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Family Gala Day

Family Gala Day

3 Apr 2025

Celebrate Scouting at Bonaly Scout Centre 6 & 7 September 2025

Each day is packed with
fun & entertainment including;

🎡 Fairground and Highland Games

🔫 Laser Tag

🏹 Archery

🧗 High ropes

⚜️ Scouting skills

🎈 Inflatables

💪 Army Assault Course

…and much more!

This is for ALL our young people, their families and adult volunteers.

Come on either day (or both!) everyone is welcome.

Tickets available from 21st April – save the date now and stay tuned

More details below and here https://sesscouts.org.uk/gala-2025 which includes FAQs 

Ukraine Day

Ukraine Day

2 Apr 2025

Picture of Nacho Luna Borras

Nacho Luna Borras

Scouting Support Lead

Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Scout Group

In February we welcomed a group of young Ukrainians to Bonaly to give them a taste of the kinds of adventurous activities we get up to in Scouting.

South East Scotland and Scouts Scotland are working together with the AUGB (Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain) in Edinburgh to establish a Scout group which meets the needs of local young Ukrainian people and their families, the majority of whom arrived in Scotland following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The group of Scout and Explorer aged young people were shown around Bonaly by Co-Warden and Activity Manager Sean Crossan, before settling down to a seriously competitive archery session led by SES Support Officer Nacho Luna Borras and Scouts Scotland Local Growth Officer, Calum Harvie. Also attending were SES Scouting Support Officer Amy Irvine, along with Martin Elliot, Mike Treanor and John Cannon.

After the conclusion of the archery session (a great way to learn how to count in Ukrainian, btw!), we warmed up in the Bonaly bothy and talked about Scouting and to discuss with the young people their hopes for the Group. There was great enthusiasm from the young people – a number had been involved in Scouting in Ukraine – and the team from Scouts Scotland and South East Scotland Region was delighted to answer the many thoughtful questions presented.

Work to establish a Scout Group with the Ukrainian community continues to progress.

Regional Mindfulness Day – A Huge Success!

Regional Mindfulness Day – A Huge Success!

31 Mar 2025

Picture of Nacho Luna Borras

Nacho Luna Borras

Scouting Support Lead

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the Regional Mindfulness Day on 8th March 2025 such an incredible experience!

The day, held at the beautiful Bonaly Scout Centre, was filled with energy, learning, and meaningful connections.

Our special thanks go out to the amazing professionals from PsychEd, Edinburgh University, whose mindfulness workshops and activities were informative, fun and inspiring.

The outdoor activities were a real highlight — fun, hands-on, and deeply engaging. It was powerful to see our young people fully present and embracing the positive impact of being in nature.

We’re also incredibly grateful to our Adult Scout volunteers, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. Your dedication helped make the day not only possible but unforgettable.

And, of course, the grand finale around the campfire was nothing short of phenomenal. Songs, dances, laughter, and togetherness created the perfect ending to a meaningful day.

 

Thank you again to everyone involved—participants, leaders, volunteers, and professionals. This event truly demonstrated the values of our Scout organisation and how outdoor activities can positively impact our lives.

We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Supporting Explorer Scout Young Leaders

Supporting Explorer Scout Young Leaders

7 Feb 2025

Picture of Allison Gamble

Allison Gamble

Lead for Young Leaders

Who Are Explorer Scout 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 Girl Guiding 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.

 

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!

Young Leader Camp


During the Youth Forum, held at Bonaly during the Autumn Young Leaders Day, Young Leaders told us that a camp would be a fantastic event to hold next. With this in mind, we are planning a two-night camp for Young Leaders from across the region. This will take place at Bonaly from 14th – 16th March 2025. Arriving Friday evening at 7pm, setting up camp and getting ready for a brilliant weekend, Saturday will see them heading into town to take part in their very own Edinburgh Monumentopoly. Returning to camp for a Campfire and with the winners being announced on Saturday night they will then have a second night camping before heading home on Sunday morning. The event is open to all Young Leaders in South East Region, the event has been sent to the Young Leader teams through OSM, please check with them if you would like to attend. 

