Make a parachute shelter Badge requirement changes 24 hour ... · We hope to offer the following...

The newsletter of the Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association

‘Traditional outdoor Scouting for the 21st Century’

Traditional Scouting in the UK: News, information, activities, advice, interest

September 2013

and much more...

Beavers - Wolf Cubs - Scouts - Seniors - Rovers

Make a parachute shelterBadge requirement changes 24 hour challenge review

Senior Scout badge positionsForaging

Editor: Sue [email protected] Editor and Design: Nick [email protected]: Ninette [email protected]

Contributors: Nick Allen, Clive Gray, Colin Stevens,Jay Dodson, Norman Boxall, Katheryn Ovendon,Graham Rutherford.

Chief Commissioner: Graham [email protected] Secretary: Sue [email protected] Commissioners:Beavers: Lyn Tomlinson Tel: 01189 665003Email: [email protected] Cubs: Sheena Dodson Tel: 0161 3387459Email: [email protected]: Jay Dodson Tel: 07796 691681Email: [email protected] Scouts: Norman Boxall Tel: 01189 753438Email: [email protected]: Clive Gray Tel: 01665 574733Email: [email protected]: Martyn Dodson email:[email protected]

The Baden - Powell Scouts' Association is a registered charity (No. 278525). The articles contained within this publication are notnecessarily the views of the B-PSA.

Summer is now over and Groups have had theopportunity to do so much more out of doors in ourmain camping season. There has been so muchgoing on in the B-PSA with Summer camps andother activities and the new term beckons with theprospect of even more so please share your storieswith us.

We received fantastic feedback about the new lookScouting about which makes the hard work reallyworthwhile. However, to make it even better wereally need plenty of contributions in the form ofinformation and articles coming in! If you haveanything to share then write a few words, or a lot ofwords if you like, and send them along with apicture, if possible.

We hope to build ‘Scouting about’ into a more comprehensive and inclusive newsletter for the whole of the B-PSAand so welcome news, images, information etc from anyone actively involved within the association or from thosewith a genuine interest. Anything that could be relevant would be appreciated and perhaps gives any buddingjournalists or literary talents the opportunity to get started. Alternatively, get members of your sections writing,taking photographs etc. This newsletter aims to share ideas and provide useful information for leaders, assistantsand lay helpers of all sections. It is your newsletter and a means of two-way communication so please use it.Contact Sue or Nick using the details above.

Page Feature3 Changes to Beaver badge requirements4 News and info5 Senior Scout badge positions6 Scouts/Seniors badge bonanza7 Around the Groups8 Be prepared for foraging9 Around the Groups

12 Bothying is brilliant13 Reflections on Rovering to Success pt 214 Parachute shelters15 Rovers' 24 hour challenge review16 Upcoming events

SUPER SUMMER,

AWESOME AUTUMN

3 Follow Scouting about on Facebook

BADGES

Changes to Beaver badge requirements

B-PSA UK Badges:Mrs Sylvia Rutherford [email protected] Thornaby Road, Thornaby, Stockton on TeesTS17 9HD01642 887962

Following comments from some of our Leaders about the length of time it takes toachieve some badges the following amendments have been made to the Beavers’Project Award and Hobby Award:

Project AwardThis badge will be awarded when a Beaver hascompleted TEN of the projects in the Beaver Project Bookover a period of at least 6 months.

Hobby AwardChoose an interest or a hobby and over a period of 6months satisfy the Examiner that a reasonable

amount of progress indeveloping the subject has been made. (There is no limitto the subject. It it must be one where progress can bedetected and measured.)

Both badges used to be over a one year period, sohopefully Beavers will more readily gain these badgesnow.


Remember to shareyour Beaver experienceswith us by sending in photosand info of what yourcolony has been up to.

B-PSA UK Uniform and Supplies:Mr Stuart [email protected] St. Andrews Road, Warminster BA12 8ET01985 217664


Is your censusinformation correct?

It is always a great relief whencensus forms are returned intime. However there appears tobe a problem when it comes toFirst Aid qualifications!When checking through thesubmitted forms it has beenseen that a number ofcertificates are out of date.Please note that First AidCertificates are only valid forthree years and, therefore,refresher courses are requiredto keep the qualifications up todate and acceptable.

