Explorers - April/May 2010
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Transcript of Explorers - April/May 2010
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The magazine
for Explorer Scout Leaders
April/May 2010
scouts.org.uk/pol
Get upTake to the skies with
an air activity
Read upThe resources
there to help you
MOVE ON UPMOVE ON UPTop tips to make transition smooth
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WELCOME
Moving in, moving on
4 Keep on movingTransition tips from people who’ve been there and done it
10 Programme pagesAn extended section of activities and ideas, including:
Do not pass goA life-sized game of Monopoly in Robin Hood country
11 Scouts’ OwnHow to run a thoughtful refl ection your Unit will remember
12 Come fl y with meFly a kite and glide away by choosing an air activity
14 Passport to adventureNights away passports
15 Dig and clickA project you can get stuck in to, and safer surfi ng with Microsoft
16 What’s new pussycat?The resources you shouldn’t be without, new and improved
18 The journey beginsWe follow one Explorer to the World Scout Jamboree
Contents
With tips on handling transition and the resources that will help you excel, Gemma Veitch offers
a rundown of what’s in this issue of Explorer
We are now smack bang in the middle of spring, with new beginnings and
lighter nights. In this issue we’ll look at how transition strategies are working
across the UK, with hints, tips and worked examples from people supporting
our Members as they move up through Scouting.
Up in the airWe’re taking more inspiration from the Activity A to Z with a focus on air
activities and a spiritual reflection that can inspire your Explorers.
As we look to the next few months, you can find information about new and
improved resources, an annual event held in Nottinghamshire, up and coming
special dates to add to your Unit’s Calendar and more. So make a cup of tea,
put your feet up and enjoy!
A date for your diaryDon’t forget St George’s Day is on Saturday 23 April. Baden-Powell chose St
George to be the Patron Saint of Scouting. He believed that ‘St George was
everything a Scout should be.’ The St George factsheet (FS295414) explains in
more detail who he was and why B-P chose him as our patron saint.
Your Explorer Scout Section Working GroupAlex Minajew, UK Commissioner for Programme Gemma Veitch, Programme and Development Adviser
Contact them at:[email protected]
Programme Team, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QWTel: 0845 300 1818
ADVERTISINGRichard [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258
Cover photo: Chloë Chapmanp4: Moz
HIKING TO VICTORYExplorer Scouts from the 201st Islington who won the 30km event at the annual Southern 50 challenge hike. Gemma, Kelly, Gemma and Giacomo completed the course in 4 hours, 34 minutes.
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4 Explorer April/May 2010
Keep on moving
Gemma Veitch skips
around the UK to find
out what you are doing
to aid Explorer Scouts’
transition into and out of
the Explorer Scout Unit
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>>
Young Leaders - great
ambassadors, great friends
The important issue of transition is sometimes
wrongly seen only as ‘moving on’ but it’s
important to remember that it happens at both
ends of the spectrum. As the fourth section in
Scouting, we should all be supporting Scout Leaders to
move their young people on to Explorers and we should
also be spending time looking at how we assist our
Explorers to move on: to Network, Scout Active Support
and adult leadership roles.
All this is very easy to say but a question I am regularly
asked is ‘How can we do this locally?’ Not one to reinvent
the wheel, I have collated some hints, tips and case studies
that I’ve come across over the past few years.
The big fourThese are the main points to remember when working
on transition within your District.
Age flexibilityThere is a 12 month window for Scouts to move on to
Explorer Scouts and six months flexibility for Explorer
Scouts to move on to the Scout Network. This flexibility
exists to allow young people to move on when they are
ready and with friends if this is more appropriate. Utilise
the flexibility by inviting the older members of the section
to joint events and making use of the Moving-on Award.
All this will ease the transition through the 6–25
Programme.
CommunicationThis is not just a buzzword, but key to how successful your
transition process will be. It is vital that everyone in an
adult role takes responsibility for the transition of young
people through the Movement. This is the only way that
we can actively support and promote the development of
our young people. Unfortunately all too often I hear
people say ‘It’s not my job, that’s the role of the Scout/
Network Leader’. Sometimes it just takes one person to
open these communication channels.
Remember that the most important person to
communicate with is the young person. They will
ultimately choose what they want to participate in so it is
imperative that they fully understand what is available to
them. Putting the District Explorer term programme up on
the Scout Troop noticeboards, keeping the website up to
date, publicising larger activities and events; all this helps
to keep Explorer Scouting visible and increase the Scouts’
awareness of what actually goes on in the section.
