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Welcome

Outdoors Show 2005

Urban Outdoors

ACC (Activities) briefing day

Adventure camp organisers weekend

Volunteer Leader Conference

Authorisation Scheme review

Performing Arts Workshop

Diary Dates 2005

South Africa Expedition 2006

EuroJam

Nights Away

Working at Heights Directive

Boat Registration

BAPS

Flying for Fun

Factsheet Update

Welcome

Vacancies

HQ Profile

...and nearly finally

...and finally

Stop Press - Activities Mailings

This document is also available as an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file: an-2005-04.pdf

Welcome to the April 2005 issue of the activities newsletter from the National Commissioner for Activities and the Activities Office at Gilwell Park.

In this issue we take a look at:

• Urban Outdoors going online
• Training opportunities
• Report from the Outdoors Show 2005
• Authorisation review update
• Implementing the Nights Away Permit Scheme
• A range of Activities opportunities
• And a solution to mashed bananas!

The National Activities Team again represented The Scout Association at the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show at the NEC in March. The show, the fourth since its conception, once again proved to be very popular with an estimated 50,000 people attending. Once again the Scout area proved very popular, and it was good to talk to so many Scouters who are so positive and enthusiastic about the Outdoors and their Scouting. The large number of uniformed Scouters attending the show was also commented upon by a number of people.

Highlights included an illustrated talk given on the Scout stand by Rhys Jones, an Explorer Scout from Hampshire, on his most recent expeditions in his quest to climb the highest peak in each continent including an attempt on Everest in 2007. There was also Chief Scout Peter Duncan's inspirational talk in the 800 seater Berghaus Super Theatre, and visits to the Scout stand from world famous mountaineers, Chris Bonnington and Alan Hinkes.

Back by popular demand, we again ran a Ray Mears Survival Area. This proved to be one of the most popular attractions at the show with a constant throng of visitors coming to try out their survival skills or learn new ones. Although Ray himself was not able to attend the show, he very generously agreed to his name being used and provided guidance for the stand. The area included a chance to have a go at fish trapping, water filtration and fungi identification, as well as learning survival information and testing your knowledge against the Survival Simulator. In fact the simulator was so popular that we have updated the version of it available on the Activities Resources page of ScoutBase UK for Leaders to download and use if they wish.

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/activities/resources/index.htm

Urban Outdoors 1 - The Adventure Playground has been such a success that we are very nearly out of this free full colour resource. But fear not if you have yet to get yourself a copy. The entire resource will very shortly be available on the Urban Outdoors website as a downloadable resource. This will allow anyone to download not only Urban Outdoors 1 - The Adventure Playground, but also Urban Outdoors 2 - Promoting Scouting and Fundraising, and Urban Outdoors 3 - Looking at the Issues.

Also on the Urban Outdoors site you will find that the complete Street Entertainment resource is available to download, replacing and updating its predecessor, The Four of Diamonds. This resource gives ideas and links for a number of creative activities that could be run for your young people, away from what might be considered traditional creative activities.

www.urbanoutdoors.org.uk

New to the job or in need of a boost?

The National Activities Team are holding more AAC/ACC (Activities) Briefing Days in 2005 and 2006, aimed at both those who are new to the role or wish to re-look at how to develop activities in their Areas/Counties.

These events are not technical forums, or replacements for the valuable contacts made at Country or Regional Meetings. They will mainly feature on how to structure opportunities, challenges and support. Days held at Gilwell will also feature a mini-tour of the Information Centre and a chance to sit in one of the 'hot-seats' in the Activities Office.

Each workshop will start at 10am and finish at 4pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. All you need to do is complete an Application Form and return it to the Activities Office.

The next of these briefing days will be on Saturday 29th October 2005 at Gilwell Park.

Application forms can be downloaded from ScoutBase UK or are available from the Activities Office on activities@scout.org.uk or 020 8433 7157.

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/activities/assessment.htm

A series of weekends for Leaders to; check out an area for your next summer camp, receive briefings from the National Activities Team, get a chance to try some new activities, or just get onto the hills for the weekend. The weekend also gives time for Leaders to explore the area at their own pace which allows for them to combine it with a weekend away with the family or a group of Leaders/adults.