Change to Venture BadgeAll unissued old Venture Badges are now obsolete. They havebeen replaced by a new version with a yellow border and will comeinto effect from the AGM. All requests for a VentureBadge will come from Norman Boxall whowill require a bage certificate.

If you do happen to have any unissued oldVenture Badges, they should be returnedto Graham Rutherford and credit will begiven for them.

Reflection onWoodbeads training

As a Scout I only ever camped with mygroup, writes Katheryn Ovendon of3rd Wiltshire - so you get an idea thatthis is the only way of camping andmust be what all other Scout Groupsdo too. After Woodbeads I was ableto learn new skills from other leadersand Rovers, which taught me thatthere are many different ways ofcamping. Some good and some bad -but I took a lot out of the course and hopefully I’ll be able to make myGroup expand on their ideas of traditional camping so that all camps arefun and different.

But I truly did learn loads and would recommend the course to any otherleader/Rover

Some leaders and Rovers on Woodbeads training

General news and info

Northumbria Area’s Cub and ScoutCamps hosted by 1st Floddenwere a huge success. Campbadges were awarded to allattendees who helped tocommemorate the quincentenaryof the Battle of Flodden.Special thanks to all those leadersfrom other Groups who helped toensure fantastic camps by runningactivitiesIf any other Groups would like tovisit the area, camp and learnabout the battle and gain the‘Flodden badge’, they should emailJoanne [email protected]

Flodden Badge


SENIORS

Badge positions for Senior Scouts


This year's Scout and Senior Scout badge bonanzaweekend will be hosted by 1st Isle of Axholme whowill also arrange all catering. Thanks to Karl and cofor organising this.The weekend will be held at a new venue for us ieThe Oaks Guide Campsite in Lincolnshire (for furtherdetails, visit http://www.theoakscampsite.org.uk)from 27th - 29th September.The campsite is adjacent to an airfield where wehave arranged glider experience flights - these willcost an additional £15 per person, but we neednames of all interested Scouts and Seniors who wishto fly to be sent to Jay by 13th September. If we areoversubscribed we will make a draw, and notify thesuccessful applicants by Friday 20th.We hope to offer the following badges:

Scout badges:� Tracker� Air Glider (subject to weather and an

supplementary charge of £15, and numberrestricted)� Archery – as part of master at arms – won’t be

completed� Marksman� Pioneer� Backwoodsman� Camp Cook� Conservationist� Photographer� Starman� Signaller� Entertainer

Senior Scout Badges:� Senior Tracker� Ambulance (£5 extra charge

in cash if an Emergency 1stAid at work certificate isrequired)� Adventure Pursuit – parts of –

archery, gliding, air rifles

� Forester� Senior Pioneer� Senior Entertainer

We have included the Scout and Senior Entertainerbadges, and the plan is that those interested willprepare a mini gang show during Saturday to beperformed on Saturday evening.All badges are offered subject to us having leadersvolunteering to run them.Next StepsPlease notify Jay Dodson([email protected]) and NormanBoxall ([email protected])as soon as possible if your Group intends to attend,and volunteer leaders to run/assist with badges.Contact Jay and/or Norman as early in September aspossible but no later than 13th with the followingdetails:� how many will be attending� names of attendees with 1st and 2nd badge

choices� any special physical or dietary needs.

Details can be amended after this date - but we doneed names and numbers early to plan badges andcatering.Cost of the weekend will be £17.50 to cover camp sitefees and catering.

Scouts & Seniors Badge Bonanza

The Oaks Guide Campsite


WOOLER Scouts and Wolf Cubs take to the stage

On 1st and 2nd of March, after several weeks of rehearsing, 12 WolfCubs and 4 Scouts with leaders took part in the local variety show.There were 3 performances with 250 in the audience each time.Getting their gear inspected

We took the theme of going for a hike which involved a Cubappearing from a rucksack and a kitchen sink, before they dancedround the stage singing ahiking song.The little chef makes her entryThe finale saw us going backout to join the rest of the castdancing to Greased Lightning- most leaders couldremember this from first timeround! During the encorethe Wolf Cubs and Scoutsbrought members of the audience to the front tojoin in the dance, mainly their mums, dads and grandparents!Greased LighteningAnother highlight was when Carol (Ahmeek) and Anne (Akela)sang a beautiful duet in another part of the show. The show raisedover £3000 for local charities and now the kids are looking forwardto taking part in the pantomime next year.

