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Regional Gala September 2025

5 Dec 2024

What is the Regional Gala?

A Regional event held at Bonaly Scout Centre over the weekend of 6th & 7th September 2025. 

The event will resenble a Gala and the intention is to use the weekend to showcase Scouting within South East Region, Bonaly and Longcraig. 

We are aiming to have around 1,000 people visiting the gala from the 7,000 young people and 2,000 adult members of South East Region

Who will this be aimed at?

All Young People within South East Region and their families. 

The event will be open to Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Parents and Adult Members. 

What is the event format?

  • A 1 day event repeated on Saturday and Sunday
  • Saturday 9am to 5pm
  • Sunday 9am to 5pm
  • Social programme for Explorer Scout Young Leaders who want to stay on Saturday night
  • Optional Evening Social 5pm – Late for Adults (18+) on Saturday evening (Camping/accomodation available)

How can I get involved?

We are currently looking for people to help with coordinating the activities as well as many volunteers to support with the wide range of activities planned for the event

Scouting Skills

Fairground

Craft Village

Mini Games

Bonaly Activities

Laser Tag / Inflatables

Partner Organisations

Roles available:

Responsible for delivery of a zone and communicating with the activity leads

Responsible for delivering an activity

Risk Assessments

Permits

Volunteers 

Equipment

In additional there are opportunities to lead or be part of our operational teams:

Activities Team

Catering Team

Volunteer Recruitment

Admin Team

Booking System

Safety/Safeguarding Team

Communications Team

Logistics Team

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the planning
and running of the event in any capacity, then please complete this form: 

Register here

We are in the process of developing a website with further information on the
event, including a full description of all team responsibilities. We will provide a link
to this when it is ready. If you have any questions in the meantime, then please email us at: event.support@sesscouts.org.uk

Learning Update – November 2024

Learning Update – November 2024

30 Nov 2024

Picture of Mike Treanor

Mike Treanor

Volunteer Development Lead

New Safety Learning Module to be completed by July 2025 by all volunteers. 

On My Learning (the new learning tool which will be available when the new Digital system goes live in a few days), each volunteer will see they have a new Safety e-learning module to complete, as well as an updated expiry date for their mandatory safety learning. 

All volunteers will be expected to complete the new learning by 14 July 2025. 

In the new year, UK Scouts will email all volunteers to start the six-month completion period. But the new module can be completed from the point each volunteer accesses My Learning, if any volunteer wishes to complete it earlier. 

It is estimated that the new Safety e-learning module takes between 45 and 60 minutes to complete- you can pause the learning and continue at a later date. 

First Response

Module A and B sessions  

The demand for First Response sessions across South East Scotland has increased significantly over the last few months and will continue to do so, largely due to the impact of Covid and the timing of sessions three years ago. To accommodate this, we have run or have scheduled 15 Module A and B sessions between September and December this year, accommodating nearly 200 volunteers. Huge thanks to Mary Dick, Martin Southern and Vicki Moyes who have run the majority of these sessions. We hope to have more sessions in the diary from early in the New Year – details can be found here. 

Blended Model  

An alternative to attending a f2f session is to undertake First Response via the Blended Model which combines a 2.5-hour eLearning with a three-hour online session for the learning (10A). The practical validation (10B) is a short (15-20min) face to face session which covers the practical elements of the life support training.   The eLearning must be completed first. The online session is a live video call facilitated by a First Response trainer, with some more detailed knowledge checking exercises and discussions.  Volunteers can only attend the practical validation (10B) once the learning (10A) is completed.  SES and Scouts Scotland run the online session and SES run the 10B session. Details of the Blended Model can be found here 

Certificates and Qualifications  

If you have undertaken an external course e.g. BASP, RYA or FAW to undertake your Scout First Response requirement then you must send your certificate to firstresponse@sesscouts.org.uk to have this validated by a Regional First Response Trainer. They will either validate you for First Response or provide information about any additional requirements that you may have to do to ensure you have completed all elements of Scout First Response e.g. demonstrate Child CPR.  

