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| What’s Coming Up?
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Welcome to Edition 42 of Tails of the New Forest. This month, as many of our young people wind down for the summer, except for a much anticipated summer camp, adventure or pack holiday perhaps(?), we share opportunities and the latest diary, a survey for everyone about district events, and updates to boot.
What’s coming up?
Updated District Diary – July version 3!
Earlier this month we shared an updated District Diary and thankfully we’ve already had dates for future events come pouring in. Find below our most up to date diary for July 2025 version 3 to help you plan amazing programmes to the end of the year and beyond!
We’ve had great feedback that people want to plan much further ahead, so if you have any events to add to the diary, please send them to Kevin via [email protected].
Chief Scout’s Award Day
Details for this year’s New Forest Chief Scout’s Awards Presentation and Activity day have been sent out to groups and explorers for all those young people who have gained the top awards for their section from 1st September 2024 – 31st July 2025.
As a way of saying well done, the district holds this free event every year, held this year at Ferny Crofts Activity Centre on Sunday 5th October 2025. Activity forms with names for certificates, dietary requirements and special needs need to be returned no later than Wednesday 24th September.
Please make sure you have suitable cover for each of your sections during the day as we need to provide at least 2 leaders with each activity base that are run by Ferny Crofts. Depending on numbers, we may need to provide extra self-led bases during the day, so help to run these is appreciated.
Volunteer skills courses
Join the Hampshire Learning team to learn and develop skills for you with sessions throughout a skills weekend covering topics like Backwoods cooking, knots, science, Young Leaders, ‘Little Pickles’, OSM and more! Plus, a campfire on Saturday evening. All taking place at Ferny Crofts on the 4th and 5th October 2025.
Take part in one session or stay for the full weekend if you prefer. Accommodation and food available.
Link to Signup.
Plus, coming up next term, the Learning team are offering:
- Woodbadge Module Training – 25th & 26th October
- Skills for Residential Experiences – 25th & 26th October
- Skills of Management – 15th & 16th November
You can see what courses are available here.
Reminders, opportunities and notices
Have your say about District Events
The Programme Team have recently met to discuss the District Events programme, and we have recently had some feedback from various section leaders across the District about events, scheduling and challenges with getting involved.
Please can every leader in the District take 5 minutes to fill in the questionnaire linked below so we can see what you want us to provide for you.
The closing date for the questionnaire will be Sunday 31st August.
AdEx Challenge
HSX (Hampshire Scout eXpeditions) are inviting Explorers and Network to the AdEx Challenge. This is a weekend of challenges in the New Forest to test teamwork, leadership skills and of course to have some fun!
The weekend will finish with an HSX social on Sunday lunchtime also celebrating 40 years of HSX. This will give participants an opportunity to find out more about HSX, our future expedition opportunities and our regular UK training weekends.
When: Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th September 2025
Where: Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, New Forest
Who: Explorer and Network Scouts over the age of 14
Cost – £30pp
To express your interest in attending, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/e/8fVbaQuq6t. For more information, please contact Chardae at [email protected]. HSX look forward to seeing you there!
Join Hampshire Scouts at Southampton Pride
You’re invited to take part in the Southampton Pride Parade with Hampshire Scouts on Saturday 23rd August 2025. Time and location will be confirmed closer to the date, but probably 10am for 11am start.
Opportunity is open to Scouts, Explorers, Network, and Leaders. If signing up as a Scout, we recommend doing so with a parent or leader. Each person should sign up individually. Those attending don’t require uniform, but please wear neckers. Pride flags and vibrant outfits are warmly encouraged – no signs, as you’ll be representing Hampshire Scouts. Dress appropriately for the weather—bring water, and pack a raincoat if it looks rainy.
Reach out to a leader in the lead-up to the event via: [email protected]. Let’s celebrate Pride together—with colour, unity, and Scout spirit. Sign up to attend.
Youth Council returns
Develop leadership skills, discuss how to make a difference and have your say. Youth Council returns on Friday 10th – Sunday 12th October and we want our District represented among the range of Scout and Explorer voices from across the County.
Details and how to get involved on the Hampshire Scouts website.
Partnerships in Emergencies consultation
Shared with us recently by the Charity Commission, the government is consulting about a new duty for the emergency services to coordinate response plans with community groups who might be able to offer support. Launched following the Grenfell Tower inquiry, uniformed groups such as ours are invited to take part. Complete the survey on the Gov.uk website.
Join the team at Ferny Crofts
Ferny Crofts are looking for two part-time Housekeepers, due to their Housekeeper leaving soon to start University!
Often leading a small team, they ensure buildings are turned around in good time and ensure a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene is maintained throughout the centre. Salary: £12.60 per hour. Full job description on the Ferny Crofts website and email Nicole to apply. Closing date for applications is Sunday 17th August 2025.
What’s been happening?
In the month before summer camps and pack holidays begin to flood in, there was still time for some amazing summer adventures:
A trio of updates from Ringwood
This month we heard about a trio of exciting activities from 3rd Ringwood Scouts, each of which has their own update on this website: a murder mystery night, a report from a Scout about their recent Group Camp, and taking part in the Ringwood Pedal Car Grand Prix.
Scouting in the summer
Despite the heat at times, sections from across the 5th Testwood and 1st Fordingbridge groups were out and about fitting in plenty of adventures before the holidays:
A district picnic for Squirrels and Beavers
Squirrel Dreys and Beaver Colonies across the district gathered at Boldrwood for the annual picnic:
Elm Trophy
Scout patrols from across the district met at Sandleheath for the Elm Trophy testing camping skills and teamwork. Congratulations to the patrol from 5th Testwood for their win and to 1st Sandleheath for their improvers award:
A dazzling summer performance
Stanley’s Own Scout and Guide Band rounded out a fab summer concert earlier this month with great performances too:
Help protect Testwood Lakes from blue-green algae
Testwood Lakes has a blue-green algae problem, which an ultrasound system helps address. Unfortunately, it needs work, can you help Eling Sea Scouts?
1st Fordingbridge at Parkrun
Fancy a run in the park? Scouts from 1st Fordingbridge did:
Remember you can stay up to date with what’s going on on our Facebook page (/newforestscouts) or Instagram (@newforestscouts). Plus if you’re a volunteer you can be part of the Facebook group for members too. Do remember to share your stories with us throughout the month so we can share them directly and keep having great Scouting adventures.
Robin and Kevin.
Send your news and items for the next edition of Tails at the end of August before the 25th to [email protected].