Wooler Scouts First Camp of theYearOn Saturday 24 and Sunday 25March Wooler Scouts undertooktheir first camp of the year. Itlived up to all expectations andwas yet another camp involvingsnow (last year 2 of the 3 campsundertaken by the Scouts sawsnow at some point!).4 Scouts and 4 leaders set offfrom the cars in the SimonsideHills, Northumberland to walkthe mile and quarter to SpylawCottage.There was a biting east windblowing all weekend with a bit ofshelter from the trees in thecottage grounds.There was a lot of firewoodavailable so a lot of time wasspent cutting wood to keep thefire going. I have never been toa camp where the Scouts tookthemselves off to bed so earlybut at least it was warm in thetents.There was some interaction withthe Scout Association as aTroop of Sea Scouts from Blythwere staying in the hut and theymade us very welcome invitingus inside and letting us use thetap indoors to collect water.On Sunday we were up earlyand after a good breakfastpacked up and headed back tothe cars then Wooler to tidy upthe equipment and to warm upat the meeting hall.The whole Group has been veryactive since and we lookforward to hearing of theiradventures!

Wooler’s year going wellAround the Groups


The Woodland Trust predicts 2013will be a bumper year for fruitingautumn berries and reveals thatlast year’s crop was the worst inover a decade, according toscientific records.Early indications from datacollected by the public for theWoodland Trust's Nature'sCalendar project suggest thatautumn will be late this year, butthat the glorious weather in earlysummer will mean autumn wildfruit crops will flourish, having apositive impact on the UK’s nativeplant and wildlife species.2012’s extremely wet conditionsduring the summer resulted in lateleaf tints, late fruiting and

for foraging

Foraging for fruits could be an excellent activity for Beavers, Cubsand Scouts this autumn according to the Woodland Trust.Following last year’s dismal weather and resulting poor fruitharvest, 2013 is set to make amends.

exceptionally poor crops of wildfruit. In fact, last year’s Nature’sCalendar records displayed thelowest fruiting scores since theTrust started collecting records 12years ago, for 14 of the 16 tree andshrubs species recorded by theproject’s volunteers1. The Trust isurging the public to record theirsightings of this year’s earlyautumn sightings on its Nature’sCalendar website.Dr Kate Lewthwaite, Nature’sCalendar Project Manager, said:“Although our records suggest thatautumn fruiting will be late thisyear due to the delayed onset ofspring flowering , if the warmweather interspersed withoccasional wet spells continues,

this should mean the fruiting ofshrubs like bramble, rowan

and blackthorn, isabundant.

“Wildlife species willno doubt benefit

from a bumpercrop, and

finallyfruit-eatingbirds

andmammals

will be ableto enjoy an

autumn feast.Last year, birds

and mammalssuffered some of

the poorest fruitingcrop in years and this,

coupled with the prolonged coldsnap in spring, meant that manyspecies had to endure a longperiod without a decent foodsupply.She continued: “In order to betterunderstand the impacts of long-term changing climate on some ofthe UK’s most-loved native species,we need the public to record theirautumn sightings on our Nature’sCalendar website.”The charity’s Nature’s Calendarproject, which has phenologyrecords dating back to the 17thcentury, allows people to recordsigns of spring as well as autumnby noting sightings such as fruitripening, ivy flowering and leafcolouring. The records compiled bythe public are used by governmentand scientists to aid theunderstanding of how flora andfauna is adapting to the changingenvironment.The Trust is urgently calling formore citizen science recorders.Crucially, the number of Nature’sCalendar recorders is falling yearupon year and the charity needs tomaintain a network of recorders inall parts of the UK to help maintainthe scientific integrity of the data.Anyone can become a Nature’sCalendar recorder and make a realand valuable contribution to citizenscience and the long-term studiesinto the impact of climate changeon wildlife by visitingwww.naturescalendar.org.uk.


Skip Colin Stevens recently camesecond in the Area CommunityAwards for the two years work ittook to get the new Scout Groupunderway. He was also awarded an'Endeavour' certificate to go with itfor overcoming all the obstaclesalong the way.

