Family Gala Day
Supporting Explorer Scout 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: Explorer Scout Young Leaders: Part of both an Explorer Unit and a Young Leader Unit. District Young Leaders: Dedicated to their role within the District Young Leader Unit, without being part of an Explorer Unit. 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!
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: Explorer Scout Young Leaders: Part of both an Explorer Unit and a Young Leader Unit. District Young Leaders: Dedicated to their role within the District Young Leader Unit, without being part of an Explorer Unit. 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!
Celebrating our Latest King’s Scouts
There has been a lot to celebrate recently in South East Region, with 5 new King’s Scouts completing their final presentations and earning this top award. The King’s Scout Award is the top achievement for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members and comprises a variety of activities. It’s closely linked to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, and many of our young people complete both awards as part of their journey. They will have camped, learned new skills, undertaken residentials, explored on expeditions and completed work in their communities. Please join us in congratulating them all on their achievements. Lois Hi! I’m Lois, am an explorer in Braid, and really enjoyed doing my King’s Scout Award! I ran activities and sessions for Squirrel and Cub scouts and went on an Erasmus programme for sustainability in schools, amongst other things! My favourite moment was when our group finished the expedition, our final part of the award, where everyone was so excited and happy (albeit very tired)! Ironically, the most difficult part was just the paperwork at the end- making sure everything was finished and exactly where it should be (especially with listing the nights away at the end)! Scott I’m Scott and I’m a Networker in Braid District. I’ve had lots of fun completing my KSA, getting to develop new skills and have amazing experiences. The best part was my expedition where I canoed for 4 days and spent time wild camping on islands. The hardest part was the skills section as I had to continuously motivate myself to do coding. I have learned a lot about perseverance and about teamwork as these were what got me through the more challenging parts. Kyla I’m Kyla, and I am an explorer with the Braid district young leader unit. I have been involved in scouting and guiding for 12 years since I was 5 years old. For my King’s Scout Award, I developed my leadership skills through the young leader scheme and developed my skills in photography and horse riding. The King’s Scout Award is one of my greatest achievements – some people didn’t think I could do it, but I showed them that you should never judge a book by its cover. Ryan My name is Ryan, and I was a network member in Braid district. For my Kings Scout Award I took part in the Blair Atholl Jamborette, did an Explorer Belt hike across Belgium and built a Young Leader training website during the pandemic. My favourite part was the camping and expeditions because I got to meet loads of new people and make friends from around the world. I learned a lot about other cultures and developed practical skills that I now use every day in my job. The biggest challenge was filling in the form and getting it signed off so if you’re working towards your award don’t leave that part to the last minute. Sam I’m Sam, a networker from the Borders District. For the last five years I’ve been working toward completing my Kings Scout Award. As part of my KSA I have also completed the three levels to the Duke of Edinburgh award, and my Young Leaders Award. This has involved helping run the weekly meetings at my local Scout group for the last five years, as well as running some evening myself. Some of the stuff I’ve had the privilege of experiencing for my KSA have been a week u north learning Trad (traditional) Climbing, as part of my residential. For my expeditions I did 6 a total of days of canoeing on Loch Venachar and Loch Awe – which included camping in a castle on an island! This summer I was chosen to attend Roverway, a camp for European scouts aged 16-22. As a participant I got the chance to explore parts of Norway and visit Copenhagen with the UK contingent. Roverway was the best part of the award for me. I got to connect with loads of new people from across Europe and celebrate my birthday in such an amazing country!
