8th November - Swimming Gala

This year's District Swimming Gala takes place on 8th November at Wombwell Baths, from 5pm to 8pm. This is an event where Ardsley normally does very well, and we're in with a good chance of winning if we can get a good turnout. Further details nearer the time.

12th October - Cross Country Competition

On Sunday 12th October it's the Metro Cross Country running competition. Scout Groups from the three Barnsley districts, Fitzwilliam, Central, and Pennine, will be competing in a series of X-country events. There will be competitions for Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts, with individual and team prizes for the winners. The event takes place at Silverwood Scout Camp from 12 noon to approx 4pm. Further details nearer the time.

5th October - Church Parade

Our next Church Parade will be the Harvest Festival Family Service on Sunday 5th October at Christ Church, Ardsley. We will be meeting at 10.10am at HQ, and expect to finish around 11.45am. All sections are expected to attend.

Cycle Camp

After the success of the patrol camp last year, and the Scout Bike Ride earlier in the summer (I know, I know...what summer?) Ed and Myself decided we could probably combine the two.

We'll be leaving at around 0900 on Saturday and riding up to Silverwood. From there, well be leaving our bikes for a while as we go up to the Penistone show and have a gander (forgive the terrible farmyard pun). On our return we'll be having a bit of a BBQ and a bit of a campfire. We'll be returning on Sunday, again by bike.

Scouts should have got a permission to camp form containing more details on Wednesday, but if for any reason you missed it and still wish to attend, please leave a comment below and I'll get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Welcome back!

It was great to see all our members back for the start of the new Scouting year after the disruption of Summer holidays. Leaders have been busy planning Camp 2009 and researching Camp 2010 and also planning the autumn programmes. This week Beavers started work on the Friendship Challenge badge, which involved learning about things to do with France including trying some food. (Unfortunately, Tescos versions of croissants etc don't taste quite the same as the ones you can buy in France eaten standing up with a cafe au lait surrounded by French locals)
Scouts made Quiche Lorraine, which actually looked good enough to eat!

Cubs did some fitness tests in preparation for the Fitness Challenge badge. They all have a diary to keep for 10 days concerning their eating and exercise habits. Akela and I are also planning a trip to the local bowling alley where we will award the badges earned.
So, as you can see, a busy start.
Kim

Summer Camp 2009

Our 2009 Summer Camp will be at Downe Scout Activity Centre in Biggin Hill, Kent. We’re planning a packed week of activities onsite and in the surrounding area.

The camp dates are Saturday 25 July to Saturday 1 August 2009. The camp is open to Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers, and as usual numbers are limited. The cost of the camp is £195 per person. To secure a place you need to return the reply slip on the letter with a non-returnable deposit of £30 as soon as possible. The camp is open to Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers, and as usual numbers are limited. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

The balance of the camp fee can be paid in instalments via our Camp Bank. You can make further payments at any time; just bring your payment and your Camp Bank card to any pack/troop meeting. It will help us if you place the Camp Bank card and your payment in a named envelope, separate from any subs, so we can deal with it during the meeting. Any cheques should be made payable to ‘36th Barnsley (Ardsley) Air Scout Group’.

Keep an eye on the blog for any updates.

Beaudesert - Photos

Richard has uploaded some excellent photos from our Summer Camp at Beaudesert. I've popped a mini-slideshow in the blog sidebar, but you can find the full-size photos here.

Postcard from Beaudesert (Part Deux)

It's been a few days now since we let you know what's going on, so we thought we'd fill you in on what's happening down here in the beautiful Cannock Chase. First and foremost, the Scout with the superficial wound (see previous post) is healing up nicely.

Wednesday morning saw more good weather as the Scouts geared up to get ready for Go Ape! a high ropes course through the trees of Cannock Wood. Whilst the Scouts tested their vertical limit, the Cubs went off to Shugborough to learn from Mrs Wheelock how to make bread, cheese and butter. We're usually hesitant to taste the Cubs' baking, but they all did really well and helped to feed the group when the BBQ was lit up on Wednesday night. The Scouts made burgers from scratch (no cows were harmed directly mind!) and Cubs cooked all their own food, giving the camp cooking squad a well deserved rest!