5th Wiltshire B-P Scout Group gotoff to an incredible start with fiftyyoungsters being invested in aspecial ceremony.The Group was launched inNovember and marks the returnof Scouting to the town ofLudgershall for the first time sincethe 1990s.The evening, which saw 50 youngpeople aged six to 17 invested,together with adult leaders,started with a blessing of thegroup’s new formal Union Flag bythe Reverend Malcolm Freeman.This was followed by the leaders,Beavers, Wolf Cubs and Scoutssaying their promise and formallyjoining the Group.Scoutmaster Colin ‘Skip’ Stevenssaid: "Since we started, thedemand for a local group hasbeen much higher than even ourresearch had shown.

5th Wiltshire invest 50!

“We filled up within a few weeksof opening and are now workingon adding to our leaders andhelpers team so we can grow abit more.“It's really great that so manylocal youngsters can enjoyScouting and be able to walk toand from where we meet.”

The group, which providestraditional Scouting inLudgershall, Tidworth,Collingbourne and thesurrounding areas, is planning toopen Senior Scouts and RoverScouts sections.Scouting about wishes 5thWiltshire the best of luck.

Second placefor SkipStevens

Flodden Bushcraft School instructs local students1st Flodden’s very own bushcraft school delivered a programme ofbackwoods, survival and bushcraft techniques to students fromBerwick Academy as part of its preparation for life initiative.Students were instructed in friction firelighting using a bow drill,preparing and cooking trout, water divining, ghillie net making andshelter building with parachutes.1st Flodden also helps the school with its John Muir Awardprogramme.

Around the Groups


February was unpredictable this yearbut we managed to find a break in thesnow (although it was bitterly cold) tohold a 3 day camp at our campsite atTwizel in Northumberland. For any ofyou that have been to Twizel you willknow the site is the ideal base for alltypes of scouting activities but thistime we were mainly focusing on thePioneer Badge, and spent the daysbuilding both a bridge that the scouts,some of which had not been in scouts

very long and never been to campbefore, designed, engineered andconstructed themselves, with carefulguidance from the leaders, and testedout by a very brave and slightly madleader from 1st North Ormesby, and araft which for some reason the leadersdidn’t want to test out. Scouts also hadfun doing a Spanish windlass race tosee which team could figure out howto put in to practice what they had

learnt about moving heavy objectswhen given just a rope and two brushshanks, On the evenings they spenttime making turks head woggles fromparacord and mastering the sailmakerswhipping and those that completedtheir woggles are wearing themproudly, just with the knowledge thatthey mastered it themselves.Our poor Seniors however missed outon all the fun as they were off doingtheir Venturer Hike, which for one

Senior for one reason or another washis third attempt and he was verypleased when he actually managed tocomplete it (without injuries or re-routing). This now means that he isable to get his St Georges Award and Iam sure that with the scouts we havebetween our two groups we will havemany more awards achieved in thenext few years.

Around the Groups

1st Floddenhosted twoArea camps forCubs/BeaversandScouts/Seniors.Groupstravelled fromall over the

North East and Cumbria to join

in the fun, learn about the Battle

of Flodden and earn a badge

while they were at it.

1st Whittingham at Galloway Activity Centre where the scouts

participated in a two day canoeing course, and a load of other

activities including archery, wibbly wobbly water park, high

ropes and much more!

5th Wiltshire's held their first Group

Camp which was exhausting but

great. That's four camps so far this

year and three to go

Nearly 60 Beavers, Wolf Cubs,

Scouts, Senior Scouts, Parent Helpers

and Leaders joined in at Chute in

baking sunshine and torrential rain - it

was fab!10 youngsters from the newly formed

6th Wiltshire Kiwis also attended.


1st Kingswood Beavers went on expedition to the realhome of the industrial revolution! (where AbrahamDerby saw William Champion using coke to smeltzinc and took the idea back to Ironbridge to try it outon iron!) Seen here in the Grotto, the chequered wallgarden (the black bricks are made from slag from thesmelting business) and visiting Neptune in the driedup lake that supplied the water for the smelting works.They also visited the museum that has lots about thelocal industries, including a collection of Douglasbikes, We have now moved on to drama andare creating a play about local history,including the notorious Cock Rd gang - ourchapel where we meet was planted right nextto their headquarters in Wesley's work to tamethe Heathens!

