;

Welcome

Outdoors Show 2006

Everest and the seven summits

Snowsports updates

Shooting to success

Module 25 for activity assessors

ACC/AAC (Activities) development days

Nights Away permit scheme review

Assessor Workshops

Diary dates 2006

Expedition first aid

Offshore sailing in Wales

Mountaineering training programme

Model aircraft flying

Ready to Pull? your views please

Explorer Scout Scout Africa expedition

Climbing Wall Supervisors Award

BAPS and BASS

Model aircraft challenge

Factsheets update

Flying scholarships

Something different

HQ Profile

And (nearly) finally

And finally

Activities News Mailings

This document is also available as an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file: an-2006-04.pdf

Welcome to the April 2006 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:

• A Scouting attempt on Everest
• Report from the Outdoors Show 2006
• Training opportunities
• Details of changes making it easier to ski
• A range of Activities opportunities
• And a female view on a solution to being caught short outdoors!

The Scout Association were once again represented at this year's Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show at the NEC, and proved to be quite a hit for the tens of thousands of visitors present. The crate stacking challenge proved an eye catching and spectacular attraction that often had the corridors and areas around the Scout stand at a packed standstill as visitors watched the fortunes of teams swaying around on top of towers of plastic crates. Those taking part in the challenge included teams from Mountain Rescue and the Army, as well as the Dare Duck from the Wetlands Trust, the Badger from the Badger Trust and Leo Holding.

For all of those who asked about where to get hold of crates to put together their own crate stacking activity, the crates at the show came from a company called K Lewis Engineering in Buckingham.

Teenage Network Member Rhys Jones is currently on an expedition to further write his name into the record books. Already the youngest ever Briton to climb both the highest peaks in North America and Antarctica, he is attempting to become the youngest person ever to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents. To date he has already summited Mounts; McKinley, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Kosciusko, Elbrus and Vinson, and is currently on his way up the highest of them all, Mount Everest. If successful he will join just 10 British climbers, and only around 100 worldwide, who have succeeded in this challenge.

You can follow Rhys' progress and contact him via email on his website at

www.youthunlimited.co.uk

The latest (Jan 2006) version of POR has seen an update to the way that snowsports can be offered. The aim of these changes is to better reflect the way that snowsport activities are offered to young people, and further reduce the barriers to participation. In brief the changes:

• Define on piste and off piste more accurately.
• Allow young people to practise their skills on nursery slopes without the need for a permit holder.
• Introduce personal competence permits to allow young people to ski or snowboard together without the need for a leadership permit holder.
• Introduce permit exemptions to allow young people to practise their skills in between snowsport lessons. For example, when having lessons every morning of a snowsports holiday this allows them to practise without their instructor during the afternoons.

Full details can be found under skiing or snowboarding on ScoutBase UK at

www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/activities/factfile.php

Congratulations to Explorer Scout Chris Lacey who narrowly missed out on a Commonwealth Games shooting medal in Melbourne. Chris, with his shooting partner Chris Hector, finished in fourth place in the Men's 10m Air Rifle Pairs Competition, just four points short of third place and a medal.

We have received a number of requests for clarification of the Module 25 requirement for County/Area Assessors under the new Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme. Many Assessors will have already undertaken training and have experience in assessing. Therefore, there is no need for a repeat of that training, but simply to show this knowledge by validating the module. In these instances, the desired method of validation is the 'fire side' chat with a Training Adviser in order to discuss past assessments and ensure that they are aware of the key elements of the new scheme. To assist, the workbook can be used jointly between the Training Adviser and the Assessor. We are hearing reports from some Counties/Areas and centres, that we welcome and would encourage, where experienced Assessors are becoming Training Advisers for newer less experienced Assessors

The National Activities Team is holding another ACC/AAC Activities Development Day. These days are open to all ACC/AAC Activities no matter how long you have been in post.

These events are not technical forums, nor do they replace the valuable contacts made at County/Area, Regional or Country Meetings. They will mainly feature on opportunities, challenges and support, as well as giving you a chance to have questions answered and share good practice with other ACC/AAC Activities.

The workshop will start at 1000 and finish at 1600. The days will be supported by members of the UK Headquarters Activities Team. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

All you need to do is complete an Application Form and return it by Monday 11th September 2006.

The remaining dates for 2006 are:

Sunday 15 October 2006

London area (Venue to be confirmed)

For more information and an application form:

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

Following the large number of responses we received for this review, we are currently putting together a consultation document looking at how the current scheme can be further refined and improved. This consultation document will then be made publicly available for anyone who wishes to read and respond to it. When available it will be found on ScoutBase UK at

www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/nightsaway

To help provide support for activity Assessors within the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme, and Nights Away Advisers, the National Activities Team will be running a number of assessor workshops in the autumn of 2006. These workshops will aim to provide support to Assessors in self moderation of their own assessments, ensuring a uniform standard for assessments and looking at the tools available for assessing, while also providing opportunities for peer support and networking.

