Panto Reminder

Just a quick reminder that it's the Panto tomorrow (Wednesday). Oh yes it is!

We'll be meeting at the Academy Theatre in Birdwell from 6.30pm. The show starts at 7pm prompt so please make sure you're there in plenty of time. There is an interval where drinks and sweets may be purchased, so you may wish to bring a small amount of pocket money. Uniform waist up please, i.e. shirts/jumpers & neckers.

NB. The Panto is for those who have ordered and paid for tickets already. We have no spare tickets.

There are no Beaver, Cub or Scout meetings this week or next, so if you're not going to the Panto have a great Christmas, and we'll see you in the New Year. Normal meetings resume the first week of January.

Christingle Service - All Sections - Sunday 19th December 2010 10:15

It's the Christingle family service at Ardsley Church on Sunday 19th December 2010 from 10.30 to 11:45 approx.

All sections, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are asked to attend in uniform.

This is a very popular service with the children, and you and your family are welcome stay for the service.

Please report to Scout HQ by 10:15 to prepare the flags.  Service starts at 10.30 prompt.

Merry Christmas!

Scouts Flight Sim Sleepover 18th December - NO CHARGE

The price for the Scouts Flight Sim

sleepover this coming weekend is

FREE, nothing, not a penny, nowt, zero.

Ian has kindly offered to cover this event from Scout funds as a Christmas treat, we hope that this will mean that we will have another excellent turnout.

Merry Christmas!

Scouts Flight Sim Sleepover 18th December 2010 3pm

Scouts are invited to a flight sim sleepover starting at 3PM on Saturday 18th December 2010.

• Drop off by 3PM on the Saturday afternoon
• Bring your laptop or computer/monitor plus joy stick, flight sim software, headphones if you have any of these items - NO RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE GROUP FOR LOSS or DAMAGE FOR PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
• Overnight kit - INCLUDING FULL SCOUT UNIFORM (NO UNIFORM, NO SLEEPOVER)
• Flight Sim Fun, followed by a Movie and Pizza
• Sunday 19th - Breakfast, followed by Christingle Service at Ardsley Church 10.30 - pick up from Scout HQ from 11:45 onwards.
• Price: FREE

Expression of Interest: Please email ed@ardsleyscouts.org.uk indicating name of Scout(s) wishing to join in.  Permission to camp forms to follow.

Any Scout wishing just to attend the Christingle Service on Sunday the 19th December 2010 please arrive by 10:15.

Any questions or queries please email me: ed@ardsleyscouts.org.uk


Seasons Greetings.

Ed.

Carols in the Park - Cancelled

I'm afraid the latest victim of the weather is Carols in the Park, planned for this Thursday (9th December) - the organisers have been in touch to say they have had to cancel due to the snow.

We're hoping to be back to normal this week, with Beavers and Scouts meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and Cubs on Thursday. Don't forget your December subs.

Cubs closed


Due to weather and minor roads cubs will be closed tonight (2-11-10)
Back to normal next week.
Don’t forget you warm outdoor stuff as we will be joining the Ardsley Residents Association for carols in the park, Meet at scout hut as usual

Scout Meetings Cancelled - 01/12/2010

Hello,
Due to the poor weather conditions, both meetings (Scouts and Beavers) have been cancelled for today, 01/12/2010.

Hopefully we will be back to normal for next week!

Ed.

Carols in the Park - 9th December

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have been invited to take part in 'Carols in the Park' event on Thursday 9th December. This event is being organised by Ardsley Residents Association, and will take place in the Tranquil Garden in Ardsley Park. Carols will be accompanied by Barnsley Youth Jazz Orchestra.

We're going to meet at the Scout Hut at 6.30pm, and walk down to the park together. We expect to be back at the scout hut for 8.15pm. Please wear your uniform, but also wear warm outdoor clothes. Everyone is welcome to come along. Beavers and Scouts will be meeting as usual on Wednesday 8th.

Bowling Trip Date change !!!!!