Scouts Sleepout to Support Foodbank
On Friday 25th October the Thursday and Friday 82nd Craigalmond Scouts joined forces to embark on an extra-large evening of Scouting fun and fundraising! The idea to undertake a sleep-out for charity came from a young member of the Scouts, because he had enjoyed the same event the year prior. The decision to raise money for charity whilst sleeping-out was an easy one – we had already spent an evening earlier in the term collecting and sorting food for Edinburgh Food Project, who run 7 foodbank centres across Edinburgh and offer debt, benefits & budgeting advice. It felt like a good way to support a cause known to us, whilst saying “thank you” to the Charity for having visited us. Special mention must go to Calypso here – she is the charity’s representative and led a very thought-provoking evening for our Scouts. First, we decided that if we were going to sleep outside, we would need a good feed. The Scouts started off preparing the food ready to be cooked on open fires: skewers with sausage & veg; flatbreads with herbs; and apples with sultanas & sugar. All was cooked easily over big beds of embers. The cooking time of the flatbreads took a little perfecting, but we worked it out. Everyone ate well. After dinner, those staying the night started building their shelters. This was the most fun part with Scouts excitedly thinking of ways to build a structure sufficient for themselves and their buddy / buddies. After a good hour of building, reinforcing and adding extensions the Scouts were ready for a lovely cup of lentil soup. To burn-off excess energy we held a game of speedy charades. Then, just before being dismissed for bed we reflected on why we were sleeping-out and who it is benefitting. Soon after bedtime the rustle of sweetie wrappers could be heard…. Some fell asleep quickly and some had a long blether – the excitement of sleeping in a den, no doubt. We all dropped off eventually. Before we knew it, it was time to get up and tidy our slightly soggy makeshift beds away. Weather-wise we were very lucky: it was a calm, mild evening with one light rain shower. Near-perfect conditions. Overall, a lot of fun for all the Scouts and the Leaders had a good time too. Thanks go to various retailers at Craigleith retail park, in particular: Marks & Spencer, who passed on loads of cardboard to us. But the biggest thanks must go to the friends and families of the Scouts, who dug-deep to raise a whopping £1500 for Edinburgh Food Project! That seems a very worthwhile exchange for a decent night’s sleep!”
South East Scotland Goes International
What a fantastic 2024 we have had with several groups throughout South East Scotland going abroad for Scouting Adventures. Across Europe, we have had members visiting Belgium, Netherlands, Germany with several groups going to Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland. (See the article from the 25th Braid who visited KISC this year). Our Scottish Lead Volunteer for International has written a blog about International Scouting to give you some insight to international camping in Scotland. The Visit Abroad Process for Scouting Abroad is clear and is set out in a 5-step process. If you are just thinking about a trip or wondering what to do, please contact Simon Innes the Regional Lead Volunteer for International at international@sesscouts.org.uk. He will be happy to come a chat to you or a group of interested volunteers, this will be an easy way to find out about international camping and ideas for fundraising. If you have already started planning for 2025 or 2026, please contact Simon with your Part A form if you haven’t already done so. International trips are always the scouting activities that live longest in the memories of Scouts and volunteers alike. Memories “Who risk assessed I was capable of this?” “I don’t even like cheese.” “Can I just give my Gold award back and go back down”: joyous cries of appreciation from the Scouts as we climbed up to nearly 2000m in the summer heat to reach our goal for the day – the Doldenhorn Cheesery Hut, high up in the Swiss Alps. Just one of many fond memories of our Scout Summer Camp to Kandersteg International Scout Centre earlier this year. I was one of a 6-strong adult leadership team, taking 26 young people aged 11 to 14 and one young leader to Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC), Switzerland. Of course they reached top, of course they were capable of it – and of course they polished off all the cheese. In fact, that week, the Scouts surpassed all our expectations, achieved many, many things and created many, many memories. Kandersteg International Scout Centre– a mecca of International Scouting Kandersteg International Scout Camp is a mecca for International Scouting. The main chalet was originally built in 1908 to house and educate children and families of workers building the Lotschberg tunnel. By May 1923, the Chalet and surrounding grounds had been purchased by Scouting bodies and opened as the Kandersteg International Scout Centre – fulfilling Lord Baden-Powel’s dream of creating one place in the world, where the “Jamboree” feeling – feeling of world brotherhood, peace and international friendship – could happen all year long. KISC had been in our sights as a Scout group for a few years – COVID had put a halt to our initial plans – but by summer 2023 we were ready to try again, and our appetite for international experiences was even greater with the restrictions of COVID still so fresh in our minds. This was our first group trip to KISC and, for most of the leaders, our first time organising an international camp. Planning was initially daunting but reaching out to our regional International Scouting Lead Volunteer early on meant we were well supported through every step of the process. Planning was still time consuming – but making robust plans and risk assessments ahead of the trip meant that by the time we met up at Edinburgh airport at 3am on 27th July 2024, 33 of us proudly kitted out in kilts, uniform shirts and the new Scottish International neckie, we felt excited and ready, if not yet quite awake. Camp Life From the moment you arrive through