What’s in this Issue?

1. 22nd WSJ - a

Reflection

2. Diamond Jubilee

Challenge

3. Our County

4. Upcoming Events

5. News

6. Awards,

Appointments and

Opportunities

7. News from Gilwell

and County

Vacancies

8. County Exec

Highlights

As Sub-camp Leader, it was a real pleasure for me and my

team to welcome over fifteen hundred Scouts and Leaders

from over twenty different countries to Polcirkeln (polar

circle) Sub-camp. All eighteen sub-camps were named

after places in Sweden with six sub-camps in each of three

centres named after three seasons, Summer, Au-

tumn and Winter. During the daytime, most of my time was spent

at meetings or involved with administration, but in the mornings

before the contingents left for activities and later when they re-

turned, it was my pleasure to walk or cycle around the sub-

camp, meeting Scouts from Korea, USA, Finland, South Africa,

Japan and all over Europe, joining in for a tea or coffee, an activ-

ity or even a meal.

Early in the camp, we challenged all the units to exchange half their Scouts to share a

meal and complete a series of challenges together. Wandering around the sub-camp,

I was overwhelmed by the success of this challenge as at each site, hosts and guests

were busy preparing or eating food together, teaching each other new games or ac-

tivities, sharing each others' language, traditions and culture, all mingled together en-

joying the essence of a truly international experience. This was such a success that

most units repeated the activity several times with different units from other countries

throughout the camp.

We tend to think of Jamborees as international events with many opportunities to ex-

perience different, exciting activities and Sweden had it's share of these, but the main

activities were all based around sustaining and repairing the environment and our

world in general with thought provoking challenges and activities

creating a lasting impression on the young people. The flagship

event of the Jamboree was "Camp-in-Camp" where Patrols were

bussed off to join local Swedish Patrols, camping, hiking and eat-

ing together in some of Sweden's most beautiful unspoiled coun-

tryside. This was a great event, thoroughly enjoyed by all with

the greatest criticism being that one night was not long enough!

Some lasting impressions:

• Looking out early in the morning to see the mist rising off many hundreds of tents.

• Escaping from meetings and admin. to meet new friends.

• Watching crowds of excited, happy and noisy young people, marching to their next

activity or to a stage event or just soaking up the atmosphere.

• Walking or cycling around the national pavilions and the avenue of flags in Four

Seasons Square and Time Avenue.

• Queuing for breakfast, chatting with friends from Belgium, Sweden, Canada, India

and many other countries.

• Watching the lowering of the 180 flags in Time Avenue by Scouts from Polcirkeln.

• Listening and watching Irish pipers practising in the woods.

• Leading a hard working, committed, truly international team of managers and IST.

Happy am I in the knowledge that all those who took part have come away, like my-

self, with many new life-long friends from many different parts of the globe, deter-

mined to do their part in working towards peace and harmony throughout the world,

and that I was able to play some small part in making this happen.

David L'Oste-Brown

District Chairman

Cotswold Vale

I know that many Groups and Districts are already planning exciting ways of cele-

brating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year. However, I would also like to chal-

lenge all members of the Scout County of Gloucestershire to mark the Jubilee in a

rather special way.

HM The Queen has given sixty years of service to the people of the UK and the Com-

monwealth. Service is a fundamental part of the Scout programme. Community ser-

vice is a great way of putting our skills and resources to use for the benefit of the

communities in which we live.

I want to challenge every section of every Group in Gloucestershire to undertake one

or more service projects for the benefit of their local community on a regular basis

during the twelve month period starting on Founder’s Day, 22nd February, 2012.

Opportunities for projects will vary depending on where you meet and live but

could include:

Adopting a roundabout or roadside verge and maintaining it for the year

Maintaining a local churchyard

Making contact with a local old folks home and visiting them regularly

Running an after school or holiday club for local children who do not attend

Scouts

Organising a scheme for recycling those items the dustmen don’t collect (e.g.

books, clothes, shoes etc.)

Delivering a local newsletter for the parish council or other community group

Establishing and maintaining a website for your village or locality to promote

local news and events

Running computer training sessions for “silver surfers”

Tidying and maintaining a local park or playground

I am sure you can think of many other ideas that will catch the imagination of your

members and your community. There will be a special certificate for each section

that completes the challenge and you will be able to access support from our Media

and Communications Team to maximise the publicity that can be gained from your

project.

To register for the challenge please email QDJChallenge@gscouts.org.uk.

I look forward to hearing from you and being amazed by your imagination and crea-

tivity.