Please note we have changed the date to 16th Dec

On Thursday 16th December we will be going to Barnsley Bowl instead of our usual pack night.
Each child will have one game of bowling followed by chips in a basket and a drink.
On the night you will be required to drop your child at Barnsley Bowl Carlton S71 2AZ @ 6:15 for a 6:30 start and pick back up again for 8:15.

Akela (0782082381)
Akela@ardsleyscouts.org.uk

Cubs Last week

Last week cubs had a bonfire/fireworks theme.

We made wax and chalk firework pictures but I think their

favorite thing was the Chocolate sparklers ( Chocolate fingers and sprinkles)

Beaver Investiture 27 10 2010

On the 27th October, 3 new Beaver Scouts officially joined the Ardsley Air Scout Group.  All of the Beavers behaved really well during the ceremony which marked the first official investiture performed by Andrea, our Beaver Scout Leader.

Pictures are here for you to enjoy.  Congratulations to all those concerned and we look forward to seeing our new recruits progress through the different sections.  Well Done, Everyone!

Our newest recruits look splendid in their uniforms, what a smart looking bunch!

For more pictures from the ceremony follow this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30263703@N04/sets/72157625298682118

Ed.

Halloween 2010

On Saturday just gone Ardsley Scout Group hosted their 2010 Halloween event.





One of the many  great entries in the Pumpkin Parade

 

Contestents in the Beavers Section Best Halloween Costume

Over 120 people were catered for and entertained by the Scout Leaders and Helpers.  The event had taken weeks to prepare and set up began at 09:30 on the Saturday morning, with preparation for food which included Pie and Peas or Baked Potatoes, Parkin or Flapjack as well as a range of hot and cold drinks.

Entertainment was planned in the form of a Ghost Walk, the launching of over 50 Chinese lanterns, camp fire songs, toffee apple decorating as well as a range of competitions.  Thanks to everyone for helping out before, during and after the event - no one likes to clean up after a party! - but we are grateful to those that did.

The Cubs and Scouts had a sleepover in the dormitories of Silverwood Lodge and enjoyed hot chocolate and a special Halloween cake, made by Claire(thank you) whilst watching a movie - Ghostbusters of course!  As always it took a little while for the excitement to give way to sleep for the sleepover guests, so it was great that we got some really good help from the older Scouts to pack up the next morning.

For all of the many people that donated prizes, provided support before, during and after the event, we could not do this without your help- so thank you once more.

Finally here are a few snaps taken during the evening. We could really do with appointing an event photographer, as I always get wrapped in the doing (like lighting lanterns!) and forget to capture the moment...Any volunteers?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30263703@N04/sets/72157625298707636/

Hope to see you all turn out for the District Swimming Gala on the 13th of this month, more details to be posted soon!

Ed.

Subs Reminder

A quick reminder that November Subs are due this week.

Please bring your subs in a named envelope. Cheques should be made payable to '36 Barnsley (Ardsley) Air Scout Group'

Last call for Halloween

This week it's your last chance to buy tickets for the Halloween Party we're holding at Silverwood Scout Camp on Saturday 30 October. If you'd like tickets and haven't paid for them yet, please bring your money to this week's meetings. Thanks.

And just a reminder that Cubs and Scouts are going to the fire station this week, instead of the usual meetings. Scouts are going tomorrow (Wednesday), and Cubs are going on Thursday. In each case we're meeting at the fire station for 7.15pm. The address is as follows:-


Cudworth Fire Station 
Tumbling Lane
Cudworth
Barnsley
S71 5SA


If you're stuck for a lift to the fire station we will have a limited number of places available in Leaders' cars. If you meet us at the Scout Hut at 7.00pm we'll do our best to get you there.

Fire Station Visits - Next Week

We've organised trips to the new community fire station at Cudworth next week, instead of the usual Cub and Scout meetings. The Scout visit will be on Wednesday 20 October, the Cub visit will be the following day on Thursday 21 October. In each case, we'll be asking parents to drop the Cubs and Scouts off at the fire station for 7.30pm. For anyone who can't get a lift we'll have a limited number of places in Leaders' cars so if you let us know, we'll try and get you there.

