scouts - the magazine for scout leadersfebruary/march 2010

The magazine for Scout Leaders

February/March 2010

Outdoor skillsClockface

Orienteering

SCOUT SURVIVORSSCOUT SURVIVORS

A chance for Scouts to win a place

at Bear Grylls’ adventure camp

Camping optionsGreenfield and

ready made locations compared

PROGRAMMESInnovative ideas

for improving skills

scouts_Final.indd 1 13/01/2010 13:11

IFC_Scouts_FebMar.indd 6 12/01/2010 17:07

INTRO

3scouts.org.uk/pol

WELCOMEYour Scout Support TeamAlasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section),Ed Wilson – Programme & Development Adviser

Contact them at:[email protected]

Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818

AdvertisingRichard Ellacott [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258

The West Coker Scout Group in Yeovil District, Somerset recently enjoyed the Big Cat Encounter at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation

As promised in the last issue, we get 2010 off to a great start by re-invigorating Scouting Skills.

Given that there are six supplements this year, I think it would be a great

personal challenge if every leader in the Scout Section were to learn six new

practical skills over the year and pass them on to the troop. This is exactly what

lies at the core of the Scout Section programme and method and should

transfer to our thinking on planning.

One of the pieces this month concerns choosing a campsite and, even as I am

writing this with snow outside, I am thinking of what adventures Scouting holds

in 2010. Choosing sites and planning programmes for the summer camps is an

ideal opportunity to get Scouts involved and showing that their ideas do have

an impact on the life of the Troop. Last year I encouraged Scout Leaders to offer

more opportunities for involving Scouts in planning so let’s build on that.

As I’ve gone round the country – particularly at regional meetings, the

support team and I have been looking at, and sharing good practice from, the

Expedition Challenge. We continue to receive feedback from Scout Leaders

who find this difficult to deliver and I hope that our advice has given ideas to

Leaders to make this valuable and enjoyable opportunity available to more

Scouts.

The Chief Scout is organising ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for Scouts

– a Survival Camp in August and details are in the

following pages.

Finally, Ed Wilson, who has worked at Gilwell in the

Scout Office supporting us in the Section for the past two

years, is moving on to pastures new. We thank him for his

excellent work and wish him every success in his new job.

Practical support

Contents 4 Survival camp

Chief Scout Bear Grylls is offering Scouts the chance to join him on a 24-hour adventure camp. All the detals are here

6 Outdoor PlusWhat you should look for in a campsite

8 Meeting sparklersFun ideas for your meeting

10 Programmes on a plate This issue’s theme is Scouting skills

14 Clockface orienteeringAn exercise in improving your Scouts’ outdoor skills

16 Greenfi eld or ready made?Phil Santana-Reedy and Louise Henderson examine the various merits of different types of camping locations


4 Scouts February/March 2010

Be like Bear

W hen young people come up and ask me

‘How do I learn the stuff you do on Born

Survivor?’ I tell them to join the Scouts.

There are hundreds of activities, and you

get trained by the best.

I went on to learn a lot of my survival skills in the special

forces and I guess I continue to do so through my day job,

but above all I’m keen to pass some of them on to Scouts

face-to-face.

That’s why I’m so pleased to be able to announce the

first Chief Scout’s Survival Camp, to be held in an

undisclosed island location in Wales at the end of July.

Eight Scouts who have proven themselves by gaining the

Chief Scout’s Gold Award by 31 July will join me for a 24

hour wilderness camp where we’ll get to have a wild

adventure, and loads of fun.

The successful applicants will have to go above and

beyond to show that they’re up to the challenge. I’m

looking for young people who I think will benefit the most

from the camp. I’m relying on you, the Scout Leaders,

to pass the information on to your Troop, and encourage

the Scouts who could be eligible to finish their Gold

Award in time, to complete the application.

Good luck!

Award in time, to complete the application.

The Scout section will be the first

to experience a 24 hour survival

adventure with Chief Scout Bear

Grylls. Will your Scouts be there?


5scouts.org.uk/pol

Chief SCout’S Survival Camp

Chief Scout’s Survival Camp -

application formName

Date of Birth

Address

Postcode

Email address

Contact telephone

Troop and Scout Group name

Scout Leader’s Name

Scout District

Parent/carer name

Parent/guardian email address

Parental consent

What have you done for your Chief Scout’s Gold Award so far?

(max 300 words; Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary)

.................................................................................................................

........... / ........... / ................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................. (please sign)

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

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Terms and conditions

Who can apply Any invested scout who was born after 01/08/1996, who has completed or will have completed their Chief Scout’s Gold Award by 31 July 2010How to Apply There are two ways for Scouts to apply for a place on the camp. Either go online to www.scouts.org.uk/survivalcamp and complete the application form, or use this one in the supplement. If using this form, be sure to make copies for all the Scouts in your Troop who are eligible.