its gates, KISC is a buzzing hive of colourful activity; hundreds of Scouts and leaders wearing multi-coloured neckers and group T-shirts are in constant motion across the site; groups walk purposefully from one activity to another, Scouts of all different neckers play football together on the dusty pitch at the centre of the campsite, small huddles of Scouts bargain with each other for the best neckie or badge swapping deal, and, much more often than I ever expected – groups break out into enthusiastic singing and dancing in front of the main chalet (I don’t think the Portuguese ever stopped dancing). Pinkies, the international volunteers who work at the centre, move amongst the crowds in their cerise pink T-shirts keeping everything running smoothly. The back drop to this activity is incredibly beautiful- the centre is nestled in a river valley, surrounded by towering mountains with the chocolate-box-style Swiss chalet as the main building at the heart of the camp. Visitors can camp or stay in indoor accommodation. We had chosen to camp, hiring tents from KISC, reasoning that our Scouts had probably camped in colder and midgier conditions and meaning that we could use our budget on food- opting for the fully catered option freed leaders and Scouts up from cooking and cleaning duties all week. An army marches on its stomach after all. This turned out to be a great decision: every day we had a buffet style breakfast and evening meal in the canteen in the main chalet and could make ourselves a packed lunch (including up to 6 slices of fresh bread still warm from the local bakery) to take on whatever adventures we needed to fuel that day. Apart from a daily lack of gluten free options, the food was incredible. Several Scouts who had worried they would not like anything, bravely tried new things, and even gave the catering team a rousing BRAVO at the end of the week. Activities Wanting to make the most of our week, we had planned a busy itinerary including on and off-site activities, considering the Scouts love for fun and adventure. One of our first of trips was a whole group trip to Oeschinen where we took Gondolas high up into the mountains and had fun riding the Rodelbahn (toboggan run) before hiking to the beautiful Oeschinen lake beyond and dipping our toes in
Scouting is Growing in South East Scotland!
As 2024 draws to a close (can you believe how fast it’s flown by?), I’ve been taking a moment to reflect and look back on some of the year’s highlights and how we’ve moved forward with our Regional Strategy. Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing more updates on our progress. This year has seen us make major strides in expanding Scouting’s reach and impact across the region. From reopening historic groups to launching brand-new sections, it’s clear: Scouting is thriving, and it’s all thanks to the incredible dedication of all of you, our amazing Volunteers. You are all awesome. While reflecting, I want to spotlight one of our biggest achievements this year: the impressive growth in Scouting across the Region. A Year of Growth: The Highlights As an actuary in my day job, I always have to include some numbers. 2024 has been nothing short of epic for Scouting in South East Scotland. Here’s a quick snapshot: Two new Scout Groups launched 15 sections opened or reopened, including: 6 Squirrel dreys 3 Beaver colonies 3 Cub packs 2 Scout troops 1 Explorer unit More than 2,100 adult volunteers are now supporting our young people across the Region! This level of growth is massive, and it wouldn’t be possible without our tireless volunteers. A special shout-out goes to our District Lead Volunteers, who despite juggling countless tasks have devoted time to focus on growth and development to help expand and strengthen Scouting in their communities. Your hard work, often unrecognised and behind the scenes, is what makes all of this possible. Thank you! But numbers only tell part of the story. Recently, I have enjoyed the opportunity to engage with many of our new sections and groups. Stories of Revival and Community Spirit Jamie, Ben, Chris & Martin at 9th Braid Investiture 9th Braid Scout Group: Back in Action! Earlier this month, the reopening of the 9th Braid Scout Group at George Watson’s College started a new and exciting chapter in its long history. I had the honour of performing the first investitures, welcoming leaders Ben and Jamie into one of our oldest Scout Groups, having first formed back in 1908 (find out more in their extensive archive). They then had the joy of investing the members of their new Beaver Colony and Cub Pack. It’s been a labour of love to get this group back on its feet, and it’s paying off with over 25 young people now enjoying the opportunities that Scouting provides! Hats off to Ben and Jamie, with vital support from Chris and Lead Volunteer Greig as well as their Trustee Board. 7th Ehsan Midlothian Scout Group: The New Kid on the Block In August, the 7th Ehsan Scout Group invited families in Bonnyrigg to join them for an open day. I was delighted to join them for the day, which was a blast, with kids trying out activities and discovering what Scouting is all about. Big thanks to Richard Fairbairn, District Lead Volunteer for Midlothian, and Zahid, Group Lead Volunteer from the 8th Salaam Braid Group for bringing their energy and passion. Since then, both a Beaver colony and Cub pack have kicked off, and we can’t wait to see this group grow. Further thanks are due to Richard and his district team, as well as the new volunteers in the group for their enthusiasm in getting the new group established. 