In addition, if you have a qualification or a job e.g. paramedic, police, doctor, dentist etc which you think covers the requirements for Scout First Response  then you must send details to firstresponse@sesscouts.org.uk to have this validated by a Regional First Response Trainer 

Information for All Former Section Assistants (now Section Team Members)  

UK Scouts are transforming the experience for all our volunteers, and we are excited to highlight the specific opportunity this presents for our valued Section Assistants like yourself. 

In your section we are moving to a teams-based approach where tasks can be shared easily amongst team members. Each section will have a Team Leader and several Team Members. When you log in to the new digital system next week your role will have changed from a Section Assistant to a Team Member. 

You might have heard that there will be a little bit more learning required to help you make this contribution to your section, but we want to support you every step of the way to grow, develop, and make an even greater impact in Scouts. 

Here’s what’s ahead: 

✅ The new Growing Roots learning is a brilliant way to enhance your skills and confidence. Many of you may already have completed key modules like Safety, Safeguarding, and GDPR—Thanks for doing this. More details about Growing Roots can be found here. here 

✅ To ensure we’re delivering the best possible experience for our young people; you’ll also complete Delivering a Great Programme and Creating Inclusion online learning within the next six months. 

✅ And because safety is our priority, a First Response course will need to be completed, but you have two years to get this done.  

Before this improvement to the volunteer experience, taking on a section assistant role was an effective way of avoiding the burden of having to complete Wood Badge training in order to volunteer. Becoming a Team Member makes you an even more valued volunteer within your team with access to appropriate learning for your role. 

This is more than just training—it’s a chance to build your skills, connect with fellow volunteers, and ensure that Scouts is inclusive, exciting, and impactful for everyone. 

Together, we’re creating a brighter future for The Scouts —and your leadership is key to making that happen! 🌍💚 

Who Are Explorer Scout Young Leaders?

Who Are Explorer Scout Young Leaders?

30 Nov 2024

Picture of Allison Gamble

Allison Gamble

Lead for Young Leaders

Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers or Duke of Edinburgh volunteers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in Squirrel Dreys, Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs, or Scout Troops. They’re not just helpers; they’re role models, innovators, and crucial members of the leadership team. 

If you’ve got a Young Person in your section from school years S2 to S6, make sure they’re registered with your District! This will ensure they have access to all the training, support, and opportunities they need to thrive as Young Leaders. 

All Young Leaders aged 13.5 to 18, whether in Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, or Scouts, should be members of a Young Leaders Unit, even if they don’t attend Explorers. There are three types of Young Leaders: 

  1. Explorer Scout Young Leaders: Part of both an Explorer Unit and a Young Leader Unit. 
  2. District Young Leaders: Dedicated to their role within the District Young Leader Unit, without being part of an Explorer Unit. 
  3. Volunteer Young Leaders: These are members of the public or Girlguiding who volunteer with Scouts, often as part of their Duke of Edinburgh or other Top Awards. While they aren’t members of the Scout Association, their contribution is invaluable.  

Got questions about the Young Leader Programme? Reach out at youngleaders@sesscouts.org.uk and get all the information you need! 

Young Leaders and Top Awards: The Path to Success 

 For Explorer Scout Young Leaders and District Young Leaders, the sky’s the limit! They can work towards Explorer Badges, Staged Badges, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and the prestigious Top Awards – Platinum, Diamond, and King Scout Awards. Leaders are encouraged to talk with their Young Leaders about how the programmes they help deliver can also contribute to these achievements. It’s all about recognising their hard work, passion, and commitment. 

The first Young Leader Activity Day was an undeniable success, and it’s clear that these budding leaders are ready to take on any challenge. They’re building skills, making memories, and forming friendships that will last a lifetime. Here’s to many more adventurous days like this – and to the Young Leaders who make Scouting so vibrant and exciting! 

Curtain Falls on Gang Show 2024

Curtain Falls on Gang Show 2024

30 Nov 2024

Picture of Scott Walker

Scott Walker

Gang Show Marketing Lead

Last month returning to the Festival Theatre for the third time, over 250 young people from South East Scotland Scouts and Girlguiding Edinburgh presented the annual Edinburgh Gang Show. 

Throughout the week over 5,500 people were entertained by the Gang with a show that was vibrant, energetic, funny and spectacular. 

Guests included Lead Volunteers from Scouts and Girlguiding at local, Scottish and UK level including Lewis Dangerfield, UK Lead Volunteer for Programme, who later described his first visit to a Gang Show as his Scouting highlight of the year! 