Peer planningI regularly hear about Explorers heading off to a Troop
meeting and running an evening of activities and fun for
the Scouts. This is fantastic and proven to reduce the
worry Scouts have about moving up to the Explorer Unit
as they already know some of the Explorers. What about
Scouts coming to run a night for the Explorers? Or
Explorers running a night for the local Scout Network?
These variations will give the young people the
opportunity to try out their leadership skills and show off
their Scouting skills at the same time as building on the
inter-section relationships.
Young LeadersSeen by many across the UK as a window between the
younger sections and Explorer Scouts, Young Leaders are
fantastic ambassadors of the Explorer Scout section. They
can be made active in publicising the fourth section and
can inspire younger Members to carry on through the
Movement to become an Explorer Scout.
Make sure that you are communicating with the Young
Leaders. Ensure that those who do not actively attend
regular Explorer Scout meetings and activities are still fully
aware of what is going on. This way, they can still pass on
information and promote what activities and experiences
are available within the section.
The case studies on the next few pages highlight some
of the excellent work being done across the UK.
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6 Explorer April/May 2010
Keep on moving>>
moving>>
Up for the cup in fancy dress
Case Study:Hampshire, EnglandExplorers to Network
Get me out of here!In their last term we move the oldest Explorers out of their teams and they stand with the leaders at the head of hut during flag break. They earn the nickname ‘Mouldy Old Explorers’ as they are nearing the end of their shelf life and about to move on to Network.
At the last meeting before the end of term (so three times a year) we hold a presentation ceremony in which the leaders present a trophy for Best Team Leader and some certificates for Most Improved Explorer and Best Example of Living up to Scouting Values. We also use this as an opportunity to invite a Network rep to the meeting. We then bid farewell to our oldest, present them with an I’m an Explorer, Get Me Out of Here certificate and they then drag our Mouldy Old Explorers out of the hut and into Network.It is a light-hearted ceremony but it helps to set a precedent amongst the others around the moving-on process and that they should be moving up at age 18.
John WatkinsDESC, Andover, Hampshire
Case Study: Bailiwick of GuernseyExplorers to Network
Island lifeIn the Bailiwick of Guernsey, Network members run
Network Cup. The Network organises three events
throughout the year for Explorers to compete in. Last
year the events were a climbing competition (extra points
for fancy dress!); a water polo tournament and an
incident hike in France. Around 30 Explorer Scouts
participated in the events. They compete as a Unit so
that individuals don’t have to commit to each event,
although the Network does encourage maximum
participation!
Ben De Carteret, Network Leader
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TRANSITION
>>
Case Study:
Wrexham, WalesScouts to Explorers
It’s good to talkWe have had real success in the number of Scouts
moving up to Explorers. I believe this is due to the
Explorer Scout Leaders going to the Groups in the
District to talk about Explorer Scouting. Plus, we have
about 30 Young Leaders in the District who are
fantastic and have become the face of Explorer Scouts in
the District.
We had a very successful link camp (LINX 09) where
we had about 90 Scouts and Explorers taking part in
a weekend of Explorer Scout activities including
shooting, archery, gladiators, a greasy pole and
bug eating.
Gordon RichardsonDESC, Wrexham, Wales
Case Study:
Derbyshire, EnglandScouts to Explorers
Eventful ScoutingOur District is spread across wide countryside and we
tend to find that most villagers don’t really want to move
out from their local communities. This makes District-
based events and activities hard to plan and run. By
deliberately running a lot of District events we are slowly
overcoming this.
We plan exciting activities such as climbing, master at
arms courses, and run District-based Scout Challenge
Badges. All these events and activities are really helping
the Scouts and their leaders to get used to moving out of
their villages and meeting new people.
Explorers are being invited to join these events as well
so they are getting lots of publicity, which is helping
Scouts feel confident about moving on.
Amanda Griffiths
ESL (YL), Peak, Derbyshire
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8 Explorer April/May 2010
Keep on moving>>
Case study:
WiltshireExplorers to Network
Contact supportIn the Network in Wiltshire, we have implemented a strategy
effectively in the last year. It’s simply about how we maximise
our opportunities with Explorers. We’ve trialled a system
whereby we created a Network Exec position called Network/
Explorer Contact (NEC) in all local Units where applicable in the
County. The NEC is responsible for communicating with
Explorer Units in their area, keeping leaders and Explorers up to
date in what the Network is doing.
