District Scout Leaders Meeting – 10th May 2011
Attendees : Rita Curran (95th RG), Ron Spencer (95th RG), Vince Knight (1st B & S), Catherine Knight (1st B & S), Steve Langstaff (1st B & S), James Southern (79th RG), Jez Jones (1st P & P), Mark Moffat (1st B & S), Nick Rawlings (63rd RG) & Mick Mobbs (63rd RG & ADC Scouts).
Apologies : Alison Haynes (80th RG), Martin Drew (63rd RG) & Clive Steinberg (1st Theale & Calcot)
20:05 – Meeting opened. Mick welcomed and thanked the leaders for attending.
1. Training – a) Vince explained about Training from a District viewpoint, what leaders needed to do to gain the Wood Badge etc. Also that different Section Leader types would have different training requirements. He handed out a training Module Matrix, and a sheet on Training Validation.
b) He explained that he is the contact for training issues or needs from the sections, and all queries or Module Validation issues, and ‘what do I need to do?’ questions as well. He stated that ‘Drop-in sessions’ were going to be tried before each of the District Leaders’ meetings, with one or two Training Advisors in attendance for Validation of modules or to answer questions etc.
c) The District now has 10 Training Advisors, 5 new ones, to assist with both new and experienced leaders training needs. To contact one, it was decided that requests should go via Vince so that the T.A.s are used equally, and not overloaded or under used. Also certain queries may arise from several people and a District need may be identified, or a simple response to the whole District may resolve many similar issues.
2. Skills Day – 30 new leaders from Pang Valley, Loddon and Reading Central attended a very successful day. Good feedback from the attendees and thanks to those who lent their skills on the day. Looking at another one possibly in September and may look at separate events for the various Sections as some of the skills and practices only relate to either the Cubs or Scouts etc.
3. District Camp –
80th RG cannot attend due to a previously organised Group camp on same w/e.
Bases – a) 1st T & C – Kites b) 63rd – Logic Zone c) 95th – Shooting d) 1st Bur – Pioneering or Survival Bracelets e) 1st P & P – Pizzas (Dutch Ovens) f) 79th - Climbing Tower + 1 other
a) Numbers to Jeff Howman by Tuesday 14th June at latest please.
b) Cost £20 plus own group costs. c) Portaloos have been ordered.
d) 200 Camp badges have been ordered e) William Palmer Award – 1 Scout per troop nominated.
f) Off ground Alter fires only please. No firewood on site but 79th may have plenty of pallets. May need to bring own wood, and some for the Camp Fire though if these are not available.
g) BBQ lunch on Sunday provided by District Team (SAS), may be available for help on bases.
h) Explorers welcome but they should be helping, either to run a base, cooking, or some other help to the District team etc. not just joining in as one of the group participants. Cubs, if Linking, should be invited as part of the scout numbers. Other older cubs, sixers & seconders, can be invited to the camp fire, along with any parents who may wish to stay to reduce their travel time. This will be from around 8pm to 9:15pm on the Saturday and it’s suggested that all these cubs & parents meet at their own Group site first, prior to the campfire. At the end of the camp fire each group returns to their own site again, allowing parents to collect the cubs from a single place of contact for each group. This should avoid both parents and cubs wandering all over the site looking for each other!
4. Troop News
95th Friday – 14 Scouts. Going to Holland at Half-term with Mondays’ troop. 19 Scouts & 4 leaders.
Monday – 30 Scouts. As above. Both troop enjoyed a Spring Camp over the Easter w/e at Milestone Wood. Family group camp at end of July.
79th Centurion – 25 Scouts. Just back from Brecon Beacons with a broken minibus.2 x T1 permits. Summer camp at Ferney Crofts with Chieftain troop. The scouts have asked again about a District Football Tournament, perhaps on a single day with troops providing referees. Venue and potential date to be decided before further progress can be made.
1st B & S (Wed - Hawks) – Newest troop, 15 Scouts + 1 new leader. Had a joint Survival camp at Butler’s Farm with the other 2 troops, very good. Summer Camp at Braggers Wood. Family Camp at Ferney Crofts in June.
