currently undergoing a rigorous training regime needed to get to Everest. ‘I’m practising a number of sports: running, hiking, cycling, swimming, weights, as well as climbing. We need to develop our technical skills, physically

prepare our bodies and have confidence in our mental ability to keep going when the going gets tough.’

Hills at home Living in the Welsh mountains has its benefits when it comes to training. ‘I enjoy getting out into the mountains,’ says Sarah. ‘Living in the Clwydian mountain range, it’s fantastic being able to walk out of the front door and be in the hills. Snowdonia is only about an hour’s drive so accessible training grounds are nearby.’ Because of the collaborative way donations work, and the youth-centred focus of the charity, Sarah is keen to get Scout Groups and schools involved and help realise the dream. ‘We’d love to talk about our goals, encourage young people to aim high, and discuss some of the technical skills needed to tackle your own Everest. If the Patch Expedition can inspire a hundred other kids to go for it, then that will be as satisfying as reaching the summit myself.’ If you’d like to be on the Patch Expedition flag, go to www.patchexpedition.com

tch, as g to involve Scouts in Pa in cit ex ly al re be ld ou ‘It w ht that heart. I want to highlig Scouting is close to my gs. in th ry hieve extraordina ordinary people can ac h ra expedition.com’ – Sa Follow our blog on patch

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Skills & activities

WHAT TO PACKSACK IN YOUR RUCK il Wills ser for Hill Walking Ne vi Ad l ca ni ch Te UK d We aske ree types of adventure… what kit is needed for th

SUMMER EVENING WALK IN WOODLAND Torch Water bottle Coat Hat Gloves Sandwich or snack

FULL DAY’S HIKE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN As left, plus: Waterproofs Extra layer Personal first aid kit Map and compass/ GPS Camera and notepad/pencil (optional)

TREES AND MOUNTAINS HUG A TREE

Join the hunt for the UK’s ancient trees and support part of our nation’s heritage. www.ancienttreehunt. org.uk

SAVE BEES

Get your section to plan a bee-friendly garden at home or outside the meeting place, and promote the habitat of Britain’s honey-makers. tinyurl.com/scouts-save-bees

CLIMB EVEREST

Hire out a climbing wall or use a local building with lots of stairs and get sponsored as a Group or section to climb the equivalent height of the world’s tallest mountain. That’s 8,848m by the way.

GENERAL TIPS Distribute the weight properly, in the way that will support your body the best. This means heavier items at the bottom, lighter ones at the top. When it comes to clothes and food, pack last what you’ll need first. If going with a group, spread the load sensibly between you, even if this means separating out the tent. Don’t skimp on items that will save your life.

MOVE MOUNTAINS WEEKEND LIGHTWEIGHT EXPEDITION As above, plus: Tent (split between two) Stove plus fuel Food Sleeping bag Toothbrush and one squeeze of toothpaste Change of clothes Weather-appropriate extras (eg sun protection) Survival shelter

Make a craft mountain out of used food packets and other flotsam. Split into two teams. Then play a game of Capture the Flag using your recycled peak.

CLIMB AND REFLECT

Encourage Scouts to find a quiet place at the top of a hill, or up a tree, and have some time out to consider the beauty of the natural world. Share your thoughts at the end of the meeting.

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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Wofalk s h t i a f A new Faith Walk means Scouts can explore different faiths while exploring their surroundings. Paulina Sekrecka follows the trail

he Faith Walk is a path linking five faith buildings and areas at Gilwell Park, which have either a religious or a wider spiritual purpose: The Buddhist Sala, The Christian Open Air Chapel, The Jewish Synagogue, The Muslim Prayer Area and The Roman Catholic Chapel. All the signs installed along the path contain: information on the history of the building and on the strand of faith it is dedicated to; an interview with a young person of that faith who is involved in Scouting; an activity linked to the relevant faith. It has been created by the national Faiths and Beliefs Team

to help young people and adults develop a greater awareness and understanding of different faiths.

Using The Faith Walk locally While the project has been designed for groups of young people and other visitors staying at Gilwell Park, we wanted to ensure that this was something that could be used across the whole of the UK. The activities can be used

locally as a part of a wider spiritual development programme: Why not visit a local mosque, synagogue, Hindu temple or a different faith building that your young people might not have been to? Think about inviting a faith or a spiritual leader, or organising a meeting with young people of different faiths. This could help your group develop a better understanding of other beliefs. Look at The Faith Walk signs template available on Programmes Online (search â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Faith Walkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) and adapt it according to your needs. www.scouts.org.uk/faith Use our ideas for activities based on some universal values respected within various belief systems (see box, right).

find it online Rise to the Challenge, a free resource on spiritual development, is available from www.scouts.org.uk/faith

46 Scouting August/September 2010

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Faiths &Feature beliefs

Religious symbols pertaining to (from left to right): Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism

SAMPLE ACTIVITIES Family The family is very important in the Jewish way of life. Parents have obligations to care for their children and children should treat their parents with respect. Close your eyes and think of three different ways of showing respect to people who care for you.

Think about the people whose life choices you admire in some way. Think about those who you know personally, as well as people in public life or celebrities. What three qualities do you admire in them and why? Share your thoughts with two different people in the group.

Community

Share your ideas

Muslims strive to adhere to five pillars of faith. One of the pillars requires supporting the community. Split into small groups and discuss who in your community may need your concern. How can you support them?

Try The Faith Walk activities and let us know what you think at faiths.beliefs@scouts.org.uk

Role models The statue of Buddha reminds people of Buddhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and his character; it serves as an example and an inspiration to people of the Buddhist faith.

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About Gilwell Park

Gilwell Park is the home of Scouting in the UK and is also one of our National Scout Activity Centres. Scout Activity Centres have been developed with the specific aim of providing leading resources to enable Scouts to take part in residential and outdoor activities. www.scouts.org.uk/sac

16/07/2010 14:23

L O O H C S K C O R F O Gang Shows and brass bands are what many think of as typical Scout music. But in Nottinghamshire, Scouts and Explorers are rocking the local music scene with heavy metal, as Neil Hallam discovers

couting rightly values its traditions, but has evolved to hold the interest of each generation. Many Scouts get great pleasure from Gang Shows, brass bands and orchestras. But what is there if 1930s musicals and The Royal School of Music do not inspire you? In Mansfield, a group of Sea Scouts and Explorers have found their own way through heavy metal.

ONSTAGE AND BEHIND THE SCENES Many Mansfield Scouts and Explorers play in bands. Explorers Edwin and Dom and Sea Scout Peter formed their band Suspended by Fate to fill time during the last summer holiday. ‘We’re a cross between death and thrash metal.’ While not to everyone’s taste, they have played eight gigs and write their own songs. Edwin was responsible for securing their gigs. He said, ‘It was daunting at first, talking to people, but it gets easier.’ Sam, from the same Explorer Unit, is forging a career in producing. His band Kannibal Lemmings performed for the Mayor of Mansfield at Scouting’s Centenary. He also organises events for the County Youth Arts project: Plug Promotions. Their events showcase Mansfield’s young talent, with a focus on rock. They started with a sell-out Valentine’s gig and went on to organise a Summer Rocks event.

