News of Scouts earning money for cancer research, community work in Southampton, climbing some of the the World's highest peaks, and various other activities.

Scouting in Hampshire is FUN! A sticker on envelopers sent out by Richard Merefield, Hampshire Scout County Commissioner, reads ‘Scouting in Hampshire is FUN’. Hampshire Scouts know that it is also exciting, challenging, forward looking, character building, etc. These aspects have been covered in past editions of Scouting in Hampshire, but in this edition the FUN side of Scouting, so much emphasised by the Founder, Lord Baden Powell, comes to the fore. It is well known that most learning is done when the ‘learners’ are enjoying themselves, so here goes on Scout ‘learners’.   Family Fun at Ferny Crofts Along with the changes in the progressive training schemes in Scouting have come some new ideas for presenting the Chief Scout Award badges. In future, Beaver Scouts, Cubs Scouts and Scouts will have their Bronze, Silver and Gold Award certificates presented in a ceremony in their respective Districts. Awards to Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network will be presented at County level. To complete the certificate presentation of the ‘old’ Chief Scout Awards and in one case, a ‘new’ Platinum Award, a Family Fun day was organised at Ferny Crofts, the Scout campsite in the New Forest. Parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents were invited to try out some of the activities available to those camping at Ferny Crofts. Under careful supervision, they scaled the high ropes courses, climbed up and abseiled down the climbing towers, scrambled over the adventure course and tried their hand at archery. At the end of the day the Scouts took away the coveted certificates, and their families had experienced the highs and lows of a Fun Day at Ferny Crofts.   Explorer Scouts make news in the News Studio Recently, ten Explorer Scouts were invested in the ‘Crofton Monks Explorer Scout Unit’ while on a tour of the Meridian Television Studios in Southampton., The Crofton Monks Explorer Scout Unit is based in Stubbington and is named after the legend of the Crofton Monk who, it is rumoured, haunts the area of Stubbingron where the Explorer Scouts meet. The Explorer Scouts were treated to a fascinating and excellent tour of the facilities and were able to see some of the technology that brings the television shows to our homes. Explorer Scouts have only been in existence since September 2002 but already some 30+ members in the Fareham West District. Explorer Scouting is open to boys and girls in the age range of 14 to 18 years and they enjoy a wide variety of activities including climbing, caving, sailing, camping, hiking and the traditional Scout activities.   Scouts bridge the Emlyn Representing their Scout District in the annual County Camping competition (the Emlyn Trophy) us a highlight for many a young Scout. The competition is run as a weekend’s camp, with the Patrols being judged on all aspects of camping. To lighten the competition, the Patrols can take part in the ‘special project’ – a pioneering construction of an item chosen by the Patrol Leaders who took part in the previous year’s Emlyn. The construction of a bridge was the task set for this year’s Patrols. It is interesting how many different designs the Scouts can produce during the spare time they have over one weekend. Scouts ‘Have Fun for Others’ Four members of the Unit-formerly-known-as-Ventures from the 21st Romsey (Nursling & Rownhams) Scout Group went off to London with some friends earlier this year. They went by minibus so none of them would have to drive, they all took special outfits with them, and they fully expected to stay out all night. However, they were not out clubbing or on a pub crawl – they were setting out to do the Moonwalk, a sponsored marathon-length power walk, raising funds in aid of research into breast cancer. This year 15,000 people – mainly female, but with a sprinkling of brave men – took part. The walk starts and finishes in Battersea Park, and as if walking 26 miles through London isn’t challenging enough, participants set off at around midnight and everyone wears a decorated bra. Andrea Newbitt got involved through her gap-year job at Eric Robinson Solicitors and she persuaded Alan and Sandra Digby and Becky Skidmore from the former Venture unit to join her. After what the participants insisted was a comprehensive training programme, they completed the walk in a creditable 5 ½ hours. Alan’s Alco-Bra was much admired, containing as it did a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, with an optic on one side and a bottle of Coke on the other – as Alan said, he had to find something to put in it! Both Andrea and Sandra said they hadn’t anticipated feeling so exhausted, but in spite of their sore knees and blisters they all agreed it had been a very worthwhile experience. The group hope to raise around £750 between them in sponsorship money. A better place in which to live In the Spring of 2003, the Daily Echo launched a challenge to members of Hampshire Scouts living in the area covered by their publication asking them to carry out initiatives that had strong community and environment themes, making their area a better place in which to live. Information packs were sent to the Sections taking part, and conservation tasks of many types were carried out, ranging from making bird boxes to focusing on controversial waste disposal proposals. The project was backed by Southampton City Council who produced a ‘passport’ to a multitude of facilities across the city. The overall winners were the 3rd Itchen North Scout Group, one of whose projects was the preservation of hedgehogs, Clearing up leaves, etc from a local pond, a litter pick and a clean-up of the local church-yard were also amongst the tasks accomplished. Runner up was the 12th Eastleigh Cub Pack who cleared boggy wasteland in their local woods and around their Scout H.Q. A rockery, water feature, bird and bat boxes are now in place. The aware presentation took place in the Matthew Le Tissier Suite at St Mary’s Football Stadium. Music was played by the Stanley’s Own marching band and Ian Murray, editor of the Daily Echo, with County Commissioner Richard Merefield, made the presentations. Trophies, individual medallions, a trip to the Odeon cinema and a voucher for a