Rough Close 2013

Rough Close July 2013

Hi Leaders!

Some pictures from our weekend at the Rough Close Scout Campsite near Coventry have been added to the website.

Just click on the image above to view them.

All the best,
Adam (Chief)

Camp Cook Activity Badge July 2013

Scout Meeting 22nd July 2013

Hi All,

Over the last two Scout meetings before the Summer holidays, several of our Scouts started work to achieve their Camp Cook activity badges.

As you can see, some very interesting and creative dishes were attempted by the Scouts, who used a variety of cooking methods to produce some extremely appetising meals.

The Scouts will continue with this badgework when we return after the Summer.

Yours in Scouting,
The Scout Leaders

Joint Scout & Explorer Survival Camp July 2013

Joint Scout & Explorer Camp July 2013

Hi All,

During the weekend of 20th July, four of our Scouts took part in a minimalist Camp organised by Members of the SOS Explorer Unit.

During the Camp the Scouts made their own shelters to sleep in at night, learned how to build and cook on an open fire, how to use axes, saws & knives safely plus other very useful Scouting skills.

Well done to the following Scouts for taking part in the joint Scout/Explorer survival camp:

Byron, Aaron, Omar & Daniel

Laura and I also practised our Scouting skills by building a shelter and boiling water/cooking meals using natural resources from the forest.

Many thanks to the Explorers for organising and running the Camp.

Yours in Scouting,
Adam, Laura & Andy

Raft Race 2013

Raft Race 2013

Hi All,

On Sat 6th July, we took part in the Sutton Coldfield East & West District Scout raft race.

This year we changed the design of our raft in an attempt to regain the title we were robbed of last year. Needless to say we did not succeed!

Although we did not finish, the Scouts put the raft together well and had an hilarious time reaching the first marker.

They also entertained the crowd for a good part of the race and got a ride in the power boat at the end!

Well done to the following Scouts for taking part in this year's race:

Byron KJ
Daniel P
Cameron D
Simon U
Lawrence P

Many thanks also to Nigel for his part in the adventure.

We will be posting some amazing 'head-cam' footage onto the website in due course.

We would also like to thank the handful of parents who turned up to support us.

Yours in Scouting,
The Scout Leaders

Chief Scout Gold Award Presentations April 2013

Scout Meeting 22nd April 2013

Hi All,

During the month of April Dave Phillips, our GSL, presented several of our Scouts with their Chief Scout Gold Awards, the highest award a Scout can achieve.

Well done to: Lauren A, Jacob H, Lawrence P, Kelsey J, Nicola P, Josie P & Pia KJ

This follows on from Vincent P who achieved the award in 2012.

Pia will be presented were her award in Sept, along with Jenny C who also gained her award in June.

Their names will be added to the honours board for all to see.

Yours in Scouting,

Adam (Chief)

Scout Meeting 15/04/2013

Scout Meeting 15th April 2013

Hi All,

On Monday 15th April we challenged our Scouts to design and build a container that would prevent an uncooked chicken egg from breaking when dropped by a Leader from a height of approx 4m. The Scouts should also be able to remove the egg without damage.
The Scouts worked in pairs or Groups and came up with many interesting and varied designs.
At the end of the challenge we dropped each container from a height of approx 4m and recorded the results. There was a prize for the winners who’s eggs survived and a consolation prize for everyone else.
We had a lot of fun and the night was a big success. We will be running a similar event later on in the year.

Best regards,
The Scout Leaders

Cosford Air Show 2013

Cosford Air Show 2013

Hi All,

On Sunday 9th June we took 13 of our Cubs & Scouts to the Cosford air show in Shropshire.

We met at HQ early on Sunday morning and boarded a minibus, which we’d hired from our colleagues at the 11th. The weather was perfect!

We then headed onto the motorway network before joining a massive queue into Cosford.
By around 12.30pm we reached our destination and were directed onto the car park reserved for air cadets and other youth groups such as the Scouts.
Whilst waiting in another queue, we watched a very noisy RAF Typhoon roar through the clouds and do some very interesting manouevres.

After we had parked up, the first stop was the toilets and then choose a spot where we could all meet up over the day.
After we had chosen an easily recognisable meeting point, we split the group up and allowed the Scouts some free time to explore the airfield.
Kelly and a parent took charge of the Cubs and asked them what they would like to do. First stop, the market!

We then did some further exploration of the airfield before we all met up for lunch at approx 2pm. During lunch we watched one of my favourites, the battle of Britain memorial flight. This is always a favourite of the crowd and the sound of those Rolls Royce engines is amazing.
After this exciting bit of history we let both groups of Scouts have some free time to explore the other attractions that were on offer at the air show.

At approx 3pm we watched the brilliant Red Arrows and got some amazing footage of the display. After the Red Arrows, we watched an Apache gunship be put through it's paces. We later found out that the pilot was none other than HRH Prince Harry!

At approx 4pm, all the Cubs & Scouts came back to watch the grand finale. They were treated to a flyover by a Vulcan bomber, the only one in the world still flying. This was a piece of real history roaring through the clouds and one that we may never see again.

At approx 4.30pm, we got back into the minibus and headed home. The Scouts and Cubs had a great day out and the weather stayed perfect.

Please click on the above image to see some more pictures taken over the day.

We hope to organise similar events in the future.

All the best,
Adam, Andy & Kelly