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| What’s Coming Up?
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| What’s been happening?
Welcome to Edition 43 of Tails of the New Forest. We’re back from a summer break which has seen lots of our young people enjoy adventurous activities and nights away from home to really hone their skills for life. Congratulations too go to every young person who applied for international events coming up and who was successful in joining the contingents for the World Scout Jamboree or Project ’27!
What’s coming up?
There are plenty of District events coming up for our sections over the coming months, including Stag’s Head Trophy for Scouts, Sleeping with Sharks residential for Cubs, and the District Expedition to the Lake District for Scouts and Explorers too. Remember, full dates are in the District Diary.
Secret Agent District Cub Camp
Save the date! Our upcoming District Cub Camp, complete with Who Dunnit theming and a Secretive Secret Agent Agency, lands on Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd May 2026 at Foxlease Park in Lyndhurst. More details landing with Cub teams soon!
Navigation Experience Day
The District Program team for the Scout Section is offering you the chance to hone your Scouts’ Navigation skills.
Date: Saturday 7th February 2026
Location: Wilverley Scout Campsite
Arrival: 10.00, drop off in the main visitor car park
We aim to cover map reading/ plotting, compass set up / use for navigation, route cards, judging distance – so you know where the end is & relocation techniques. And then a chance to Navigate in the dark….
Note: the Eagle Trophy (Night Incident Hike) takes part in the evening.
A packed lunch will be required as part of your personal kit to hike in the New Forest, your evening meal will be provided by your leadership team. You will need Hike Boots Waterproof trousers and Jacket, Warm clothing, hat , Gloves and a personal first aid kit. Your entry to the Eagle Trophy is a separate event so you will need to reply to Kerie independently.
Best in Scouting
Barry
Founder’s Day Tea
Pop the date in your diaries now, and invite your volunteers and young people too. To celebrate Founders Day, the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell who founded the global Scout movement, you are all invited to afternoon tea on Sunday 22nd February, 2pm – 4.30pm at Sandleheath Scout HQ.
Reminders, opportunities and notices
UK Parliament Week
The Scouts have partnered with UK Parliament Week taking place from the 24th-30th November, and you can order a free activity pack now! Scouts HQ has also created several activities you can integrate into your program – find out about them here!
Scouts of the World Discovery Weekend
The Scouts of the World Award is one of the Top Awards for Scout Network and is super rare in the UK – only a tiny handful of people have earned it ever in all of Hampshire. To kick-start the journey, you need to go on a Discovery Weekend to find out more, and one is taking place in Northern Hampshire in November!
When: 14th-16th November 2025
Where: Diamond Scout Centre, Southdown Rd, Tadley, RG26 4BS
Cost: £25. Sign up here!
Woodmill now in Scouts’ hands
You may have seen the news already, but our neighbours in Southampton City District have taken on the running of Woodmill Outdoor Activity Centre in Southampton. Details, including of how to book, on the Hampshire Scouts website.
New Scouts’ leadership opportunity
UK Scouts are inviting volunteers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to join a mentoring pilot, launching in Autumn. You’ll connect with a UK Scouts Volunteer for 6 months to share your perspective of Scouts, strengthen leadership skills and discover more about UK Scouts Volunteering. As this is a pilot, numbers are limited. Find out more and express your interest
What’s been happening?
An international link forged!
By Lucy Scrivener, New Zealand Scout
Kia ora e te whānau (Hello, dear family),
In June 2018, I had the wonderful privilege of meeting the Davy family from the 3rd Ringwood Scout Group.
With open hearts and generous spirits, they welcomed me into their home for three unforgettable days and introduced me to the breath-taking countryside and stunning coastline of southern England. Together, we shared moments that have stayed with me through the years—none more memorable than diving from the rocks at the base of Durdle Door, a moment filled with laughter, courage, and joy.
Though our time together was brief, the bond we formed has endured. The connection we built in those few days has remained strong, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
In July of this year, I once again found myself on English soil, visiting family and friends. During my stay, I had the joy of reconnecting with the Davy family, who welcomed me into their home with the same warmth and kindness they showed me all those years ago.
As a token of my heartfelt thanks for their generous hospitality, I gifted them my New Zealand Scout scarf upon our farewell. This simple gesture holds deep meaning—symbolizing not only the lasting friendship between us, but also the special connection between the 3rd Ringwood Scout Group and the Manawatū Horizons Scouts.
Though we may live on opposite sides of the world, our shared Scouting spirit bridges the distance and strengthens the bond that began all those years ago.
Our thanks to Peter for sending this in, fabulous to see a connection forged over such a distance!
Congratulations Keith
Keith Petty, one of the District’s skills instructors and part of the District Expedition team was recently presented his 40 Year length of service award by Robin at the District Expedition training day.
Bravo Keith and thank you for your service to Scouts in the New Forest district over the years.
20 more Young Leaders fully trained and ready to make a difference!
Once more, a crack team of leaders gathered at Lyndhurst Scout HQ to help 20 more leaders of the future complete their modules so they can learn to be excellent Young Leaders. Plus, they had a great weekend packed full of fun and skills:
New victors of Muntjac trophy crowned
Cubs from across the District gathered last month for a challenge of skills between packs which saw new victors of the Muntjac trophy crowned! Congratulations to Discovery pack from 5th Testwood:
Fun Day out for Squirrels
Squirrels from across Hampshire were quick to get involved with the action this term, with many taking advantage of the Fun Days being offered by Ferny Crofts last month:
Getting stuck in
It’s easy to forget how many great section nights happen every week, so we love it when we get glimpses into the ‘normal’ meetings which bring so much delight, seen here from 5th Testwood and 1st Sandleheath:
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 October before the 25th to [email protected].