The role also looks at getting those Explorers of age to
complete their Moving-on Award as a stepping-stone: it’s
another award and something to build on in Network. Once
they hit 18 we do a Moving-on ceremony in the Explorer Unit
to celebrate the transition. Then we do the full investiture in
Network at a later date. It shows Explorers we exist and helps
bridge the gap.
Kris McCabe
County Scout Network Chair, Wiltshire
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TRANSITION
Case Study: Inverness, ScotlandExplorers to Network
Transition treasureFor the last six years I have run an annual event called Nessie’s Network Challenge, a quiz between teams of Explorers and Networks. The idea behind it was to improve links between Explorers and Network and also to promote Network to the Explorers and make them aware of some of the opportunities.
It started with just 12 people from two Units and one Network. Last year we had over 50 participants from two Districts and even some Senior Section Guides!
This year’s event has been opened to all Districts in the Highlands and Islands Region and extended to a 24 hour-event with some added extras, such as a texting treasure hunt and workshops on the Sunday morning.Jamie GordonARC Scout Network, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
Case Study: West Sussex, EnglandScouts to Explorers
Fireside chatWe invite older Scouts to some of the District Explorer
evenings. We also run a joint District Scout/Explorer
camp. After the campfire we invite the older Scouts to
stay round the fire with the Explorers where we chat
more informally and toast marshmallows.
It seems to work really well as the Scouts enjoy being
allowed to stay up a bit later and mix with the Explorers.
Also, most of my leaders regularly visit their feeder
Troops. Nothing very exciting, but that’s what we do and
it appears to be working.
Elspeth Warren
DESC, Chichester and Midhurst
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Do not pass go
W e arrived at Robin Hood on the Friday
and once our camp was set up we
played a few icebreaker games. The
atmosphere was ace!
Super tramThe next morning we were given a sheet of paper with a
list of places which had to be visited in and around the city
of Nottingham. We left camp at 8.30am in minibuses
bound for Hucknall tram station. We had exactly eight
hours to visit as many of the places as possible using the
fabulous tram and bus network. We decided to be clever
about it and our first port of call in the city centre was the
Information Centre and some extremely helpful ladies.
The competition meant we visited lots of different
places including Nottingham Castle, Nottingham Climbing
Centre, Nottinghamshire Scouts’ Charity Shop, the
National Watersports Centre and many others.
No time for the toiletOnce we’d run around the city for the day, not even
stopping for lunch (or the toilet!) we headed back to the
campsite. Virtually all the teams were back so we spent
the evening playing on bouncy castle and in sumo suits.
We kept bugging the leaders to let us play with
a Nottingham Monopoly set, but they said no, as
it was a prize.
Sunday was results day. None of us really expected to
win anything. The organisers read the results. Chesterfield
Draco ESU were second place. Could it be? Yes! None of
us could believe it as our names were read out as winners
– it put the icing on a brilliant weekend.
TAKE PARTMonopoly Live 2010 is open to teams of five Explorer Scouts and will be held 9-11 July. Apply online at www.monopoly-live.co.uk
10 Explorer April/May 2010
July 2009. Teams of Explorer Scouts from as far afield as Lancashire and Derbyshire set up camp at the Robin Hood Scout campsite. Their mission: to compete in a live game of Monopoly around the County. Graham from the winning Rufford Explorers team shares his experience
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Scouts’ Own
MORE INFOSearch www.scouts.org.uk for Organising Interfaith Celebrations (FS185093)
Taking time to think during an adventurous activity can be just as
meaningful as a spiritual activity
PROGRAMME PAGES
Scouts’ Owns do not have to be strict religious
ceremonies, and some of the best ones are when
the focus is more theme-based, focusing on
personal and spiritual development. Some
good themes are respect, loyalty, friends,
family and trust. These are just a few
examples but the scope is huge. If you
have a local landmark, such as hills,
mountains or a historical landmark,
or you are undertaking an
expedition, why not incorporate
these into your Scouts’ Own?
Taking a different approach can
lead to a memorable event for
those involved.
Another way of making these ceremonies more
interesting for your Unit is to keep it varied. Maybe have
a performance, or a reading written by your Unit. It could
be a song or a piece of drama, maybe a parody of a
song. They do not have to be long, and you can set
the theme and this is an enjoyable way of delivering
this very important aspect of the programme.