7th Ehsan Midlothian Scout Group Open Day 20th AlFonj Edinburgh North East Scout Group Learning Day 20th AlFonj Edinburgh NE Scout Group: A Community Hub One of the most inspiring stories this year has been the rise of the 20th AlFonj Scout Group in Niddrie/Craigmillar. Driven by the local Sudanese community’s desire for Scouting, the group, led by Group Lead Volunteer, Fawzia, has brought together volunteers to create a space for all sections—from Squirrels to Scouts. I, along with other members of the Regional Team, were privileged to host and run a Learning day and were blown away by the enthusiasm and energy that the volunteers have for Scouting and supporting the young people. It’s clear this group is going to be a pillar in their community. As well as Fawzia and her team, my thanks to Bill Ramsay as Lead Volunteer for Edinburgh North East and the District team for the work that they have done to support the new group getting started. These stories are just the tip of the iceberg. Even more new sections are set to launch in the coming months, bringing the joy of Scouting to even more young people across the region. The Dream Team Behind the Growth None of this would be possible without the efforts of our dedicated Scouting Support Staff, Nacho and Amy. In just six months, they’ve injected so much energy and creativity into our growth strategy, helping bring more volunteers into the movement. And let’s not forget Calum Harvie, Local Growth Officer at Scouts Scotland, whose support has been invaluable. Together, they’ve been instrumental in helping us reach new communities and offer Scouting to more young people than ever before. Growing for the Future Martin with Adult Volunteers and Young Leaders from across all 7 Districts at Bonaly Explorer Scout Young Leaders are key to our growth as they provide vital support to our sections and also the skills that they learn as Young Leaders help prepare them to lead our Sections and Groups in the future. Despite being heavily jetlagged I was delighted to join 62 of our Young Leaders recently for a dedicated day at Bonaly where they took part in a wide range of activities and shared ideas which will help shape Scouting in the Region. I would like to thank Allison Gamble and her team of volunteers as well as the team at Bonaly for putting on an amazing day. It was also appropriate that part of the funding for the day came from money raised in memory of Ken Thomson, for whom Growth and Learning were strong passions throughout his
Young Leader Day: A Thrilling New Adventure for Future Scout Leaders!
On the 5th of October 2024, an exciting new chapter began for young leaders across the region as they came together for the inaugural Young Leader Activity Day. With 62 passionate Young Leaders representing all seven districts and supported by 23 dedicated adult leaders, it was a day packed with energy, excitement, and plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, and make memories. The adventure began at 10 am, with a warm welcome to everyone. After a brief introduction to the activities planned for the day, the Young Leaders were grouped and sent off to their first activity bases. By mixing up the groups, they had the chance to make new friends, share stories, and learn about what other Young Leaders were doing in their sections. This wasn’t just about skills; it was about building connections across the region. Action, Adventure and Fun at Every Turn! Throughout the day, the Young Leaders rotated through six thrilling activity bases. Whether it was testing their aim at Archery, working together to solve puzzles in Escape, balancing skill and teamwork on the Mohawk Walk, or throwing themselves into the creative challenges of Pioneering, there was something for everyone. They even had the chance to feel the rush of hitting a bullseye in Axe Throwing! In between the action, there was also time for important conversations. The Young Leaders Forum allowed them to discuss their experiences, share ideas, and ask questions. Leaders were on hand to answer queries about the Young Leader Scheme, offering advice on how to navigate modules and missions, and providing guidance on how to achieve the coveted Top Awards. Today has been a fantastic opportunity for our young leaders across South East Scotland to build friendships and share ideas with each other. The feedback they’ve given us as a Youth Team through the young leader forum has been invaluable and will significantly shape how we develop the young leaders scheme in the region George Brightman Youth Lead for South East Scotland Click Here A Day to Remember: Camfire and Celebrations As the sun dipped below the hills, the Young Leaders gathered for dinner, but the day’s excitement was far from over. The real magic began at the campfire, where they were joined by Explorers, Cubs, Scouts, and Brownies who were also spending the weekend at Bonaly. There, under a starlit sky, they sang, laughed, and cheered. The atmosphere was electric as leaders and Young Leaders alike took turns leading their favourite songs, creating an unforgettable harmony of voices. It was also a moment to celebrate achievements. Some Young Leaders were honoured with Top Awards, recognising their hard work and dedication. It was the perfect end to a day filled with adventure, camaraderie, and joy. What the Young Leaders Had to Say Great way to connect with new people, and reconnect with friends from other scouting events. EmilyYoung Leader – Scottish Borders The Regional Young Leader Activity Day was an amazing way to take a break from being at my section and having fun with others that are sharing my experiences HaydenYoung Leader – Braid Really great time, would go again AaronYoung Leader – East Lothian There was a lot of exciting learning opportunities with a great chance to find new friends and develop existing target practice skills through the activities put on Carla & OllieYoung Leaders – Midlothian I really enjoyed meeting other young leaders and catching up with friends I hadn’t seen HeidiYoung Leader – Pentland The activities were great fun and the people there were really enjoyable to be around. I would definitely recommend in the future WilliamYoung Leader – Braid Absolute banging, would recommend anyone to go. CameronYoung Leaders – Scottish Borders Previous Next 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: Explorer Scout Young Leaders: Part of both an Explorer Unit and a Young Leader Unit. District Young Leaders: Dedicated to their role within the District Young Leader Unit, without being part of an Explorer Unit. 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. 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! Official District Photographs
Summer Olympics on Loch Tay?