McDonald’s meal were presented to the delighted young people. Canoeing with the Deputy Mayor The 1st Winchester Scouts took their Deputy Mayor, Mrs Cecily Sutton, for a paddle when she launched their fleet of ten new canoes. The fleet replaced the Group’s old canoes hat, after ten year’s use by the Scouts, were rather past their ‘float by’ date. The new canoes were purchased with the help of sponsorship from several local firms and organisations, including Littleton and Harestock Parish Council. Representatives from the sponsors watched as the fleet was launched, and in good time for them to be taken to camp by the Scouts. Challenging the Beaver Scouts Beaver Scouts are the youngest members of the Movement, and are the keenest. In May nearly 80 of them invaded Lyons Copse, the Solent Scout Training Centre. They spent a day at the District Camp run annually by the Itchen North District over the Spring Bank Holiday. All were hoping to gain their Outdoor Challenge, needed to help them attain their Chief Scout’s Bronze Award. Bases had been set up around the campsite, and the Beaver Scouts revelled in tracking, a string trail, treasure hunt, tent pitching, learning the Country Code and examining trees and plants. So that it wasn’t all work, the Beaver Scouts decorated fairy cakes, bounced on bouncy castles and took part in many games. Before they went home, those who had completed their Outdoor Challenge on that day were presented with the badge by the Assistant District Commissioner, Barbara Drew, then District Commissioner Mark Preston presented Matthew Darling with his Chief Scout’s Bronze award badge – the first one gained by an Itchen North Beaver Scout. Cubs become ‘Young Wizards’ High on the list of Cub Scout camping ‘themes’ has been something to do with wizards and witches. Readers will probably realise the reason for this interest, and camp Leaders have been careful not to contravene certain copyrights. The 1st Winchester Cub camp was one such, and the Leaders took the trouble to obtain permission to use ideas from the well read books. 37 Cubs and their Leaders spent five days camping during the height of the heat wav, which meant water-based activities could take place. Outing to the Watercress Line and Portchester Castle led up to the construction of wizard’s hats and broomsticks, and the Leaders became tutors in wizardry, potions, spells, etc. Mothers had been busy making suitable cakes which were much admired before they were consumed, and a certain tournament took place on the last day. The Pack was granted to use their chosen theme on condition that it was not used as a ‘recruiting tool’. With camps like these, and similar ones in previous years, it is little wonder that the 1st Winchester Cub Pack could give this assurance – the Pack is full and cannot take in all those who would like to join. Ski High on a high The year 2007 will be the Centenary of Scouting, and as the pinnacle of celebrations, twelve Hampshire Scouts aim to stand on the summit of Mount Everest. Obviously such a project requires planning, financial support, and training. This latter aspect taking the Ski High team to climb in conditions to be found on Everest. These expeditions have included the stormy Scottish winters, the Alps, and most recently a major trip to Alaska to climb Mount McKinley. It is known by native Americans as Denali, meaning “the high one”, and at over 20,300ft high, it is the tallest peak in North America. Just 200 miles away from the Arctic circle, it is the coldest Mountain On The Planet. Having passed a local inspection, and accompanied a local guide, we spent three and a half weeks on the mountain. One morning we woke up and it was dark. At first we thought we had just woken up too early, but then we remembered that it was an Arctic summer, and there should have been 24 hours of daylight. We had been buried overnight by heavy snowfall and spent the next couple of days digging out the tents every half-hour to stop them being buried again. After 18 days on the mountain at temperatures of -100-degrees C we reached the top, and I became the youngest British person to have completed the climb. We spent 17 hours climbing on summit day, in air with half as much oxygen as at sea level. When we crossed the final summit ridge, there was a 3000ft drop to one side, and 6000ft the other. Any slip would have been fatal. We returned to high camp totally exhausted and ready to go down. We spent the next two days travelling back to Base Camp 13,000ft below us and 16 miles away, carrying 100lb rucksacks and dragging sleds all the way. But it didn’t put us off. We are off to Tibet for two months in 2005 to climb Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest peak as further training for Everest in 2007. Another mountain to climb is finding a sponsor. For more information log onto www.scoutsoneeverest.org.uk Contributed by Rhys Jones. Pirate Mayhem On the first weekend in July the Hambledon Village Scout Groups started on a pirate voyage to Bentley Copse Scout Campsite, Shere in Surrey. On arrival they were amazed at the site of a huge pirate ship towering over them, made out of scaffolding, wood and lots and lots of rope. It had parachutes for its sails and a waterslide off its back. All the Beavers and Cubs painted the side but they forgot to name it! On the first night a wicked game called “Captain Smelly Belly” was played involving the capture of the adults, taking them on board the ship then firing at them with water bombs. Next day more traditional camping activities took place like an aerial runway, assault course, rifle shooting, go-karts and knot tying, also making edible cannonballs (!), pirate challenges, walking the plank and loads more. They swam and had a huge water battle on the galleon that had catapults to fire sponges. In the evening they dressed up as pirates and had a huge campfire with lots of singing and mad sketches. The atmosphere was amazing! On Sunday morning a long walk turned into a treasure hunt through the woods and beyond. After a pirate feast for lunch, the adults cleared up while the ‘pirates’ enjoyed some wide games of rounders, dodgeball and football. Everybody was sad to see the pirate ship go down because it was great fun. Some of the Cubs salute and sang “God Save our Gracious Ship”. The Cubs can’t wait for their next camp. Contributed by one of the partaking pirates.