Ist Isle of Axholme Spring Camp was held at TrentValley Gliding Club. A great time was had by all.

Around the Groups

Seniors and Rovers from all over the country and evenfrom Ireland attended the Discovery Award in theYorkshire Dales this summer. The expeditionincluded hiking up and down dale in Swaledale andWensleydale as well as a 26 mile bike journey to TanHill where the UK’s highest pub is located. Whoplanned that?



The Bothy CodeRespect Other UsersPlease leave the bothy clean andtidy with dry kindling for the nextvisitors. Make other visitorswelcome. If they are not MBAmembers set a good example.Respect the BothyTell us about any accidentaldamage. Don't leave graffiti orvandalise the bothy. Please takeout all rubbish which you can'tburn. Avoid burying rubbish; thispollutes the environment. Pleasedon't leave perishable food as thisattracts vermin. Guard against firerisk and ensure the fire is outbefore you leave. Make sure thedoors and windows are properlyclosed when you leave.Respect the SurroundingsIf there is no toilet at the bothyplease bury human waste out ofsight. Use the spade provided,keep well away from the watersupply and never use the vicinity ofthe bothy as a toilet.Never cut live wood or damageestate property. Use fuel sparingly.Respect Agreement with theEstatePlease observe any restrictions onuse of the bothy, for exampleduring stag stalking or at lambingtime. Please remember bothies areavailable for short stays only. Theowner's permission must beobtained if you intend an extendedstay.Respect the Restriction OnNumbersBecause of over crowding and lackof facilities, large groups (6 ormore) should not use a bothy norcamp near a bothy without firstseeking permission from theowner.Source: www.mountainbothies.org.uk

Ever had your Scouts stay in a bothy? If not you should! TheMountain Bothy Association is probably the better known of thedifferent associations and has bothies throughout Scotland,Northern England and Wales (see www.mountainbothies.org.uk formore information). However there are other organisations such asthe Border Bothies Association who do not promote themselvesonline but still offer excellent facilities for hikers. At present the

Association maintains four bothies, all in the Tweed Valley, threewithin walking distance of each other and all within cyclingdistance. All now have Calor Gas cooking facilities, open fires andvarious forms of lighting. One boasts a running water system withhot baths available! All are very special places where folk can relaxand enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Border countryside.Seniors from 1st Flodden recently stayed at one of the bothies thatthe BBA run in the Scottish Borders as part of a hiking weekend inthe Cheviots. The cooker and lights are fuelled from bottled gas,you need to supply your own wood or coal for the open fires and toget running water or to flush the lavatory you need to pump water.This really makes it an adventure, getting away from the luxuriousfacilities that we expect in most places.The bothies vary in size but generally sleep about 12 people,though camping is also allowed in some locations. Duringlambing season there may be restrictions on the use of somebothies.What is great about them is that they provide a fantastic base forsome excellent hillwalking in the Cheviots or Southern Uplands .Alternatively, they provide a great location to turn up to at the endof a long day’s hike when the last thing you want to do is to pitch atent. Cooking facilities are ideal for the needs of a small groupwith pots , pans, crockery and cutlery provided.However, the BBA don’t like the idea of a hoard of rampagingScouts descending from the hills to requisition one of theirbuildings so adult supervision is required.As for cost, all that is required is a donation with arecommendation of £2.50 per person per night. That’s cheaperthan most camp sites!For further information please contact David Dickson on 01875812985