District Cross Country

Congratulations and thanks to the 3 cubs and 1 scout who attended the cross country event.
Cubs came 2nd 12th and 27th and our scout came 1st !!!

Christmas Panto - 22 December

A date for your diary: On Wednesday 22 December Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will be going to the evening performance of the Christmas Panto ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ at the Academy Theatre, Birdwell.  Tickets are £5 each. Mums and Dads, you can either drop your son/daughter at the theatre with the leaders, or you can stay for the performance, along with any other family members.

We'll be sending letters out about this next week, which we need back by the end of October so that we can reserve our seats. 

Summer Camp 2011 - Update

We've had an excellent response for next year's Summer Camp at Waddecar - as a result all places on the first two minibuses are taken.

We will consider taking a third minibus if there is enough interest. If you would like to go on camp, bring your reply slip and deposit, and we'll allocate you a provisional place. If we're not able to take a third bus we will, of course, return your deposit.

Subs due this week

Just a quick reminder that October Subs are due this week. Please bring your subs in a named envelope, and drop them in the box. Thanks very much,

Harvest Festival - Beavers, Cubs and Scouts

Hi, thanks to all the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts that made the effort to brave the rain and attended the Harvest Festival this morning.

Ed.

National Coal Mining Museum

23 Cubs and Scouts made the short trip to Overton near Wakefield on Saturday.  As well as enjoying the exhibitions, the adventure playground, the nature walk all of the group made the trip down the mine.  The tour guides were very informative and they made the day very enjoyable.

After handing in all the items that might cause an explosion, including my camera :-( we were adorned with a helmet and a miners light.

I couldn't take any pictures whilst on the underground  tour but here are some of the few snaps that we did manage to take. The cubs and younger scouts were already down the mine when the camera came out, sorry if we missed you!

Ed.

Summer Camp 2011

We've had an excellent initial response for next year's Summer Camp at Waddecar, as a result all places on the first minibus have been taken. If you'd like to go, to be sure of a place on the second minibus you need to return your reply slip and deposit as soon as possible.

Fun' Raising Group Scout Halloween Party

Open to all Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, and their families and friends.


For the scarily low price of only £3.50 per person, why not join us for an evening of Halloween fun and frolics at our Halloween Party at Silverwood Camp Site on Saturday 30th October 2010 from 6PM until 8.30PM. Explorers, Scouts and Cubs can sleepover in the accommodation provided within Silverwood Lodge at no additional charge. However we would really like to share the Party experience their families and friends so don’t forget to order tickets for them as well!

What's on offer.
 A hot or soft drink  A tall tale from beyond the grave in our Ghost Walk
 Pie and Peas  Songs around a huge camp fire
 Piece of parkin  A Pumpkin Parade (Prizes per section)
 A DIY Toffee Apple for the kids  Best dressed Halloween costume (Prizes per section)
 A camp song sheet  Decorate It Yourself (DIY) Toffee Apple Covering!

Dress up in your best Halloween costume and bring along your own carved Pumpkin Lantern and join in the pumpkin parade, with prizes for best costume and best pumpkin lantern! You can get a stencil for your pumpkin at:
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf1/1004_pumpface.pdf

DONATIONS OF FOOD REQUIRED: As part of our fund raising we would request donations of food items that we can create a hamper with to raffle off at this event. You could donate tea bags, coffee, cakes, biscuits, jam, sweets or chocolate - just watch the Best Before Dates! Please have these donations to us by Thursday 14th October 2010.

Your invitation will be handed out to Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers at this weeks meetings.

Any questions please ask one of the leaders.

Happy Halloween.

Ed.

Equipment Plea from Ardsley Scouts

One of the staged badges that all members can get the opportunity to do through Scouts is the Information Technology badge.  In order to make the activities interesting, we would like to ask you if you have any old working technology that you may have around the house, that you would be willing to donate for Scouts use. 