Group Bookers – Prize Draw 

The winners are as follows; 

  • 73rd A Brownies: 1st Prize - £250 to use towards a booking at Bonaly Scout Centre or Longcraig Scout Centre. 
  • 108th Pentland Scouts: 2nd Prize - £150 to use towards activities at Bonaly Scout Centre. 
  • 103rd A Brownies: 3rd Prize - An hour, for a group of up to 5 people, at Longcraig Scout Centre power boating on the Forth. Instructor-led with the option for participants to drive. 

We would like to thank all the volunteers who worked for many months to develop such a large-scale production for so many young people. A huge thank you to all the groups who came to see the show.  

Details about the Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 will be announced in the early part of next year. 

Explorers go for Gold – via Bronze and Silver

Explorers go for Gold – via Bronze and Silver

30 Nov 2024

Picture of SEEE Team

SEEE Team

John Buchanan
South East Explorers Expeditions

In the calendar year to 15 November, 176 DofE awards were signed off in South East Scotland Region Scouts: 

Award Level Number
Bronze
89
Silver
63
Gold
24

This is the result of a huge amount of sustained effort by the Explorers, supported by their families, and sometimes continuing into their Network years.  It also reflects the work of the local leaders who guide them on their DofE journey, and of the amazing teams who make it possible to run so many expeditions through SEEE, with a choice of Biking, Canoeing or Hillwalking.  

Many Explorers, including those who do DofE at school, complete their Volunteering section as Young Leaders with the younger sections, so the people who work with them can take credit, too.  Finally, for many Explorers, the Gold Residential section is done at Blair Atholl or WSJ, or on one of the courses at Meggernie or Fordell.  

All these awards can be used towards the Chief Scout’s Award Platinum and Diamond, and the King’s Scout Award.  We are already seeing a sizeable number of these being completed, but it would be great to see more, so any encouragement and advice given by Explorer Leaders would be very welcome.  

If you are one of the many people listed above who already helps our Explorers achieve their Top Awards – many thanks!  If not, why not join us? 

Longcraig Update – November 2024

Longcraig Update – November 2024

30 Nov 2024

Picture of Ian Harrower

Ian Harrower

Longcraig Scout Centre

Looking forward to 2025

Our planning for 2025 is now under way. 

So, to help avoid disappointment, if you or your section or your Group has any plans for a water activity event – either at Longcraig or elsewhere – that I anything out of the ordinary for a regular activity booking – get in touch! 

Up to the end of this year, we welcome any suggestions for events or activities that we can support or indeed even run for you. This could be a special anniversary, Akela’s big birthday, a celebration of something special – or just a group day out by the seaside messing about in boats. 

Does your Group or your District have an ASU team – we might be able to help with arranging an activity day for the ASU – we don’t always exclusively do things for young people. 

No matter what your idea, get in touch and see if we can turn your idea into an event! 

For example, although we are not yet able to routinely offer our activities to younger sections (Squirrels, Beavers) we can do so, and sometimes the best way to approach this is through a Group event which could incorporate some boating activity for Beavers within it. 

How to get in touch? getinvolved@longcraig.info 

New Compass benefits 

Looking forward to the new Membership Database which is rolling out very shortly?

One of the things it can make easier for adult members is applying for an Activity Permit.  

This is all done within the database online package – you simply click on the appropriate link, and it takes you through the process of making an application. Selecting an Activity Assessor will also be much more visible – suitable assessors will appear on your screen, and you just have to select one. Don’t pick the best looking one – all the assessors will assess people to the same standards and all assessments are now done in conjunction with another assessor – so there’s no Good ones nor Bad ones! The assessment process for Permits is not changing – it’s just the process flow that will be much more streamlined and available to all within the new system.  

New Tractor

Our final acquisition of 2024 was a replacement tractor that we use for moving boats up and down the pier – especially our safety boats which we have to launch and recover every time we are running activities. 

This new Solis tractor replaces our faithful orange Kubota, which we acquired (second hand) in 2009, and which is starting to show some signs of its age. The new tractor was picked from around 6 different options and was selected on the basis of Best Value for purchase cost, equipment and features, trade in value for the old tractor, and overall suitability. It’s already been waxed in the hidden parts underneath so we can minimise the damage caused by the salty water atmosphere that we encounter so close to the sea. 