ROCKSCHOOL For the Mansfield rock apprentices, the ‘or similar’ in the Scout programme has been important. Rather than the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) grading syllabus, they follow Rockschool. This exam board was founded in 1991 to give pop musicians access to graded exams. Under the ABRSM, a percussionist would play orchestral instruments and mainly classical music. While Rockschool candidates play a wide variety of music on a drum kit, exams are also available in guitar, bass, keyboard and vocals. All exams carry university CAT points, and musicians also gain Scout badges.

SESSION MUSICIANS A major part of Mansfield’s musical success is the County Council’s 11th Session Saturday morning Performing Arts club. Many of the 450 young people attending 11th Session are Scouts. During my visit I met Cubs, Scouts and Explorers practising a variety of musical skills. Larch Farm Cub Harry is drumming towards his stage one Musicians Badge, Explorer Jack’s band plays 1980s rock from the time before he was born. Music Technology teacher David Cooke is a former Mansfield Sea Scout, whose dad was a Cub Leader in Hong Kong. David was passing on his skills to a third generation with four Cubs and Scouts in his Group.

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Feature

Rockschool enables young people to gain university CAT points as well as Scout badges

idates play While Rockschool cand a drum on a wide choice of music lable in kit, exams are also avai vocals and guitar, bass, keyboard A ROCKING SUCCESS Organiser of 11th Session Martin Heartfield said, ‘The best thing is seeing timid youngsters develop confidence to perform in front of people.’ Their confidence is demonstrated by two recent successes. Fifteen-year-old Joe was an extra in the Robin Hood movie while Explorer Scout Paice has successfully auditioned as a contestant in the TV game show Mission: 2110. He said, ‘I’ve done a couple of auditions before, you ease into it as you do them.’ So, whether your Scouts want badges, a career, or just something different to do, it could be time to inject a bit of rock in your Scouting.

useful contacts

Rockschool – www.rockschool.co.uk 11th Session – www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk Plug Promotions and the Old Library Studio – www.myspace.com/theoldlibrary

SCOUTING’S MUSICIANS BADGE

Music plays an important part in Scouting’s awards programme. The Musicians Badge has five stages, completed as the young people move though their Scouting lives and develop their skills. All five stages can be achieved with a choice of instruments, or by singing. Stage one of the Musicians Badge asks the Scout to sing or play two songs and repeat back a simple rhythm. As they move through stages two to five, the awards are matched to recognised musical standards. Scouts must achieve Grades one to five with the ABRSM, or similar. Badges are about more than academic achievement. Scouts must know about a range of pieces for their chosen instrument and be able to explain why they enjoy playing it. Find out more at www.scouts.org.uk

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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For/against Expedition

The Cumberland News certainly believes that Scouting is cool

g n i t u o c S d l u o Sh ? l o o c e b o t r try harde yes✔ no

✘

Eddie Ward, Explorer Scout Leader

Becky, Explorer Scout

We are currently having major success here in Reivers District (Carlisle) from demonstrating that Scouting is cool. We recently received great feedback from a full-page article in our local paper (see above). My Explorer Scouts wanted to do more to showcase how relevant Scouting is, the adventure, fun and challenge we all enjoy and get rid of outdated misconceptions. From this came the Carlisle Scout Day. It took over the city centre on Saturday 19 June, with activities and a 27m² video wall showing positive images of everyday adventure. The feedback received from young and old was overwhelming. So many people commented that they didn’t realise how ‘cool’ Scouting is and how many opportunities there are to enjoy. The day was always meant to raise our profile, but it also became a recruitment opportunity. On the day itself, we had over 100 young people wanting to join and at least 10 adults offering to be leaders. Scouting is cool; we just need to let people know and we will get more adult support – and even more young people will be able to join the adventure.

I think the problem at the heart of this discussion lies in the word ‘cool’. What is considered cool in modern society? For some people, carrying a knife or a gun is seen as cool, but I would hate to see Scouting promote that! No two people will define coolness in the same way, so how can Scouting possibly try to be totally cool? In my opinion, there will always be people who think Scouting is uncool, but why should we care? It’s not our loss; it’s theirs for being too narrow-minded. Furthermore, Scouting is trying to promote ideas of equality, tolerance and being true to yourself; how can we claim to do this if we worry more about what other people think, than how our members feel? By all means highlight the adventure that is at the core, and market it in a way that will hopefully attract new members, both old and young. But Scouting has been thriving for the last 103 years without really caring whether it was cool or not, so why change now?

join the debate Become our friend on Facebook and take part in discussions, post photos and network with other members online. www.scouts.org.uk/facebook

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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BEAT THE WINTER BLUES AND FLUS Staying fit and healthy over the winter, not just the summer, can help you fight seasonal ailments and means that you’ll still be slim for spring.

Keep active

Regular exercise will give you more energy, which will help you get out of bed on cold, dark mornings. It will also boost your immune system to help you fight seasonal ailments such as flu and colds. In winter, we often stop doing calorieburning outdoor activities like short walks and gardening. But reducing the physical activity you do is one of the biggest contributors to winter weight gain.

R E T N I W K C E H C H T L A E H and well tips to keep you fit, safe e es th ith w r te in w r fo Prepare

Stay warm

Being cold can make you depressed, so wear the right clothes for the right occasion. If you’re going to be outside all day at an event, layer up from top to toe. Make sure young people all come prepared. For windproof gear, see Páramo’s great range of clothing. (See page 60 for more.)

Eat healthily

We’re all guilty: as soon as it’s time to slip on the woolly jumpers, we reach for the biscuit jar. Research has shown that most of us will put on 1lb over the winter. But maintaining a healthy diet will increase energy levels and stop you piling on the pounds. To stop the cravings for pasta and potatoes, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and have seasonal nuts and berries around for snacks, too.

Drink up

It’s not rocket science that hot drinks keep our body temperature up. If you are outdoors with your Scouts, keep an urn going so you have warm drinks on tap. Although, of course, too many hot chocolates can quickly increase your calorie intake.

get in touch

Email us about what you are planning over the winter at scouting.magazine@scouts.org.uk

52 Scouting August/September 2010

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Health & wellbeing

A PISTE OF THE ACTION

Summer camp is about as Scouting as it gets, and with it comes all the glorious activities. But have you thought about taking your Scouts away in the winter months for some ice adventures? Kandersteg International Scout Centre is nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, so it’s the perfect spot for testing your cross-country skiing and sledging skills. Run by Scout and Guide volunteers, there are programmes for groups of young people of all ages and they focus on Scouting and living together with other groups. With names like Winter Extreme Week, it’s no wonder they say it’s like a mini-Jamboree all year round. www.kisc.ch

Preparation is everything

For some people, as soon as the clocks go back it means locking away outdoor equipment and heading back inside for craft activities and kicking a football around. But it can be the perfect time to begin preparation for next year’s summer activities. This issue, all the section supplements contain ideas specifically designed for the age range. You don’t need us to tell you that ‘being prepared’ means ‘ready for adventure’. All supplements are available at www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

A healthy cup of tea?

