Cambridgeshire Scouts

Scout Network

Scout Network
For all 18 - 25 year olds

The Scout Network is for young adults aged 18 to 25. You do not need to be a Scout Leader to be a member of the Scout Network. However, if you are a leader then you can also access the benefits that being a Network member brings.

The Scout Network is a fast growing organisation, operating both at County and District level across Cambridgeshire.

The programme reflects the huge variation in members' interests. A key elements is the opportunity to continue to enjoy the adventure of Scouting as an adult. Scout Network members also enjoy great support with schemes like the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

For further information about Scout Network activities for 18 to 25 year olds in Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Peterborough, St Ives and Wisbech contact Deputy County Commissioner Phil Garrett. Email: pg101@cam.ac.uk

I want to join

If you would like to get involved with the Scout Network in Cambridgeshire, please complete the Scout Association's online enquiry form by clicking here.

Network happenings

Cambridge Network “The Muppets”A weekend in June saw Cambridge Network (AKA The Muppets) head to Southend for ‘Mad UK’, the annual network camp hosted by Essex Network. After a quick trip to Southend Seafront to introduce Lise (a visiting Danish Scout) to fish and chips. Friday night was a chance to meet other Networkers from across the Country for a beverage or two. Saturday gave us the opportunity to try something new with a variety of activities on offer. Many of us Muppets tried Fencing for the first time, finding it bizarre to be encouraged to stab your friends! Power Kiting also proved to be a good challenge with the gusty conditions and wet grass sending a number of The Muppets flying across the campsite. The legendary camp delicacy the ‘MAD burger’: two burgers, cheese, bacon, pineapple and a fried Egg all in one roll proved quite a test, although one Muppet managed four!

Saturday evening shenanigans were a Hollywood themed party, with us transformed into Pirates, partying with Oompa-Loompas, Jedi and a 1930s film crew amongst others. An ‘It’s a Knockout’ Competition with a mix of inflatable slides, shaving foam, flour and plenty of water provided much entertainment on Sunday. We did Cambridgeshire proud, joining forces with a group from Hertfordshire to win the competition overall; guess that means we’ll just have to return next year to defend our title!

Cambridge Network (The Muppets) staff a Wedding

Cambridge Network (The Muppets) pride themselves on being able to rise to any challenge, so when we received an email from a Scouter in Bristol asking if we would wait and staff the bar at his wedding in Cambridge, we had no doubts in accepting the invitation. Fortunately for the guests we weren’t doing the cooking, this was provided by a Chinese restaurant in Cambridge.

Arriving at Stow-cum-Quy village hall, we found a beautifully decorated room, a well stocked bar and comprehensive timetables and menus. I thought it was only the bride that was allowed to be late to the wedding; much to our relief the food finally arrived about 20 minutes after most of the 100 guests!

Having served the starters, it was onto the eight different main courses plus two plates of rice for all twelve tables, I’m not sure I’ve seen seven muppets move so fast, doing laps of the kitchen. The limited space proved quite entertaining when we had to clear 300 plates and dishes at the same time as plating up 100 desserts!

The groom presented us with his group’s scarves during his wedding speech and explained to any guests that had not worked out already that we weren’t professionals!

After such a successful evening, we already have our next booking, cooking at the county BBQ!

Icenorum Living History Group

Icenorum Living History Group covers the Iron Age, Roman, Anglo Saxon and Viking periods and they would love the opportunity to present their displays.

They have recently received a grant from the Local Network Fund to enable them to do just that, to put on events for community groups such as the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, a grant which has reduced the cost a great deal to just £1 per child.

The group is particularly interested in exploring ideas raised concerning changes arising from immigration/invasion, the improvements this brought and how this country became what it is thanks to excellent new ideas.

Although this might sound rather serious and daunting, in actual fact it is great fun trying out, for example, Roman weaponry and armour (all child-safe), talking about a day in the life of an auxiliary, or preparing (very smelly) Roman food!