The first of these will take place in the Peak District from the 4th to 5th June 2005, with another being planned for South Wales from the 17th to 18th September 2005. The choice of accommodation is yours. You can camp, stay inside or even make use of the local B&B's.

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/activities/assessment.htm

To celebrate notable anniversaries of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and the Mountain Training Trust (Plas y Brenin), a Volunteer Leader Conference will be held to explore the needs of young people and a consensus between those that provide adventurous activities from both voluntary and paid for sectors. There will be contributions from the MLTUK, BMC, The Scout Association and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Full details are available on the PYB website.

http://www.pyb.co.uk/information/volunteer-leaders-conference.php

Many thanks to all those that spent the time putting together their thoughts to feedback to us on phase 2 of the Adventurous Activities Authorisation review. Many replies were received from different interested parties across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. The phase 2 consultation period is now complete and we are in the process of putting together proposals to go to the relevant Committees. It is anticipated that the proposals will go to the appropriate Committees this summer.

Give flavour to your local programme through a broader range of performing arts.

Do you want to organise fantastic workshops to give creative opportunities for young people at Group, District or County/Area level? This one-day performing arts workshop is for you. Aimed at those who have passion and can organise, rather than technical experts or aficionados, this day will be hands-on and informative, with practical advice in running sessions and the chance to try it for yourself.

The day will include:

• Working with Scout Shows to organise a show in a day
• Exploring the broad range of performance opportunities

And how about something a bit different?

• Bollywood and Bhangra Beats
• Circus Extravaganza

This packed day will start at 0900 and finish at 1700, and will be held at the UCL Bloomsbury Studio in Central London. For those travelling from further afield, why not take advantage of the facilities at B-P House and use the evening to sample the delights of London's Theatreland?

Application forms can be downloaded from ScoutBase UK or are available from the Activities Office on activities@scout.org.uk or 020 8433 7157. Be sure to book quickly as places are limited.

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/activities/assessment.htm

Below are listed a number of national activity events taking place in 2005. Many of these also allow novice levels to take part without the need to bring activity special equipment. For a full and up to date list of activity events and dates please see:

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/direct/events/activitiestemp.htm

National Sea Scout Pulling and Canoeing Regatta

Kingston upon Thames
2nd - 3rd July 2005
Info: keith.maund@btinternet.com

Sky High and Scout National Parascending Championships

Rutland
8th - 10th July 2005
Info: www.sky-lincs.fsnet.co.uk

National Scout Car Races

Scarborough
9th July 2005
Info: 01723 367033

National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra

Yorkshire
24th - 31st July 2005
Info: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/direct/events/nsgso.htm

29th National Scout Air Rifle Championships

Bisley, Surrey
14th - 16th October 2005
Info: http://www.dohoo.clara.net/nsarc2k45

Headquarters is running an Explorer Scout Expedition to South Africa in the summer of 2006. This is a chance for up to 80 Explorer Scouts to take part in a fantastic, challenging and diverse expedition that will touch upon some the most interesting aspects of outdoor exploration in South Africa.

There will be two three-week slots (running back-to-back) with a programme that includes projects that will last between two and four days in a number of locations. They include; a National Park Warden's course, a wilderness trek, a marine environment project, a visit in the land-locked Swaziland, a historic Anglo-Zulu battlefield trek and a community project.

You can join in this fantastic expedition as either an Explorer Scout or an adult team leader looking at organising something similar. The focus of this expedition is to help adults gain the knowledge and experience to run similar activities in the future.

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/direct/events/activitiestemp.htm

If you have experience of running climbing and abseiling walls/towers or are an experienced climber we need you! Instructors will join the Mountain Zone team based at Gilwell Park with camping, catering and a day visitor pass to the main EuroJam site at Hylands Park. (Cost: £95)

If you cannot attend for the whole event (28th July - 10th August) we would still be pleased to hear from you. There is also provision for local day staff to join us free of charge. Don't miss this superb chance to join the programme staff at EuroJam and help thousands of young people from over 50 countries have the experience of a lifetime.