As leaders, we sometimes have to take a back seat while the young people enjoy the activities. So rest content in the knowledge that the cup of tea you are drinking could be doing your heart some good. A recent report from the Netherlands states that drinking several cups of tea a day can cut the chances of a heart attack by up to a third. So sit back, relax and enjoy that cuppa.

ADVENTURES IN THE DARK Caving and potholing

Night hiking

It’s cold and dark underground in the summer, so you’ll barely notice the difference in winter months except that it’ll be cold and dark overground. Can be difficult accessing the local areas around the entry point. For more information on caving, visit www.scouts.org.uk and search ‘caving’.

Winter camps

Becoming ever more popular for the older Scouts, winter camp can ‘Winter add an extra dimension. camp is much Gilwell Park’s more exciting than Wintercamp is a summer camp. sub-zero adventure I can’t wait happening from 7-9 for January!’ January 2011. Book your tickets today at Sarah, http://gilwellpark. Explorer Scout ticketseller.co.uk

‘Winter is best for a night hike as it gets dark early. I normally take my Scouts for a three-hour hike. We stop halfway to fire up the Trangia and enjoy a warm drink. For those who don’t like hot chocolate or tea, I bring blackcurrant cordial. It’s essential that everyone has a warm drink. It’s also easier if everyone carries a small bottle of water for their drink, as lugging around a two-litre bottle is a nightmare!’ Sean Clark, Scout Leader

Kit list for the hike

Torch Whistle Lip balm High viz if going on road Waterproof cover for your gear (heavy duty bin liner is a cheap alternative) Trangia, fuel and lighter Water, beverages.

FEELING THE BURN There are over 200 activities in Scouting and, while we do them to have fun, challenge ourselves and learn a new skill, they also keep us fit, mobile and healthy. Here are our top five caloriebusting Scouting activities. We’ve listed the approximate number of

calories 60 minutes of doing them will zap for a person weighing around 11 stone. Rock climbing: 700 calories Mountain biking: 600 calories Kayaking: 350 calories Orienteering: 600 calories Sailing: 200 calories

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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Overnight success Spending nights away from home lies at the core of Scouting. And two key changes to the Adult Training Scheme will make learning how to run these events even easier

December 2009/ January 2010 2010 [[1R]] 54 Scouting August/September

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Adult training

ight away, sleepover, camp or residential experience? Regardless of the type of overnight experience you are planning or helping out with, it is essential that you have the right tools for the job.

MODULE 16: Nights Away to become Module 16: Introduction to Residential Experiences

Out now

MODULE 16: Introduction to Residential Experiences This module gives an introduction to the place, value and organisation of residential experiences. It is designed to introduce learners to residential experiences and their importance in Scouting, and give them information about the Nights Away Permit Scheme. It will still be the obligatory module to complete for the Section Leader’s Wood Badge, and if run as a course will only take a few hours. There will also be an additional module that will cover the specific skills that are needed to gain a nights away permit.

From November 2010 MODULE 38: Skills for Residential Experiences

This is a brand-new module and aims to enable adults to acquire the appropriate skills to plan and run successful residential experiences for the young people. This module reflects the skills needed for the nights away permit, and will help leaders to gain and consolidate skills. It is a specialist module and not an obligatory module for a Section Leader’s Wood Badge. If run as a course, this will most likely be a residential training weekend or a one-day skills day.

WHY CHANGE? Samantha Marks, UK Adviser for Adult Training, explains the reasons behind the changes. ‘We carried out extensive research

with members and discovered that as the way people volunteer has changed, and as more people share the leadership roles, the prospect of residential training is not accessible or relevant for all. There also continues to be confusion as to how Module 16: Nights Away relates to the Nights Away Permit Scheme.’

MAKING THE CHANGE All Counties/Areas/Regions will make the transition to this new module format from November 2010. Please contact your Training Manager for more information. To find out more about the Adult Training Scheme, go to www.scouts.org.uk/ learnersresources

NIGHTS AWAY PERMIT SCHEME While completing Module 16 and Module 38 will mean that you have the knowledge, you will still need to obtain a nights away permit to run any overnight event for young people. Although managed locally, the Nights Away Permit Scheme is a national scheme, so once gained, a permit will allow you to run a nights away event in any District or County. There are no prerequisites to gaining a permit, so there is no requirement to have attended either course. Indeed, the Nights Away Permit Scheme is different to the Modules, so there is no need to gain a nights away permit to finish your Wood Badge training, and validating Module 16 and/or Module 38 does not automatically grant you a nights away permit. However, gaining a permit is one way of validating either, and it is the best way to gain the skills and knowledge needed for a nights away permit where training is required. To find out more about the Nights Away Permit Scheme, go to www.scouts.org.uk/nightsaway

THE NIGHTS AWAY BOOK The new and improved Nights Away has everything you need to run a successful residential experience for all ages. Includes chapters on health, budgeting and catering. Order it for £8.50 from www.scouts.org.uk/shop Item code: 1027818 www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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n i n i o j l l a

The Scouting world will be welcomed to Sweden in just under a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time, but everyone can engage with Jamboree 2011 by taking part in Join-in-Jamboree. Chris Lomas gives us a sneak peek of what you can expect

56 Scouting August/September 2010

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Join-in-Jamboree

SNEAK PEEK

ALLA DJUREN BYTER BO (ALL THE ANIMALS CHANGE DEN) A TRADITIONAL SWEDISH SCOUTING GAME

Instructions:

reparations for the World Scout Jamboree are now in full swing. In July 2011, the UK will be sending a Contingent of more than 4,000 Explorer Scouts, Unit Leaders and International Service Team members to the event in Kristianstad, southern Sweden. It will be an amazing experience and a fantastic opportunity to witness a spectacle of global Scouting. Historically, in the build-up to previous Jamborees, there has been a Jamboree-themed resource available for section leaders. These have provided programme and activity ideas relating to the Jamboree and wider global and international issues that can be incorporated into your meetings. This year will be no exception. Following the success of the Join-In-Centenary resource in 2007, October will see the launch of Join-in-Jamboree 2011. This will be sent free to section leaders as an additional supplement in the next issue of Scouting. There will be separate resources for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Scout Network, and although the ideas within the resource are tailored to each section, many are suitable for all ages. Feedback from section leaders in Your Programme, Your Voice shows that the Global Programme zone is

one of the most challenging areas to deliver when providing a balanced programme. With this in mind, and the Jamboree as the focal point, Join-in-Jamboree will contain an array of programme and activity ideas. Linda Clements, a member of the Contingent Support Team for the Jamboree and writing coordinator of the resource, says, ‘I am very excited about the launch of Join-in-Jamboree. After some hard work and great ideas from my fantastic team of volunteers, we have come up with an exciting and diverse resource which can easily be used as part of your regular section meetings. ‘I have been on several Jamborees and have found the previous Jamboree-themed resources very useful in providing ideas that are exciting and engaging with the different sections. This resource will be a terrific way to introduce the global extravaganza of the Jamboree at a local level and get enthused about how special this event really is.’ Join-in-Jamboree resources will also be available to download from October, allowing you to view all the sectional resources and have access to even more programme ideas! There will also be a continuing presence in the section supplements through 2011, to provide even more programme ideas to you on a plate.