When dates of these workshops are confirmed they will be posted on ScoutBase UK, with all the details, at

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

Below are listed a number of national activity events taking place in 2006. Many of these 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:

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

National Scout Car Races

Darley Moor - Derbyshire
1st July 2006

Sky High and Scout National Parascending Championships

North Luffenham - Rutland
7th - 9th July 2006

BCU Youthfest and National Bellboat Championship

Dorney Lake - Berkshire
9th July 2006
Info: www.canoe-england.org.uk/canoeeng/canoeeng-standardtemplate2.aspx?Level1MenuItemId=4&CurrentMenuItemId=2034

National Air Scout Camp

Kemble Airfield - Gloucestershire
12th - 19th August 2006

Scout National Sailing Competition

Bala - North Wales
30th September - 1st October 2006
Info: www.nickdom.com/nick/sailing/

National Scout Air Rifle Championships

Bisley - Surrey
20th - 22nd October 2006
Info: www.dohoo.clara.net/nsarc2k6

National Scout Archery Championships

Bisley - Surrey
20th - 22nd October 2006
Info: www.dohoo.clara.net/nsarc2k6

The Scout Association has joined forces with the British Red Cross to offer a course in Outdoor Activity and Expedition First Aid. For more details please visit

http://newsletter.scout.org.uk/t/377/43853/38/0

A chance to sail the Irish Sea, English Channel, or further such as the Tall Ships race. No previous experience needed and applications are accepted from individuals and groups. Occasional short notice deals are available.

To register your interest, in the first instance, contact Dyfrig Harries (Welsh Sea Scout Advisor) 01239 810433 dyfrig.harries@virgin.net

Details are now available for 2006 training courses from a couple of providers with very reasonable rates, including the Bremex Trust. The Bremex Trust is a registered charity staffed by volunteers, a number of whom are in Scouting. Operating mainly in the Lake District and North Wales, they offer introductory mountain skills and rock climbing weekends and further advancement weekends as well as WGL, ML and SPA courses. Assessor Workshops can also be catered for.

West Lancashire Scouts

www.mountain.westlancashirescouts.org.uk

Bremex Trust

www.bremex.org.uk

If you are interested in model aircraft flying or are just looking for ideas for an activity at your next event or meeting, the British Model Flying Association may be able to help. They cover the whole range of model aircraft from very small paper and stick models to large motorised aircraft, and have clubs all over the country, many of which have already been involved with Scouting.

More information and contact details of local clubs can be found through the BMFA website at

www.bmfa.org

Under the new Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme it was identified that 'Pulling' does not have a National Governing Body other than the Amateur Rowing Association. Guidance from The Scout Association on this activity has been by way of a factsheet. We are looking at establishing a specific working group in conjunction with external organisations where this great team activity is used, so as to look at best practice and a common set of guidance and monitoring.

Do you have an opinion at to what should be covered? How should people become Assessors? What is quality? How can leaders get into running this activity, easily? How is quality maintained? What are the safety aspects?

Please send in your thoughts to the Activities Office, by 1st September 2006, at activities@scout.org.uk

This Headquarters run expedition takes place this coming summer, starting on 15th July, and involves two groups, each involved in an exciting programme spanning three weeks and including treks, game wardens course, conservation and marine exploration.You can keep tabs on their progress on

www.scouts.org.uk

Mountain Leader Training UK has just launched a major consultation on whether or not there is a need for a Climbing Wall Supervisor's Award. A consultative document sets out one possible model and then, via a questionnaire, seeks feedback from all interested organisations and individuals. You can view this consultative document and give the MLTUK your thoughts and feedback via their website at

www.mltuk.org/docs/CWSA.htm

The Broads Authority Paddling Scheme (BAPS) is designed to make kayaking and canoeing more affordable for schools, youth groups, Scouts and Guides. These groups can register on the scheme and pay substantially reduced tolls for canoes and kayaks. The BAPS has rates for groups, individuals and short-visit licences, covering activity on Norfolk and North Suffolk waters.

And now following the success of BAPS, a similar scheme (BASS) has been set up sailing in Norfolk. For more information and application forms for both BAPS and BASS, please contact the Scheme Administrator, Clive Gritten, on clive.gritten@svs.gsi.gov.uk

The British Model Flying Association, along with BAE, is running a model aircraft flying challenge. The challenge requires teams, in three age groups, to build three different types of basic model aircraft; a simple rubber band powered aircraft, a simple rubber band powered helicopter and a hand launched glider. There will then be a competition on 8th July in Lincolnshire to fly these models with the aim being to maximise flying time.

