Gilwell 24 2011 - No Limits ESU

Newport Scouts Supports RSPB Newport Wetlands Open Day 2011

The RSPB Newport wetland invited the executive to participate in its annual open day.

This involved a range of stalls, guided walks, refreshments and children's activities.

  

Stalls and displays by Countryside Council For Wales, RSPB, GWT, GOS, Newport City Council, Swan Rescue, Gwent Badger Group, GARG, Girl Guiding, Newport Scouts and more.

 

The bouldering wall proved a real draw with the youngsters that attended the event, the line waiting to climb seemed endless, much so that it was closed for 30 mins for leaders to have a quick bite of lunch and a sit down. Other activities that members of the district provided included basic knot skills, paper helicopters along with Robin Hood Hat’s.

Numerous interested youngsters wishing to join the movement along with a few potential new leaders were received.

Les A.

DC Newport Scouts.

District Cub Camp - 2011

Yes well into the summer term so we’re off to England for the district cub camp. Some groups sending their advance teams to set up their camps sites before the cubs turn up on the Friday night after they finish school for the weekend. Why set up before the cubs turn up? – it’s often safer to bring transport onto the camping field when there’s no cubs play and enjoying themselves. Like most camps as soon as you turn up with your kit even before you’ve opened the door someone will be telling when you must get your transport off the field [a Welcome would be nice]? They mean well.

So with the advance teams working hard to make and set up their base camps it’s time for a cupper and meet up for the normal leg pulling stories etc. such fun.

Friday morning and sun [yes sun] making the work of putting up the rest of the tents and social areas  etc ready for that quiet time before the cubs, parents and the rest of the leadership teams turn up ready to play their part. The energy level is now turned up to full so the camp is getting off to a great start. Friday night supper, it’s Hot dogs and hot chocolate! Then back to the all night football match. Great fun!

Saturday and the main day of the camp – Breakfast and visit from a very senior [in years] member of scouting who seem surprised that cubs would be up early and making a noise? But on with the activities! The camp theme is the world – New Zealand, Egypt, Australia, USA, Holland, China, Spain Barbados not forgetting France.

So what did we do? Beach party with sand and cocktails, making Chinese lanterns, playing Dutch games and trying on wood shoes [clogs],  some cubs  were turned into Mummies’, water games in USA and bull fighting and pancake making [and eating] plus one group who had a chill out area complete with cool foot bath. All under a very hot sun! Later on a ‘camp fire’ sing songs then bed. Yes a much quieter night so I am told.

Sunday morning breakfast and time for a ‘Cubs Own’ and a great opportunity to say thank you, and think about others! The ground crew start the hard work of breaking camp and loading the transport, remember we’ve been told no transport on the main field until 13.30hrs – so ? Our final picnic lunch and the fun of packing your own kit into your own bags! So what fun the parents have unpacking back at home to find items that they have not met before.

The main kit packed – a quick visit to the boys room before travelling back our HQ’s and yes unloading the van again before heading home.  Yes hard work but great fun for all. Thanks to everyone for the efforts to ensure a great weekend cub scouting.

Report by Polly.

The DC's Bit - Sumer 2011

What a June and start to July!!

District scouts completed their sailing weekends held at Cardiff Bay, with almost 80 scouts completing the course. Keeping with a wet theme they then traveled to deepest Carmarthenshire Llandyssul for their annual summer camp which was water based, rumours have it that the catering was outstanding with choice and quantity.

Cubs have had some great times also firstly several coach loads travelled to Builth Wells to take part in the All Wales Cub Scout Fun Day, the weather may have been a little overcast but that did nothing to dampen the fun had by almost 3000 cubs that attended the event. This was then closely followed by the district camp held once again at Woodhouse Park Centre Bristol, the sun shone for this one and a great time was had by all who attended.

Beavers several colonies converged in the grounds of Tredegar House along with other colonies from the whole of Gwent, at their Area Fun Day, the number of different activities provide a whole day of enjoyment for the younger members of the scout movement. Refreshments were on hand throughout the day provided by our own SAS unit – Thank you. The day ended with a camp fire and the cutting and distribution of the celebratory 25^th birthday cake, created by Mrs L White 1^st Caerleon.

Newport Civic parade took place on Sunday 19^th June, unfortunately due to the clash with the scouts away on camp, father’s day also, numbers were down on previous years but many thanks to those members who took part.

·       District Badge Sales – will only be available between school term times.

·       NAN Forms – camp organisers need to be aware that these need to be with Nigel White at least 7 days before the start of the event; otherwise it may result in the event having to be cancelled.

·       SAS – are supporting local charity Mary’s meals. They are doing this through a scheme called “the backpack appeal”. Full details are available from Margaret Thompson can I ask that as a district if each group can supply just one backpack minimum, this will make it worth while for the charity to collect.

Forthcoming Events:-

·     July 10^th Newport Wetlands Open Day – starting 11am.

Advanced Notification 2012:-

·     May 25^th / 27^th 2012 – Gwent Area Scouts will be holding a Jamboree style “Portcullis Camp”, on the Vauxhall Fields Nr Monmouth. This is going to be open to All Sections. Can Groups please register there interest ASAP.

To all those of you planning summer camps have a good time, and thank you all for providing another amazing scouting year to the youngsters of Newport District.

See you back in September,

Les A.

Area Beaver Fun Day

On a wet blustery day in June groups from across the Area gathered at Tredegar House to set up activities for the Beaver fun day.

The wide variety of activities was based on the continents of the world. Beavers could pan for gold in America, make masks in Africa, become a Chinese dragon in China, and fly helicopters in Europe to name but a few activities.

There were over 270 Beavers taking part with another 70 adults present.

By the middle of the day the sun shone on us all so we were able to have a picnic on the grass.

The day ended with a huge camp sing along led by Mr Keith Daniels

Many thanks to Lynne White for making the amazing cake which went down a storm.

Also thanks to the Newport Scout Active support for providing the welcome cup of tea or coffee.

Click here for a link to the photo slide show 

Sue

ADC Beavers Newport