All but one of the young people stand close to a tree, a stone or anything outside that they pick as their ‘den’. Get them to mark their den with a jacket, a scarf or anything else that they have with them to make it visible. The young person without a den stands in the middle and calls out ‘All the animals change den!’ Everyone must change their den and the young person in the middle can run and claim a den. Another young person will now be without a den and will stand in the middle and call out. You can decide on how the animals move: like a frog, on their hands and knees, jumping on one leg, backwards, and so on.

HÖKEN FLYGER HÖGT (THE HAWK FLIES HIGH) Instructions:

Everyone stands in a large circle. When the leader calls out ‘The hawk flies high’ everyone jumps. The leader varies the call with different kinds of birds: ‘The seagull flies high’, ‘The eagle flies high’ and so on. After every call young people have to jump. After a while the leader also starts calling out animals that cannot fly, eg ‘The mouse flies high’. Young people should not jump for animals that can’t fly. Those that jump anyway take one step backwards and are out. They have to help the leader identify who’s jumping at the right moment and who isn’t.

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support t n i r p e u l b

Whether it’s running the swimming gala or supporting St George’s Day, a Service Agreement is crucial if Scout Active Support is going to meet the specific needs of local Scouting. Laura McManus meets three Units and looks at their plans of action

Andrew Morris, Group Scout Active Support Manager – 1st Bedworth Scout Group, City of Coventry

The first thing I did was sit down with the Group Scout Leader. Together, we drew up a list of what our Unit could do to help the Group achieve its objectives. What we came up with was: transport, occasional help at section nights, maintenance of the Scout meeting place and equipment as well as support at major Group activities and camps. The next step was to refer to The Scout Active Support Service Agreement (FS330096), following

the advice as closely as possible. I talked to the section leaders to find what they wanted from Scout Active Support, what their requirements were and what assistance/support could be given. After this, drawing up the service provision document was straightforward. With the Group Scout Leader and members of the Group Executive, we discussed methods we could use to meet the needs. We looked into timescales and assigned realistic dates to each objective. The service agreement will form the agenda for all our meetings and discussions. It is a living document so when we fulfil a need it will be removed and a new one added.

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Scout Active Support

‘We decided from the start thate we would embracof the new concept ort’ Scout Active Supp Ron Jacobs, District Scout Active Support Manager – City of Portsmouth Active Support Unit, Hampshire

Roger Dix, District Scout Active Support Manager, Spelthorne Scout Active Support Unit, Surrey

The City of Portsmouth Scout Fellowship changed to a Scout Active Support Unit in April 2010. I was the Fellowship Chairman and know the events that people are interested in supporting and who I can ask to help. In the Service Agreement I agreed with the District Commissioner that we could: organise and run a swimming gala run activity bases and catering at the Annual District Camps run the catering for the District AGM. We support many other activities and always try to respond positively to any requests for assistance. The Unit also gets together socially, which is an important motivating factor.

We decided from the start that we would embrace the new concept of Scout Active Support, safe in the knowledge that we were already putting most of the new ideas into practice. The fresh impetus and extra publicity could only work to our advantage. The basis of our Service Agreement is continued support of District activities, many of which rely on our input. These vary from Cub Scout

‘The service agreement will form the agenda for d all our meetings an discussions. It is at’ living documen

Camp to St George’s Day and the District makes full use of the Unit’s extensive experience and knowledge. We identified two key areas where we needed to focus more attention and these were added to the agreement. Firstly, there was the need to recruit from a younger age range. To help, we have appointed a coordinator to liaise with the Scout Network to forge better links. Secondly, we agreed to set up a team of members to provide programmes for sections that are struggling to find leaders either as a one-off or regularly. We intend to continue to adopt a flexible approach to our agreement which, with the blessing of our District Commissioner, can continue to meet current needs.

find out more The Scout Active Support Service Agreement (FS330096) is available from the Scout Information Centre.

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Country diary

SOLE FOOD It’s summertime and James Taylor puts fresh fish on the menu for camp

n the UK, fish fall into three main categories: sea/saltwater, game and freshwater (coarse). My favourites for camping, and especially when using backwoods camping methods, are oily saltwater fish such as mackerel, sardines and herrings. They are incredibly tasty and have sufficient oil to stop them drying out during cooking.

Catch it first Game fish includes salmon, trout and grayling. Edible freshwater fish are mainly pike, perch, eels and carp. Game fish can be caught using fly-fishing techniques. Freshwater fish, likewise, can be caught on rod and line or using specialised traps such as those for eels or minnows. Before you can start fishing at a lake or river, you will need permission from the landowner, the fishery or club, and you’ll need a national rod licence too. Don’t assume you can remove the fish that you catch, although some fisheries might give you permission to take away pike and perch. When

fly-fishing, you can take fish for the pot, but your ticket will usually specify a ‘bag’ size with a maximum of two or three fish per rod.

Wrap it up Food preparation and cooking should be tasks done by the young people themselves. Fresh fish should be gutted as soon as possible, and all fish must be kept cool, as they tend to spoil very quickly. Fish doesn’t take long to cook and so won’t need a large or fierce fire – quality embers are perfect. I like to place fish like herring or sardines on a lattice of interwoven willow twigs. The willow must be green and the bark should be stripped off. Trout does well when cooked with a knob of butter and wrapped in foil, cabbage or dock leaves, and placed in the embers. Pike and carp have firmer, bulkier flesh and cook well in salted water until tender. To find out more information about the Angler Activity Badge in the Scout section area, visit www.scouts.org.uk

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Camp cooking

Cooking and eating in the great outdoors can be a wonderful experience, especially when shared with friends. Pauline Peters has tackled the challenge of ovenfree cooking, which is great news for those who want to eat well but travel light

e g n a r e h t n Meals o Being organised with the right equipment and ingredients is the key to all successful cuisine, be it alfresco or at your own dining table. Healthy, home-made meals are always a treat and the recipes featured here are sure to hit the spot, especially with hungry campers. Each dish can easily be multiplied for a crowd. So, if you are out and about this summer, treat your taste buds to these easy-to-follow delights.