More information and details of where to get an information pack, including a starter pack and a teacher's guide, can be found on the BMFA website at

www.bmfa.org/flightchallenge/index.html

There have been a number of new and updated factsheets and assessment checklists in the past six months. As ever details of these changes can be found on their dedicated web page at

www.scouts.org.uk/recentupdates

The Air League is an educational charity who each year provide flying scholarships for young people between the ages of 17 - 26 to learn to fly. Explorer Scouts and Network Members are eligible and very welcome to apply. Full details and application forms can be found on their website at

www.airleague.co.uk/scholarships.html

And now for something completely different! This issue's new activity idea is rollerskiing.

Rollerskiing is based on cross country skiing, but without the need for snow. This means that it can be used as training for cross country skiing, as an activity in its own right or as part of a larger activity such as being combined with shooting to make a snow free biathlon event. It uses ski poles and rollerskis, like shortened skis with wheels on each end, in place of skis.

Further information, along with details of events, equipment and instructors (who can often provide equipment) can be found on Snowsport England's Nordic website and the Rollerski Company

www.escnordic.org.uk/RollerSkiing.html www.rollerski.co.uk

Ian Newbery has been National Activity Adviser, firstly for Campsites and Activity Centres, and now Nights Away for the last few years. He is also heavily involved in developing Scouting within his home District, and has written a number of articles for Scouting magazine. But who is the real Ian Newbery behind those roles? We sent our special reporter to probe further.

What is your first recollection of Scouting?

As a Cub with the 5th Carshalton. Standing on a coal bunker at the back of Akela's house and pouring Windolean over my shoes whilst cleaning her windows for my home help badge.

What activities do you do when you have spare time?

I like watching rugby, now I have given up playing. At the moment I also enjoy going to the gym as I am in training for next year's Southern 50 (failed to finish this year!). Also time spent playing with my two young children (2 and 4 years old) is very special.

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

Apart from my local pub, no where special.

Who provides you with inspiration?

I get inspiration from all sorts of places - events, young people, old people, I never know what or who is going to fire my imagination next.

What is your ambition?

To finish next year's Southern 50!

What is your claim to fame?

Don't think I've got one.

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

China, because I'm fascinated by the history and culture.

What is your favourite food?

Chinese, another reason to go to China.

A message from a couple of relieved Activity ladies:

Girls! Stand up and take control!

At last, women can breathe a sigh of relief... Shewee provides us with a simple, private and hygienic method of urinating while standing up.

Some of the occasions when the Shewee will prove invaluable for women in Scouting are; when travelling and facilities are either unconventional or dirty, when doing activities outdoors and toilets aren't close at hand, or where clothing or equipment can get in the way, like climbing or skiing.

www.shewee.com

What a great buzz it has been within 'Activities' in the last few months. The Scout Association stand at the Outdoors Show was a real crowd-puller with such a simple activity - crate stacking!

It has also been great to hear of the achievements of two really nice young people, Rhys Jones and Chris Lacey who have achieved world-class standards (this is covered within this newsletter), and visiting the Explorer Scouts who will be taking part in the South Africa 2006 expedition. It was also good to see 'not so young people' appearing on TV to undertake activities - Peter, I need to have a word with you!!

Obviously, the 'big' subject for the moment has been the roll out of the New Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme. We have conducted a number of presentations, at request, and many Counties/Areas are in the process of putting their plans together to support a more flexible system at entry and the requirements to support Assessors. More news will come out soon about Assessor Workshops we are piloting nationally, although some Counties/Areas have asked for advice about running theses locally - a great piece of forward thinking development work.

As we pack away our Winter/Spring folders, and look forward to a summer without committees and paperwork (fat chance!), let us be mindful that Autumn will arrive with a big call on all of us in activities - supporting the celebration of 100 years of Scouting and the activities we give to young people. So, let us try and celebrate by giving the biggest range of opportunities possible.

With less than a year to go on my appointment, I thought that I might try my hand at golf in preparation for 'retirement'. However, the traditional stuff may not be my cup of tea, so:

www.bdga.org.uk!

Have a great summer.
All the best
Alex Minajew - National Commissioner for Activites

A printer friendly, non-graphic version of 'Activities News' is available on ScoutBase UK under Activities News and Support.

This newsletter has been sent to all those who hold an Activities appointment and have contact details on the Membership Services database. If you didn't receive this newsletter personally and believe you should have, then please ensure your appointment and contact details are correct on the database. If you would prefer to receive this newsletter electronically for ease of forwarding on to other interested parties then please ensure you email address is up to date on the 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.

If you don't hold an official Activities appointment but wish to receive this newsletter personally, then please sign up to the Activities mailings on the Scouting Internet Database (SID). This can be done on ScoutBase UK at http://sid.sbuk.org.uk/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