(Fri - Eagles) – 33 Scouts & 3 leaders. In April took a trek cart to the end of the village, camped and returned. Great event. Fishing in a parents lake, line & bait supplied by local Fishing Tackle shop. Watched the Trooping the Colour rehearsal in May. Slept in cardboard boxes in Feb to raise money for Shelter Box. Had a team in 3 Towers Hike. Summer camp at Torbay.
(Mon – Falcons) – 21-25 Scouts & 3 F/T leaders. This term completing the Fitness and Adventure Challenge badges.
1st P & P – 25 Scouts although 4 to Explorers soon. At end of March had a Patrol Camp at Earleywood. Had a backstage tour of the Hexagon, very good evening out. Bell Boating at the Dolphin Centre. Group camp at Half-term at Torquay. Family camp at end Sept by Purley Lock.
63rd RG – 18 Scouts & 4 Leaders. Had 2 teams in 3 Towers Hike. 1 team got lost, despite a previous practice run, 2 scouts dropped out but others finished as one group. Good day. 6 Scouts + 2 leaders in the 3 km Green Park Run, all had faster times than last year. Group BBQ in July.
Discipline Issues – 63rd raised a query with some scouts being disruptive. Troop Code of Conduct is operated in several troops, drawn up by the Scouts and leaders. A Traffic light Card system is also used.
Other Points
1. January 2012 – Basingstoke Gang Show. Perhaps the District could attend as a block booking?
2. 1st B & S – they have one Girl Scout in the National Scout Orchestra playing the Bassoon.
3. Altar Fires – where can groups get them from?
4. 8th October 2011 – District Beaver Day to celebrate 21st Birthday. Scouts to run some activities?
5. PL’s training weekend – 26/27th Nov at 79th HQ. Maximum numbers of 24, in 4 patrols.
Next Meeting Tues 13th Sept 2011. Padworth Log Cabin 8pm. Drop-in training session from 7pm.
Attendees : Rita Curran (95th RG), Ron Spencer (95th RG), Vince Knight (1st B & S), Catherine Knight (1st B & S), Steve Langstaff (1st B & S), James Southern (79th RG), Jez Jones (1st P & P), Mark Moffat (1st B & S), Nick Rawlings (63rd RG) & Mick Mobbs (63rd RG & ADC Scouts).
Apologies : Alison Haynes (80th RG), Martin Drew (63rd RG) & Clive Steinberg (1st Theale & Calcot)
20:05 – Meeting opened. Mick welcomed and thanked the leaders for attending.
1. Training – a) Vince explained about Training from a District viewpoint, what leaders needed to do to gain the Wood Badge etc. Also that different Section Leader types would have different training requirements. He handed out a training Module Matrix, and a sheet on Training Validation.
b) He explained that he is the contact for training issues or needs from the sections, and all queries or Module Validation issues, and ‘what do I need to do?’ questions as well. He stated that ‘Drop-in sessions’ were going to be tried before each of the District Leaders’ meetings, with one or two Training Advisors in attendance for Validation of modules or to answer questions etc.
c) The District now has 10 Training Advisors, 5 new ones, to assist with both new and experienced leaders training needs. To contact one, it was decided that requests should go via Vince so that the T.A.s are used equally, and not overloaded or under used. Also certain queries may arise from several people and a District need may be identified, or a simple response to the whole District may resolve many similar issues.
2. Skills Day – 30 new leaders from Pang Valley, Loddon and Reading Central attended a very successful day. Good feedback from the attendees and thanks to those who lent their skills on the day. Looking at another one possibly in September and may look at separate events for the various Sections as some of the skills and practices only relate to either the Cubs or Scouts etc.
3. District Camp –
80th RG cannot attend due to a previously organised Group camp on same w/e.