Spring chicken

Serves 4, Preparation 10 mins, Cooking 40 mins Ingredients 1 tbsp of oil 1 onion, chopped 400g chicken fillets 300g baby new potatoes, halved 425ml chicken stock (from a cube) bunch of spring onions 350g broccoli florets 100g fine green beans about 10 baby carrots 100g asparagus tips 350g spring greens, shredded

Method Heat the oil and fry the onion in a large pan until soft. Season the chicken and cut in halves (if large). Add to the pan and continue cooking until lightly coloured. Pop in the potatoes and fry for a couple of minutes. Pour over the stock and bring to the boil. Season with black pepper. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Trim the spring onions into short lengths. Add to the pan with the broccoli, beans and baby carrots, simmering for 5 minutes. Lastly, add the asparagus and spring greens; cook for another 5 minutes. Ladle into large bowls and serve.

Easiest pasta ever

Serves 4, Preparation 5 mins, Cooking 10 mins Ingredients 250g pack of small plum or cherry tomatoes on the vine 125g fresh mozzarella

1 pack of fresh basil, shredded 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 400g spaghetti 1 clove of garlic, crushed

Method Roughly chop the tomatoes and place in a large bowl. Drain and dice the mozzarella and add to the dish along with the shredded basil. Toss with 2 tbsp of the oil and set aside. Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions. Drain well. Heat the remaining oil in the pan and fry the garlic briefly. Return the spaghetti to the pan and toss in the infused tomato mixture. Serve with crusty bread.

Outdoor treats Paulineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new book Top of the Range, features lots of oven-free cooking ideas (ÂŁ3.99 including p&p). Email caravancookbook@ talktalk.net or call 0795 289 7056 for your copy.

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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SALE NOW ON

Grab the bargains, stuff the rucksack and head outdoors with our great savings on clothing, footwear and equipment. Order online at www.scouts.org.uk/shop

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Find full product range and more great offers online at www.scouts.org.uk/shop or call 01903 766 921

Al l Scout Shops prof its are retu rned to The Scout Association

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Vango stretch torch Ref 1027547 £5.25 Was £6.50 RRP £7

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Selected rucksacks/daysacks www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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s p i h s r e n t par ort Scouting, come on board to supp ve ha es ni pa m co of r initiative A numbe g a badge, an event or an whether it’s by sponsorin Sainsbury’s Wall’s

Sponsors: Active Kids and The Big Adventure. Resources and equipment available. www.scouts.org.uk/sainsburys

Sponsors: The Big Adventure and the Scout Camp Cook Badge. Resources coming soon. www.scouts.org.uk/walls

Chubb Fire & Security The Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative

Sponsors: Scout Fire Safety Activity Badge. Activity packs available. www.scouts.org.uk/chubb

Original Dutch Edam Sponsors: Cub Scout Chef Activity Badge. Activity packs available. www.scouts.org.uk/edam

Eat in Colour Sponsors: Beaver Scout Healthy Eating Badge. Resources available. www.scouts.org.uk/healthyeating

Garmin Sponsors: Scout Hiker Badge. Resources available. www.scouts.org.uk/garmin

Sponsors: Cub Scout Global Conservation Badge. Resources coming soon. www.scouts.org.uk/omsco

Ordnance Survey Sponsors: Cub Scout and Scout Navigator Badges. Resources available. www.scouts.org.uk/ ordnancesurvey

Pets at Home Sponsors: Beaver Scout Animal Friend and Cub Scout Animal Carer Badges. Resources coming soon. www.scouts.org.uk/petsathome

Mattel Puffin

Sponsors: Beaver Scout Creative Activity Badge. Resources available. www.scouts.org.uk/hotwheels

Merlin Entertainments Offers available to UK attractions. www.scouts.org.uk/merlin

Microsoft Sponsors: Staged IT Badge. Resources available. www.scouts.org.uk/microsoft

National Grid Sponsors: Cub Scout Home Safety Badge. Activity packs available. www.scouts.org.uk/nationalgrid

Natural England Sponsors: Cub and Scout Naturalist Activity Badge. Resources available. www.scouts.org.uk/ naturalengland

Sponsors: Scout Adventure Challenge Award. Posters and skills cards available. www.scouts.org.uk/puffin

Regatta Sponsors: Scout Outdoor Challenge Award. Activity packs available. www.scouts.org.uk/regatta

Rolls-Royce Sponsors: Cub Scout Scientist Activity Badge. Activity packs available. www.scouts.org.uk/rollsroyce

Serco Environment Sponsors: Environment Partnership Award. Activity packs available. www.scouts.org.uk/serco

Venture Abroad Adventure holidays for Scouts. www.scouts.org.uk/ventureabroad

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Stay in Ctrl Microsoft is now working with The Scout Association to help bring the power of technology to Scouting, and to inspire and educate Technology forms an integral part of our day-to-day lives. However, many people would admit that they still have a lot to learn – which is why Microsoft has a number of initiatives to help them do just that.

Microsoft IT Badge

Microsoft sponsors the staged IT Badge and is working to refresh it next year. It has also provided some new resources that support the current structure. www.scouts.org.uk/microsoft

Digital Literacy

If you, or people you are working with, are not confident using a computer, you can take a free entry-level IT qualification, the Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum. www.microsoft.com/uk/dlc

Internet Safety Training

As well as PDF resources for all age groups, Microsoft is offering virtual training for adult volunteers to enable them to educate parents about safeguarding their children online.

Volunteers’ time…

Microsoft offers its employees three days’ volunteering leave a year. John Arnold, Cub Scout Leader, District Commissioner for Uxbridge and District, and Microsoft employee, uses his days for local Group activities and to volunteer at Scout Headquarters. John has been working with our head of IT to implement a Microsoft software donation for the Association.

…and money

Microsoft employees also play an active part in the community as fundraisers. Staff can apply to have fundraising matched up to £7,500 per year. John Watkins, a District Explorer Scout Commissioner and Microsoft employee, has raised more than £3,000 for his local Group so far this year, which has been doubled by Microsoft.

Does your company match your fundraising?

John Watkins says, ‘I am fortunate that Microsoft supports me in these efforts as it makes a big difference to my Group. I know many other companies offer similar schemes, so I would advise all volunteers to find out if they can take advantage of this from their employers.’

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Partnerships

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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S aving O rphan S couts

Scouting met with SOS Children’s Villages – the world’s largest orphan charity – to find out how it helps children and young adults around the world and to see how you can use this in your section meeting SOS Children’s Villages cares for children who have been orphaned and abandoned by integrating them into a new caring family, for life. The families are given their own homes, which are built in clusters or Children’s Villages, providing support, care and a safe environment. SOS Children’s Villages currently cares for more than 78,000 orphaned and abandoned children in 124 countries.

Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is one of The Scout Association’s solidarity countries for next year’s Jamboree (you will find out more about that in the Join-in-Jamboree resource in the next issue of Scouting). Many young people in Sierra Leone have experienced the loss of their homes, family and friends as a result of war. SOS Children’s Villages has been working there for nearly 40 years. There are three Children’s Villages which care for more than 300 children. Some are Scouts, and in the Children’s Village of Freetown, the charity has a Scout Group based at the SOS school.

Learn more about Villages SOS Children’s Villages has designed a number of activities to use in your sections to fit with the Global (International for Network) Programme zone (visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol). For activity ideas, why not invite a representative from SOS Children to give a talk or workshop with your section? Talks can be tailored to all age ranges and cover a number of global issues. To see if anyone is available in your area, contact SOS Children. Short visits to Children’s Villages are also possible upon request.

Find out about previous Scout trips

A fuller version of this article, including interviews with leaders who have been on trips and example programme ideas can be read online at www.scouts.org.uk/international

Contact SOS Children

Get involved by visiting Programmes Online (www.scouts.org.uk/pol), or contact Richard Willson, SOS Children’s Youth and Community Liaison, at richardw@soschildren.org, 01223 365 589 or visit www.soschildren.org

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Partnerships

THE PUFFIN ADVENTURE CHALLENGE IS BACK! Following a record-busting uptake in 2009, Puffin is back, with some of the best-loved action brands in children’s literature, to sponsor the Puffin Adventure Challenge Award

Two of Puffin’s newest adventure titles, TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow and The Enemy by Charlie Higson, will be joining the adrenalin-pumping line-up which already includes Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan and Young Samurai by Chris Bradford. Whether your Scouts want to test their sailing, climbing or caving skills, our Adventure Challenge Pack will set them on the right course. The refreshed activity cards and wall chart will outline tasks and take them on extreme adventures with Puffin’s most popular book characters testing their skills to the limit.

THRILLING NEW ADVENTURES TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2029. Yet moments before death they are recruited by an agency that no one knows exists, with only one purpose – to stop time travel from destroying the world… Become a Time Rider at www.time-riders.co.uk

The Enemy by Charlie Higson They’ll chase you. They’ll rip you open. They’ll feed on you… When the sickness came, every parent, police officer, politician – every adult – fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only young people under 14 remain, and they’re fighting to survive. Don’t miss the Zombie Gallery at www.the-enemy.co.uk

WIN A VISIT FROM CHRIS BRADFORD

The Puffin Adventure Challenge Award Champion, author of the Young Samurai series and former Scout, will demonstrate how to become a young samurai with a mind-blowing sword display, all-kicking book reading and much more.

How to enter

Chris Bradford will show you some samurai skills

Write and email a children’s adventure story (no longer than 500 words) to scouting.magazine@ scouts.org.uk by 15 October 2010. Please also briefly outline where your visit might take place and how you will secure an audience of at least 75 people. Visit www.scouts.org.uk/puffin for helpful hints on writing for children from Chris Bradford.

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Partnerships

Virtual life begins at WD-40 WD-40 has launched a new interactive resource, as part of the company’s sponsorship of the Scouts DIY Activity Badge The online educational tool will help Scouts learn about basic DIY tasks and safety when doing them. It features tips and suggestions for ways in which the multipurpose product can help in the home and garden, including cleaning paintbrushes, removing crayon from walls, cleaning

and protecting garden equipment, and preventing corrosion on tools. The microsite allows Scouts to access the resource online and has: downloadable resources for leaders a step-by-step guide to creating your own toolbox a game where Scouts must put actions in the correct order against the clock. WD-40’s senior brand manager, Neil Gow, said: ‘Recent research by WD-40 found that people would rather call in a professional than tackle simple DIY tasks by

themselves. We felt we needed to put that right and teach tomorrow’s homeowners how to carry out DIY jobs. Scouts are a vital part of that as these young people are the future. ‘We believe that by sponsoring the Scouts DIY Activity Badge and providing this interactive resource we can educate the next generation of DIY experts.’

Did you know? There are around 2,000 different uses for WD-40. To find out more, log on to www.wd40.co.uk

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Get back to nature with OMSCo

Cub Scouts can embark on a fun-filled outdoor adventure and learn the importance of protecting wildlife as they work towards a Global Conservation Badge, sponsored by The Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative

Not only is organic milk a wholesome drink, but it helps conserve our countryside. Every pint means more beetles, birds and butterflies in the nation’s hedgerows as organic farmers don’t use artificial chemical pesticides, which may harm wild plants and animals. With this in mind, the Global Conservation Badge sets Cub Scouts the challenge of coming face to face with nature and discovering what creepy-crawlies and furry friends live in the great outdoors. Activities include building an owl box, creating

a forest garden and making an informative display about an animal in danger of extinction. They will also have the chance to go on a hedgerow safari, where they’ll spend a morning exploring a hedgerow on an organic farm and discover the variety of woodland and farmland plants that live there. And, to round it off, each will be given a cup of fresh organic milk to enjoy. To find out more about how you and your Scouts can take part, visit www.scouts.org.uk/omsco

Worcester salutes Scouts with the latest eco badge Calling all future eco leaders. Are you always the person who switches off the lights when you leave a room? Do you switch your plasma off at the plug socket every night? Do you care about the future? We’re hoping to get all ambitious adventurers to think ‘green’ and protect the environment with the Global Challenge Badge – thanks to support from Worcester, Bosch Group. Worcester, Bosch Group has been around for nearly 50 years. It is the UK’s market leader in energy-efficient products – keeping your house warm in the winter and bringing you hot water throughout the day. Energyefficient products mean you waste less energy, save money and protect the environment at the same time. It’s all very well for people to talk a lot of ‘hot air’ about saving energy, but it is the actions you take in your daily life which make all the difference. It is this ‘doing’ part of the

task that is crucial in changing minds and opinions, and is why Worcester wanted to get involved with The Scout Association. The Global Challenge Award brings home how even little steps can impact on energy efficiency and protect the world we live in. With a pack to coincide with the badge, there will be experiments, word searches, internet tasks and plenty more to put young people through their paces. Launching at Gilwell Reunion in September, Scouts will be able to put their skills to the test with Worcester’s Global Challenge Award, learning all about how to be more energy efficient in their own home and, of course, being rewarded for their efforts. To find out more about Worcester, Bosch Group visit: www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

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Partnerships

Pet shop Scouts

Pets at Home stores are offering local Beaver and Cub Scouts free pet workshops to help towards their Animal Care Badges. They will receive advice on how to care for pets responsibly from trained in-store advisors to achieve part of their set badge criteria All Pets at Home stores offer a variety of free activities such as school tours, group programmes and workshops, to help young people learn life skills. Young people can also attend ‘Picnic Time’ every day at 4pm to watch the pets enjoy their healthy snacks. Activities are designed to increase awareness and knowledge of how to look after a variety of popular pets, the fun and companionship pet ownership brings, and also about the level of care and dedication required.

