District Blog

8 10th October 2004

East Preston Cubs Scouts recently met a Cub Leader from the United States, who visited their Pack meeting and learnt about how Scouting operates in America.

The Cub Scouts from the 1^st East Preston Cub Pack met Chris Shelton the Cub Master of Pack 456, Grant District, Dan Beard Council in Ohio, USA, when he was invited to visit their Pack evening.

Chris was visiting the UK on a sales conference for his company Eurotherm, which has offices around the world, but also in Littlehampton. Before his arrival he contacted the Scouts in Arundel and Littlehampton District on their website www.al-scouts.org.uk, to find out a little about how UK Scouting works and to bring back some new ideas to help in his unit in the US.

During his visit the Cubs were shown photos of his Cubs from Ohio, which highlighted the differences in the uniforms, but also showed that the activities done by Scouts all over the world were very similar.

Chris, who wore his US Leaders uniform, also brought a selection of badges that the Cubs in the US could gain and the various books that they use. The evening even featured games which had been tailored to fit in with their US visitor.

Both Chris and the Cub Scouts learned a lot about the different countries and the way Scouting is organised on both continents. A selection of gifts were given to Chris to take back to show his Cubs including badges and information on the Scouts in the UK. It is hoped that the two Groups will now establish an international link and communicate regularly with each other.

District Commissioner Simon Burgess said: “it was great to meet Chris and learn a little about Scouting in America and we hope he learnt a little about us. This visit will also help the Cubs gain international awareness which is an important part of the Cub Scout programme”

8 26th September 2004

Record numbers of Beavers Scouts from Arundel & Littlehampton District took part in their annual Beaver Scout Sandcastle competition on Littlehampton Beach on Sunday 26 September.

Over 60 Beavers Scouts spent an afternoon of sandcastle building, with their parents and brothers and sisters, on the Beach near Norfolk Road. The Beaver Scouts aged 6 to 8 years produced a series of 32 fantastic Sandcastles.

Councillor Sue Kelly, Chairman of Arun District Council who helped judge the sand creations said “it was a very hard choice, they were all so good”

However the overall winners were 1^st Ferring Beaver Scout Colony with 7^th Littlehampton and 1^st East Preston Colonies coming second and third.

As there were so many parents and brothers and sisters of Beaver Scouts on the day building castles, a special prize was awarded for the best sibling castle. This went to Thomas aged 2, whose brother goes to 1^st Rustington Beaver Colony.

The Leaders were not forgotten when the prizes were given out. Four of the many volunteer Leaders who had completed their training to look after Beavers, were presented with their Wood Badges. The presentations on the beach were made to Viv Turner, Assistant District Commissioner for Beavers Scouts, Janet Hewson, June Leonard and Karen Keen. Karen is the Beaver Scout Leader from the 1^st Ferring Scout Group, the winning Team.

District Beaver Scout Leader Peter Robinson said, “It was a brilliant turnout with so many Beaver Scouts, their Leaders and families having such great fun”