Prayers can sometimes be limited to one faith
but themes can go across these boundaries and
apply to all young people. Getting your Explorers
to write their own ceremonies can be inspiring
to everyone and you may be surprised by what
they come up with. It may be quirky, it may be
serious but it will most definitely have a point to it.
A Scouts’ Own shouldn’t be seen by the
Explorers as ‘religious’ or ‘boring’. It
can be as fun’ and exciting as any
activity you offer. Just by trying
something different you can
deliver a major part of the
programme in an
accessible way.
Scouting can be proud of the diversity of its members and the range of beliefs represented in the Movement. A Scouts’ Own can help your Explorer Scouts explore and reflect on this range of beliefs as well as helping develop their own
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12 Explorer April/May 2010
The second of our sneaky peaks into the Activities A to Z takes us to the skies. Firstly, we release our inner Poppins with a kite flying idea, then Sussex Explorer Scout Leader Tom Hylands gives his guide to gliding
This is the perfect time of year to begin planning a kite making meeting. Many Explorer Scouts will have experienced the adrenaline rush of controlling a kite whilst on the beach or maybe playing fields, but now they have the chance to fly their own creations.
Kite flying(POL ID: 55941)
Adventure A-Z
Come fly with me
Instructions1. Cut out the sail from the sheet to the dimensions in the
diagram.
2. Tape two sticks in place using six pieces of tape to form
central oblong. Overlap the four end tape pieces over the
back of the kite.
3. Make a tail from tape/string and attach to the the base
of the kite. It forms a stabilising loop.
4. Attach a piece of reinforcing tape to each corner and
punch a hole. Tie 2m of line between the two corners.
This is called the bridle.
5. Knot a loop in the centre of the bridle, and attach
the flying line to this loop.
6. Decorate your sail and go fly.
Take it further• Once they’ve mastered the basics, challenge your
Explorer Scouts to build on their skills by creating
their own design (remind them they will need to
keep the basic aerodynamics in mind to ensure
the creation will work).
• Run a friendly competition with other nearby Units.
You could extend this to local Scout Networks and Scout
Troops. Try running different categories, such as most
colourful, highest flying, and stunt flying.
• Attend a kite flying festival. www.kitecalendar.co.uk
has a list of national and international festivals.
• Try Japanese kite fighting from the Urban Outdoors resource - www.scouts.org.uk/activitiesresources
Programme Zone: Skills
You will need• Plastic sheet/carrier bag, eg a bin liner
• 2m of strong line
• 2 x 45cm garden sticks/dowel
• Reinforced sticky tape
You can download a full size version of this diagram at www.scouts.org.uk/pol
(Activity ID: 55941)
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PROGRAMME PAGES
Gliding
Check out the A-Z of Activities online for more adventurous ideas. www.scouts.org.uk/a-z
A to Z
What can be better than floating around with the clouds watching everything carry on below? Gliding is an exhilarating experience and one that your Explorers will not forget in a hurry.
Y ou will need to get acquainted with the
relevant gliding guidelines (search
www.scouts.org.uk for Weather Forecasts in Outdoor Activities (FS120088) and Access to
Airfields (FS120702). The likelihood is that you will not have
any gliders belonging to your Unit, so you will need to find
a local British Gliding Association (BGA) club as all flights
must be done at a BGA club under the supervision of a
BGA Flying Instructor. This instructor must have a BGA Basic
Instructor qualification as a minimum.
Perhaps surprisingly, finding a club is not as hard as you
might think, with over one hundred in the UK. You can find
your closest club and all their contact details at the BGA’s
website – www.gliding.co.uk. The price can also be cheap,
with an evening’s gliding costing around £25 per person
depending on your local club. Considering the experience
this is fantastic value.
Although the majority of gliding done with Explorer
Scouts will be through a BGA Club and therefore an outside
body, there are some Counties/Regions that own their own
gliders and run activity sessions. It is well worth finding out if
this is the case where you are, as it may work out better value
for money.
So, when looking for a new, exciting and memorable
experience for your Explorer’s look to the sky, and give gliding
a go. It may not be the cheapest activity on your programme
but it is guaranteed to be a hit with the young people, who
will soon find out the sky is, quite literally, the limit when it
comes to Explorer Scouting.
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PassPort to adventureYoung person-led nights away events have for years been an integral and important part of Scouting, and Explorers are the perfect age to take advantage of this. Barney Poulton has a timely reminder about Nights Away Passports
A passport is particularly useful for
activities such as DofE expeditions where
there will be no leaders present with
Explorers. Because of their importance,
when the Nights Away Permit Scheme was
introduced much thought went into
ensuring these events could still take place.