Beaver Scouts – Animal Friend Badge Beaver Scouts can learn how to care for small animals, fish or insects and the correct types, varieties and

quantities of food to give them. They can also discover the right habitats for small animals, where they sleep and how to ensure they get the appropriate level of exercise.

Cub Scouts – Animal Carer Badge Cub Scouts can find out about different types of freshwater, sea water or tropical fish, and what food they eat. They will also learn the

Is there a free pet workshop near you?

correct foods that small animals need to keep them healthy and how to recognise common illnesses. The free pet workshops will help local Beaver and Cub Scouts find all the information they need to master some of their badge activity tasks, and teach them everything that’s involved in looking after pets responsibly. There are more than 260 Pets at Home stores across the UK. Pets at Home offers great products, tips and advice to keep your pet happy and healthy. From specialist food to toys and training aids, they have everything a pet owner could wish for, and more.

Find your local store at www. petsathome.com/storelocator

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Competition

WIN! Two free nights at a Scout Activity Centre

facilities for all ages. Experience the excitement of the high ropes challenge, 3G swing and more than 30 other activities.

Hawkhirst Located within With some of the best outdoor facilities in the UK, trained instructors will ensure your visit is packed with fun, challenge and adventure. All of the sites provide safe, friendly experiences, flexibility and excellent value for money.

Northumberland’s Kielder Forest and surrounded on three sides by the vast expanse of Kielder Water, Hawkhirst is ideal for water-based activities such as dinghy sailing and land activities like hiking and abseiling.

Downe Situated in the village

Youlbury Set in the heart

of Downe, the centre is a beautiful wooded estate only 25km from the centre of London. There are a range of activities for all ages, including climbing and abseiling, archery, grass sleds, orienteering and a zip wire.

of Oxfordshire, Youlbury offers activities including climbing, archery, shooting and zip wire. Indoor accommodation is available as well as a range of wooded and open campsites.

Ferny Crofts A stunning 31-acre wooded site in the heart of the New Forest and only ten miles from Southampton, Ferny Crofts is an ideal location for biology and geography activities as well as adventurous fun.

Gilwell Park The ‘home of Scouting’ boasts a superb range of activities and accommodation

Win free camping at a Scout Activity Centre of your choice* Scouting has teamed up with Scout Activity Centres to offer your section this fantastic opportunity. The prize can be claimed by arrangement with your chosen centre (Downe, Ferny Crofts, Gilwell Park, Hawkhirst or Youlbury) for up to 30 people. The offer does not include activity fees and is for camping only.

To win two nights’ camping, tell us in no more than 50 words why your section deserves to win. Answers can be emailed to scouting.magazine@scouts.org.uk, or posted to Scout Activity Centre Compo, Scouting magazine at the address on page 3. Closing date is Monday 27 September. *Excluding Baden-Powell House, as the centre does not have any camping facilities. Please note the prize is non-transferable and cannot be replaced. You must also provide your own tents and camping gear. Subject to availability and not available during any National Centres event. Good luck.

Competition winner Congratulations to Natasha Tilly of Northampton who won our April/ May competition. Natasha correctly answered ‘six knots’ and is now enjoying a fantastic set of Europlus camp cooking equipment.

Enter our photo competition There is still time to enter our photography competition. Post entries that sum up the word ‘adventure’ by 30 August and your photo could appear on the cover of Scouting magazine. www.flickr. com/groups/scoutingcompetition

Trees The 18 trees which every Scout should know by sight are: oak, elm, plane, poplar, cedar, fir, pine, sycamore, larch, willow, holly, horse chestnut, ash, lime, beech, birch, Spanish chestnut and walnut.

Scout Activity Centres offer fantastic opportunities for all young people to experience the outdoors

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classified

Appropriate Scout Association authorisation is required by leaders and adults running activities and events, even when using products and equipment supplied by commercial companies. Inclusion in this listing does not imply endorsement by The Scout Association.

suppliers

t.shirts, sweatshirts, polos, fleeces, badges Plus lots more supplied plain, printed or embroidered to your specification

0845 230 4780 Sprint Sports & Leisure Ltd Bolsover Business Park, Bolsover, Chesterfield S44 6BH Tel: 01246 240072 Fax: 01246 825900 guides@sprintsports.co.uk

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suppliers Fire Barrels STRONG STABLE STURDY n Complete Kit includes: Barrel, Legs & Grid n Can be sold separately n Self Supporting Legs. No Assembly Required n 3 Leg Heights n Easily Transported Visit www.tanmill.co.uk Call 01902 880991

See website for current designs

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ACTIVITIES & ACTIVITY CENTRES “Runways End” Scout Activity Centre 4 acres of Camping for 200-300 Campers.

• Group tuition • Windsurfing, Canoeing, Sailing, Archery, Raft Building • Camping, Café, Bar, Disco, Games room • 1st aid courses Croft Farm Leisure & Water Park Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 7EE 01684 772321 Email tom@croftfarmleisure.co.uk

Also, a new Modular Building coming on line soon (sleeps 30-40 people). Camping pack holidays brick building with showers/disabled facilities on site activities climbing/abseil, shooting, archery, cave experience, campfire circle, chapel, canoeing on canal nearby, scout shop. Many local attractions. Some activities

Braunston Northants

Visit the Isle of Man in 2011 • Multi Activity Adventure Course • Full board • Fantastic Island location • Full adventure activity programme All courses are run in association with Isle of Man Event Services.

Phone 01624 814240 contact@adventure-centre.co.uk www.adventure-centre.co.uk

affected by ongoing campsite improvements.