For more information please contact Ian Moody on: ian.moody@scouting2007.org or phone 01245 3464600 or 7818 072879

http://www.eurojam.org

The Nights Away Permit Scheme has now been fully implemented nationwide for a number of months, and hopefully this is now easing the process for you in running nights away events. One of the biggest worries we are hearing is where Districts and Counties are implementing additional local rules to the scheme. We would once again ask that you do not implement local rules, as this provides an extra barrier to Leaders running the events that the young people want. Evidence from Districts running the scheme as intended proves that a host of local rules are not required to make it workable.

If you do have any problems or queries with the scheme please contact the Activities Office. They are keeping a record of all such comments to allow for a review and any necessary tweaking to take place.

You may have been following the controversy caused in the Outdoor world by the introduction of new Working at Height regulations. These had been drafted by the EU and were aimed at improving safety on building sites. In the UK this was taken to mean all persons working at height - including climbing instructors. If applied to climbing we would have had safety rails at the top of crags, two safety ropes, an inspector to check all your anchors before use etc!

Extensive lobbying has taken place on the grounds that the Directive was not aimed at sporting activities, and that imposing it in its entirety could have severe and damaging effects on safety and businesses. The Minister involved, Jane Kennedy, now appears to have agreed to allow an exception to the Temporary Working at Heights Directive in relation to specified adventure activities such as climbing and caving.

This decision hopefully finally lays to rest the threat which has hung over the sector of inappropriate safety provisions applying to climbing, caving and related activities. We do however face a further year of developing a 'Regulatory Impact Assessment', drafting 'Work at Height (Adventure Activity) Regulations'.

All water borne craft owned or operated by The Scout Association are required to be registered under this scheme. This includes: canoes, kayaks, dragon boats, bell boats, rowing and pulling craft, sailing dinghies and cruisers as well as power boats and inboard and outboard engined motor cruisers.

Registration takes place annually and a register of all craft is held within each Area/County. All craft are issued with a sticker and a registration number by the Area/County.

There are however benefits from registering craft. The Scout Association has a licence to cover all Scout registered non powered craft gaining access to the British Waterways owned waters. This gives access to 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, about half of all inland navigations in Britain. For full details of the navigations included go to:

http://www.waterscape.com/boating/whereyoucancruise/canalandriverlicence.html

The Broads Authority Paddling Scheme is designed to make kayaking and canoeing more affordable for youth groups, such as Scouts, in the Norfolk Broads. Instead of paying for individual Broads canoe licences member groups can nominate up to 10 kayaks or canoes for a single membership fee.

Applications must be accompanied by evidence that the group have sufficient authorisation to cover the number of licences being applied for.

http://www.bcu.org.uk/access/reducetollbroads.html

The Popular Flying Association (PFA) has sponsored several flying days for Scouts in various parts of the country. Their next event is 'Flying For Fun' which is being held at Kemble Airfield from 1st - 3rd July 2005. This is an opportunity to look at a wide range of light aircraft and find out more about aviation opportunities.

http://www.flyingforfun.net/

The following are new or updated factsheets within the last six months:

We have three new members of the National Activities Team to welcome. Jeremy Game is a self employed Outdoor Instructor from Scotland who has spent the last few years working at the Lochgoilhead Centre, and has now joined us as National Activity Adviser for Hillwalking. Fran Georgel is a Ski Instructor from Kent who is the new National Activity Adviser for Snowsports. And Philip Collins is an IT Manager from Hampshire and founder of Hampshire Scout Archery Club who is the new National Activity Adviser for Archery.

We are also sadly saying goodbye to one member of the team. Iain Waddell has decided to stand down from his position as National Activity Adviser for Scout Shows. We would like to thank him for all the work he has put in during his time in the role.

