Between 6 – 11 April 2008 a group of 24 Cub Scouts and Scouts from Nailsworth Scout Troop and Wycliffe Scout Group joined together to travel to Germany. Roise (aged 11) shares her adventures…

impressive and imposing building that stood out as a landmark that could be seen from all around. We were keen and eager to explore the castle and find out where we were sleeping. After a quick supper we went to bed, anticipating the adventures that lay ahead of us. Over the next jam-packed five days we visited and learnt about the area surrounding Burg Rieneck, met members of Scouting in Germany, and took part in loads of different activities. Some of my highlights were going to the Fort 

in Wurzburg and seeing a horse’s swimming pool, a prison, a 203 metre deep well and the graves of 25 Prince Bishops. Also, Frances and Nikolai dressed up with the help of the museum staff, with Nikolai as a knight in a full suit of armour with a three hundred year old short sword, and Frances as his elegant Lady, and later visiting the grand Residence of the Prince Bishops. Going on a picturesque hike in the snow and ambushing some of the slower Scouts. Having a Knights’ tournament where we made big catapults from long wooden poles, did jousting, crossbows and ten pin bowling. My favourite bit was the jousting, unfortunately we had no horses, 

so we gave each other piggybacks and had sticks to get the ropes off the posts. We fell off quite a bit but it was still great fun. We also discovered more about the historic industries of the area in the pretty historic town of Lohr.

We ended our trip celebrating Frances’ 9^th birthday with a big chocolate cake, and investing Nicolai and Zak as Scouts at a campfire in the grounds of the castle, but before we knew it we were packed and on the flight back to Bristol Airport! 

EXPLORER BELT TO TUNISIA

I just wanted to tell you all about my trip to Tunisia (22^nd March – 31^st March 2008) to complete my Explorer Belt.  

The explorer belt is an award within The Scout Association open to members between the ages of 16 and 25. It can take place in any country around the world including. The main objective of the Explorer Belt is to involve yourself as much as possible into somebody else’s culture and learn about how other people live. As well as the cultural aspects of the expedition, there a numerous projects and challenges that have to be completed and an additional requirement of walking 100 miles over the 10 day period.

We were in groups of 3 or 4 people, of varying abilities and interests and from different parts of the UK. In total there were 7 groups, (22 participants in total) and 7 leaders. I was one of two members from Gloucestershire. I was in a group of 3 girls and we had only met once before prior to going on Expedition.

We managed to stay with families each night (the only team who did), which gave us a huge insight to how they live. We stayed with families that had 10 children, families that obviously had more money than others with whom we stayed, but the main similarity with all of the families was their protectiveness and the kindness with which they welcomed us into their home. It puts the UK to shame really, as I am sure not many of us would welcome 3 complete strangers into our home, feed them and make them feel like part of the family for the night, as we were made to feel every night.

We were given an opportunity to eat traditional food, dress up in traditional dress and be a part of the family before walking and finding another family to stay with the next evening.

Looking back, it was the best experience anyone can ever encounter and I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to learn so much about a country I knew so little about. I have gained lots of new friends, overcome lots of challenges, learnt so much about myself, and consider it a great achievement to have accomplished.

I would just like to add that if anyone is thinking about undertaking their explorer belt, then go for it, as it is nothing like you will ever experience again. I was told that the Explorer Belt is ‘one of Scouting’s Best Kept Secret’, lets not keep it that way, and all young people should be made aware of such a great challenge.

Dawn Phelps, Forest of Dean Scout Network

31st Gloucester (Highnam) Bevaer Scouts were delighted to win the Gloucester District's Beaver Scout Football Tournament.  This was the first time that the Colony had entered the event, and won every game that they played!

The County Badge Course Weekend included the option to complete the Pioneer Badge.  Alex, a Scout from Rodborough was on the course and tell us about it ...

I attended a badge weekend at the County Scouting Centre in Cranham. There were three courses to choose from: Emergency Aid, Modeller and Pioneer. I decided to do the pioneer badge. The course included learning all the knots and lashings, building a swing and a type of catapult.

Also a range of indoor projects which included splicing (making a rope thicker and to stop it from fraying), whipping (to stop a rope from fraying), and mini pioneering with small green sticks.

We also had a board in the room we were using, which had all the knots and lashings on it. It had our names on it so that when we learnt a knot or a lashing and the instructor was satisfied we would put a sticker by our name under the knot or lashing we had learnt.

Alex (Rodborough Scouts)

Cranham has so much more to offer than just camping and accommodation, as a group of Scouts from Nailsworth discovered at the beginning of this month when they spent an activity day at the site.

During their visit they enjoyed the challenge course in The Grove, the traversing wall, fire-lighting and a hike.  

Also this month Scouts from Cranham Village also visited the site of an evening meeting using the area for a series of problem solving bases as part of the Creative Challenge Badge, while a group of Cub Scouts used the area to practice their compass skills.

Why not consider Cranham as a venue for an evening meeting or an activity day for your section, as well as the excitement of going somewhere different and / or trying something new, Ken and his staff at the centre can give you a lot of advice in planning your visit and offer you facilities and resources for a wealth of activities.

STROUD AND TETBURY DISTRICT'S 

CUB SCOUT FAMILY HIKE

Over one hundred Cub Scouts, their families and friends took part in a family hike in Stroud and Tetbury District.  Ben, a Cub Scout from Rodborogh, tells us more ...

On Sunday 30th March I went on the District Cub Family Hike. We started at Randwick Scout Hut and walked up lots of narrow paths, through fields and over lots of stiles. 

We had to lift my little sister over the stiles in her pushchair. We walked through lots of mud. The walk was 5 miles long and we had to read instructions and follow a map to find our way. It took us about three and a half hours to get back to the scout hut and then we had a hot dog. It was a very warm and sunny day and I really enjoyed it.

Ben (Rodborough Cubs)