Our 2024 Summer Camp was held at one of our favourite sites on a greenfield site at Ardtalnaig on the south shore of Loch Tay. On the Thursday evening, we packed the van with hundreds of pieces of kit including the kitchen sink. We travelled on the Saturday morning and arrived at camp to find the advance party had managed to do a great job putting up two marquees, three mess tents and numerous leader tents. The 35 Scouts, supported by some of the Leader team put up the patrol stormhavens and dining shelters as the rest of the Leader Team prepared the remainder of the camp. On the Saturday night after, a communal dinner, we introduced our “Olympics” theme and assigned Patrols to the Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The Scouts spent the first evening learning about their Continent and created montages and patrol signs – they were all superb. We had our first campfire of the week, and we knew, based on the singing, it was going to be a great camp. On Sunday, after the first breakfast cooked by the Scouts, we had our initial patrol inspection (to set the camp standards) and then we had our Regatta Day on the Loch. The Sea Scout Leaders facilitated an excellent day of raft building, water games and power boat riding. The weather was brilliant during the day and the Scouts honed their sea scout skills whilst having a fun time. We then had a BBQ on the shore followed by our “Olympic Camp Opening Ceremony” – it was awesome to see the Patrols parading their flags and outputs from the previous evening. We also gave out our first Olympic medals on the podium, followed by a campfire and songs. Monday started in great sunshine, and the Scouts spent the day developing a range of Scout skills including first aid, ropes and pulleys, knots, tarp shelters and cooking. We had the outputs for the cooking base for lunch. We also had a “silly Olympic games” evening led by Emma where the competitive nature of our Scouts came to the fore especially with the “catapult chicken”. We finished the evening off with another camp fire. On Tuesday we did Canyoning with the Rafting Company – the older Scouts set off early and really enjoyed jumping into plunge pools, sliding down waterfalls and having an enormous amount of fun. The younger Scouts spent a couple of hours transforming the garden of David and Jo our hosts, who given the time they spend supporting people in Ukraine, don’t have time for gardening. The Scouts were entertained by Jo’s dogs, Digger and Dougal. In the afternoon, the younger Scouts did canyoning, whilst the older Scouts removed over 400 pieces of “ragwort” which is dangerous to cows and horses, from a field on the site. Our hosts were very pleased with what we had given back to the community. After another evening meal cooked by the Scouts, we had more Olympic based sports games in sunshine which kept the midges away. On Wednesday morning we had an “axe and saw” skills session where the Scouts learned how to saw and axe wood in a safe manner. It also allowed us to accumulate a lot of wood for the campfires during the remainder of the week. We also painted the flags of over 50 countries on flat stones, in preparation for our banquet later in the week. After lunch we headed off to Aberfeldy in our Olympic themed t-shirts, where we went on a walk to the Birks of Aberfeldy. We then played in the local park and had supper from the local fish and chip shop before returning to camp to do some whittling. Unfortunately, a small number of Scouts were sick during the evening. The Scouts were very brave and understanding as they were isolated, and the leaders did a great job in reacting to a difficult situation. On Thursday, we had to rethink the day as we decided to cancel the overnight canoe expedition. With great support from our sea scout leaders, we organised a brilliant kayak expedition along the loch, where James provided eggs rolls and marshmallows, before returning to camp where we created our own “expedition island” so the Scouts could complete their expedition. The younger scouts did some Scout skills in the morning including whittling and learning how to use trangias before going on a walk to the lower hills above Acharn where they visited a Hermits Cave, a historic Stone Circle and did some cherry foraging before returning via the excellent Acharn falls. In the evening the younger Scouts searched for “unlabelled” tins for their dinner including tomato soup, beef stew, tatties, and they made crepes to go with pears and cherries. On Friday morning, we visited the newly opened Crannog Centre where the scouts were shown outdoor skills from ancient times. They also met Dom, the blacksmith from The Repair Shop who was doing some filming at the centre. In the afternoon, we had our final “Olympic Games” with much competition to try to gain those points which would win the prizes including throw the welly, javelin, relay racing and dancing, all in very hot weather, In the evening, Karen and Anne, our superb camp cooks, prepared a brilliant Olympic banquet meal including Italian Salami, African couscous and kofka, Asian sweet and sour chicken followed by Australian caramilk mousse!!! 