County Commissioner

Beavers celebrated their 25th birthday with a

Teddy Bear’s picnic. Malvern Challenge and

Sun Run were attended by many groups from

Cheltenham. 1st Hatherley Monday Cub Pack

has completed the “Baden-Powell Traditions”

badge - See www.lobguides.org.uk/assets/

Baden-Powell-Traditions-badge-booklet.pdf

The swimming gala went well. Two Queen’s

Scout Awards – Philip Horsfield, No Name

Explorers and David Kelly, ACSL 7th Cheltenham

(Charlton Kings). Cheltenham Volunteer of the

Year Awards – the Young Leaders have been

nominated for the Group Award and Greg King

(Explorer) for the Individual Award. The District

has been awarded a grant from Cheltenham

Borough Council for expedition equipment for District Explorers .

The Beaver Colonies in the District are

full. Lechlade Scout Group has

experienced a huge increase in

numbers – there are now 65 young

people in the Group.

This is the first time, in the last five

years, that all Groups in the District

have had all sections operational.

The County Team was thanked for

assisting with recruitment at the Steam

Rally.

Two new Explorer Scout Leaders have

been appointed and are being

supported by Colin and Ruth Illman.

Membership enquiries are at a very high

level. Beavers are oversubscribed but the

District is doing its best to accommodate

requests. Churchdown Scout Troop has

75 Scouts! Planned events include a Cubs’

Conservation weekend at Robinswood

and a Patrol Leaders’ Camp, plus many

activities that form part of Gloucester

District’s Centenary celebrations. Nutty

Badgers are planning to attend a camp in

Denmark in 2012. Touch Rugby is to be

trialled with Scouts. This will take place in

February at Saintbridge Rugby Club.

A £5,000 bid for IT equipment has also

been submitted to NatWest.

The largest challenge for the new DC is

finding three new GSLs.

Leaders are being encouraged to share

ideas, programmes and skills. A “swap

a leader” event is planned for next

year. Leaders are being encouraged to

assist with at least one District event in

order to ensure that the maximum

number of young people can

participate in activities and events.

The Stomp and the Farriers Challenge

(very well attended Scout and Cub

Challenge events) are due to take place

in October.

What’s been going on in your district?

Email us at news@gscouts.org.uk and share your event for

everyone to see.

The Beaver Colonies in the District are

full. Lechlade Scout Group has

experienced a huge increase in

numbers – there are now 65 young

people in the Group.

This is the first time, in the last five

years, that all Groups in the District

have had all sections operational.

The County Team was thanked for

assisting with recruitment at the Steam

Rally.

Two new Explorer Scout Leaders have

been appointed and are being

supported by Colin and Ruth Illman.

With the closure of the Wilderness Centre,

Freeminers ESU are meeting in Pludds

Village Hall .

The District joining list is growing with some

groups having more than 20 names,

particularly at Beaver age. The closure of

youth centres is likely to increase pressure on

joining lists.

The Mitcheldean Development Project has

been very successful. The Colony is now full.

A new Group in Newnham is being

developed. It should be operational by the

beginning of the new year.

A successful Scout Backwoods Challenge

weekend was held, despite the fact that wild

boar had damaged the camp site.

The largest challenge for the new DC is

finding three new GSLs.

Leaders are being encouraged to share

ideas, programmes and skills. A “swap

a leader” event is planned for next

year. Leaders are being encouraged to

assist with at least one District event in

order to ensure that the maximum

number of young people can

participate in activities and events.

The Stomp and the Farriers Challenge

(very well attended Scout and Cub

Challenge events) are due to take place

in October.

What’s been going on in your district?

Email us at news@gscouts.org.uk and share your event for

everyone to see.

14th-16th

October

Mountain Activities

Weekend

26th-27th

October

Climber

28th October Prinknash Bird & Deer

Park Halloween Special

28th July Snorkelling

12th November Scuba Try Dive

26th-27th

November

Module K First Aid

Masterclass

28th November Module A

17th-19th

February

Information Technology

Weekend

26th February County Cooking

Competition

14th-16th

October

PADI Open Water Scuba

Diver Qualification

19TH NOVEMBER

Feel ignored by the system? Think MPs don't care about you and

your friends? Well, this is your chance to get heard at Scouts'

Question Time. Join us to learn campaigning and debating skills

and put them to the test in the afternoon at Scouts' QT with some

well-known panellists.

Want to find

out more?

Visit:

gscouts.org.uk

Want to find

out more?

Visit:

gscouts.org.uk

9TH TO 11TH SEPTEMBER

The weekend saw the annual County Air Activity Camp at

Croft Farm Airfield near Pershore. Catering was provided by

Black Pig ESU (Pershore)

9TH TO 11TH SEPTEMBER

Seven intrepid adventurers attempted their Scuba Advanced Open Water

qualifications and passed their practical assessments. Under the instruction of

their new diving school they underwent some technical practical skills training

on the Saturday at South Cerney and on the Sunday made the longish trip to

Vobster Quay to do their Deep Dive (22m) and Multi-Level practicals.

