Has it really been a month since the last Tails? Our Scouts of all ages and across the district have been busy this past month and here are just some stories from them, big and small. A real slice of what Scouting is all about. If you like what you see and you’re not already part of the family, why not give volunteering a go? Or invite a friend who might enjoy it?
What’s been happening?
Zulu Cubs get behind the scenes peek at ASDA
By Dan Harwood, Assistant Beaver Scout Leader at 2nd Copythorne.
On the Thursday 6th October, Gemma, who is an Asda Community Champion, came to visit us at our Scout Hall and we made pizzas and fruit kebabs. Asda supplied the ingredients. We used breakfast muffins as our pizza bases and had things like cheese, ham and onions to top them with. We even had enough so the leaders could make one too, they were yummy. We made some fruit kebabs using lots of different fruit.
The following week, 13th October, we were invited to Asda’s Totton store. When we got there, we were divided into two groups. One group had a go on the checkouts with Gemma. They pretended to be Asda colleagues for the night. While I took the other group around. We had a look at what customer service assistants do and all about the George clothing department. Then we found out what is a home shopper and what they do. including a look in one of the freezers, the cubs found it very cold.
Then they looked around the Bakery and discovered how the products are prepared for our customers. Then they swapped with the other group. We finally ended up in the foyer for two investitures – a first for the store. The cubs found it interesting finding out how a supermarket prepares and sells food.
The visit was arranged by Dan Harwood. Thank you, Gemma and Asda Totton, for your help.
On Starters Orders for the Soapbox Derby
By Lynn Tatavossian, Team DC.
Sunday 9th October saw some sections from the District meet at Netley Marsh Church Field for a fun afternoon of soapbox racing. The weather was fantastic and everyone had a brilliant afternoon.
Huge thanks to our District SASU for organising and serving the refreshments all afternoon, especially all the delicious cakes and scones they made which were a huge hit. Also, our grateful thanks for all the support in setting up and running the event and then packing away again at the end, we couldn’t put this type of large District event on without you.
Our thanks to 5th Testwood Beavers for the photos. Let’s make it even bigger and better next year! The results table is below.
Nights Away for Rufus Cubs
By Emma Davies, Assistant Cub Scout Leader at 6th Netley Marsh.
I love being a Cub leader. It’s my favourite part of the week, so when an opportunity came up for me to gain my nights way permit, I jumped at the chance and booked myself onto a course at Ferny Crofts. I came away full of ideas and positivity and decided to go for it and organise my first ever camp!
It was a little stressful and the torrential rainfall the week leading up to camp definitely didn’t help but with the help of other leaders, parents who volunteered their time and their skillsets and of course my camp chef (thanks Ian Sims!) we smashed it.
Due to Covid, a lot of our Cubs hadn’t had the chance to be away from home and attend a camp and do some of the activities I had planned.
I decided to do a back-to-basics camp and introduced skills such as fire lighting, wood whittling (tent pegs), knot tying and paracord bracelet making. We even had a go at making rope using drills and toilet roll (thanks to two amazing young leaders who led this activity). It turns out a toilet roll rope swing will hold a 5 stone Cub but not a 10 stone leader! (Luckily, I didn’t fall too far!)
Seeing the Cubs working together in teams and making new friends was the highlight for me. We had 19 Cubs attend the two – night camp and they all had a great time
I feel privileged to be part of their lives and provide a safe space to watch them conquer fears and develop as people. I have now passed and have my nights away permit, so I must dash as I have another camp to organise!
Fresh faces at Sandleheath Cubs
By Martine Coatham, Group Scout Leader at 1st Sandleheath.
The Cub Team at Sandleheath is moving on – Richard and Tim (Akela and Shere Khan) are stepping down from their roles with the pack in October. Richard has been running the pack for several decades, with Tim supporting him for the past ten years – so these are big shoes to fill.
The Group are extremely grateful for their dedication to offering many young people amazing Scouting experiences over this time – “pack, pack, pack” will never be the same again.
At our AGM in September, we presented them with a small token of appreciation – fortunately for us they are not leaving the Group – but will be taking on roles in the background to help support the leaders. We are extremely fortunate that we have been able to persuade some of our existing leadership team to step up to the challenge – so Mark, Tom and Simon will be leading Cubs after half-term. Well done and thank you to our brilliant leaders.
Adventure and Astronomy for Scouts
By Simon Morgan, Assistant Scout Leader at 1st Sandleheath.
As the evenings start to draw in, 1st Sandleheath Sea Scouts have hung up their buoyancy aids for the winter and moved into their land programme. Due to the size of the troop, we have split into two half-troops, named Drake and Raleigh, and have rotated through den building, emergency aid, a night hike and pioneering.
Last week, Drake built a lookout tower in our Scout HQ while Raleigh made the most of the New Forest’s dark skies for a spot of star gazing.
Reaching out at Netley Marsh Beavers
By Emma Hanslip, Beaver Scout Leader at 6th Netley Marsh.
Netley Marsh have had a busy month. We entered 6 teams into the District Soap Box Derby and Team B came first, which was a first for us in a long time, so well-done Team B and well done Netley Marsh, you all did us leaders proud with your teamwork.
The following weekend we attended Fright Night at Ferny Crofts which was an absolutely fantastic, albeit tiring, day where we carved pumpkins, held a snake and an owl, did lots of inflatable activities, did some tomahawk throwing, a spot of archery and got to watch the dinosaurs from Britain’s got Talent do a show for us.