In both cases, applicants are encouraged to include additional information to aid their application. This can be photos or reports of activities, or any other form of evidence. Any material you provide will be used online to promote the Chief Scout’s Awards to other Scouts,

and parental consent to use the material in print or online is assumed.

How will you choose which Scouts go to the Survival Camp?All applications will be read by a team of volunteers. From all the applications received a shortlist will be made from which the eight successful Scouts will be selected. This final selection will be done by a panel that will include the Chief Scout and UK Chief Commissioner.Closing date for applications is 15 MayPostal applications should be sent to: Chief Scout’s Survival Camp, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, E4 7QWFull terms and conditions, plus some FAQs, are available online at www.scouts.org.uk/survivalcamp

"



Find a Campsite

ChecklistThere are many recognised campsites run by The Scout

Association, Counties, and Districts (see the ads in

Scouting magazine) or you can look for a greenfield site.

After deciding where you want to go and what you want

to do, you should:

• Check the maps of the area. If you know someone who

has been there before, talk to them; they might be able

to give you helpful information about what’s available

in the area, best shops for food buying, etc.

• If using public transport remember to check for distance

from where you alight to where you are camping

• Organise your equipment so that it is packed to be easy

to carry

• Arrange for heavy equipment to be brought to the site.

EssentialsWhen choosing a campsite, check for the following:

• A safe water supply. No dead sheep nearby please!

• Is the site well drained and not on a slope?

• Are there shops nearby?

• Do you need firewood? Are wood fires allowed?

• Is the site sheltered but with an open, non-

claustrophobic aspect?

• Have you got permission to use the land if it is

farmland?

• Will you need to bring a toilet tent?

• Is there something you can do to thank the owner

for the use of the land?

• Are there things to do – places to visit or activities like

orienteering or canoeing?

• Is there any potential danger nearby such as cliffs

or fast-flowing rivers that you need to be aware of?

You’re taking your Scouts on a camping trip. How do you

decide on a site, what should you look for once you get

there and just what is WASWAS and why is it important?

Campsite


Memory tipRemember the mnemonic to help you remember the key

features to consider when choosing a campsite:

WASWASStands for:

ood (is firewood available?)

ccess (how easy to get everyone and the kit on and

off the site?)

upplies (local shops for fresh food, doctor, hospital?)

ater (where’s the drinking water?)

spect (sheltered from prevailing wind, but not too

enclosed - a nice open view)

oil (well drained, easy to get pegs into)

As the weather in the UK is so changeable it’s a good

idea to visualise the site in the worst possible conditions

beforehand. Take some time to choose the best place.

Avoid marshy ground which might become waterlogged

(look for reeds). Look for a dry area that is slightly raised.

Avoid areas with rocks and stones, ground which is very

sandy or that has a lot of clay (poor drainage).

7scouts.org.uk/pol

OUTDOOR PLUS

Download your copy of Scouts Taking the Lead at www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead

more info

W

WS

S

A

A

Look at Taking the Lead p27 and 28. You will find an activity that encourages Scouts to question and solutions that will allow them to play a more active leadership role. It’s not just a theoretical exercise - you can use it to help decide where

you will hold your next Summer Camp, or weekend activity.

Look at and 28. You will find an activity that encourages Scouts to question and solutions that will allow them to play a more active leadership role. It’s not just a theoretical exercise - you can use it to help decide where

you will hold your next Summer Camp, or



Word games, greeting exercises and flexing Scouts’ artistic muscles

are all part of Andrew Corrie’s latest ideas

Meeting sparklers

Do This and Add SomethingThe Group lines up. The person on the right

hand end starts by performing a simple task

such as clapping their hands, bowing their

head or touching their nose. As they do, they

turn to the next person and say “do this and

add something”. The second player repeats

the action, and adds a new one, while the

third copies the first two and adds something

and so on. Anyone unable to perform all of

the previous actions in the proper sequence

goes to the head of the line and becomes

the first player for the next game.

Don’t Say ‘I’Give each person three small disks. Everyone

moves around, introducing themselves to

each other and asks questions that might

make the other person use the word ‘I’.

If anyone does say ‘I’ they must give a disk

to the person asking the question. The aim

of the activity is to collect as many disks

as possible.


Meeting sparklers

9scouts.org.uk/pol

Games and activities

Face to FaceAsk everyone to pair off and wait for your commands.

Select one or more ‘its’ who will have no partners. To start,

get all pairs to stand face-to-face. Then give commands for

all to follow such as ‘back-to-back’, ‘elbow-to-elbow’,

‘thumb-to-thumb’, ‘toe-to-toe’. After a while announce

‘vis-à-vis’ which means all must find new partners and

stand face to face with them. The ‘its’ also try to get

partners. Players greet one another and the game

continues. If used as a get-acquainted game, get players

to shake hands and exchange names.

