Saturday, June 28, 2008

Scout Bike Ride - Report

4 Scouts, accompanied by 3 leaders (not a bad ratio) set off in good weather and high spirits at 09:30 on the Saturday morning of the 28th June 2008 towards Oxspring on the Transpennine trail from Scouts HQ. Making good progress we arrived in Oxspring to find that it is devoid of a suitable cafe (business opportunity here surely). The Scouts discovered a playground which after topping up their energy levels from goods from the local shop made for a good half an hours "rest".


The only reason for riding up the incline to Oxspring is for the enjoyment when you make the return journey in about half the time and six times the speed. With no injuries, punctures or mechanical failures, we all enjoyed some light lunch before arriving back at the Scout hut for 14:30 (the hill up from Stairfoot Roundabout seemed a lot steeper after lunch!) A fun way to spend a few hours and a couple of the Scouts asked when we would we be doing another one, so there will be another one before British summer time ends (has it started?)

Thanks, see you soon.

Ed.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Scout Bike Ride

Scouts taking part in tomorrow's Bike Ride need to meet at HQ for 9.30am. The ride will be approx 20miles. Remember you must bring your helmet or you can't go.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Summer Camp 2008

Thanks to everyone who attended the Summer Camp meeting on Tuesday night. A couple of quick reminders:

1) If you haven't paid the full balance of £175 for camp, we need it this week. I think most of you are up-to-date, and I'd just like to say thanks for keeping the money coming in this year with minimal prompting from us.

2) Could we have your Permission to Camp form, Medicines form, and any pocket money you want us to look after a.s.a.p. and no later than 11 July, so we've got time to sort it all out before we go. We will not accept pocket money after this date.

If you have any questions about camp, you can email them to the address below and we'll attempt to answer them for you :

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Scout Cyclist Badge

Tonight at Scouts we'll be doing bike maintenance and a cycling proficiency test in the car park. Followed by the cycle ride this Saturday. Scouts who successfully complete both elements - i.e. tonight's activities plus the bike ride - will have earned their Cyclist Badge.

So remember to bring your bike and your helmet tonight. You can leave your bike at HQ until Saturday if you wish.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Scout Bike Ride

A reminder to Scouts wanting to go on this Saturday's bike ride: you need to bring your bike and helmet to Scouts tomorrow night so we can check them out.

PS. You can leave you bike at HQ until Saturday if you wish.

Summer Camp Meeting Tonight

A reminder that there's a camp meeting tonight for parents at 7pm. We'll be talking you through the arrangements and the kit list and answering any questions you may have. We recommend all parents attend, especially if this is your son/daughter's first camp. It should only take about an hour.

If you haven't paid in full for camp yet can we remind you that the balance of the camp fee is due by the end of next week.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Weekend Camp Report

Friday evening was perfect camping weather. Dry, warm, sunny with a light breeze. Tents were pitched easily and everyone was happy and excited. Cubs and Scouts played in the woods, settled into tents and gathered wood for the fire that we got going straight away. Cream of chicken and cream of tomato soup with chunks of crusty French bread for supper followed by wide games in the woods with torches. Then sitting round the fire for a while before bed. Apparently, ghost stories were told by torchlight in the tents but Leaders weren't privy to these for obvious reasons - shame!

Saturday started lovely and sunny but by mid morning the rain started and then rarely stopped. It didn't spoil anyone's enjoyment though. It was a novelty being allowed to play out in the rain and we carried on the planned activities despite it. All the district campers got together for an opening ceremony festooned with costumes, flags and mascots. We were Italy and had a huge flag and our huge rabbit, Luigi who was kitted out with an Italy football jacket. We also had a pennant each. The other Groups were America, Jamaica and England. We split into teams and made our way round the different countries to engage in activities ranging from physical challenges to craftwork. Italy, (that's us) did Pizza darts, a huge Spider's web challenge, hockey and bungee running. After lunch we continued on from the morning but then regrouped in our own site. Our children played in the woods and spent hour upon hour finding long sticks to hold in the fire. Beavers had a great time with us and didn't want to go home. James made us laugh when he got covered in mud and said he was a Mud Warrior and that his socks used to be white! Tea today was Spag Bol, made from scratch with fresh ingredients. One of the Cubs couldn't understand how Shere Khan could have made it without a microwave! This was followed by buns homebaked by our Wombwell Scouting friend Denise, who helped us out over the weekend. Then Beavers and Cubs had a small campfire singsong with hot chocolate afterwards before parents started arriving to take them home.