8-12 berth self steer narrowboats fully ﬁtted for all year round cruising. Plus day boat hire, 12 seater. Tel: 01788 890 784 Visit: www.unioncanalcarriers.co.uk

Contact: Becky Riley Booking Secretary Runways End Scout Activity Centre Phone; 01252 676849 Email; bookings-runwaysend@02.co.uk

Providers of the fun activity equipment for WINGS 2009 From Zorb Balls to Robotsoccer From Inflatables to Bungee Trampolines We have something for all budget sizes

Call NOW on 0800 334581 www.leisurematters.com Also view our YouTube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJUR1Nz6xdI to see the WINGS event

LNBP at Braunston

BRINGING THE EXPERIENCE OF CANAL BOATING TO YOUNG PEOPLE

CAMPING

SAFETY CENTRE

Available to schools, Youth Groups and Community Organisations throughout the country

Haringey District Scout Park Gordon Road London N11 2PB Eight-acre site near underground for exploring Central London. Ideal for Pack/Troop/Unit Camping. Patrol camp. Beaver Fun Days. Indoor Accommodation for 36+ with hall kitchen. Good toilets and shower facilities plus special need toilet. Climbing Wall/Archery/Rifle Range/ Pioneering/Canoes – Nature Watch centre. Large Hall and kitchen for events. Meeting Rooms and Wi - Fi. For details send A5 sae to Shirley Fort, 95 Sydney Road, London N10 2ND or telephone 020 8883 4375 scouting.shirval@tiscali.co.uk

Why not visit the Safety Centre a fantastic indoor interactive experience where children learn about safety in a realistic and fun environment Will achieve work towards Activity and Challenge Badges

Visit our website to view the Centre in action www.safetycentre.co.uk For more info & booking details Contact 01908 263009 or email info@safetycentre.co.uk 18 Carters Lane, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes MK 11 3ES Reg Charity No: 1019093

The project was founded in 1981 and in 2006 received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services. Our boats are based on the Grand Union Canal at Braunston, Northamptonshire. They provide the opportunity for young people from organised groups, including schools, groups working with the less able and disadvantaged, to experience the beneﬁts of canal boating.

Tel: 0870 240 6724 To advertise here, please contact September on 020 8962 2952 or email september.withers@thinkpublishing.co.uk

Email: gh.lnbp@virgin.net www.lnbp.co.uk

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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CAMPING DIRECTORY

Thriftwood Scout Campsite Brentwood Essex

Individual Woodland sites Over 25 onsite activities

THURSTON CAMP-SITE (on Coniston Water) Site takes up to 24. Includes - Cook room, showers & parking

www.thurston-oec.co.uk tel 01539441218

Contact details: email enquiries@thriftwood.org.uk Tel: 01277 212784 www.thriftwood.org.uk

FOR HIRE CUMBRIA- KESWICK SCOUT GROUP HALL FOR HIRE Do you want to visit Keswick with your young people or as Leaders? Keswick Scout Group Hall is in the centre of Keswick and is available for hire. Fully equipped new kitchen, new toilets and shower. The price is £6.50 per person per night. You will be given a very warm welcome For further details contact: Gill Reader 1st Keswick Scout Group Treasurer bobandgill44@btinternet.com Phone: 017687 72073

HOLIDAYS ABROAD

Yr Hafod The Scout Mountaineering Centre In the heart of Snowdonia

www.yr-hafod.org.uk MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS www.glasgowscoutshop.com Equipping you for your Scouting adventures! www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk Make your own gear. Specialist outdoor fabrics and fleece, buckles, webbing and zips plus all the patterns you will need to make or repair your own gear.

www.coventryscout.org.uk BadgesandThings (Coventry’s Scout Shop)

HOLIDAYS www.jeka-groupholidays.co.uk Widest range of Summer Camps available to 10 different European destinations by coach or air.

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Round our place

Delivering Scouting activities on a one-off occasion to a bed-bound young person with no Scout experience, may sound difficult, but it’s all in a day’s work for one Bristol Group, reveals Kat Tucker

Photography by Jemma Cox

f you ever find yourself at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) on a Friday night, a trip to the third floor is recommended. Not just because the friendly elevator voice is that of Peter Sallis, AKA Wallace (‘second floor, Gromit, watch out for the doors’), but because that’s where you will find the BRHC Scout Group making the hospital experience interesting and adventurous for young people.

NORMAL SERVICE

The main aim of our Friday nights is for the young people to have fun and be normal for an hour and a half. In hospital that is something they don’t get a lot of, whether they are patients or a sibling or friend who isn’t getting much attention because someone close to them is unwell. Of course, the parameters of what constitutes normal in a Group which has welcomed young people in wheelchairs, beds, on drips and, on one occasion, in full-on traction, is somewhat different from most Groups. However, we don’t talk about it unless they do. We carry on as if they were running around like everyone else. We do many traditional activities – usually with a bit of a twist; craft exercises, tracking around the hospital, road safety, first aid – anything that you can do in a regular Scout Group we’ll have a go at here… including camping.

The Group is open to everyone aged six to 16, patient or visitor, Scout or not. Our team of adult volunteers trawl the wards about an hour before meetings to invite young people along. As attendance is limited to those in the hospital at the time, most will only come once. This presents particular challenges as all programmes can only last for 90 minutes and it’s extremely difficult to get to know the young people and adapt activities to their needs. However, such is the popularity of the Group, we recently welcomed our 1,000th individual. We are very proud to have achieved this in only our ninth year. In making it normal for the young people, we keep it normal for the leaders. The programmes and the way we work with young people are similar to any Scout Group. All that’s different is their health and how often we see them. We consider ourselves to be just another Scout Group.

Tell us

If you’d like us to come round your place, drop us a line at scouting. magazine@ scouts.org.uk

www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

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Interview

Five miles with…

Steve Sudbury

A heart attack prompted Steve Sudbury to set off on a series of international adventures with a cuddly bear, raising awareness about dementia. Having written a book in the guise of Yuan Bear, Steve took five minutes to tell Scouting his life-changing story

Photography by Steve Sudbury

Scouting magazine: What’s your Scouting background? Steve Sudbury: I’ve been in the Scouts since I was eight, and I’m 57 now. I’m from the school of traditional skills and have been on countless international trips over the years, currently holding the appointment of Assistant District Commissioner (International). SM: How did you find yourself trekking the Great Wall in your 50s? SS: I had a heart attack in May 2004, and around the same time my mother-inlaw developed Alzheimer’s. When I was recovering, my wife saw an advert to trek the Great Wall for the Alzheimer’s Society. I saw it as

a goal to improve my fitness, and a chance to raise money for an important cause. SM: Where does the bear come in? SS: Yuan was my daughter’s idea, to have a mascot with me as a conversation starter. Wherever I was, people would stop and ask about the bear attached to my rucksack, and I’d tell them about Alzheimer’s. He developed a character of his own, and made the trip more memorable. After I got back, one of the charity’s representatives suggested a book, which is where that idea grew from.

SM: Where else has Yuan travelled with you? SS: Various places in the UK, and after China, Yuan has been to Las Vegas, the Himalayas and Denmark, sometimes with friends made through Scouting. SM: What’s next? SS: Himalaya Base Camp, if the body allows. It’s a distant dream! SM: Why is adventure important? SS: Giving young people a sense of adventure builds confidence, allows them to take risks and makes memories. That was the point of my adventure… making memories.

the whole story Making Memories by Yuan Bear (helped by Steve Sudbury) was self-published using www.blurb. com and can be previewed and purchased on the Blurb website.

Last laugh by Ian West

So, how was your first Cub camp?

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He’s in total shock – he’s just realised it’s a seven-day camp and his mobile’s battery only lasts for three

Kite, what kite? That’s my tent…

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