February 2008 Update

Cooking Competition.doc

A&L DISTRICT EGGSTRAVAGANZA NOW CANCELLED

Worthing Scout Shop Newsletter

The Blue Cross animal charity

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WEST SUSSEX COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL MEETING

Meeting held Monday 28^th January at Tambridge House School

• Minutes from previous meeting had no matters arising

• Mention was made once again of The Overland Hike. It was pointed out that changes to the scout age group meant that the scout entries were generally younger and therefore less likely to complete ( generally speaking ) It was pointed out that the winners from last year commence training every weekend for three months before the event! Most scout leaders felt this was not possible within their groups. As there are District hikes organised across the districts it was felt unnecessary for County to organise any at this time.

• WS2008 All applications must be in by the end of February. Numbers are generally good , however there are no registered contingents from Arundel and Littlehampton. If groups do not send applications complete with deposits they will not be registered.

• County News was brief. The air rifle competition was won by Worthing with Horsham second and East Grinstead third. Two districts were not represented.

• PL Training Camp Some concern re the cost was voiced . Neil explained that £ 70 for two weekends was not unreasonable. They are hoping for a figure of fifty scouts. A & L are registered but which contingents was unclear. All entries must be received by February 10^th.

• The next Chief Scout Gold awards are 29^th June at the Cesswood Hotel, Lower Beeding and 26^th October at Butlins, Bognor Regis. There was some discussion about the validity of some claims for the award. It was felt there should be validation by someone outside the candidates group to ensure all recipients met the same standard.

• The New Scout Program pack was on display. The basic program remains largely unchanged. However there are numerous new badges some of which could be achieved at WS2008 such as Communicator ( ham radio ), Parascending ( boys 14 upwards, as under that they have to do tandem jumps only ) Nights Away now go up to 200 and Hikes Away are now up to 80. The First Aid badge has been renamed Emergency Aid. One new addition is the Activity+ badge. This is a blue cicle which sits behind the activity badge concerned. If a scout has for example a Canoeist Badge, he/she can continue with the next stage and achieve an Activity+.

• The literature provided in the new pack includes

A Scout Badge Book. A Scout Record Book and Scout Skills Cards for the scout and A Troop Program Book --Guide to planning and running a successful program A Troop Essentials Book –Guide to running a successful Troop Troop Program Plus—Activities, Ideas and Resources for the Troop

Those present felt the pack was well thought out and useful

·    The Worthing Incident Hike is being reinstated this year but is only open to Worthing District. If it is successful they hope to open it up to other Districts in the future.

·    Lastly Dave Spring would like to be invited to more District Scout Leader Meetings !

·         There is soon to be a Mountain Bike Assessor in the County. Individual in process.

·         The National Activities Database (Due 2007) not up and running yet. (Unlikely for another 12 months). However Dave Spring has set up a County Database for Activities and Dick Eager has set up database for Water Activities.

(The National Activity Permit Scheme is in chaos. Assessors are unaware who have been issued Activity Permits and their renewal dates. GSL’s & DC’s to ensure qualifications appropriate and renewed)

·         The New Appointment Card system is up and running. All should have received their cards, attached to Scouting magazine. New cards due by 1^st April. Any problems with appointments dealt with through Scouts.org website.

·         Within the Scouts.org website there is a link to Activities E-news. Can automatically receive these emails to personal inboxes? Latest release Jan 2008.

·         Scouting fact sheet updates can be found on scouts.org

·         WS 2008 – Approx 1500 WS scouts registered to go. Time running out for those wanting to attend and haven’t registered interest (last payment due by end of February?). Leaders required to run bases.

·         Overland hike – 29^th & 30^th March. See web page

·         There is a Jamboree in Kent for Scouts and Explorers. 30^th July to 6^th August.

·         Brownsea Sea Scout Camp planned for August 2009 (100 years of sea scouting). Limited to 200 scouts. Meeting for those interested at 3/5^th Lancing on Feb 7^th. Contact Dick Eager for more information.

·         The new Nights Away Assessment / Permit issuing system now in use. Down to individuals to renew permits through NA Advisors and DC’s.
1. Camping Skills - assessment by Advisors (new checklist for skills).
2. Understanding of Scout Association Rules (POR) – DC, DDC or NA advisor.
3. Understanding of Child Protection requirements/training and CRB checks – DC or DDC.
4. Personal Suitability – DC or DDC
5. Permit Granted - DC

·         Nights Away Advisor Workshop at Gilwell in Spring 2008. All NA Advisors should have attended specific training, in last 5 years

·          NA – Prohibited Campsite Directory now available on Scoutbase. Campers must check before camping.

·         D of E – There is a regional workshop for all interested including Explorer Leaders and Network section. Workshop in London. Contact Steve Dawson for more information

·         Water Activities – Peter Hargreves has resigned from post. Replacement in hand, yet to be announced. There will soon be 2 teams of Assessors for Water Authorisations for Canoeing and kayaking. 1 north based and 1 south. Rod Harvey leading south based team.

·         Adur Paddle 2008. 14^th June 2008. Canoe event for able members. Start at Small Dole finish at Shoreham Harbour. There will be several exits to cater for differing abilities.

·         21^st June 2008. Littlehampton Regatta. May be events suitable for Scouts to participate in. Organiser of the event has scouting connections.

·         Boat and Canoe Examiner course being planned at 2^nd Durrington HQ, by end of March. Reminder- Boats and buoyancy aids must be tested annually (in March?). Cannot test your own boats ect. Suggest 2 examiners per district needed, from different Groups.

·         Sea School – Need instructors! Have plenty of boats etc.

·         2^nd Sea School planned to be based at Southbourne, put on hold

·         Any queries regarding water activities contact Dick Eager who will help out.

·         Climbing/abseiling. Various courses planned. Contact James Wright 07828 710827 for details

·         West Sussex Caving Club now exists.

·         Operation Triangle – 15 mile Incident Night Hike for Explorers, 22^nd Nov. Contact Andy Ruxton for more details