Scout and Older Cubs Camp 2nd July to 4th July 2010: Change of Venue

The scout camp scheduled for 2nd July to the 4th July 2010 is to be held at:

Hesley Wood Scout Activity Centre
White Lane

Chapeltown
Sheffield
S35 2YH
 
Drop off at this location Friday 2nd July 2010 @ 18:30
Collect same location Sunday 4th July 2010 @ midday
 
Once you enter the site, keep driving until you reach the car park with the Reception sign.

District Raft Race 27th June 2010 - A "proper" summers day down by the river

What a fabulous time the Scouts had making and sailing their raft down the River Dearne today in the district scout raft race.

The construction started at just after 10am, onlookers commented on the similarities to a Formula 1 pit crew in action...

OK, slight exaggeration there.  Next the crowds assembled at the launch site...

The Ardsley raft was ready for action: it's the well constructed one in the centre of the picture :-)

Crew A were briefed about the dangers ahead >>>>

and made an impressive start leaving a trail for Crew B to follow, but they had a couple of "rotation" problems and seemed to have power all to one side...

Crew C finished the final attempt for Ardsley in an impressive finish...

Although Crew C followed in Ardsley tradition by rotating the crew half way through the race!  (them that were at the back of the raft are now at the front....)

and you get wet when you are at the back!

What a great day we all had, time passed so quickly we almost did not make it home to see England play Germany in the Football World Cup... (Hope was still in the air at that time +)

The 10 Ardsley Scouts that turned up built a great raft, enjoyed a proper days fun in the sun and unlike some of their competitors (and later the England Football Team) did not suffer that sinking feeling at the end of the day...

Man overboard! - or Fabio does not make it to his life raft...

Scout Raft Race – Sunday 27 June

It’s the Scout Raft Race this Sunday! We’ve been practising for this so I hope you will turn up on the day and have a go. It should be fun. We’ll be meeting at the Scout Hut at 10.00am (we might need some help with transport). Bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink. You will need shorts, t-shirt and a pair of old trainers for the raft race itself – these will get wet. For the build you can also wear shorts, t-shirt, hat and your necker. Bring a towel. And please put plenty of sun cream on if it’s a nice day.

The event is being held at Broomhill, in the small park next to the river. The races start at approx 1pm. It’s a timed event – fastest run wins. We can have more than one team so long as the raft holds together. Speaking of which, there’s a prize for the best raft.

Beavers update

Just wanted to let you all know that it looks very likely that we will have a new Beaver Leader in place for September. I have been told there have been tears amongst my Beavers at my standing aside as Leader. Well, be assured, I'll still be part of the section as and when I'm needed.

The plan will stand as we set it out throughout the summer. That is, meet as we do now until the end of July, meet with Cubs on Thursdays through August and then back to Wednesdays as normal from 1st September. We will keep you updated as we go so you all know what's happening.

I just wanted to reassure you all that the Section will not be closing or winding down. We'll have a new intake of Beavers joining us from September.

Can I also take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has expressed sadness at my standing down as Beaver Leader and told me how much their child loves Beavers. It is lovely to hear. I have a great team with me who work hard to make our Section a fun place for Beavers to be. The new Leader brings with her a new enthusiasm and will inject a fresh approach to make us even better. Sara, Emma, Emily, Lynne and Steve are still very much involved and that will continue. I'll be there to help the transition process from Beavers to Cubs.

I have been part of this Group for 16 years now and am very proud of what we have all achieved over that time. We have grown bigger and better with each passing year and I look forward to the future and what it holds for myself, my fellow leaders and friends and our children. We couldn't do what we do without your support too.

Right, I'm off to the Scout shop now to get some badges!

beaver day trip

Saturday 10th July: District Beaver Day Trip to Cannon Hall Farm and Grounds. I don't have specific details yet but the cost will be £5, to include farm visit and ice-cream. Please let a Leader know if your child wants to go as soon as possible. You will have to drop your child off there and collect from there too. If you need to sort a lift out please see Kim.

SUMMER FAYRE UPDATE

The Leaders of the Group would like to say a very BIG THANK YOU to everyone who donated items for the fayre. Also, we would like to say a very BIG THANK YOU to all the people who helped on the day. You all helped us to raise an absolutely fantastic £695. We still have a few items to put on ebay as well. When we have decided what to do with the money we will let you know. The weight of the cake was 3lbs 5 1/2oz.

Thank you so much.

Last Call for Summer Gala Donations

As the gala is on Saturday could you PLEASE get any last minute donations in to us by Thursday. Could you also let me know on Weds/Thurs if you are bringing any cakes or buns on the day. I will be there from 8:30 for you to drop them off. We need more books, bottles, Tombola items, chocolates and toiletries if you can spare some. All money raised will be put to good use in providing equipment for our children to use. All donations will be very gratefully received. Thank you. Kim

Beavers - Important Notice

Unfortunately, due to work commitments, Kim is finding it increasingly difficult to run Beavers as well as Cubs, and we do not have another adult able to take on the Beaver Leader role at this time.

Over the coming weeks we will be advertising in the hopes that we can attract an enthusiastic person to take over as Beaver Leader. If we are successful, Beavers will continue to run as it does now, though possibly on a different night to suit the new Leader.

However, if we do not attract a Leader then our plan is to wind down the Beaver section, as follows:-

• We will run as normal until the end of July, when Kim will be camping with Cubs and Scouts. There will be an immediate freeze on new admissions.

• During August we will run a joint Beaver/Cub meeting on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm.

• From the first week in September, Beavers will run alongside Cubs on Thursdays from 6pm to 7:15pm (with Cubs from 6:30pm to 8:15pm as now).

If we have not managed to attract a Leader by the end of December we will unfortunately have to close the Beaver section until such times as a new Leader is found. The remaining Beavers will be offered a place in Cubs as soon as they reach 7½ years old.

Closing the section is a last resort and we’re hoping it won’t come to that. We will keep you fully informed on our efforts to find someone.

Anything you can do to help us find a new Beaver Leader and avoid closure will be greatly appreciated. Please help spread the word, and think about the people you know who might be interested. All the current adult helpers are willing to stay on to support a new Beaver Leader if we can find one, so there is a ready-made team to share the work.

If you are interested in becoming Beaver Leader, or if you think you can help us find someone, please have a word with Kim or any of the Leaders or email ian at ardsleyscouts dot org dot uk.