Sunday was a lovely day albeit a bit breezy - a godsend though as it dried the tents out. Six thirty (a.m.) saw some Leaders enjoying a cup of tea whilst chatting to a benchful of Cubs also enjoying the first cup of tea of the day. Danny said he loved playing in the rain and hopes it rains every day next camp! We had a Scouts Own service in the camp chapel where our District Commissioner said Thankyou to the kids for being them. he said that if we believed all we heard in the media we would think that all kids were out to harm us, take drugs etc. Scouting reminds us that there are some great kids out there and as Leaders we recognise that we are lucky to be working with them. Some of the campers joined in a Scavenger Hunt but others stoked up the fire and just chilled with each other. Nothing organised, nothing timed or planned. Just chillaxing with their mates and putting an odd stick on the fire here and there. After a picnic lunch we all joined in a wide game in the woods before a closing ceremony.

Thanks to all the parents who helped on Friday evening with the tents and unloading - very much appreciated. A special thanks must go to John who helped out over the weekend. He does an awful lot of work in the background that enables Leaders to be with the children and never stops from very early in the morning to making the hot chocolate before bed. Thanks John. Also, thanks a lot guys to Ian, Akela, Shere Khan, Ed, Sara, Chil and Lauren for all their hard work too. We make a great team with John (and Steve next camp).

Finally, I'd just like to say that we have some lovely children in our Group. Kind, funny, helpful, well mannered and a real delight. Many people tell me that I must be mad giving up so much time for Scouting but they don't know what they are missing. Can't wait for 19th July! See you at the parents meeting tomorrow.

Kim xx

Friday, June 20, 2008

District Camp Information

We've been asked to post the kit list for this weekend's camp, so here goes:

Campers will require: a sleeping bag; carrymat or bivvy bag; towel; personal washing gear; tea-towel; activity wear (i.e., clothes/footwear that can get wet/dirty); at least one complete change of clothes; jumper or fleece for evenings; cagoule; plate, dish & mug (preferably unbreakable); knife, fork & spoon; torch; and a rucksack or holdall to put it all in.

The weather forecast for the weekend is a bit iffy. Please make sure to bring waterproofs, and some waterproof footwear.

A tip for parents of new campers. By all means help your child pack, but don't do it for them. They need to see things going into the bag, so they know where to look for them. It's a good idea to put clothes in a plastic bag inside the rucksack or holdall for extra protection. And include a couple of spare plastic bags for wet/dirty clothes.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

No Cubs Tonight

Just a quick reminder that there is no Cub Pack meeting tonight, due to this weekend's District Camp.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Summer Fayre Update

I would like to say, on behalf of my fellow Leaders a very big thank you to everyone who sent in donations. We had some smashing items. Also, a big thank you to all our bakers - the buns and cakes looked lovely and were a big success, we didn't have any left. Also, we must say thank you to Richard, Rebecca and Sammy, Jackie, Jill, Nathan, Daniel, Katie and Katie's gran for all their help with the stalls. This whole Group effort made a grand profit of £354.89 and we still have a few items to have a small raffle with on the Summer camp meeting night and a Radley designer handbag to sell on ebay, so hopefully the total will rise somewhat. We also had a very generous donation of £60 from one of our church friends. I am going to split the money between all 3 sections this year. Cubs and Scouts will have some extra summer camp activities with their money and Beavers will have a sleepover camp in September with theirs. So, on behalf of all our children THANKYOU.
Kim

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Summer Fayre

Just a reminder that it's our Summer Fayre this coming Saturday at 1pm. Please donate any items you can or at the very least attend on the day. If you are baking for us can you drop them off any time from 10am on the day. Thanks.

summer camp meeting

On Tuesday 24th June at 7pm we will be holding our camp meeting for parents. We will give you all the information you need and you can ask us any questions.

BEAVERS DUCK POND WALK

Just a reminder that Beavers are to meet at Mitchells pond car park weds 11th June at 5:30 with a few slices of bread. After feeding the ducks, geese, swans etc we'll be walking back to HQ for a 7 to 7:15 pickup.