This tractor was funded by a generous grant from the Bells Nautical Trust and a further generous legacy from the Ken Thomson bequest fund, we are gratefully indebted to both funding sources. 

Neil welcomes the new tractor to Longcraig.
And the old tractor bids farewell to its favourite view!

Shoring up the shore defences

Over the past few weeks, we have been busy protecting ourselves and Longcraig from the potential of stormy seas which from time to time attempt to engulf the shoreline around our building. For many years now, we have successfully kept those storms at a safe distance, by installing and maintaining a defensive barrier along the boundary between the beach and the grass areas to the front of our building. These defences need some repairs from time to time, and this year we have carried out some areas of refurbishment. 

These involve: large pieces of timber – we regularly find them washed up along the coastline and carefully retrieve the best of them. 

Here’s a view of a section we’ve just repaired: (you can see how close to the waves it can get!) 

Strong metal stakes to retain the timber in position – horizontally and vertically – so it doesn’t get washed out with the surge waves (this was why we were looking for things like old reinforcing bare earlier in the year: 

Heavy thick soil to infill behind the timber 

Turf or grassy vegetation to knit the soil together and spread a root system deep into the ground. 

Strong netting attached to the outer faces of the timber, then over the grass and securely pegged down to limit erosion by the sea and to keep the grass in place until it establishes its root system. 

Big thanks to everyone who has assisted with this over the past few weeks of settled autumn weather – just made it before the winter starts! 

As always, we can still make good use of: 

  • Heavy duty steel stakes (such as reinforcing bar) 
  • Heavy duty pegs or pins (larger than tent pegs but same idea)
  • Topsoil 
  • Grass or turf 

Please just get in touch if you think you can help with any of these ingredients used in the baking of a strong shore defence! 

Training Opportunities

Our training programme for 2024 has now completed, with the final course running last weekend – a Powerboat 2 course. 

All the candidates on this course were members of the Longcraig ASU, their funding of the course fees was supported by the SHQ Development Fund for adult training which is available to all adult members undertaking relevant training courses. We are as always grateful to SHQ for supporting training activities like this throughout the year! 

Here are the intrepid candidates last Sunday enjoying the Forth with just 4 degrees C around them! 

Still in the diary in early 2025: 

  • Paddleboard training /Assessment Day has now been arranged; this will be held as two One Day sessions over the weekend of 8/9 March 2025. The Assessor team from Lochgoilhead will be leading this event to support our own activities. The aim is to either assess for a permit or provide a suitable plan to each person to get one.  

Beyond that, we can offer courses in: 

  • Dinghy sailing 
  • Kayaking 
  • Powerboating 
  • Raft Building 
  • Marine VHF Radio  

Which can lead to national qualifications if you wish to gain one of those, and/or to a Scouts Activity Permit which then enables you to lead activities with your own groups of young people. 

Many aspects of seamanship such as: weather and meteorology; Tides and Currents: Basic navigation skills; knots, lashings and ropework. 

We can also provide course for Badges for 

Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Young leaders. 

These can in some cases cover the entire syllabus of a particular badge, and in many cases can cover one or more elements of a wider scope badge. 

There are many options in badges relating to water activities – there’s even one for ‘helping out at activity centres’ which may be of interest! 

We strongly recommend having a discussion with us about what you might like to cover, how we can support that, and how best we can plan it in for next year – or even the year after! 

For information on, or to register an interest in, any of these courses please contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info 

Volunteering? 

As the demand for our activities grows and we constantly seek to expand what we can offer, we need more volunteers to help us implement our plans. We now have a super-duper warm up to date activity centre to welcome volunteers into! 

We’re still happy to hear from any potential volunteers whether your interest is on the water or off the water supporting the Centre. 

Just get in touch for a chat, or come along to one of our Volunteer Drop In Sessions 

  • Saturday 14th December 1pm 
  • Sunday 12th January 1pm 

We’ll take care of the rest! 

Do please let us know if you would like to come along to any of these sessions – getinvolved@longcraig.info 

Do you have any parents in your Group who might be interested in this? Please do let them know!! 

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