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

Supporting Explorer Scout Young Leaders

7 Feb 2025

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:

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?

30 Nov 2024

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.

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.

Celebrating our Latest King’s Scouts

30 Nov 2024

Laura Haley

Network Lead

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

29 Nov 2024

Emma Cunningham

Scout Leader, 82nd Cramond Friday Scouts

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

29 Nov 2024

SUMR'24

25th Braid Scouts
Kandersteg International Scout Centre

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 its stunning blue waters. This was the perfect backdrop to award the Chief Scout Gold award to the 12 Scouts who had achieved it – the highest award you can reach in Scouting and hopefully a memorable place for them to receive it.

Every Scout did an Alpine hike during the week- some of the younger and smaller Scouts hiked to the Gastern valley, and according to the leader that was with them that day, secured world peace with the wishing stone. The older Scouts hiked higher to the Alpine huts -possibly more like type 2 fun for these Scouts- we all found walking uphill in heat quite a challenge, but the views were worth the effort and a few even said it was their favourite activity of the week!

The outdoor swimming pool in Kandersteg village was a really popular day with the Scouts- they had a chance to swim and play in an outdoor pool as well as enjoying a bit of souvenir shopping and an ice cream in the pretty village of Kandersteg itself. Another success was the High Ropes course at Interlaken. This was like a vast “Go Ape” course- we barely had enough time to complete all the ropes courses, and it was a huge favourite of the Scouts. Travelling there and back successfully from KISC (a 2-train journey) was the biggest relief for the leaders after hearing the day before of another group that had taken the wrong train and ended up in Italy.

Lots of on-site activities were also incredibly memorable: a campfire in the woods with over 800 Scouts, hearing songs and skits from Scouts from all over the world, the International day which involved groups setting up stalls on the main football pitch, wearing national dress and showcasing traditions and foods from their home country – in our case Tunnock’s teacakes and haggis racing. We had opportunities to try fondue, baklava, Eton mess and numerous other international delights.

One of the most vibrant memories of the week was the 1st August celebrations. 1st August is Swiss National Day, and it is celebrated across Switzerland with parades, bonfires and fireworks. At KISC, the day’s celebrations culminate in a parade from KISC chalet into the village. We all paraded in uniform and sang and marched our way into the village green where the celebrations continued with bonfires and music. The gentle ringing of Swiss cowbells was replaced for the night by loud renditions of each country’s finest songs. Our Scouts enthusiastic contributions – the Proclaimers’ “500 miles” and “You cannae shove yer Granny off a bus” on repeat are still ringing in my ears today.

A successful trip is not built in day (a week- or even a year).

Kandersteg was a fantastic trip and there were many obvious factors that contributed to the success of this trip- stunning scenery, great food, amazing activities to name a few. But reflecting on the trip, and particularly on how well the young people had coped, I realised that the real reasons for the success of the trip stretched back many years. Most of the Scouts on the trip had been together as a group since they joined as 5-year-olds Beaver Scouts. They had already formed relationships and friendships that had been forged through the fun, challenges and adventures of at least 6 years-worth of weekly meetings and camps. The resilience they showed when the unexpected Alpine storms soaked through our site had been forged on the fields of camps like the Meggernie cub camp (I didn’t go but I heard about the rain!), badge and neckie swapping skills had been learned and honed at Blair Atholl jamborette, and their ability to mix with other Scouts and see themselves as part of something much wider than our own Scout group, learned from attending one of the many Scotland-wide adventure camps.

KISC was a great success and a fun trip, but this was hugely due to the time and dedication the young people have put into their own Scouting journey over many years.

Final Words

At the end of the camp, we stood in a circle in front of the main chalet, waiting for our bus to arrive, and asked each of the Scouts and leaders what their favourite part of the trip was. Opinions varied, most couldn’t stick to one and opted for two or even three favourites. Answers were: the views, the swimming pool, playing football with other people, high ropes, tobogganing, trading badges, the parade, signing songs, hiking, having new experiences but almost everyone agreed that one of their outstanding highlights was meeting new people. I remembered that at the start of the week, during the camp opening ceremony, when the hundreds of visiting Scouts were gathered in the camp circle for the first time, the Pinky-in-charge had spoken about Kandersteg; “People come for the mountains – but they leave remembering the new friends and people they have met”.

Kandersteg was about lots of things but above all it was about exactly what our Scouts have said: meeting new people, having new experiences and coming together with people from across the world all under the umbrella and common ground of Scouting. If you haven’t been yet – go – you will make memories that last a lifetime.

With huge thanks to the William Lyburn Trust and South East Scotland International fund for supporting our trip.

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South East Scotland Scouts
71 Bonaly Road
Edinburgh
EH13 0PB
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Family Gala Day

Celebrate Scouting at Bonaly Scout Centre 6 & 7 September 2025

Supporting Explorer Scout Young Leaders

Allison Gamble

Who Are Explorer Scout Young Leaders?

Young Leaders and Top Awards: The Path to Success

Young Leader Camp

Who Are Explorer Scout Young Leaders?

Allison Gamble

Young Leaders and Top Awards: The Path to Success

Celebrating our Latest King’s Scouts

Laura Haley

Lois

Scott

Kyla

Ryan

Sam

Scouts Sleepout to Support Foodbank

Emma Cunningham

South East Scotland Goes International

SUMR'24

Memories

Kandersteg International Scout Centre– a mecca of International Scouting

Camp Life

Activities

A successful trip is not built in day (a week- or even a year).

Final Words

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