As those responsible for Explorer Scouts, it’s
important you’re aware how you can let
them enjoy overnight events without you.
The Nights Away Passport is the system
that allows young people to lead nights
away events. Passports can be given to any
young person to lead a single event by a
nights away permit holder up to the level
of their permit. So a leader holding an
indoor nights away permit can give
passports only for indoor events, while a
greenfield permit holder can give a
passport for anywhere. Before giving a
passport the permit holder needs to ensure
that the young person has the skills to be
able to run the event safely for the young
people involved. The permit holder retains
responsibility for the event despite not
being present, so they can’t just give one,
to a young person and forget about it.
Nights Away Passports are available
from the Scout Information Centre. They
allow you to fill in the details of the event
and the young person in charge so that
they have some physical evidence of
exactly what responsibility you are giving
them. There is also an online version
available at www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/
nightsaway/naps.htm
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PARTNERS
Dig in this spring!Following the success of the 2009 campaign, BBC Dig In is back, and this year they’re encouraging Explorer Scouts to get involved and grow their own grub
Resources to help you grow and cook
delicious home-grown vegetables while
supporting the BBC’s Dig In campaign
are now on Programmes Online. There
are 12 activities to choose from, ranging
from composting capers to the exciting
carrot road trip.
Leaders have long been telling us that
they want programme ideas to help
with the Global zone, and these
environmentally aware activities
certainly fit the bill. To top this, BBC Dig
In are giving away free seeds to
Members of The Scout Association, so
you can plant the five featured
vegetables in whatever space you have
available to you. They are French bean,
courgette, carrot, basil and mixed salad.
Go online to www.scouts.org.uk/
digin to get started and to www.scouts.
org.uk/pol to download the programme
ideas (search for ‘grow vegetables’).
Faith and awareness events for June/JulyJuneLGBT Pride Month
5 World Environment Day
1-7 Volunteers Week
3 Corpus Christi (Christian)
12-19 ShelterBox Big Green
Box Week
14-20 Refugee Week
16 Dragon Boat Festival
(Chinese)
16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan
(Sikh)
20 Father’s Day
21-27 Recycle Now Week
July 6-13 Children’s Art Day
8-9 The Prophet’s Night
Journey and Ascension
(Muslim)
9 Anniversary of the
Martyrdom of the Bab
(Bahá’í)
11 World Population Day
13 Ratha Yatra (Hindu)
15 Chokor (Buddhist)
20 Tisha B’Av (Jewish)
26 Asalha Puja (Buddhist)
26-27 The Night of Forgiveness
(Muslim)
For more information on internet safety, please visit the Microsoft page on the Scout website at www.scouts.org.uk/sponsors
more info
Click Clever, Click SafeIn a recent online survey by MSN, results revealed that 64% of under-18 year olds in the UK have been contacted by someone they don’t know online, and worryingly, over one third responded. February saw the launch of the UK Click Clever, Click Safe, digital safety code – ‘Zip It, Block It, Flag It’.
Internet safety tipsTo help make the online world a safer place for young people share these simple safety rules with your Explorers.
• When chatting to people online, try
not to give out any personal
information about yourself such as
your name, address, phone number
or school
• Never open an email from someone
you don’t know, always delete it in
case it contains a virus
• Treat people online with the same
respect and consideration as you
would in the real world
• Never meet up with someone in the
real world that you have met online
unless you take a trusted adult with
you to verify the person is who they
say they are
• Always block
people on social
networking and
instant messaging sites
that you do not wish to be friends with
• Make sure any profiles you have on
social networking sites have the
privacy settings set so that only your
friends can see your personal
information
• If you are ever worried about
anything you see on the internet talk
to an adult you trust such as your
leader, parent or teacher.
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16 Explorer April/May 2010
What’s new pussycat?During the past year we have developed a number of new resources to support leaders and commissioners working with the Explorer Scout section. Here’s our heads-up as to what’s out there
Queen’s Scout Award resources
There are two resources to support the
Queen’s Scout Award.