It could be that you have equipment like computer monitors, keyboards, mice, digital cameras, old mobile phones or printers that you really meant to sell on eBay or donate to a charity shop but never got round to it.  So why not bring it along and let us use it in our Information Technology badge work?

Any items that are donated will be gratefully received and most likely used to destruction or dismantled and rebuilt as part of the Scouts investigations into how these things work, so we could not take anything on a loan or temporary basis. 

If you have any questions please speak to one of the leaders or email me.

Thanks

Ed.

ed@ardsleyscouts.org.uk

Summer Camp 2011

Letters will be going out this week for next year's Summer Camp, which is open to all Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. The camp dates are 23rd - 30th July, which is the first week of the school holidays. The venue is Waddecar Scout Camp, which is situated in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. This site is an old favourite, which we've camped at several times over the years. There's loads to do onsite and in the surrounding area, so it should be an excellent camp. We hope you'll be able to join us.

Scouts Back 2 Basics Camp 03/09/10 - 05/09/10

16 Scouts set up for a weekend of back to basics camping at Squirrel Wood near Doncaster.  The weekend was aimed at making use of the natural resources around us like the fallen wood to provide our heat for making drinks and cooking our food.  Friday night came and with only a couple of hours of daylight, the Scouts did manage to put up quite a large number of tents by the time that dusk had fallen.  For the weekend the group were split into 2 cooking patrols, and they started the difficult task of continually fetching wood and water as well as taking turns with the chores like making meals and washing up.

The first nights supper was meant to be pancakes, but 1 group did not quite manage to produce anything that any of them wanted to eat.  They had to make do with some fruit as a substitute and probably a visit to the tuck shop which should have been named "Open All Hours" - 'cos it was :-)

Once the washing up had been done, it took quite a bit of time to settle the campers down, as having a few first time campers seemed to make for a raucous night.

On Saturday morning the camp awoke to bright sunshine and breakfast was eventually pulled from out of the fires.  3 leaders joined us in preparation for a bike ride around the local villages and after a while sorting out 20 bikes, helmets and hi-vis vests we set off for an explore.  After a couple of set backs most of the Scouts made decent progress and some really enjoyed it, and after a couple of hours and a pit stop at a village store we returned to enjoy our lunch.  After some free time, either resting from the bike ride or exploring the camp, the Scouts started to prepare for their big meal, which was to be Loin Steaks of English Pork with Vegetable Stew and Dumplings.  During the meal preparation one of the Scouts had an accident and he spent a couple of hours being looked after in Accident & Emergency, but returned back to camp later that evening after being put back together by the lovely doctors and nurses at Barnsley Hospital.

On Sunday morning, we were greeted again by the warm morning sun, and despite a shower of rain in the night, both groups had managed to achieve keeping their fires in all weekend.  After a bit of a lie in bed for most, breakfast was being cooked on the open fire and some Scouts practised their newly found cooking skills.  Washing up after cooking on open fires is always going to be a chore, and sure enough it took some doing, but we eventually got through all the equipment and packed away for midday.

The turn out for this camp was exceptional, thank you very much for that and to all the leaders and adult helpers who play their part in making it all happen.

More pictures can be found at this location.

Regards

Ed.

Emma’s Kilimanjaro Expedition

Tomorrow, Emma Jackson, our Assistant Beaver Leader, is setting off on an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. She’s hoping, with your support, to raise lots of money for our Scout Group. Kilimanjaro is in north-eastern Tanzania, and at 5893m above sea-level, it’s the highest mountain in Africa, so this is a major challenge for Emma.

We’re hoping to use the money Emma raises to buy a new box trailer, which we can use for camping trips, expeditions, and other activities with the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Emma has already raised £2000 towards her target of £3000, which is absolutely fantastic.

It’s not too late to support Emma’s expedition by getting sponsorship from friends, neighbours, family and work colleagues. You should all have received a sponsor form over the holidays, if not we have spares, or you can download one from here.