The next day we had a fun packed day at Paulton’s Park, it was so lovely to see all the smiles on the Beaver’s faces as they were going on the rides, some of the rides that I wouldn’t even go on! We also attended our District Campfire which was a very wet but enjoyable evening. We have 3 Beavers who are moving up to Cubs and all 3 of them have achieved their bronze award, well-done beavers and we wish you well at Cubs.
Celebrating our Top Achievers: Chief Scout’s Award Activity Day
By Lynn Tatavossian, Team DC.
Sunday 2nd October was our annual District Chief Scouts Activity Day, a free event for our Young People who have been awarded a Top Award in the last 12 months or so. I was already at Ferny Crofts, delivering adult training, and from dawn the rain was horrendous, so things didn’t look promising. The young people started arriving just before 10:00am but by 10:30am the rain had stopped and we had glorious sunshine for the rest of the day.
Around 60 young people who had earned Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards, had a fun filled afternoon doing small tower climbing/abseiling, crate staking, zip wire, gladiator challenge & mega climbing.
Once again, our grateful thanks to the District SASU team, who did the shopping, set up the mess tent, cooked oodles of burgers and sausages, made endless hot drinks, kept the squash and biscuits supplies coming and then cleared everything away again. The BBQ was delicious and everyone had seconds and possibly thirds!
Busy Beavers Across the District
By Emma Hanslip, Assistant District Commissioner – Beaver Support.
It has been a busy month for the Beavers. We have had our annual County Paulton’s Park trip which was a massive success again, with lots of Beavers from our District attending; it is always lovely to see the young people having lots of fun and for the second year running the rain stayed away until the end of the day.
On Saturday 22nd October we held our first campfire as New Forest District at Sandleheath Scout HQs and although it was a very wet evening, with the rain stopping and starting, it didn’t put off the wonderful singing from Beavers, parents, siblings and leaders. We enjoyed hot dogs and hot chocolate and then did some more singing, thank you to Steven Osborn for organising it.
I am looking forward to the New Year where we will hopefully have some more district events to enjoy.
What’s coming up?
District Cubs Scrapheap Challenge
By Richard White, Assistant District Commissioner – Cub Support.
Please see below for all the details, it would be great to get as many packs as possible taking part.
Training Opportunity – Accessible Scouting
There are still a few spaces on the Module 36 – Adjustments to Scouting, being held via Zoom on Tuesday 01 November 2022 @ 7:00pm. This module is extremely useful in discussing how to facilitate and make reasonable adjustments in Scouting. If you have any young people with additional needs in your section, then this is the module for you to get some valuable support.
Details and booking forms at the Hampshire Scouts Training site.
Young Leader Rally calling
By Michael Doncom, District Youth Commissioner.
Spaces are filling up fast for our 2023 Young Leaders Rally. Don’t miss out on a weekend of fun, adventure and new skills.
More info and to book at this link.
We are delighted to announce that the Young Leaders’ Rally will be back for the fifth time. This is a weekend event organised by the Top Awards Team for Young Leaders across the county to further their training, as well as sharing experiences and making friends.
The event is subsidised by Hampshire Scouts and we hope the cost will be around £20 for Indoor accomidation and £10 for camping for the weekend. Payment will be requested nearer the time along with full information. Activities will include educational Sessions on inclusivity, community, planning 101, top awards and more; activity sessions (caving, climbing, low ropes and crate stacking) and social events – film, quiz, challenges, games, and more.
Upcoming Community Events
Reminders, Opportunities and Notices:
New faces needed for Appointments Advisory Committee
By Sara Andrews, District Appointments Secretary.
We desperately need some new AAC members to join the district appointment panel.
The panel meets with new volunteers to welcome them to Scouts, understand the requirements of their new role and guidance on who to go for if they need some help. There is a small training commitment, Module 37 Advising on Adult Appointments. For more information: Appointments Panels | Scouts or get in touch with Sara Andrews, our District Appointments Secretary on [email protected] who will be happy to chat about the role.
Are you interested in being part of a District Youth Team?
By Michael Doncom, District Youth Commissioner.
We will be working to support the Young Leader scheme, Top Awards, Networks, You Shape badge and district events. My vision is that as a team of people we can make a difference and leave a legacy for others to develop and continue making positive change. With being a team, we can effectively support the district and each other to ensure that we are using our resources and ideas the best way we can.
Do you know someone that is proactive, creative, positive and forward thinking that would be perfect for this? (Or is this you?)
Please use/share this application form: https://forms.office.com/r/cBhti4B4YN
In the meantime, if you have any question or want to talk about anything Youth Shaped send me an email: [email protected]
Notes on Nights Away Notifications
By Robin Mair, Team DC.
These points are taken from Nights Away Notifications that we have received over the last 6 months. Please ensure notifications are completed correctly:
- Instances of 2 nights way when only 1 night away occurring
- A NAN form that started and finished on the same date
- A named In Touch adult with contact details
NAN forms need to be lodged at a very minimum of 7 days before the event - If things need to be changed, please provide an updated NAN form
All risks associated with the event need to be mitigated for and a risk assessment completed – these to be included alongside the NAN form
Please ensure that you put the correct member numbers against the adults when listing attendees
As per Module 38 guidance there needs to be a minimum of 2 first aid certificated adult members in attendance. This provides cover if 1 first aider is committed and another incident occurs - Please ensure you use the most up to date form from the scout’s website under the nights away section
Lynn, Ian, Kevin & Robin
Team DC – New Forest