News from Berkshire Scouting Number 44 for 25 December 2005

Welcome to the last News from Berkshire Scouting for 2005 - there is a festive photo of the week, a special present for you and much much more .... read on!

Photo of the Week

The photo selected this week - Seasonal Greetings from Berkshire Scouts - the photograph was taken at Eurojam 2005 where young people from Slough and East Reading had a fabulous ten days of international scouting with 10,000 other young people from over 60 countries.  more and more

A Big Thank You

A massive thank you to you all on behalf of the 6000 plus young people across Berkshire who experience the adventure of Scouting, but only through one of the greatest gifts of all - your time. Thank you for everything you have done in 2005. Please do enjoy the festive season - there is another fabulous year of Scouting just around the corner.

Congratulations

Congratulations to everyone who has completed a component of their training profile in 2005

Special congratulations to all the Adult Volunteers who have completed their complete Adult Training Programme in 2005:

Jill Arkley, Jane Austin, Roger Axten, Penny Baker,  Evelyn Barnard, Alison Blackmore, Keith Boseley, Gisela Bradbury, Shaun Burry, Kristeen Christmas, Peter Davenport, Michelle Dye,  Christopher Evans, Mark Foster,  Eugene Futcher,  Esther Grandfield,  Jo Halls-Phillips, Janice Jackson, Kelly Lewis,  Paul Norris,  Amber Pearce, Kerry Pullinger,  Steve Sutton, Amanda Purdy, Rose Turner,  Bob Tunbridge, Judy Ricketts, David Roper, Linda Sanger,  Chris Upton, Hayley Vardy, Sue Webster,  Graham Winstone and  Ian Winter,

For some, their training started with the previous structure, for all it has involved participating in training modules and validating their learning at subsequent sessions - congratulations to all.

And thank you to  everyone in the Adult Support and Training Team for helping so many Adult Volunteers get started this year.

And sign up now for your training in 2006 - all the dates are now available. more

Your very own present!

It is perhaps a dark dismal winter's day. You need a glimpse of  the old magic - yes that fabulous adventure of Scouting.

Click here to see some of that magic  and you need the sound turned up for best effect. The movie is a wmv format file (40Mb but video streaming ie you dont need to wait to downlaod it all before you can watch it) and it will play in Windows Movie Player or Real Player. If your connection is taking some it is also available in a reduced format. The movie is also available here in QuickTime format

Earleywood - get your 2006 bookings in now!

Earleywood Camp Site is situated in a glade of woodland in the Berkshire countryside. Situated just out of the village of Sunninghill approximately 2 miles away from Ascot, and 5 miles away from Windsor. Click here for a location map. The site is open throughout the year for Scouts and Guides. The charges for using Earleywood through to March 2007 are now available on the website. more

It could be you winning the Berkshire Scouts Quiz 2005 

Entries continue to flood in to this years world famous Berkshire Scouts Quiz.  The top score still remains stuck at 8 out of a possible 10. So with only one week remaining there is everything to play for; that fabulous prize could be yours. 

The Berkshire Scouts Quiz 2005 is free to enter and simple to play. It is all on-line, all you need to do is click away.  Click here to open the Quiz page and you can get started.  And Yes you can enter as many times as you would like to - but can you beat 8?. more

New for 2006 - The Leader Zone

The Leader Zone will be launched on the Berkshire Scouts Website in early 2006 and will provide access to specific resources for adult volunteers involved with Scouting across Berkshire.

This will be a protected part of the Berkshire Scouts Website. If you have not registered on the website please do so to ensure that you will have immediate access to this valuable resource. Click here to register.

ScoutBase

If you have not visited ScoutBase at www.scoutbase.org.uk now is the time for a browse as the website has a fresh new format and layout. The new design aids usability and accessibility.

Beaver Thinkers

The National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts, Peter Oliver, is currently interested in hearing from anyone who might be able / willing to support the work of the Beaver Scout section, across the UK. There are currently volunteer vacancies on his Support Team and a variety of projects that need the input of creative thinkers!

Whilst knowledge of the age range would be useful, your current role doesn't necessarily have to be in the Beaver Scout section - but you must be forward thinking, innovative and have some time to spare - at weekends.

Are you interested? If so, please contact Jenny Winn (Programme and Development Adviser for Beaver Scouts) by email ( beaver.scout@scout.org.uk)or telephone (020 8433 7151). Whilst we can't promise to take on every offer of help at this stage, it would be great to begin to build a list of those who are willing!

Backing up your computer - don't forget your emails

Many people back up the computer files found in the "MyDocuments" or similar folder on their hard drive, but forget about backing up their email messages and attachments.  If you use an email software program like Outlook or  Eudora, then if your computer ever crashes, the backed-up email files can be imported into your current email program. Backing up by copying files on to a USB hard disk (you can just plug it in - no screwdriver needed!)  on a regular basis provides an easy to implement solution. Often the disk comes with a back-up utility which can be made automatic. Here is some basic advice.

Virus Protection

A flurry of unsolicited virus laden emails to the web team usually indicates that some one across Berkshire has just been hit by a virus attack.  As this happens on a regular basis you could be next. If you do not have virus protection on your PC please do get it installed. The best systems are subscription services with automatic updates over the internet, you will also be protected as well as is possible. This page on the Microsoft Site lists anti-virus software providers for Window systems and the BBC has a useful page for those needing some basic information.

From the Scout Association

 

Your opinions sought   (survey link)

 

The Month Ahead - Training and Programme Dates in the County Diary

January 2006

9 Adult Training Validation Session ( Eastern Area ) click here to book
10 Adult Training Module 1 Essential Information ( Southern Area ) click here to book
10 County Executive Committee (Earleywood)
11 Adult Training Module 4 Tools for the Job (Managers) click here to book
11 County Cub Scout Team Meeting (Reading) more
14 Adult Training Module 3 Tools for the Job (Sectional) ( Western Area ) click here to book
16 Adult Training Validation Session ( Northern Area ) click here to book
16 County Beaver Scout Team Meeting
17 Adult Training Module 101 Special - Audio & Visual Equipment click here to book
18 Adult Training Module 1 Essential Information ( Eastern Area ) click here to book
19 Adult Training Module 11 Administration (Section) ( Northern Area ) click here to book
19 County Steering Team
21 Adult Training Module 102 Special - Power Point Presentations click here to book
23 Workshop for Appointment Committee Members more
24 DCs and CC (Earleywood)
24 WINGS2009 Steering Group (Reading)
25 Adult Training Validation Session ( Southern Area ) click here to book
25 County Activities Team Meeting
26 Adult Training and Support Team Meeting (Maidenhead)
27 WINGS2009 Planning Team (Maidenhead) more
29 Adult Training Module 25 Assessing Learning ( Northern Area ) click here to book
31 Adult Training Module 23 Safety for Managers and Supporters click here to book
 

Click here for the full Diary.

That's all for this week

This is the last News from Berkshire Scouting for 2005.  Have a great time over the next few days - Another fabulous year of Scouting awaits around the corner - lets keep the adventure rolling.

This message is also available on the website 

That's all for this week

The Web Team

News from Berkshire Scouting

This email is sent by Berkshire Scouts News Service, part of the County-wide action plan to help support even better Scouting for even more young people across Berkshire.

If you no longer wish to receive such information about Berkshire Scouts please unsubscribe at www.berkshirescouts.org.uk/maillist/unsubscribe.htm using the email and password you used to subscribe.