September 08 No
96?
Your
Newsletter is back! Has it really been over a year since the last? I can’t find
a number 96 so I guess this is it.
This
should have followed the AGM in July but the end of term loomed too quickly so
apologies for that.
GSL’s message
Thank you everyone who
came along to the AGM/Review of the Year. Judging by the general banter
and amount of wine drunk everyone had a good night. I would just like to
reiterate on behalf of all the boys thanks to all those parents who have
supported the fun and learning over the past year. I did thank many on
the night but I would also like to do the same here: Andrew, Martin, David,
Mark G, Mark E, Margaret, Carrie, Henri,
Phil and Sue .
I apologise again if I missed anyone out – it’s just a busy ageing mind!
It is clear that in Scouting in common with many other
things the more you put in the more you get out, as these parents I am sure
will testify. You only had to see the smile on Mark’s face as he had yet
another turn on the go-Karts at the May Cub camp to see that!
Last year has in many
respects been a huge success. Every section is actually over-subscribed
with waiting lists to get in. Not surprising with activities such as
sleepovers, bivouac building, zip wires, archery, shooting, crafts, games, rock
climbing, laser quest, night hikes and the list goes
on. The only thing stopping us providing more fun is leadership. As
such we may be required to restrict movement between the sections. Early
next term it is likely that we will introduce a policy whereby a certain number
of places will be reserved for boys whose parents have taken an active role in
helping out in some way. More to follow.
The next year will be a
challenge with a number of long-term leaders hanging up their woggles or
potentially doing so. Special thanks must go to Val who has brought more
years of fun, adventure and leadership to the Tuesday Cub pack that I am sure
she would like me to divulge. Val brought something unique to the Tigers
– a deep love of nature, a real creative flair and an ability to bring science
alive for the boys. We will all miss the debates and stories late at
night around the camp fire. Not to forget the seemingly endless supply of
crisps and snacks that she always managed to magic up when the
munches struck and the boys were finally quietening down for the night.
I also announced that at
the AGM that due to family and work commitments I will be stepping down at
Christmas, so there are more opportunities to get involved!
I hope you all have a
great summer. In the meantime if you want to get involved or can think of
anyone else who may enjoy a challenge, speak to any of the leaders about what
is involved. We can accommodate all ages and be
as flexible as needed.
Mark (Chil)
Events during the year
A whole year or more to report on so
only the briefest of highlights here. Have a look at
the photographs in the entrance hall showing some of the things that have
happened.
Cubs have taken part in all the District events –
swimming gala, craft day and the District ‘olympics’
camp when many gained athlete badge. 3 teams entered the Mac Woods soccer a
side with one team finishing as runners up. Unfortunately the County football
event was cancelled.
Scout
activities have been slightly curtailed this year due to the numbers and the
lack of adults available. However the list of activities is still impressive –
can you help to make it even better this year.
Beavers
have had a varied and fun programme that included looking at healthy eating,
flight, faith, and a study of New Zealand .
Six of the term
The
Wolves have been running a Best Six competition during the year.
Grey six were winners of the best six competition
at the end of 2007 and chose to have a sleepover at HQ for their treat. On a
snowy night in December, they spent the evening lighting fires to toast
marshmallows before watching a Harry Potter film.
At the end of April 2008 Black six chose to visit Explore@Bristol
for their treat. The afternoon included a 'make a bang' science show and a
planetarium show.
The final term of the year was won by Green Six who have yet to have
their treat.
Well done to all of them.
Camps
Most
of the Wolves have been on at least one camp this year, some taking all 4
opportunities offered – group camp at Glenny Wood,
Grey 6 sleepover, District cub camp and the annual Giant Sleepover with the
Beavers.
September Camp
Is
fast approaching, indeed may even be over by the time some you read this. Once
again we are going to our favourite site at Glenny
Wood, Clapton in Gordano. It is too late for any further bookings at this stage
especially as for the first time we have had to limit numbers in order to
maintain the ratio of adults to young people.
Uganda
I was lucky enough to be selected to be part of a small group of
eight explorer scouts plus three leaders who went on an expedition to Uganda
this August. We spent three weeks camping together and having a great time. We
were very busy and it was very tiring but thoroughly worth it! Luckily it
wasn’t quite as hot as we had expected, in fact we even had some fairly
impressive storms, not that they ever lasted long! We spent the first two weeks
staying at Buwenda scout campsite, near Jinja. Here some of the local Scouters
made us very welcome.
Once we’d got settled in and had explored Buwenda village and the
town of Jinja, our first major activity was grade 5 white water rafting down a
30km stretch of the Nile. This was amazing, but very scary; particularly as we
all fell out several times.