ROVERS

Reflection’s on ‘Rovering To Success’ Clive Gray

HQ Commissioner

Rover Scouts

In chapter 1 B-P compares life to a canoe trip withrapids, big waves and dangerous rocks to avoid,all to be navigated by using your resources, acanoe, a paddle, intellect and spirit so that youwill eventually slide successfully ‘into a shelteredlanding place, the happy campfire and the sleepof tired men’. B-P sees success as theachievement of happiness on life’s journey.He also says it is not gaining position, power andriches at another’s expense’ which bears furtherthought. Athletes may lose a race but it is notreally to their detriment as they accept they arethere to compete and not winningis a spur to work harder (unlesssomebody is doping). Ethicalbusiness only survives if theproduct or service fulfills a needand people recommend it orrepeat their purchase. B-P wantsus to strive to be better humanbeings ourselves and part of thatis to avoid the abuse of others.This is a philosophical argumentbut science also has a term forgaining, without any detriment toothers , ‘Pareto Efficiency’. Thereare people who 'succeed' and wesay 'it couldn't have happened to anicer person, well done'. Now there is anaspiration.Happiness, in my mind, is no easier to attaintoday than in B-P’s day. Research also shows thatthe wealthier a country is, the less happy peopleare. So what is this illusive happiness that B-P istalking about? He makes it clear that it issomething that has to be worked hard for by anindividual. It is not a passive exercise which hesays would simply be ‘pleasure’. By selecting anation as an example, in his case Burma, butperhaps Bhutan today, which measures itseconomy on Gross National Happiness(something I can attest to) he is also clearlysuggesting that it is more than just an individualundertaking. It must include human interaction.Something we individualistic, post modernwesterners may struggle with.It was Maslow who put forward a building blockmodel to ‘self actualisation’. The point insomebody’s personal development where theyhave grown beyond basic need, beyond selfunderstanding and start to live for and throughothers. The Buddhists forward similar views

Part 2: Success = Happiness

around the journey to enlightenment, which is thehappiest of places, were self interest is leftbehind. Christians would attest to the samethrough the spiritual journey of faith centred ontrying to become more Christ like.B-P offers two keys to happiness:1. ‘Not to take things too seriously, but to makethe best of what you have got.’This speaks to two points: being able to be livingfully now rather than awaiting a future that may

never happen; and the fear of failureproblem that many of us have. Sportsand business coaches talk about‘skating to fall’. In other words, to graspthe joy of life, not being afraid to makemistakes and to learn from them. It isthe only way to personal growth in B-P’s eyes and underpins his view thatthe attainment of happiness is anactive process. It takes couragethough, and B-P is giving us a way tostep back from fear, and take the risk.2. ‘To let your actions and thoughts bedirected by Love’.This is the central theme on whichevery faith hangs, Judaism,

Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism,as well as secular philosophies such asHumanism. Christians believe that through theloving forgiveness of God we are released to dothings differently in future, transforming our livesand those around us through love. The DalaiLama says in the book ‘The Art of Happiness’(using compassion as his word of love of others),‘It is my firm conviction that human nature isessentially compassionate’ and thus argues that"If you want others to be happy, practicecompassion. If you want to be happy, practicecompassion.".So B-P suggests a way to have the courage toface our shortcomings and focus’ us on atransformative process based on love andcompassion. No mean feat.


Nick AllenSenior Scout Master1st Flodden B-P ScoutGroup

Parachute shelters are not only easy but they are great for giving an excellent sense of adventureand excitement when at camp, especially in the backwoods! They can be used as a work area toinstruct in or for a patrol etc to sleep in.Although the parachute materialis not waterproof it will channelrain down the material where itwill run off usually at the lowestpoint round the edge. In heavyrain a certain amount of finespray is likely to go through thecanopy but it still gives betterprotection than not using it! Toensure maximum protection ifrain is expected is to have verysteep sides and once insidedon’t touch the sides.One of the simplest ways tomake a shelter is to attach alength of paracord or rope to thecentre of the parachute thenthrow the end of the cord (tied toa stone or stick to make iteasier) over a strong tree

branch, or rope that runs fromone tree to another. Theparachute can then be raised tothe required height.Either the edges of theparachute can be pegged downdirectly to the ground or using

‘guy ropes’. Surrounding treesor bushes can be used to tie offto. Aim for an angle of about 60- 70 degrees for the sides.However, be prepared to adjustthe shelter eg you may wish tohave one side of the shelterpegged down at ground level toprotect from wind and the otherside higher up for easy accessetc.If the parachute is high enough,a small fire can be built inside.It provides a great place forenjoying company round the firein the evening, I find such aparachute shelter very useful ona static camp.Mess about with different typesof shelter eg base it around asingle pole or fold the parachutein half and wrap it around atripod or teepee structure.Old parachutes can bepurchased from some armysurplus stores or on sites suchas ebay for around £30.