It would be fantastic to see as many of them joining in as possible with them being able to enjoy spending time with their friends and other Young Leaders from across the Region.

We are also looking for leaders and network members to support this event, either for the weekend or for Saturday if you can’t commit to the whole weekend. If you are available please email Allison.Gamble@sesscouts.org.uk  We are also looking for Young Leaders to help at the Regional Gala day in September, details will follow in due course. 

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

A New Face at Bonaly

A New Face at Bonaly

6 Feb 2025

Picture of Peter Casebow

Peter Casebow

Chair, Bonaly Scout Centre

Welcome Sean Crossan as our new Co-Warden and Activity Manager

In Mid-January we were delighted to welcome Sean Crossan to join the team at Bonaly as our new Co-Warden and Activities Manager.

Sean has just completed a Masters at University of Edinburgh in Outdoor Education and has worked in the outdoors for seven years including spells as a site manager of an activity centre in Oxford, a ski instructor in Canada and an instructor in other international centres.

Peter Casebow, Chair, Bonaly Scout Centre said “It’s fantastic for Bonaly and the Region to have been able to recruit someone of Sean’s quality for this role. Sean’s role includes leading our team of Volunteer instructors as well as developing the programme and activities on offer at Bonaly and we’re really looking forward to working with Sean in the coming years.”

Sean replied “Bonaly is such a fantastic site and has the most dedicated team of Volunteers behind it. I can’t wait to get started and help everyone to make the most of what Bonaly and Scouting has to offer.”

Leaders Training Day -10th May

 

If you want to brush up your scouting skills or learn new ones why not come along to our free leaders day on 10th May which will focus on traditional scouting skills and campcraft, getting to know other leaders and running sessions with your groups.

The day will start at 9:30 and finish 16:30.

Sessions will include;

  • Camp Craft- Pitching a campsite, tool handling with a group & whittling
  • Fire Lighting- Methods on how to light a fire, Fire Safety with a group & running a fire session 
  • Shelter Building- Introduction to shelter building methods using all natural materials as well as tarps.
  • Knots 101 & Flintstone Cars- Introduction to basic knot tying and lashing, building a Flintstone car with other leaders using these skills!
  • Axe Throwing- Axe throwing on the range with Tomahawks and Angel Axes

 

To register your interest please email: sean.crossan@sesscouts.org.uk

Regional Mindfulness Day 8th March 2025

9 Jan 2025

Join us for an inspiring day dedicated to mindfulness and well-being!

The South East Scotland Scouts Regional Mindfulness Day is open to Scouts and Explorers alike. It offers a unique opportunity to explore ourselves and nature to enhance mental health.

Where and When?

It will be held at Bonaly Scout Centre 9.30am to 4pm on Saturday 8th March 2025

What to Expect

  • Workshops led by professionals from Edinburgh University. Gain insights and practical tips on subjects like, depression anxiety, mental health, social media, digital footprint, perfect image and more! 
  • Engaging outdoor activities. Discover how connecting with nature can boost your mental well-being. 
  • A special closing ceremony and campfire. End the day on a high note with a shared moment around the fire.

Who Can Attend?

Participants: 50 Scouts and 50 Explorers (100 participants in total).

Leaders: Free entry for leaders accompanying the groups.

Cost

Entry Fee: £2.50 per participant. 

Don’t miss this chance to learn, grow, and connect with others while experiencing the transformative impact of mindfulness and nature. Reserve Your Spot Today!

Leaders should register below, indicating the number of spaces you would like to reserve by 28th February. Spaces are limited to 100 participants, so book early to secure your place. We will confirm whether your booking has been successful no later than the end of January and provide further details including payment details.  

Regional Mindfulness Day

Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
Number of Scouts you would like to register for the day - if none, state 0
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
Number of Explorers you would like to register for the day - if none, state 0

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