A New Face at Bonaly

A New Face at Bonaly

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

Parties and Planning for SEEE

Parties and Planning for SEEE

Picture of SEEE Team

SEEE Team

John Buchanan
South East Explorers Expeditions

SEEE Social

SEEE was delighted to host its first social meeting for the volunteers who help make expeditions possible for some 150 Explorer Scouts and Network members, with options this year for hillwalking and biking.

As well as providing an opportunity for the team to catch up and swap ideas for this year, Martin Elliot, Lead Volunteer, dropped in to present a number of Awards. We picture Neil Wotherspoon and Colin Gibson receiving Commendation Awards for all their work providing expeditions for those with individual needs, and Kyla, a recent King’s Scout Award recipient and expedition participant, giving Neil our new SEEE necker. Martin also presented an Award for 15 Years service Award to longstanding SEEE volunteer Janet Paterson, and we’d also like to recognise Val Bichener and Phil Young for recently received Service Awards.

Expeditions 2025

We are in the process of sending out information to set up the expeditions and training for Silver and Gold Hillwalking expeditions. Biking will follow shortly. The deadline for Bronzes to apply for an expedition is 2 February, and their training and expeditions will be arranged in Districts, where possible.

DofE in general

Those starting DofE and those moving up a level are reminded that they should register as explained on our page https://see-expeditions.org.uk/register-for-bronze-silver-or-gold-dofe/. Our website contains up-to-date information on expeditions, and general advice for all participants.

Adult helpers needed

We are currently recruiting adults to help with training at Bonaly in March, for Practice expeditions in May/June, and for Qualifying expeditions in August/September.  If you think you could help (and you do not need a permit) please complete this form: https://form.jotform.com/sesscouts/helping-hillwalking-expeditions-202 .  After submitting it, you will receive a link that allows you to modify it directly if things change.  You can also contact us on seee.team@sesscouts.org.uk

Put these Key Gang Show Dates in Your Diary

Put these Key Gang Show Dates in Your Diary

Picture of Scott Walker

Scott Walker

Gang Show Marketing Lead

The Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 will be held between Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th November 2025 at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre

The audition dates for the Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 are as follows:

Main Gang Auditions – (Scouts, Guides, Explorer Scouts, Rangers, Network)

Sunday 27 April @ St Anne’s Parish Church, Kaimes Road, Edinburgh

Junior Gang Auditions – (Cub Scouts & Brownies)

Sunday 11 May @ Blackhall, St Columba’s, Columba Road, Edinburgh

Full details about auditions will be in following newsletters.

Who Are Explorer Scout Young Leaders?

Who Are Explorer Scout Young Leaders?

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! 

Put these Key Gang Show Dates in Your Diary

Curtain Falls on Gang Show 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

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?