St.George's Day

Thank you to the many Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers that made the effort in the rain today to join in on the event at a very wet Wentworth Castle.

In summary 2 Chief Scouts Bronze Awards were presented for our Beavers.

St.George's Day - change of plan

It has been decided to change the time of today's service to midday please assemble at 11.45 at main entrance to Wentworth Castle Gardens. Due to the poor weather all the associated activities have been cancelled. It's expected to last an hour.

St George's Day Event - This Sunday

Just a quick update on this Sunday's St George's Day Event in view of the weather situation.

The event is still going ahead, and we hope you won't be put off by the weather. Obviously, dress appropriately for the conditions.

We'll be using the official car parks, rather than the field, so you won't get stuck. If you are coming for 2pm we'll meet you near the district tent.

And PLEASE NOTE that the the venue is WENTWORTH CASTLE, which is near Hood Green. The best way to get there from Ardsley, is via Haverlands Way, passing Wigfield Farm, and turning right at the deer farm. Follow the road, and as you go up the hill towards Hood Green, take the left turn signposted Northern College.

If you go to Wentworth Woodhouse in the village of Wentworth, you're on your own!

St Georges Day Event - Wentworth Castle

As part of our District St George's Day celebrations - St George is the Patron Saint of Scouting - you are invited you to a special George's Day event, which will be held this coming Sunday (29th April) at Wentworth Castle.

This event is for all Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and their families.

Arrival is from 11:00am onwards, via the Northern College Entrance – you will be directed where to park.

Between 11:00am and 2:45pm it's your chance to enjoy the gardens and parkland, and take part in activities including archery, prussaking, canoe slalom, crafts, adventure playground, and a Sealed Knot medieval village. If you have a GPS-enabled phone bring it along and have a go at geocaching, a kind of high-tech treasure hunt.

At 2:45pm we'll make our way up to the castle with a parade of flags for a short St Georges Day service

The event will finish at 4:00pm, but you're welcome to continue enjoying the parklands and gardens until they close at 5:00pm.

We want you to enjoy the day as a family so all are welcome. Access to the gardens and parking, for which there is normally a charge, has  been arranged for FREE, however we would be grateful if you would make a small donation at the District Tent, where you can also pick up information about the various activities.

Wentworth Castle has a small cafe and a kiosk selling refreshments, including ice creams, however due to the potential volume of people attending, we recommend you bring along your own packed lunch and a drink.

Parents, if you do not wish to stay  for the event, you may drop your children off with the Leaders at 2pm and pick them up at 4pm.

Wentworth Castle is a beautiful and picturesque place; if you would like more details of what’s on offer or directions please check out the Wentworth Castle website at http://www.wentworthcastle.org

ALL SCOUT MEMBERS SHOULD WEAR UNIFORM.

Beaver Sleepover - April 2012

12 beavers, 3 leaders and 3 young leaders enjoyed a sleepover at the Scout Hut this weekend.  Working towards their creative and hikes away badges.

Beavers taking a turn at making marble mazes

Some Beavers show Ed, our Scout Leader how much more fun he could have as a Beaver Leader!

Beavers also made playdough scultures, hama peg coasters and other creative crafts.

Young leaders also enjoy the crafts!

The Beavers set up tents to bring the outdoors indoors for their sleepover.

Finding out that playing SNAP! can be a lot of fun...

In other areas 5 card stud poker is also being taught!

Saturday morning saw the Beavers take a 3 mile hike around the local trails and woods.

Young leaders show the Beavers the way

Beavers having a well earned rest stop.

A young leader gets involved with the bark rubbing

Playing in Hangmans Wood

Beavers make a new friend on the way round.

Big smiles as we make our way back to the Scout Hut.

Everyone had a good time and I'd like to thank Ed and Storm and the 3 Young Leaders, Rain, Thunder and Snow for working really hard and making the weekend great, looking forward to the next one.

Breeze.
Beaver Scout Leader.

Expedition Challenge Scout Camp 11th May 2012 - Reminder

With the Easter holidays, you may have missed the posting about the Scouts Expedition Challenge Camp.

This camp has taken a lot of planning and organisation just to get to this stage, this effort was put in so that the Scouts can get the chance to earn their Scouts Expedition Challenge Badge.  These challenge badges build towards the Chief Scout's Gold Award, the highest award available in the Scout Section.  There has been some great work put in by the Scouts as well at meeting nights so far in planning routes, menus, as well as organising kit lists, it would be a shame for all of their work not to amount to anything by them missing out on the expedition camp itself.

There is not another Expedition Camp for Scouts planned this year, so this is really the one to go on.

Details on how to secure a place can be found at the following blog page:

http://ardsleyscouts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/scouts-expedition-challenge.html

If you are a friend of another Scouts parents, please mention this message to them to ensure that all of the Scouts get access to this great opportunity.

If you have any questions or concerns about this expedition, please contact me on 07778 000934.  If your Scout cannot attend for any reason I'd still interested in knowing, so that we can use this to plan future programme activities.

Ed.

Fund raising - bag packing at Morrisons today

16 Ardsley Scouts from all sections helped shoppers pack their groceries at Morrisons Cortonwood today. With a little help from 6 leaders and 3 Beaver Scout parents we raised a whopping £733! Well done to those who participated, there will be a small reward on Wednesday for each of you.

Scouts this Wednesday

Weather permitting Scouts will be in the woods for a wide game, please ensure that you have the appropriate outdoor clothing for the evening.  Explorers are welcome to join in.  Uniform is still required.

Ardsley Scouts Fund Raising - Bag packing this weekend

Ardsley Scouts are back at Morrisons supermarket at Cortonwood retail park this Saturday, 14th April 2012, meeting at 09:45 until 14:00.  We'll be packing as many bags on as many checkouts as we can in order to raise much needed funds for the group. We need as many members and parents turning up to help out, so if you have not already let us know that you are coming along please let us know!

Thanks!

Scouts Expedition Challenge

Scouts are invited to join in with an Expedition Challenge between Friday 11th (18:15) and Sunday 13th May 2012 (14:30).  They will be asked to plan and walk a route from Scout HQ in Ardsley  to the Silverwood camp site near Silkstone.  Once camp has been established the group will be asked to complete a challenging task over the course of the weekend, and will be only using the resources that they manage to carry with them.  Tents will be available but Scouts will be offered the chance to build their own survival shelters and live out of them for 24 hours.  Drop off will be the Scout HQ at Ardsley, collection will be from Silverwood Camp Site.

Upon completion of this weekend the Scouts in addition to many weeks of preparation, the Scouts will be awarded their Expedition challenge badge and their badge for Survival, if they have not already received it.  These challenge badges build towards the Chief Scouts Award.

If you are interested in being part of this, print out the return slip below and return it, inside an envelope marked "Scouts Expedition Camp 11th May 2012" with your name clearly on it, please also enclose a £5 deposit.  The total cost is expected to be £20.

_______________________________________________________________________________
I _____________(Scouts Name) wish to join in on the adventure and be part of the Scouts Expedition Challenge starting Friday 11th May 2012.  I enclose my £5 deposit.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Please return no later than Wednesday 18th April 2012.

Any questions please just ask one of the leaders.