At the end of our first week there we ran an activity camp for
around 35 local scouts. I ran the 1st aid base with help from a
Ugandan Scouter; it was interesting to see how the basics of 1st aid
differ between us. We also enjoyed a Ugandan style campfire, nothing like our
campfires here!
During our second week we were helping the locals to build a
latrine and washing facility, this will greatly improve the hygiene in the
village. It was quite hard work, but very good to help. We also went to visit a
foster home/orphanage run by an ex-scout with 35 children and three adults. It
was very moving and the kids were great and welcomed us into their home with
open arms.
As well as all this we stopped off at the equator, and took
several photos of all of us with one foot in each hemisphere! For our last week
we went on safari, first to Lake Mburo national park, then to Queen Elizabeth
national park. We were really lucky as we saw loads of animals. We then spent
our last night in Uganda staying in the wildlife education centre before flying
home via Cairo.
I had the time of my life and would encourage anyone who gets the
opportunity to do anything like this to take it.
Becky
History
I have spent
some time this summer trawling through the old records of the Group. It’s
fascinating stuff. I have now got a skeleton record of all the years since the
merger in November 1966 of 76th Bristol
(Henleaze Congregational) Boy Scout Group
196th
Bristol (Trinity Presbyterian) Boy Scout Group
271st
Bristol (St Albans) Boy Scout Group (which incorporates 225th
Bristol (Westbury Park Methodist) Boy Scout Group)
38th Bristol (Downs District) Senior Troop.
However
I’d be really interested in fleshing out the skeleton. Do you know anyone who
was a member at anytime? If you have memories, stories or photos of camps,
activities, people please send them to white_tree_group@hotmail.com
The
first GSL was Eddie Spiller who had been GSL of 271st. There were 3
Cub packs, a Scout Troop and a Venture Scout unit. Over the years the packs
have varied from 1-3 depending on the numbers of adults available. There have
at times been 2 troops. Most years the numbers of boys have been high, there
have often been waiting lists. Always there have been appeals for more adults –
some things don’t change.
Over 50? Were you or anyone you know in one of the original groups? I have
very little on them.
How can you help?
You’ll be
aware of a recurring theme here. The 44th is a thriving group. There
are waiting lists for all sections. The numbers speak for themselves. The young
people want the sort of Scouting we offer, they bring their friends in. We have
people coming in at all ages. Can you help us continue this success.
All the leaders are volunteers – we do this because we enjoy it. You can join in
too.
‘I’m too busy’ – well
you know what they say if you want something done ask a busy person. Can you
offer 1 meeting a month, an hour occasionally for admin, a couple of hours
occasionally to do maintenance.
‘I can’t
commit to a regular time’ – That’s ok, we can be flexible, jobs shares work well. We don’t have
to have the whole team there each week
‘I’ve got
younger ones in the family’ – Maybe we can pair 2
families up, one to help and one to do the childcare or there might be a
teenager available to babysit.
‘I don’t
have the skills needed’ – All the training and
support you need is available. What skills do you have that might be useful – outdoor
activities, crafts, cooking, writing letters, keeping accounts, DIY,
communication skills, you name it.
Do You know
If you are
taking an active role, your youngster will get priority when numbers are
restricted.
There is no
upper age limit.
Scouting
skills transfer into the workplace
You can do something to help your child enjoy Scouting – so what is
it to be? Talk to any of the current leaders or exec members,
see how you can join in the fun too.
Still think
it’s not for you? Then you are bound to know someone who would be just right –
neighbour, relative, someone at work or in a group you belong to. Tell them
about 44th. Scouting is for
everyone from 6 -106. When are you going to be part of it.
Reports
If you have organised or participated
in any event please report on it and send or e mail your copy to me.
Newsletters are usually 2 weeks after a GEC meeting so I can use any copy
received by 1 week after.
Future events
Now get out your
diaries. Make a note of all the events coming up in the Scouting calendar.
Section leaders will also inform you about other events.
Also please keep an eye on
the notice boards. There is a calendar in the entrance area which should have
most information.
12th
-14th September Group Camp
Wed
24th September Group Executive Meeting 8.30 at Fallodon Way HQ
Some
time around 5th Nov annual firework party.
There
should be more dates after the Group Exec has met. All parents of young people in the group are members of the Group
Council. Can you help in anyway – fundraising, organising social events, HQ
maintenance, administration. There are vacancies for
parent representatives from most sections. Could this be you? You are always
welcome to come along to an Exec meeting to have your say in the running of your children’s Scout Group.