24 hour challenge

On 6th April 2013, the first International 24 HourRover Survival Challenge to be hosted in the UK, tookplace at Bisley in Surrey. Bravely inaugurated and setup by Jay Dodson and supported by our Friends fromDenmark (who have been running events like this foryears) a rugged group of teams of 2 settled in to 24hours of bush craft and survival challenges undercompetition conditions.Without giving too much away, (for thosecontemplating entering the next one) I can honestlysay that it stretched my 44 years of Scouting andsurvival experience and taught me some new stuff aswell. It was good natured (Ninette and I are stillMarried!) and great fun, especially aiming homemadebows and arrows with fletching and sharp ends at oneof the organisers prized T Shirts. Those with lessexperience will testify to the support and guidanceavailable from the organising team to help themdevelop and grow.We got to fell trees, make bivi sites, cook things youwould never think possible on a camp fire, buildunusual contraptions and compete in camp Olympicswith our own bush made equipment. I became betterknown as Fred Flinstone after the size of the stuff Imade and ensuring Ninette (the only Girl in thecompetion! Come on Girls!) had to do a Wilma andsort me out.3am was the low point, spicing ropes together bylamplight for another task, but a good dose of sugarand lots of liquids got us through (as well as theoccasional burst of machine gun for form the militaryranges!). It was worth it in the end though. The sense

of achievement in seeing it through was equivalent tocompleting a marathon or Iron man competition.Ninette and I were very grateful to the other teams forgallantly allowing us to win and we shall now beadding the first leather tassel with our namesembossed upon it, to the trophy.This is really something that every Rover should do atleast once in their lives and clearly can be done justas well by the girls as the boys. You’ll have stories fordinner parties for years to come and have a greatexperience to boot.So the challenge is laid down,if we can persuade Jay to setup anotherone? Watchout for theadvert andbe there forthe nextone.

Clive GrayHQ CommissionerRover Scouts


Date Event Contact

27-29 Sept Scouts/Seniors BadgeBonanza - North Lincolnshire

Jay Dodson/Norman Boxall

5 Oct AGM, Owleywood

22-24 Nov Rover adventure weekend Clive orNinette Gray

Upcoming events

Scout / Senior Scout Badge Bonanza27th – 29th September

See p7 for more information

An exciting Rover adventure weekend with caving, hillwalking and possibly climbing or kayaking if you wantit, centred in the beautiful North Yorkshire village ofClapham. From Friday 22nd to Sunday 24thNovember 2013. We have found a very smartbunkhouse in the village and there are great pubs, anexcellent outdoor shop and easy access on to thehills. Sign up through Rovering to Success or just tellNinette or I direct (with a cheque please!).Caving will be provided by our recently qualified CaveLeader (through our bursary scheme) GraemeHodgson and will entail a full day cave on Saturdayand a half day cave on Sunday for those who are lesssure about it. For caving, you will need wellies and ifyou want to be really comfortable, Wet Socks (whichare about £15 and if there is enough demand Graemewill order in bulk to save us a few quid). The fullcaving kit list is below but you will be provided withclothing and we will hire helmets and lamps for £3.25for the weekend.We will eat in the pub on Friday night as people turnup at different times and Ninette and I will providebreakfasts and Saturday night dinner (you know thatwill be good!). Please bring your own lunches.The bunkhouse provides a bottom sheet and pillowcase, so please bring a Sleeping bag or duvet and atowel.The cost of the weekend is £40 for Rovers andLeaders (+£15 for non members for insurance andregistration) but we do need your confirmation andmoney by the AGM on 5th October to secure ourbooking at this price. Sadly, if you don't pay we can'taccommodate you this year.So please let Clive or Ninette know ASAP along withpayment as quickly as possible please.

Rover Adventure Weekend

Caving Equipment – clothing / kit list

� Warm clothing (to change into on return totransport)

� Change of underwear� Towel (optional)� Wellies (don’t have to be anything fancy)� Wet socks� Rubber gloves (Optional – thick Marigold gloves

are ideal)� Flask (for coming out of cave or leaving on the

surface) if you want to take one underground itmust be small and unbreakable.

� Small drinks container� Small sandwich box� Waterproof and drop proof camera (optional)

Make a parachute shelter Badge requirement changes 24 hour ... · We hope to offer the following...

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Transcript of Make a parachute shelter Badge requirement changes 24 hour ... · We hope to offer the following...