After a hard days activities we decided to let everyone have a rest on Thursday. Only joking! Everyone got kitted up and set off on the longest hike of their lives. Funny thing is, our veteran campers say that every year! When the group returned to camp, everyone tucked into their jacket potatoes with a choice of beans, cheese, tuna mayo and camp-made coleslaw. It's amazing what a child's imagination can do when confronted with these choices! Tuna mayo and beans seemed to get good reviews...

After lunch, we managed to cram in another session of high octane activities. While the Cubs played frisbee golf and drove formula 1 pedal karts, the Scouts tackled the notorious Jacob's Ladder and the sheer face of the abseiling quarry. Everyone got back to camp for a rest and dinner, which was well worth waiting for! By the time everyone had eaten and washed up, it was time for bed as we had to be up early for one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the week. Alton Towers!

Everyone got up early this morning, greeted by a delicious bacon sandwich. Once seconds had been called and the pots were washed it was time to jump in the van and get to the theme park before the queues got too large. Everyone was handed a ticket and mounted an attack on the gates, within seconds everyone was looping loops and whiting knuckles while the sun beamed down once again. In what seemed like no time we were huddling together for a group photo before once more getting in the vans to get back to camp for the final night of Summer Camp 2008.

We're hoping to be back between 1pm & 2pm tomorrow, and we'll be passing a message down the grapevine as to what time we'll be back.

See you soon!

Everyone here at Beaudesert

Postcard from Beaudesert

We thought we'd drop you a line just to let you know how things are going down here in the lovely Cannock Chase.

Saturday saw our arrival, and the place hasn't been the same since! The weather held out long enough for everyone to put up their tents and get settled, and in any case a little rain never stops us having a good time!

Everyone worked so hard that they were ready for a good home cooked meal. You might have noticed us carrying the chilli onto the kit van in bio-hazard suits on Saturday morning. Seriously though it went down really well.

The weather on Sunday looked promising as the Cubs and Scouts got kitted up and headed off towards the lake. Cubs were coracling whilst the Scouts built their rafts. Of course, like any Ardsley trip to the lake, everyone came back with a smile on their face and needing a shower! (although most of them needed a shower anyway!)

RAF Cosford was the destination for Monday mornings outing, and gave the Cubs and Scouts the opportunity to complete their Air Activities and Air Researcher badges respectively. The rest of the day passed quickly as the afternoon was packed with activities including climbing, crate stacking and initiative exercises.

The Cubs then came back to camp for a good old sing-a-long while the Scouts prepared for a cosy nights sleep in their Ray Mears style bivvys. Luckily the werewolves stayed clear and they all came back for breakfast this morning. Except our two oldest Scouts, who were certain they heard something outside their bivvy. They were back in their tent before their hot chocolate had even gone cold!

We decided that everyone needed a wash this morning, so we descended on Stoke's fabulous indoor super tropical indoor fun park. It was actually called Waterworld, but it was so fun it deserved a longer name!

Anyway, we've just about reached the point we're at now, and you'll be happy to know that everyone is having a great time and we haven't had any major accidents. Although just now, a Scout has wandered over with a superficial wound.

I suppose I best sort that out!

Speak to you soon,

Everyone here at Beaudesert

Summer Holiday Meetings

Wednesday 17th July - Beavers and Scouts as normal
Thursday 18th July - No Cubs
Wednesday and Thursday 24/25th July - No meetings
Wednesday 6th August - No Beavers but Scouts as normal
Thursday 7th August - Cubs as normal
For the rest of the holidays meetings will run at the usual times
Kim

Cubs 18th July Meeting

Just a reminder that there will not be a Cubs meeting tonight as Leaders are going to empty Tesco shelves in preparation for camp. See you all Saturday morning at 9:30. Remember to bring a packed lunch and a drink. Put any medicines in the medicine box - complete with names and instructions, any spoons needed etc . Think positive weather thoughts between now and Saturday!!
Kim

District Camp 2008 - Photos

Hi folks,

Long time no post!

As some of you may be aware, my university days are over, which means you'll be seeing more of me in the future.

I promised I would upload the photos from this year's district camp and have finally managed to get them online.

You can see them here.

Thanks to Sara for braving the weather to snap some of these great pics!