News from Berkshire Scouting Number 48 for 22 January 2006

Photo of the Week

The photo selected this week  -  Adventure with  Reading Explorer Scouts,  the Penguins,  on the mountains near Fort William in Scotland during their week long expedition over the New Year break.

Minibus Driving

Is your Group or Unit thinking of borrowing or hiring a minibus for outdoor activities in the coming months? 

Are your Leaders suitably qualified to drive minibuses?

If not, Berkshire Scout Enterprises offer MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) Training Courses for Scout Leaders and other adults involved in Scouting to increase confidence, awareness and safety when driving such vehicles. Courses can be done on an individual or Group/District basis, involve a theory part and practical driving session, and currently cost £35 per person for those involved in Scouting.  For further information and details of courses, please contact Berkshire Scout Enterprises (0118 988 6448 or e-mail: enquiries@ bsel.org.uk or visit their website: www.bsel.org.uk. more

It is a good opportunity to remind younger Leaders that it is necessary to have held a full driving licence for two years and in most cases, be over the age of 25 years to drive a minibus.

Scout Network Activity Day

A special activity day will be held on 22 April for all 17 to 25 year olds across Berkshire. The day will involve a couple of not to be missed activities together with a Scout Network Forum and AGM. Watch this space and book that date now in your diary.

Two weeks to the first Jamboree RoadShows

Discover all about the World Jamboree at one  of the Roadshows organised by the Jamboree Unit. Scouts and Explorer Scouts born on or between 28 July 1989 and 27 July 1993 are invited to attend one of the Jamboree Unit Roadshows to find out what's involved in joining the 2007 World Scout Jamboree contingent.  Adult Leaders and Parents are also invited.  more

The dates of the first three Roadshows are:

Mon 30 Jan - West Berkshire area (Taceham Hundred and Kennet) more

Thu 2 Feb - Mid Berkshire area (Wokingham and Loddon) more

Fri 3 Feb - East Berkshire area (Windsor & Eton and Slough) more

Matt Thorpe to coordinate 2007 plans

I’m delighted to be able to advise you that Matt Thorpe has agreed to take on the role of co-ordination & leadership of our 2007 plans across the County, working with Sue Clarkson.  Welcome aboard, Matt!!  - Hamish Stout County Commissioner

Matt has previously held a variety of roles including Scout Leader in East Reading, part of the IST at the World Jamboree in Thailand and the Sub-camp Team Leader at WINGS2003.  more

On-line County Diary - 1000 events on

The entry "13 May  Adult Training Module 10 First Aid ( Northern Area ) click here to book more" marks the 1000th event entered in to the Diary System.  April 2002 saw the introduction of the on-line Diary for Berkshire Scouts. Amongst the first events entered in to the Diary were the 'New Programme'  Launches.  In January 2004 the Diary was expanded to  allow on-line booking of modules within the Adult Training Programme.  The Berkshire Scouts Diary currently has events up to 2011 (World Scout Jamboree in Sweden) including Berkshire's very own WINGS2009 and soon all the great events for 2007. Click here  to see  the full Diary.

Group/Unit  Newsletters

Does your Group or Unit have a newsletter? It is a great way to keep all the parents and other supporters up to date with what is going on. It is also a good way to ask for help, for example a particular skill, driving the minibus or a tin of paint. Get everyone involved, more people doing less is the way forward. PG Tips from Pinkneys Green Scouts is a great example - it comes out every months, has lots of news, dates of forthcoming events and requests for help - currently they are seeking storage for 25 PC screens! Check out the latest PG Tips here. If you have a News Letter we would love to see it send it to newsletters@berkshirescouts.org.uk or to 1, Somerton Gardens, Earley, Reading RG6 5XG. 

New County Directory

The 2006 Berkshire Scouts Directory has now been printed and the distribution process of te Directory with its distinctive green cover has begun. Many thanks to everyone involved in the preparation, production and distribution of the Directory.  If you are not on the distribution list (please be patient) and would like a copy please contact Tony Fulford as countysecretary@berkshirescouts.org.uk.

Opportunity for young people at Longridge

Are you aged 17 – 20 and would like to be move involved in the running of Longridge Scout Boating Centre?  If so the charity involved in running the Longridge Centre is looking for 12 young people for a 'Board of Young Trustees'.  If you are interested e-mail amanda@friendsoflongridge.co.uk

Roger King International Fund

The Roger King International Fund is to facilitate participation in International Scouting experiences outside of the UK for individuals who, for financial reasons, might otherwise be excluded from this important aspect of Scouting. Any member of Berkshire Scouts is eligible to apply.  more

From the Scout Association

 

Young Aviation Artists' Contest 2006

 

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

 

January 2006


23 Child Protection Workshop (County App Comm)
23 Workshop for Appointment Committee Members (Reading) more
24 DCs and CC (Earleywood)
24 WINGS2009 Steering Group (Reading)
25 Adult Training Validation Session ( Southern Area ) click here to book
25 Child Protection Workshop (South Berkshire)
26 Adult Training and Support Team Meeting (Maidenhead) more
27 WINGS2009 Planning Team (Maidenhead) more
29 Adult Training Module 25 Assessing Learning ( Northern Area ) click here to book
29 Jamboree Unit - planning meeting more  *new
30 Jamboree Roadshow (West Berkshire) more
31 Adult Training Module 23 Safety for Managers and Supporters click here to book
31 14–25 Project Group Meeting (Woodley) more

February 2006

1 Adult Training Module 5 Fundamental Values ( Western Area ) click here to book
1 County Scout Section Support Team Meeting (Reading) more
2 Jamboree Roadshow (Mid Berkshire) more
3 Jamboree Roadshow (East Berkshire) more
5 Adult Training Module 10 First Aid click here to book
6 Adult Training Validation Session ( Eastern Area ) click here to book
8 Adult Training Module 1 Essential Information ( Western Area ) click here to book
8 Adult Training Module 7 Valuing Diversity click here to book
8 Child Protection Workshop (Maidenhead)
8 Jamboree Roadshow (Reading area) more
14 County Programme Team Meeting (Earleywood)
20 Jamboree Roadshow (Southern Berkshire area) more
21 Adult Training Module 3a Tools for the Job (Sectional) ( Southern Area ) click here to book
21 Child Protection Workshop (East Reading)
21 Jamboree Roadshow (Maidenhead area) more
22 Adult Training Module 3a Tools for the Job (Sectional) ( Eastern Area ) click here to book

Click here for the full Diary.

That's all for this week

Last weeks call for photos of winter activities resulted in a flurry of pictures from Reading Explorers including the great mountain pic this weeks Photo of the Week. Why not one of your Colony, Pack, Troop or Unit, it need not be outside, it could be a indoor activity or perhaps a photo showing fun & friendship in action. Send in your pics now to photo@berkshirescouts.org.uk - it could be the Photo of the Week or the Year!

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.