The National Activities Team is looking to recruit a dynamic, forward thinking volunteer to join the team of National Activity Advisers. The role currently available is:

National Activity Adviser (Staged Performances)

The role of National Activity Adviser (Staged Performances) looks to develop a broader range of performing arts for young people to enjoy in a variety of different ways.

The role requires a general knowledge of Scout Shows and wider performance arts. Amongst other tasks, the role involves supporting and implementing the Scout Show Recognition Scheme and working with the National Commissioner for Activities through the provision of Creative Activities workshops. The successful applicant will also provide support to Scout Show Assessors and other local organisers of staged performances.

The likely time commitment for this role is occasional weekend meetings with time available to respond to queries and development issues as they arise. The need for good communication skills, an aspiration to develop the activity and empathy for Scouting are essential attributes for this role.

The closing date for all applications is Friday 20th May. Interviews will be held on Saturday 18th June.

Application packs and further information are available from the Activities Office at Gilwell Park by telephoning 020 8433 7157 or emailing activities@scout.org.uk. If you have any informal questions about the position please contact Elis Matthews on 020 8433 7125.

Paul Wong has recently taken over as National Activity Adviser for Bands. He is 42, was born in Yorkshire, grew up in Staffordshire, and has now lived longer in West Midlands. But who is the real Paul Wong? We attempted to find out.

What is your first recollection of Scouting?

Getting invested into Cubs by my then school teacher Ian Wilson.

What activities do you do when you have spare time?

Mountain biking, making music.

Where is your favourite haunt...where can we find you?

Coed Y Brennan, North Wales or Peak District.

Who provides you with inspiration?

My Dad, my kids, my friends, young people...

What is your ambition?

To be remembered.

What is your claim to fame?

Working with some brilliant people, working in areas no one else has ever been, doing things no one would ever do and doing all that without fame or fuss.

If you could go to any worldwide destination, where would you go?

North America and Canada.

What is your favourite food?

Chinese of course!

I'm sure we have all experienced the horror of pulling a banana out of our rucksack after a long day's walking, only to find it is black, squashed and inedible. Now, through personal experience, I can recommend the banana guard as the best way of eradicating this important problem. They come in a number of bright colours, including glow in the dark, and seem to fit any shaped banana. Happy banana eating!

www.bananaguard.org.uk

Census figures are almost complete and show an increase in our membership across the Scout, Explorer and Network sections. This is great news. It is also a challenge for us in activities.

If we are to help to retain these people, and further grow the numbers, activities need to feature prominently on the agenda. That applies to what can be directly provided to young people, and also how we actively support adults with opportunities to understand what is available and how to do it. That challenge is for all of us, and at all levels.

As you will have read, at Headquarters level we are piloting a number of opportunities to directly support adults who want to provide activities. There are the Adventure Camp Organisers' Weekends in key geographical areas to help support those that travel long distances and need to understand 'lower level' opportunities as well as how to buy in commercial support. We are also piloting a Performance Arts workshop and supporting a trip to South Africa in 2006 - both substantially aimed at adults who are looking to organise something similar in the future.

I hope that those events are just a start, and that many more people will see that active support is the direction that we need to go. Many Districts, Areas/Counties do (and reap the rewards), others may need to wake up.

And finally, the greatest invention in the area of packed lunch durability in activities.. the bananaguard (see feature). The problem has been plaguing me for years!

Have a great summer.

Alex Minajew - National Commissioner for Activites

In future all mailings, including electronic mailings, from the Activities Office at Gilwell Park will be done through the records held on the Membership Management Database. No other contact databases will be held or used. Please ensure that your appointment and contact details are kept up to date on the Membership Management Database. This can be done at www.scouts.org.uk. If you require your membership number to sign up or do not have internet access, please contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.

Mailings will automatically be sent out to the relevant people. If you wish to receive other Activities' mailings, please sign up to the Activities mailings on the Scouting Internet Database (SID). This can be done on ScoutBase UK at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/direct/ukemail/index.php or by sending an email to listserv@scoutbase.org.uk with a blank subject line and the following text in the body of the message.

subscribe activities-l your@email.address

e.g.

subscribe activities-l activities@scout.org.uk