Beaver Wetlands Visit

Drop Beavers off at the centre on 5th September just before 10am with £4.50 (if you haven't already paid) and a packed lunch and drink. Wear uniform and suitable footwear for possible muddy conditions - and a coat if the weather isn't so good. Collect Beavers at 3pm. Any questions drop me an email using the link provided.

Scout Camp - Squirrel Wood

After the success of Summer Camp 2009, we just can’t wait to get back to the Great Outdoors. This time we’re off to Squirrel Wood near Doncaster for a weekend camp. It’s a site we’ve not been to for some time so it’s something not to be missed even for our veteran campers.

The camp dates will be from Friday 4th September (evening) to Sunday 6th September (afternoon) and will cost £15 per person. Drop off and pick up details will be finalised nearer the time.

We're asking for a £5 non-refundable deposit to secure a place. Last date for receipt of deposits is 26th August.

Beavers Upcoming Events

If you haven't already done so please make sure you book your place on either or both the Wetlands Centre event on 5th September and the Sleepover at Silverwood on 19/20th September. I have to finalise numbers as soon as possible. Email me via the blog.

Beavers will be running as normal for the rest of the summer.

Beavers Next Week

Due to work commitments I will be unable to run Beavers next week. I apologise for any inconvenience caused. Kim

Summer Camp - Thanks

Well that's Summer Camp over for another year - I hope you all had a good time. Can I just thank all the leaders and helpers who gave up their time to make it happen. We couldn't do it without them. No doubt we'll be uploading some photos in the next few days so watch this space.

If you have any items of clothing/equipment that don't belong to you, bring them up to cubs/scouts and we'll try and reunite them with their owner. If you're missing anything please check our lost luggage pile as soon as possible.

The next camp for Scouts will be a Patrol Camp that we're organising for the weekend of 4 - 6 September. More details soon.

Can I also remind you that August Subs are due this week.

Summer Camp Kit List

We've been asked to post the Summer Camp Kit List so here it is:-

The items below are to be packed in a rucsac, canvas holdall or sports bag, which we will be loading onto the van on Friday 24th July at 7.00pm.

To avoid damage in transit make sure all items are securely packed. Put your clothes in colour-coded plastic bags inside your main pack for extra waterproofing.

Please make sure all items are clearly marked with your name or initials!

We reserve the right to reject overweight bags. Please take only what you need - we are camping for a week, not a month!

Clothes

• Coat/fleece
• Waterproof trousers
• Hat or Cap (for sun protection)
• Woolly hat (for cold evenings)
• Jumper
• Pyjamas/nightwear
• Underwear
• Long trousers
• Shorts
• Socks
• Swimming trunks
• T-shirts
• Trainers

Toiletries

• Comb/Brush
• Soap/Shower Gel
• Flannel
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Towel
• Sun-block/Sun-screen
• Deodorant
• Insect Repellent

Personal Equipment

• Plate, dish & mug (unbreakable)
• Knife, fork & spoon
• Tea-towel
• Sleeping Bag (2 or 3 season)
• Camping Mat
• Coat Hanger (for your uniform)
• Personal First Aid Kit
• Torch (with spare batteries)
• Carrier bags (for dirty clothes)

For travelling to camp you will need the following items, so please make sure they do not go in your main kit bag:-

• Uniform
• Boots/Strong shoes

Take a small day sack containing:-

• Waterproof jacket
• Packed Lunch

Disclaimer: No responsibility for personal effects is accepted by the camp organisers and neither the Group nor the Scout Association provides insurance cover in respect of such items. We strongly advise against taking expensive items, such as mp3 players, cameras, etc.

Final Reminders for Summer Camp

I'd just like to recap on some key dates & times for those camping with us next week. We wouldn't want to leave anyone behind!

This Wednesday/Thursday, 22/23 July

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are meeting as normal. Cubs and Scouts do not need to wear uniform this week, as we're giving you chance to get it washed and ironed ready for Saturday.

This Friday, 24 July

You need to bring your main kit bag to the Scout Hut for 7pm so we can load it onto the van. Remember do not pack your uniform, your waterproof jacket, or your packed lunch. Dads, we'd appreciate your help to load the camping equipment.

This Saturday, 25 July

We aim to leave for camp from the Scout Hut at 10am prompt. Leaders will be at the Scout Hut from 9.30am. You must wear full uniform for the journey. Bring a waterproof jacket and a packed lunch in a small day bag - this will travel with you on the bus.

If you're taking any medicines these should be handed to Janice (Kim).

Travel sickness remedies, if required, normally need to be taken an hour or so before travelling.

Week Saturday, 1 August

We expect to get back from camp at approximately 4pm. We will try and get word back if we are running early or late.

Contact Information

During the camp you can contact us - in case of emergency only please - at Downe Scout Activity Centre, Birdhouse Lane, Downe, Orpington, Kent, BR6 7LJ. Tel: 01959 572121. Ask for the Duty Warden. He/she will get a message to us as soon as possible.

We will not contact you unless there is a problem, so if you don’t hear from us everything is fine.

We do not encourage the cubs and scouts to phone home during camp as it tends to make them homesick. Please do not ask them to call you.

Next Week

There will be a Cubs next Thursday as usual but you do not need to wear uniform as you will need it clean for Saturday. The same goes for Scouts.

Summer Camp - Reminders

A reminder for those going on Summer Camp that we need your signed Permission to Camp form this week, plus your Medicines Form if applicable.

Scouts wanting to take part in the rifle-shooting activity should also hand in the Parental Consent form this week.

And this is also the last week to pay in any pocket money that you want us to look after.

Summer Gala Update

With a couple more donations our final total is £679. As we are running more camps than ever, and more Cubs and Scouts are attending, we were in need of camping gear. Therefore, we have spent some of the gala money raised on buying 2 new tents and some cooking equipment. As Beavers won't get the benefit of this equipment until they are Cubs, we will be using some of the money to subsidise their Sleepover in September. Any money left will buy new games equipment.

If you want to see a breakdown of the money spent then you will be able to do so at our AGM in September. More details on that later....

Beavers Dates for the Diary

There will NOT be a Beavers meeting on Weds 29th July as Leaders will be camping with Cubs and Scouts. However, there will be meetings throughout the summer holiday period on every other week.

Saturday 5th September: Beavers are invited to a fun filled day of activity at the Wetlands Centre. 10am til 3pm. Cost £4.50. Further details to follow but I need to know asap if your child can go. Please tell me Wednesday, or text or mail as I need to book your place.

Saturday/Sunday 19/20th September: Beavers are invited to a sleepover with our friends from Darfield Beavers. This will be at Silverwood Scout Site and the cost will be approx. £5 Watch out for the invitation letters this week.

Sunny Day

Last week the cubs took advantage of the warm weather,
We split them into three teams to Battle it out in our water assault course challenge.

Click HERE to see photos of them in action