If you would like further information then contact Mary Hannigan at icenorum@hotmail.co.uk

By the way, they are all teachers and parents and are all CRB checked.

Cambridge Scout Expedition Ghana 2008

Cambridgeshire Scouts will be travelling to Ghana in the summer of 2008. The plan is to work with the Scout association of Ghana on a building project, building a Scout hut in the Hohoe region of the country.

Ghana is situated in the North West of Africa. During their visit it will be hot and probably dry. For those involved there will be certain amount of training to undertake and of course, fund raising.

As well as building the Scout Hall there will be an opportunity to see the wider aspects of Africa and Ghanaian life.

For up-to-date information look at www.expeditionghana2008.btik.com/home.ikml

This will not be the last Cambridge expedition, others will follow in subsequent years but this should be an experience of a lifetime and a good starting point for countywide expeditions.

Essex International Jamboree 2008

www.essexscouts.org.uk/jamboree
jamboree@essexscouts.org.uk

26th July to 2nd August - Kirby-le-Soken, North Essex.

Come and join thousands at one of the UKs biggest jamborees, where over 7,000 Scouts and Guides gather in Essex every four years for the Essex International Jamboree 2008 for a week of activities and international friendship.

International Friendship and Adventure
Participants can take part in a variety of activities including water and a variety of land activities. In the evening the market square will offer a busy atmosphere of live entertainments from around the globe complimented by a selection of eating areas to suit all tastes.

The Staff Experience
If you’re 16 or over, why not join the staff team, and help make the Jamboree happen. You could volunteer to help set up the campsite, assist with activities or help to ensure that everyone has a great time by providing adventure and fun to thousands of young people. The staff experience includes evening entertainments, relaxation areas and a full catering provision.

All fees include a badge, a scarf, site fees and entertainments and online registration is now open at www.essexscouts.org.uk/jamboree

British Heart Foundation Half Marathon
Sunday 14th September 2008

Here is an offer from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire for Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Scout Networkers and adult volunteers to participate in a fantastic event at Wimpole Hall in September 2008.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, CSV Action and the British Heart Foundation have partnered up to host a half marathon that will take place on Sunday 14th September at Wimpole Hall.

There are a number of things the organisers need in order to pull this off and unfortunately, money is, as ever, an issue!!

In particular they need a large marquee and marshalls to guide people along the way; individuals with basic First Aid skills would also be great.

Is there a Scout Group in the County that could lend a marquee for the event and are there Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Networkers and adult volunteers out there that would be interested in getting involved? It will be great fun, we may get on the radio but above all it will really help the British Heart Foundation to raise lots of money to support their quest to keep the UK population healthy.

For further information contact
Pam Mungroo, CSV Action Desk Producer at Radio Cambridgeshire (Email: pamela.mungroo@bbc.co.uk)
or Chris Ward (email: chris.ward@cambridgeshirescouts.org.uk)

Bridge the Gap Charity Walk
Also on Sunday 14th September 2008

The Bridge the Gap walk is a fund raising initiative by the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Evening News. Over 1,500 people take part in the 5 mile walk which goes through of several different Colleges and bridges on the route. Last year £30,000 was raised for local charities.

People of any age or ability can take part and the route is wheelchair and push-chair accessible, so it really is open to all. It is also a non-competitive event, so participants are welcome to stop off at a café or restaurant en route!

The walk aims to ‘bridge the gap’ between charities and the public, between the Cambridge Colleges and the community and between good causes and the funds they need to make a difference to the people’s lives.

Organisers are looking for support for the 7th annual Bridge the Gap Charity Walk which will take place in Cambridge on Sunday 14th September 2008. The aim is to raise money for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Teenage Cancer Trust and Press Relief.

Scout Groups in Cambridgeshire are invited to get involved in this community fundraising event - either as walkers or by providing activities on the route to entertain the walkers on their way round. This might be something musical or a craft activity – the organisers would love to hear your ideas and welcome your support!

