The photo selected this week - Adventure in the New Forest - 3rd Newbury Scouts take to the high wire as part of their summer camp in the New Forest Photo by Steve Forrest more
At the East Reading District Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 20th September it was formally announced that East Reading District would close at the end of 2006 and that the 6 Groups plus the Explorer Scout Unit comprising the District would move to Loddon District (31st, 84th and 99th Reading) and Reading Central District (2nd, 71st and 73rd Reading plus the Explorer Scout Unit).
Ian May (District Commissioner) and Hamish Stout (County Commissioner) emphasised that the change was driven by a desire to enhance the support that could be offered to the Groups and Adult Volunteers in those Groups and in no way reflected on the already very good Scouting offered by the Groups/Unit. Indeed the change would, in due course, enable further development of the Scouting available to the young people living in and around Earley and Lower Earley.
With immediate effect the Loddon and Reading Central teams will start to work with the Groups, even though East Reading will not close as a District until the end of 2006.
Ian May reported that for the second year running numbers in East Reading had increased and that the total membership was now over 500.
Hamish thanked all Members of Scouting in East Reading for the considerable contribution they had made to Scouting over many years and wished them every success for the next year, with all the benefits that the 2007 programme brings to their already high quality programmes.
The AGM also saw the presentation of Long Service Awards to Paul Bandy (25 years) and Judith Wheatley (5 years). Photos are available on the East Reading page. more
Over 600 Cub Scouts will be arriving at Chalfont Heights Camp site by 10.00hrs on Sunday 24th September and we look forward to giving them a day they will never forget. If you are available on that day please think about volunteering to help. It will be a great day for all.
All offers of help to be sent to Lynn Smith 0118 961 9393 or 90thbirthday@berkshirescouts.org.uk
It is very encouraging to know that more than 850 adults involved in Scouting, in Berkshire, have registered on the NSPCC Keeping Children Safe Programme. The programme consists of three short modules, which are easy to understand and can be completed in a minimal amount of time, at home. On completion, participants gain a certificate from the NSPCC and keep the three glossy handouts for future reference.
Workshops around the County Since the beginning of this year, Child Protection Workshops have been held in South Berks, Maidenhead, Loddon, East Reading, Reading Central and Pang Valley, at the invitation of District Commissioners.
The Workshops concentrate on our responsibilities within Scouting and aim to reinforce the Association’s Child Protection Policy, increasing our awareness to protect children whilst protecting our selves. Practical situations are discussed and the value of our ‘Yellow Card’ demonstrated.
If workshops have not been arranged for your District, please contact your District Commissioner in the first instance, or ask if you might join one in a neighbouring District. Click here for dates and more details
Mid Area
The Adult Training and Support in the Mid Area (East Reading and Loddon) is now in full swing. The Local Training Manager (ltmmid@berkshirescouts.org.uk) has organised a Module 1 Essential Information on 3 October. You can sign up for this and any other training module online more
3 Adult Training Module
1 Essential Information (
Mid Area )
click here to book
Administrators
Following on the from the highly successful Administrators Workshop held last year, this years events will be held on 4 November 2006 in Wokingham - more news next week but if you are a Group Chair, Group Secretary, Group Treasurer, District Chair, District Secretary or District Treasurer this Workshop is a must do event for you - get the date in your diary now!
The Berkshire Patrol Camping Challenge will take place over the weekend 30th September 2006 to 1st October 2006. The County Flag is a camping challenge for patrols of six scouts held over two days. It is a lot more than just a camping competition as the weekend will also include a number of different activities. The weekend will allow the participating patrols to work together as a team putting into practice a large number of the Scouting skills that they have learned as well as picking up some new skills. more
Nights Away Advisers and County Activity Assessors.
As part of an ongoing initiative to provide support for these important roles, the National Activities Team is running a number of specific forums for Nights Away Advisers and County Assessors this autumn. These practically based single day events will look to provide support and answer questions for participants, as well as providing technical updates and chances for peer support and networking.
All events costs just £20 and include lunch and refreshments. For a full list of forums and dates, and for details of booking a place, please go to ScoutBase UK at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/activities/assessment/workshop.htm
Take your Scouts on a day out with a difference
On the weekends of 7/8 and 14/15 October, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures are offering Groups a special offer on tickets for the 2006 County Days. This is a great way to enjoy a brilliant day out and meet up with other Groups in your area. Ticket prices are just £15 for adults, and £13 for under 12’s – a saving of up to £13 per ticket.
And that’s not all, for every 10 tickets purchased, one adult goes free. more
September 2006
23–24 National Conference for all Adults in Scouting (Warwick)
more
24 The Scout Association Annual General Meeting (Warwick)
24 County Cubs 90th Birthday Party (Chalfont Heights Scout Camp)
26 County Adult Support Team Meeting (Earleywood)
26 County Programme Team Meeting (Earleywood)
27 Adult Training Module
1 Essential Information (
Western Area )
click here to book
27 Adult Training Module
5 Fundamental Values (
Eastern Area )
click here to book
30–1 October Scout Section Camping Challenge Weekend (Bradfield)
more
October 2006
2 Adult Training
Validation Session (
Eastern Area )
click here to book
2 DCs and CC (Longridge)
3 Adult Training Module
1 Essential Information (
Mid Area )
click here to book
4 Adult Training Module
18 Practical Skills
click here to book
7 Adult Training Module
24 Managing Adults
click here to book
8 Adult Training Module
10 First Aid (
Northern Area )
click here to book
more
9 Adult Training Module
20 Administration (Managers)
click here to book
10 Adult Training Module
3a Tools for the Job (Sectional) (
Southern Area )
click here to book
11 Adult Training Module
25a Assessing Learning (
Eastern Area )
click here to book
14–15 Regional CC s
18 Adult Training Module
3a Tools for the Job (Sectional) (
Eastern Area )
click here to book
20–22 Jamboree Unit training weekend (Rushalls Farm)
more
21 Adult Training Module
19 International
click here to book
21–22 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) (World-wide)
more
21–22 Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) (World-wide)
more
23 Adult Training
Validation Session (
Northern Area )
click here to book
25 Adult Training Module
3a Tools for the Job (Sectional) (
Western Area )
click here to book
28–29 County Management Team
Click here for the full Diary.
It is just over 102 days to go to the start of Scouting's Centenary Year and it is 102 days left of the 90th year of Cub Scouting and the 20th Year of Beaver Scouts - enjoy everyone of them!
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That's all for this week
The Web Team
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