Bases – a) 1st T & C – Kites b) 63rd – Logic Zone c) 95th – Shooting d) 1st Bur – Pioneering or Survival Bracelets e) 1st P & P – Pizzas (Dutch Ovens) f) 79th - Climbing Tower + 1 other
a) Numbers to Jeff Howman by Tuesday 14th June at latest please.
b) Cost £20 plus own group costs. c) Portaloos have been ordered.
d) 200 Camp badges have been ordered e) William Palmer Award – 1 Scout per troop nominated.
f) Off ground Alter fires only please. No firewood on site but 79th may have plenty of pallets. May need to bring own wood, and some for the Camp Fire though if these are not available.
g) BBQ lunch on Sunday provided by District Team (SAS), may be available for help on bases.
h) Explorers welcome but they should be helping, either to run a base, cooking, or some other help to the District team etc. not just joining in as one of the group participants. Cubs, if Linking, should be invited as part of the scout numbers. Other older cubs, sixers & seconders, can be invited to the camp fire, along with any parents who may wish to stay to reduce their travel time. This will be from around 8pm to 9:15pm on the Saturday and it’s suggested that all these cubs & parents meet at their own Group site first, prior to the campfire. At the end of the camp fire each group returns to their own site again, allowing parents to collect the cubs from a single place of contact for each group. This should avoid both parents and cubs wandering all over the site looking for each other!
4. Troop News
95th Friday – 14 Scouts. Going to Holland at Half-term with Mondays’ troop. 19 Scouts & 4 leaders.
Monday – 30 Scouts. As above. Both troop enjoyed a Spring Camp over the Easter w/e at Milestone Wood. Family group camp at end of July.
79th Centurion – 25 Scouts. Just back from Brecon Beacons with a broken minibus.2 x T1 permits. Summer camp at Ferney Crofts with Chieftain troop. The scouts have asked again about a District Football Tournament, perhaps on a single day with troops providing referees. Venue and potential date to be decided before further progress can be made.
1st B & S (Wed - Hawks) – Newest troop, 15 Scouts + 1 new leader. Had a joint Survival camp at Butler’s Farm with the other 2 troops, very good. Summer Camp at Braggers Wood. Family Camp at Ferney Crofts in June.
(Fri - Eagles) – 33 Scouts & 3 leaders. In April took a trek cart to the end of the village, camped and returned. Great event. Fishing in a parents lake, line & bait supplied by local Fishing Tackle shop. Watched the Trooping the Colour rehearsal in May. Slept in cardboard boxes in Feb to raise money for Shelter Box. Had a team in 3 Towers Hike. Summer camp at Torbay.
(Mon – Falcons) – 21-25 Scouts & 3 F/T leaders. This term completing the Fitness and Adventure Challenge badges.
1st P & P – 25 Scouts although 4 to Explorers soon. At end of March had a Patrol Camp at Earleywood. Had a backstage tour of the Hexagon, very good evening out. Bell Boating at the Dolphin Centre. Group camp at Half-term at Torquay. Family camp at end Sept by Purley Lock.
63rd RG – 18 Scouts & 4 Leaders. Had 2 teams in 3 Towers Hike. 1 team got lost, despite a previous practice run, 2 scouts dropped out but others finished as one group. Good day. 6 Scouts + 2 leaders in the 3 km Green Park Run, all had faster times than last year. Group BBQ in July.
Discipline Issues – 63rd raised a query with some scouts being disruptive. Troop Code of Conduct is operated in several troops, drawn up by the Scouts and leaders. A Traffic light Card system is also used.
Other Points
1. January 2012 – Basingstoke Gang Show. Perhaps the District could attend as a block booking?
2. 1st B & S – they have one Girl Scout in the National Scout Orchestra playing the Bassoon.
3. Altar Fires – where can groups get them from?
4. 8th October 2011 – District Beaver Day to celebrate 21st Birthday. Scouts to run some activities?
5. PL’s training weekend – 26/27th Nov at 79th HQ. Maximum numbers of 24, in 4 patrols.
Next Meeting Tues 13th Sept 2011. Padworth Log Cabin 8pm. Drop-in training session from 7pm.