24TH TO 25TH SEPTEMBER

We went to Cotswold Water Park to start a two day course

for our Kayaking badge and discovered about two different

types of Kayaks. One was a sit on Kayak which is unsink-

able and the other was the type that you sit inside. We used

both of the types during the day.

We then moved onto an open, two person canoe that uses a

single paddle. We would paddle the different crafts round

the really large lake that had a small island in the middle. The first day was

very enjoyable as we learned something new and the people made it fun.

The second day we had a new instructor and went over what we had learned

the day before and tried different types of Kayak and paddles.

A web site has been recommended which is already in use within the

County - www.onlinescoutmanager.co.uk This is a safe site on which to

store info. It has been developed by a professional software developer

who is also a Scout Leader in Southampton. Worth a look and passing on to

all Leaders.

Registration for this European Scouting and Guiding

event opens on 1 October. If you’ll be aged between 16

and 22 on 20 July 2012, you can go as a participant. If

you’re over 22, then there are opportunities to join the

IST. Visit the Roverway 2012 website.

You can have your say on what you think is great about the programme,

what should be updated or developed, plus a lot more. To add your voice,

visit the updated YPYV web page and tell us what you think.

The movement celebrating the contribution of our leaders at a special

service of thanksgiving in November. The event will take place on

Saturday 5 November, at Westminster Abbey, London and you’re invited.

Further details will be provided nearer the time.

A new video has been produced to help you with recruitment in your local

area. You can download it now

New rules have been introduced about Hill walking and high ropes

activities. Full details can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/activities. For

hill walking, the new regulations come into effect immediately whereas for

the high ropes they will be introduced by March 31st.

The County Beaver and Cub Scout Funday will

take place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Satur-

day 16 June 2012. During the day Beavers and

Cubs will have the chance to take part in a range

of activities and be part of something really spe-

cial. Contact Liz Hodge for details.

mailto:gloscta@gmail.com

Don’t Raise Our Rents!

HQ has been running this campaign to

persuade local councils not to penalise

Scout Groups by raising their rents. If

you rent your HQ from a local authority

don’t forget to complete the

questionnaire and get involved in this

important campaign.

Leadership and

Management Don’t forget to visit the new

managers’ area of scouts.org.uk

that has been launched to offer the

support and advice that managers

in Scouting have requested. The

area gives you easy access to a

wide range of resources that will

help you with the challenging

aspects of your role. The

information is aimed at

Commissioners and GSLs.

Scouts Speak Up

Six nationally co-ordinated

communications courses are

being run for young people in

Scouting. These courses are

designed to give young people

the skills needed to talk about

their experiences in Scouting to a

wide variety of audiences, and

learn how to plan and carry out

campaigns.

Click here if you are interested.

Firework Safety If you are intending to run a fireworks

display this year please ensure that it is

run in accordance with the rules and

guidance provided by the Scout

Association. Further information can be

found in the latest issue of Scouting

magazine.

We really need to identify

able and willing people who

may be interested in

undertaking the following

roles to fill some important

gaps in the County Team.

Sectional ACCs

ACC Development

ACC International

County Fundraising

Adviser

If you think you have got the

necessary skills and

experience to take on one of

theses key roles please

contact the County

Commissioner at

cc@gscouts.org.uk.

Scouts Speak Up

Six nationally co-ordinated

communications courses are

being run for young people in

Scouting. These courses are

designed to give young people

the skills needed to talk about

their experiences in Scouting to a

wide variety of audiences, and

learn how to plan and carry out

campaigns.

Click here if you are interested.

Firework Safety If you are intending to run a fireworks

display this year please ensure that it is

run in accordance with the rules and

guidance provided by the Scout

Association. Further information can be

found in the latest issue of Scouting

magazine.

1st

November

County

Leadership Team

Meeting

17th

November

Chief Scout’s

Platinum and

Diamond Award

Presentation

1st

December

County

Executive

Committee

8th

December

DCs and District

Chairs’ Meeting

For more information visit:

gscouts.org.uk

or phone the County Office

on: 01452 812309

The new Exec met for the first time following the County AGM with

Joan Goldsmith in the Chair.

Members are needed for the County Finance sub-committee

and the Appointments Advisory

Committee.

The Madagascar 2013 expedition was approved as a regional project

to be overseen by Gloucestershire

as lead county.

Plans are under way for the Beaver and Cub Fun Day at the Race-

course on 16th June 2012.

In addition to the usual training modules extra training sessions for

leaders and Exec members are

planned - see page 11 for details.

The budget for 2012-13 was approved and it was agreed that

the County Levy payable by 1

April 2012 will be £10.75 per

person, an increase of 25p. The

national subscription will be £21

per person (less the 50p prompt

payment discount).

The next edition of

i.SCOUT-GLOS will be

published in December.

Please submit all

contributions by 30th

November 2011.