40 portions all made in the middle of a field in a marquee. At the banquet we gave out the camp prizes as follows: Best Newcomers – Evie and Hannah Happiest Scout – Conal Olympic Games Medal Winners – Oceania Patrol Best Patrol Leader – Charlie Best Patrol – Asia Patrol We closed the evening by presenting the Chief Scout Gold Award to 3 Scouts – after four years of attending Friday Scouts, engaging in activities and challenges, and attending Easter and Summer Camps – massive congratulations to Charlie, Daniel and Lucy (who unfortunately had already
30th Craigalmond head to the Swiss Alps
After months of planning, 31 Scouts and 11 adult volunteers from 30th Craigalmond (Davidson’s Mains) Scout Group travelled to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland for a full week of activities with thousands of Scouts from around the world! Arrival and Setup The group arrived safely at KISC at 3:45pm on Saturday. They quickly set up their tented village, and by 5pm, the Pink Panther Explorers (many who were former 30th Craigalmond Scouts) joined them. Despite a sudden thunderstorm and heavy rain that delayed the setup of communal tents, the Scouts managed to stay dry and fuelled with “tactical snacks” until a late dinner. Sunday: International Flag Break and Sports Sunday began with a sunny welcome and an international flag break ceremony with 800 Scouts on-site. The Scouts joined in games during the international day morning after the flag break, discovering new games to share at future camps, such as the rope walk and the popular finger light sabre game. After intermingling games and enthusiastic cheering, the Scouts enjoyed some downtime. By 2pm, many participated in international volleyball and football games, while others engaged in pioneering activities, building a flagpole and bench, or some a water fight. The day ended with a name game with the Pink Panther Explorers and an international evening for swapping neckers and gifts. Monday: Mountain Hike A dry and sunny Monday allowed the Scouts to take a cable car ride into the mountains. They ascended to Sunnebuhl and hiked for three hours in the Gemmi valley, stopping for lunch by a glacial lake. After a refreshing rest, paddle, and drinks, they hiked back downhill, returning for dinner and a well-earned rest. Tuesday: Bobsleigh Track and Lake Swimming The Scouts enjoyed another cable car ride on Tuesday, this time to Oeschinensee rohdelbahn. They raced down a bobsleigh-type track on buggies, towed back up for more fun, and spent the afternoon swimming in the lake. The evening concluded with campfire songs and the much-loved S’mores. Wednesday: Town Exploration and Cooking Despite rain showers and thunderstorms, the Scouts had a great time swimming in the town’s outdoor pool and exploring local shops to buy souvenirs and gifts. A Scout team took charge of cooking dinner for the camp on Wednesday evening, providing a hearty meal for everyone. The Scouts leaving the Scout Troop after summer joined the Explorers in the sauna that evening, with one accidentally visiting the ladies’ shower block by mistake, which was quickly rectified. Thursday: Swiss National Day and Fun Thursday was Swiss National Day, filled with activities like zip wire and crate climbing, as well as eco projects towards the KISC Challenge Badge. That evening, they joined over 1,800 Scouts from 39 countries for a BBQ and a parade into the town centre. One Scout also found a glow bug near their site, adding a magical touch to the evening. Departure The Scouts broke camp and loaded the van before departing on Friday morning. Throughout the week, they kept journals, documenting their experiences and reflections. Some Scouts also enjoyed quiet time making friendship bracelets. The trip concluded with the Scouts trading neckers, badges, and food, forming international bonds and enriching their cultural experiences. Conclusion The trip was a resounding success, offering the Scouts experiences of international camaraderie, adventure, and personal growth. Some memorable highlights from the Scouts include: – “Free time with friends in a different country.” – “Meeting people from different countries.” – “The scenery.” – “Swimming in the lake.”