Reach the Top: Information for Participants and Helping them Reach the
Top: Information for Leaders and Commissioners
Both are available to download from
www.scouts.org.uk/qsaMore: The annual Queen’s Scout Reception will be held on
2 October 2010 where Bear Grylls will be in attendance. Letters
will be sent directly to eligible Queen’s Scout’s about three
months before the event. If you have any queries please contact
Active Kids and The Big Adventure
Sainsbury’s Active Kids have again
produced a resource for Scouts and
Explorers themed around organising
a barbecue and inviting friends and
relatives. Get it from
www.sainsburys.co.uk/activekids
Explorer Scouts: Taking the Lead
Although this resource has been available
for a number of years we have given it
a rebrand to make it consistent with the
resources for the Scout and Network
sections. Download it from
www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead It promotes the active participation
of young people in the Explorer Scout Unit and increases their
participation in decision-making processes both locally
and nationally. It is packed with practical ideas, games
and exercises for Explorers.
Scouting Skills The definitive hardback guide to the
outdoors and adventure. Written in close
collaboration with The Scout Association,
it’s perfect for young people
and adults alike.
‘This is the outdoor handbook brought to you by the people who wrote the rules.’
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout
Young Leaders’ SchemeWe are frequently asked for alternative
delivery methods for the Young Leaders’
Scheme modules. Young Leaders’ Essentials Plus contains two new delivery methods for
each of the Module. This resource supports
Young Leaders’ Essentials, it does not
replace it.
Unit Programmes Plus: Vol. 2The new edition has more exciting and
ready-to-run activity and programme ideas
for the section. This resource is available
from Scout Shops at
www.scouts.org.uk/shop
Nights AwayThis is a revised edition of the popular
resource, specifically designed to give
leaders access to all the information
they may need when taking young
people away.
This will be available to pre-order from Scout Shops in April.
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17scouts.org.uk/pol
INTERNATIONAL
Look widerIn the October/November issue Explorer will be jetting off on a round the world trip, and we need your help to cover as much of the planet as possible
From the horse’s mouthIf you’re venturing abroad this year, ask your Unit to put
together a few words about the trip, including the good
and bad points and any hints and tips for others who may
want to follow in their footsteps. When you’re there, get
the highest quality photos.
In the October/November issue we aim to use the case
studies to build up a passport portfolio for every continent.
If you’d like to contribute please email us with your
name, Unit name, District and destination. Send it to
[email protected] by 30 June 2010
Their viewsThen get your Explorers writing about their experience
and send by 27 August 2010 to [email protected]
WEESU's expedition took them to Ethiopia,
where they renovated a school
with ‘Explorer supplement’ in the subject line. Don’t forget
the photos!
Word on the streetWe are also looking for leaders to contribute hints and tips
for organising trips abroad. Do you have experience which
could help your fellow leaders? Maybe you were there
when things went wrong. What did you do? How did you
manage the experience? Would you advise people to do
things differently?
We look forward to hearing from you.
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18 Explorer April/May 2010
Like many Explorer Scouts up and down the country, Hannah applied for a place in the UK contingent to the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. She reports from her selection event
A nticipation mounted as I attended the
selection day on 12 December along with
Explorers from my Unit. We were among 36
other hopefuls all hoping to go to Sweden in
2011. We participated in various team-building activities
during the day, all the time being closely observed by the
adults, some of whom were the Jamboree Unit Leaders.
For me, the day ended with an interview, in which I felt I
had to prove myself.
Waiting for the phone to ringAfterwards all of us were told that six lucky hopefuls
would be contacted in due course to be told they had
made it. The wait for the phone call was agonising. It
finally came on a Tuesday night. Talking to the District
Commissioner was incredibly awkward, as he took forever
to tell me whether it was good or bad news. Fortunately
for me, I got in!
I am going to Sweden in 2011! I still cannot believe what
an amazing opportunity I have been offered.
In January, I went to the launch day, where I met the 54
other fortunate Birmingham Scouts who had been chosen
for the 22nd World Scout Jamboree. We were then all split
off into our units. There are going to be two units: a full
Birmingham unit and one made up of Birmingham Scouts
and some from British Scouts of Western Europe.
The fun starts nowWe now have 18 months of training and fundraising
ahead. For all 40 of us to get to Sweden, we’ll need to
work together, helping each other to raise the money to
attend and getting to know each other better. I know that
friendships will blossom as we build up to the event itself.
Next July a whirlwind of an experience will begin.
Somehow I think words are to going to be unable to
describe the time I will have. I will keep you updated on
my journey to the Jamboree.
The journey begins
For everything you need to know about the UK Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree head over to www.ukcontingent.org.uk
more info
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