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Traditionally
there has not been an edition of the Gazette in August, but this
year there is so much news around the
county , the online version of the County
Year Book and the opportunity for Explorer Scouts to sign up
for an emergency aid course we have
produced an additional on line version. In another change
from the normal message from our County Commissioner, this month
we hear from two Explorer Scouts about what Scouting means to
them! Alice: We'd
like to give you our impression of Scouting in the 21st Century James: It's
about being active. From helping at Beaver Scout Meetings,
to going to the World Scout Jamboree, it's about getting outside
and being active. Alice: It's
about friendship. There are no outsiders in our Unit, and
whatever we do, we do it together. We sometimes even include
our leaders! James: It's
about opportunity. Scouting offers many opportunities to do
things and go places we never imagined, and at prices we can all
afford. Alice: It's
about fun. Today's teens are busier than ever, so we have to
have a reason to put on our uniforms. Not all our friends
are Scouts, but we don't hide what we do. In fact we're keen
to tell them what we did while they sat in front of the 'play
station'. James: It's
about helping. We're both members of the Tewkesbury
District's Young Leader Unit. We like to think that we play
a key part in the lives of the sections we assist. Young
members see us as different from adult leaders, and we know the
difference that can make to them. Alice: It's
about adventure. We've done things in Scouting that we would
never have done elsewhere, from making my Scout Promise down a
mine to developing lifeskills as part of my unit; I've done things
in Scouting I would never have imagined. James: ...
and it's about the future. One day we will have children who
we hope will be Scouts too. But from now until then, we need
to keep the Movement fresh, exciting, and moving forward, day and
night!
THE COUNTY YEAR BOOK
The County Yearbook is produced each year in time for the the
County's Annual General Meeting. It is also sent to libraries,
surgeries, town information centres, local councils, and others
across Gloucestershire, raising the profile of Scouting across the
county. This year we have placed a copy online, as a .pdf file for
all to read.
I hope you will enjoy reading about just a few of the
adventures that young people across the county enjoyed during the
past twelve months. Content is submitted by leaders and young
people from across the county who have enjoyed a Scouting
adventure or activity that they think shows Scouting at it's best.
If you have taken part in a Scouting activity that you think
should be considered for the 2008/9 copy of the report, please
send it to kevin.brewer@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk
If you would like a printed copy of the 2007/8 report (for a
small charge of £2.50 to cover costs - cheques made payable to
Gloucestershire County Scout Council) please contact the County
Scouting Office at Cranham.
Tom Harding, County Commissioner
FIRST AID OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPLORER SCOUT
Dave Middlemiss, a professional trainer in emergency aid, and a
Scout Leader at Amberley has the opportunity to provide 20 free
places on a one day emergency first aid course for 16-18 years
old. Hartpury college are willing to provide this training if we
can arrange it within the next two weeks. If you are interested
please contact Dave directly as detailed below. Please free free
to distribute this widely around the Explorer Scout Community in
your District.
Dave Middlemiss Scout
Leader Amberley Scouts
Mobile:
097970487918
Home 01453 840003
Email: dave@ppdsolutions.co.uk
EVENTS
Details
of many Scouting events and opportunities run by the county or by
neighbouring counties are advertised on the County Web Site's
notice board page. Please be sure to check the page frequently to
see what new opportunities are on offer.
COUNTY
RECOGNISES distinguished
SERVICE
During
the Gloucestershire County Scout Council's Annual General Meeting
in July 2008, Regional Commissioner XX presented national awards
that recognised the exceptional commitment 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!
PREPARING
FOR MADAGASCAR !
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.
GILWELL
24
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
SCOUT FUN DAY
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?
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