COUNTY RECOGNISES distinguished SERVICE 

During the Gloucestershire County Scout Council's Annual General Meeting in July 2008, Regional Commissioner, Gordon Weston, presented national awards that recognised the exceptional commitment and service to Scouting of some of the County's many volunteer leaders. Tom Harding, County Commissioner, congratulated 

all the leaders in the County, all of whom are volunteers and, whether they are able to contribute small are large amounts of time to Scouting, all help young people to develop in positive ways and to really get the most out of life.  It is due to the dedication of adult volunteers that the growth of Scouting in Gloucestershire in 2007 surpassed nearly every other county in the country, showing that it’s really meeting the needs of young people today. If Gloucestershire’s 900 adults in Scouting volunteer and average of 3 hrs per week for 40 weeks per year, plus 25 hrs per person for various meetings and training, and 48 hrs for camps that’s at total of 173,700 volunteer hours. If they were paid at the current min wage that would represent £965,772 and this is know to be an underestimate!

During the weekend 18-20 July the County's Explorer Scout Expedition Group due to depart for Madagascar in 2009 held their first team building and training camp at the County Scouting Centre at Cranham.  

During the weekend the group of 24 Explorer Scouts and members of Scout Network undertook a wide range of training and preparatory tasks, but also enjoyed using some of  Cranham's excellent on site activities, including the challenge course - where everyone got rather wet! 

FAIRFORD SUCCESS

During the Summer Term, L.D.O. Anna King has been supporting Fairford Scout Group, and at the end of term the Group invested sixteen new Beaver Scouts into the newly formed Colony.  After the ceremony the Beaver Scouts enjoyed a barbecue with their parents.  During the term the new Beaver Scouts have tried many 

different activities, and, we hope they will all enjoy many more Scouting adventures in the years to come. Working with the leadership team for Fairford's Cub Scout Pack and new Beaver Scout Colony is just one of many successful projects Anna has been working on across the county to help provide event better Scouting for even more young people.

A Group of Young Leaders from Stroud and Tetbury District travelled to Gilwell Park (The Headquarters of UK Scouting) at the beginning of July to take part in the National event Gilwell 24 - a non-stop 24 hours of activities, challenges and adventures.

GARDEN PARTY TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS!

Nailsworth Scout Group, celebrating 100 years since Scouting was first established in the town, held a Summer Garden Party at the end of the Summer Term.  Croquet, tennis, bowls, lawn darts, juggling, giant jenga and other garden games kept members from all sections of the Group (and members of their families) entertained, and strawberries and cream were enjoyed on the terrace!  A short part of the afternoon incorporated the Groups Annual General Meeting (over in about fifteen minutes) - why not consider doing something different for your next AGM?

Beaver Scouts from across Stroud and Tetbury District came together in July to enjoy a day of "Fun and Friends".  From mini pioneering projects to make their own swing (right), to games, crafts and challenges, they all had a great time.

SEVERSIDE OUTLAWS IN LEDBURY

Cub Scouts from Severnside enjoyed a weekend camp in July with the theme of Robin Hood.  During the weekend they made their own costumes, bows and arrows, as well as a host of other activities and challenges based upon the theme. Even the Cub Scout Athletics Badge that the Cub Scouts completed during the weekend had been themed!  The 1000 metre run had become 'taking a message to King John', with other events similarly adapted! Why not use your imagination to think of a theme to make your next Cub Scout Camp a little bit different.