Contact Konstantinos Tselentis for further information or if would like to participate.
Telephone 01223 761674 or email: kt327@admin.cam.ac.uk

National Sedan Chair Rally
24th - 26th October 2008 at Tolmers

What is “The Sedan Chair Rally”?

The Rally is a weelend camp for Explorer Scouts, Scout Network Members, Ranjer Guides and Sea Rangers.

Costs are £15 per head (that is for camping and activities) we do a snack bar where you can purchase bacon butties, hot dogs, burgers, chips and hot and cold drinks.

Over the weekend

There will be a team quiz, wide games, team sports, climbing wall, archery, a fancy dress disco (see website for theme) and of course the race - full details on the website. Photographs of last year’s Rally are on the website.

The Site

The Sedan Chair Rally is at Tolmers Scout Campsite, Cuffley, Hertfordshire close to Potters Bar (TL300037, Landranger 166).

For Further Information and Guidelines

Send your application to:
Sedan Chair Rally, Sarah Connolley,
7 St Andrews Close, Eastcote,
Middlesex, HA4 9HA.

Media training for young spokespeople

The most positive and geniune messages about Scouting always come from the young people themselves. They are infused about Scouting because they take part in the adventure it brings.

In developing the Cambridgeshire PR strategy it is vital that we can rely on at least one young spokesperson in the locality of each District to help deliver the message through radio, television and the press.

If there are any young people who you feel would make a competent spokesperson then please let Chris Ward know. He will contact them individually about attending the next young spokesperson training event run by the HQ media team. The County will fund the places and we are hoping for an enthusiastic and motivated Cambridgeshire contingent.

For more information, please contact Chris Ward - chris.ward@cambridgeshirescouts.org.uk

Programmes Online in Cambridgeshire

Programmes Online is tool designed to make it easier for adults to programme plan. It is for members only and can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/pol

SpyMasters

SpyMasters is an exciting action adventure centre, at Bar Hill near Cambridge, which challenges both physical and mental agility, together with observational skills, in a team based environment (sounds a bit like Scouts eh?!).

The centre is designed to look like the inside of a Russian Embassy. Teams will act as Secret Agents making their way through the complex…..avoiding numerous alarms, cameras and infra red beams to complete their mission. They have a set of equipment given to them which they have to use to avoid detection and get them through the Embassy.

Participants are in teams of 4 or 5 and each group goes off 10 minutes apart. The teams are given a starting score and points will be deducted for setting off alarms and being seen by the Embassy cameras. Points will be added for completing certain objectives throughout the mission. Team work is essential for SpyMasters so it is co-operative rather than competitive and good for creating a group or team spirit.

Spymasters would like to invite you to come and try on any weekday evening after 5.00pm (excluding Mondays). For 16 or more players there is a discounted rate of £10 per player (see website for normal prices).

Please look the website www.spymasters.co.uk– to find out more or call Gill Thornton on 01954 789134.

Milton Country Park

If you are planning to use Milton Country Park, Cambridge for an activity in future, please remember to book with the Park Rangers in advance on 01223 420060 or email: miltoncp@scambs.gov.uk

Children's Scrapstore

Children's Scrapstore at 82 Akeman Street, Cambridge is open First Friday of every month from 2pm to 5pm

The Children’s and Young Peoples Participation Service Scrapstore provides a source of recycled materials for children and young people to use in art, craft and play activities. They also sell arts and crafts equipment at cost price.

Just turn up on the day.
Scrap will be sold at £1.50 per carrier bag full, these will be provided.
There will be an extra charge of 50p per bag for County users.

Note: Although the organisers take every step to ensure that materials are suitable for play, they cannot take responsibility for the safety of items used. The Children and Young People’s Participation Service Scrapstore will not be liable for damage, loss or injury that might arise from using any materials supplied.

For more information contact:
Hannah – 01223 457873
Hannah.townsend@cambridge.gov.uk

Duxford Air Museum

If you are looking for a Unit visit, think about a the Imperial War Museum, Duxford for a great day out.

For further information see the museum website http://duxford.iwm.org.uk

A terrific opportunity and it's in our County