There’s also an option to donate via the Just Giving website

We will be awarding a prize to the Beaver, Cub and Scout that raises the most money.

We don’t need your completed sponsorship forms and money until the end of October, so there’s plenty of time.

Please do what you can to support Emma’s Kilimanjaro Expedition.

Scouts Back-to-basics Camp

This weekend we're running a Back-to Basics camp for Scouts at Squirrel Wood. During the camp, we'll be cooking exclusively on open fires, and practicing other traditional scout skills. On the Saturday morning we're hiring some bikes for a ride around the local villages.

For those Scouts who are going, but aren't able to make it to tonight's meeting, can you please download a Permission to Camp Form and make sure you bring it with you on Friday night, together with the balance of your camp fee. You can also download a Kit List.

Normal meeting times resume this week

Just a reminder that Beaver meetings will be reverting to Wednesday nights, 5.30 - 6.45pm starting tomorrow, 1st September.

Cub meetings will be reverting to their normal time, 6.30pm - 8.15pm from this Thursday, 2nd September.

September subs are due this week.

Harvest Festival Church Parade

Don't forget to put Sunday 3rd October in your diary to attend this family service. I expect to see all my Cubs there please.

Kim

Cubs/Beavers

Don't forget that we are running both Sections together on Thursdays 6pm til 8pm. We had a great time this week playing in the park and on the field. I'm thinking of something exciting for this week! You'll have to come along to find out what!!!!

Look forward to seeing you all,

Kim xx

Summer Camp Photo's

2010 Summer Camp Photos

2009 Summer Camp Photos

Please find links to this years photo sets and as an extra bonus, I've included last years.

Ed.

August Meetings

Just a quick reminder that from this week, and through August, we'll be holding a joint Beaver and Cub meeting on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm. Scouts will meet on Wednesdays as usual from 7pm to 9pm.

Normal meeting times will resume from 1st September.

Summer Camp 2010 - Blackwell Adventure

Following on from Kim's blog, here is a taster of some of the many photo's we took whilst having our Blackwell Adventure.

Setting up camp, with everyone busy getting ready for the great week ahead...

With everyone involved it did not take long to pitch the tents.

The BBQ king soon had those burgers under control...

Before long dinner was being served to a lot of hungry campers.

As you would expect it was not long before we had a great fire ready to keep us warm as darkness fell on Day 1 of our Blackwell Adventure

The next day allowed some space for playing a range of games, from football, volleyball, swing ball, rounders or simply exploring the campsite itself.

There's nothing like hot baked potatoes straight off an open fire (served with a wide selection of delicious fillings of course!)

So, can anyone remember everything that we packed into 1 week????

Grass Sledging (Down a very steep slope, who said it was not dangerous???)

Our first best scraped knee award...

F1 go karts, go go go! (Emergency exits are situated here, here and here...)

The big 3G Swing, a great rush!

Making it all the way to the top - Ardsley Scouts!

A visit to Warwick Castle - the Ultimate Castle!

A couple of jesters practice their skills...

Back to the activities, pull them cubs up for the crate stacking!

Are we there yet?

All our Scouts managed to build a raft and sail it without ending up in the water (what happened?) :-)

Singing songs around the camp fire, hot chocolate finished, ready for bed!

The whole group at Alton Towers for our finale finish.

Some older Scouts pose under one of the many great roller coasters at the theme park.

One of our newest leaders gets soaked on one of the attractions at Alton Towers, he's definitely not

Superdry, but a great sport all the same.

Finally our Group Scout Leader, gets a special cheeky wave from an admirer, I'm sure he like all of us will be looking forward to next years Summer Camp and maybe returning to Alton Towers...

Why not check out all the other photos at

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ardsleyscouts

Additional photos will be uploaded in due course, which may show other activities that were not covered here like the low ropes course and the swimming activities, there was just so much to do!

Thanks to all those involved in organising and supporting this event, and thank you to the cubs and scouts who all seemed to have an absolutely fabulous time.