ADVENTURE AT PENNWOOD ENJOYED BY OVER 350 

AT CENTRE OPEN DAY

Have you thought of holding your next outdoor Scouting event at Pennwood Scouting Centre near Stroud?  On 17 May over 350 Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Leaders and parents all enjoyed a wide range of activities as part of Pennwood's annual open day. 

From archery and aerial runways, through cooking, crate stacking, nature exploration, and orienteering to pioneering and wide games (and much more as 

We have heard of lots of Cub Scouts getting outdoors this month and exploring nature.  If you do not have access to woodlands or ponds and streams close to where you meet, why not follow the lead of many other groups who have already taken the opportunity to make one of their weekly meeting a bit different by meeting at the County Scouting Centre at Cranham.

Simply contact the centre and make a booking for an evening visit.  Then

make use of the excellent facilities and opportunities that the centre offers.  Ken, the centre manager can offer you advice on how to make the most of your visit.

During the first May Bank Holiday Weekend a group of Scouts from cross Gloucestershire travelled to the Lake District to enjoy a weekend of walking on Lakeland Fells. Two groups did a 2-day walk - over Dollywagon Pike and Helvellyn, while on Saturday two other groups did a round trip of Fairfield and two 

others a round of Highstreet.  On Sunday three groups did Coniston Old Man whilst the remainder explored the environs of Grasmere.

ST AUGUSTINES' CUB SCOUTS AIM TO DO MORE OUTDOORS!

The Cub Scouts at St Augustines in Gloucester had made a conscious decision to do more outside this year so as soon as the spring had started we were off, so far some of the things they have done include a visit to Bristol Zoo on a bug day special and then had their own bug hunt on the local hill.

A few weeks back they held a family day out at The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail followed by a BBQ tea. The Cub Scouts and parents managed to walk the whole way around the trail!

The Cub Scouts from St Augustines' Group in Gloucester were making a splash earlier this month when they took part in their water camp at South Cerney, which was excellent fun. 

For 90% of the cubs this was the first time they had done anything with boats - now they can't wait to do it again.  For more information about Water Activities at South Cerney see the Gloucestershire County Council's Web Site at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1967

Over the weekend of the 19/20th April members of Scout Network and Explorer Scouts from the Royal Forest of Dean ventured to Fairford to undertake a weekend of water activities! They tell us more ...

Must be mad! We arrived and got straight to the task at hand. We were told that were were making a raft, then a Coracle (yeah right!).

The raft was simple enough, any scout can put a raft together I'm sure. Next came the challenge of making a Coracle. Now, when I heard that we would have a go in a coracle, I imagined a little wooden shell type concoction that was already made. Oh no, we had to make it. Three hours and about a thousand lashings later, oh and very large tarpaulin (with a hole in it), it was time to test drive both inventions. Remember, its April and we have built a raft and a very large wooden contraption which looked more like a coffin than anything resembling a coracle, so we knew that:

a) we were going to get wet and

b) that the water was going to be cold!

Yes, on both accounts! The raft floated and stayed together, big achievement! The coracle cum coffin was a completely different story. It floated (at first), but to say it was unsteady would be an understatement! After about 5 attempts at trying to get about 10 feet away from the bank, we concluded that it probably wasn't the best mode of transport to go on water. After an evening of trying to defrost our feet, and some sleep, we were raring to go and get wet again! Fools! Off we went to a different lake used by the Sailing club, we got fitted out with all the gear, and then got out on the lake in something more sturdy than the coracle from the day before; a canoe! After a quick session of trying not to capsize and going in a semi-straight line (easier for some than others), we were told we were going to take part in a game of water polo. Similar to football but with the added danger of falling to the water that wasn't centrally heated! There were about 10 people playing and a ball. Now, it's a challenge to try and stay upright when you have lots of people coming towards you to get the ball. After an hour and a half, a few girly screams and two swimmers later (yes, Farid and Tristan, how was the water?) we finished the game on 4 - 4. Perfect ending, we do not like to lose. A great weekend was had by all.

 DIVE, DIVE, DIVE !

On 26th April the latest batch of Scouts and Explorer Scouts from Gloucestershire attempted their PADI Scuba Open Water NGB qualification. In Gloucestershire nineteen Scouts and Explorer Scouts from nearly all districts in the county have gained this internationally recognised formal qualification through Scouting (not to mention a couple of parents as well). We’re not sure if any other county in the UK can boast such a record.

The next course leading to this qualification starts this summer. There are places still available for those who have already done a Scuba Try-Dive through any recognised PADI

or BSAC centre (including the Scout County via Coral Divers or Neptune Diving). Details are on the County Web-site events section or from Derek Newman Tel: 01452 614633 email: db.newman@btinternet.com