Knife/Nose GameExplain to the group that they are to do as

you say, not as you do. Point to a knife and

shout ‘Knife!’ or ‘Nose!’ Then point to your

nose and shout either of the words. Change

the speed of your commands. Anyone

making a mistake is out.

Self PortraitsGive each person a paper bag, large enough

to go over their head, and a crayon or felt tip

pen. Tell them to place the bags over their

heads. Ask everyone to draw each item on

their bag as you call it out; left eye, left ear,

right eye, right ear, nose, mouth, etc. Tell half

of the group to remove their bags and look

at the others. Then get them to replace

their bags and let the other half admire

their artwork.


10 June/July 2009

Top

5 id

eas

from

Pr

ogra

mm

es O

nli

ne

(Dec

embe

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52143Sport Relief 2010 - Sporting Heroes

50632 Sweet Rescue

52678 Malawian Fiesta

39393 Human Dominoes

52145Sport Relief 2010 - Sport-o-thon

Programmes on a platePOP

This month’s theme is Scouting skills,

written by Tony Taylor

Flag break 5 mins N/A Scouting skills are associated with outdoor activities like camping and survival techniques as well as socially useful abilities such as fi rst aid, hygiene and budgeting. The best way to learn these skills is through activities that put them into practice. Those listed below can be used as a ‘circus’ of activities.

Debate 10 mins Outdoor and AdventureThemes

What do we mean by ‘Scouting Skills’? From Baden-Powell’s fi rst Scout camp we might think that camping, cooking and tracking is the answer. As Scouting evolved, adventurous activities like climbing, hiking and boating came to the fore. But in today’s society is being able to operate a satellite phone and carry out a health and safety risk assessment more important? Ask the Scouts what they think.

Fire lighting 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureActivities outdoors

Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Give each a box of two matches, a piece of aluminium foil about 50 cm square and a cup with around 100 ml of water in it. They must work outside to fi rst collect materials for a fi re and then light it. It must be kept alight long enough to boil the water in a container fashioned from the foil. Afterwards the fi re must be extinguished and the ashes tidied away.

The cost of a meal

30 mins CommunityTeam-building activities

Take the Scouts in pairs to your local supermarket. In the store they should produce a detailed menu, shopping list and costing for a breakfast and a main meal for a Patrol of six Scouts. As well as the food, they should also include all the peripheral items they will need such as drinks, matches, cooking oil and washing up liquid. As the Scouts won’t be buying anything, it would be a good idea to talk to the store manager before carrying out this activity as a training exercise.

Pitch and strike

30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities

Modern tents with fl exible frame poles can be pitched in good weather without the need for tent pegs. Give pairs of Scouts a modern two-man tent to erect and then strike indoors. For maximum benefi t the pairing should be a novice with an experienced Scout.

Seeing at night


What sort of lighting does your Troop use in camp at night? Provide pairs of Scouts with a range of lights, such as a gas lamp, candle, torch and wind-up lantern. Get them to assess each one for its ability to provide light outside at night, safety, ease of use and environmental impact.

Map reading 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities

Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Provide each with an Ordnance Survey Pathfi nder map, the grid references for a start/fi nish point and three sites to visit en route. Their task is to plan a hike route, avoiding roads as much as possible, between the points. They should also describe the terrain and any landmarks they would encounter in completing the hike.

Axe and saw 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities

Give pairs of Scouts the opportunity to use a saw and a hand axe safely to prepare some fi rewood. You will need a collection of dead tree branches before starting this activity. The wood that is prepared can be used at a later camp.

Flag down, prayers

5 mins Beliefs and AttitudesPrayer, worship and refl ection

Thank you for the opportunity to learn new skills in our Scout Troop. Thank you for the experience and time that our Leaders provide to teach us. Thank you for the support that we get from our families.

Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions Ref Activity name



11scouts.org.uk/pol

For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol

Flag break 5 mins N/A Scouting skills are associated with outdoor activities like camping and survival techniques as well as socially useful abilities such as first aid, hygiene and budgeting. The best way to learn these skills is through activities that put them into practice. Those listed below can be used as a ‘circus’ of activities.

Debate 10 mins Outdoor and AdventureThemes

What do we mean by ‘Scouting Skills’? From Baden-Powell’s first Scout camp we might think that camping, cooking and tracking is the answer. As Scouting evolved, adventurous activities like climbing, hiking and boating came to the fore. But in today’s society is being able to operate a satellite phone and carry out a health and safety risk assessment more important? Ask the Scouts what they think.

Fire lighting 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureActivities outdoors

Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Give each a box of two matches, a piece of aluminium foil about 50 cm square and a cup with around 100 ml of water in it. They must work outside to first collect materials for a fire and then light it. It must be kept alight long enough to boil the water in a container fashioned from the foil. Afterwards the fire must be extinguished and the ashes tidied away.

The cost of a meal

30 mins CommunityTeam-building activities

Take the Scouts in pairs to your local supermarket. In the store they should produce a detailed menu, shopping list and costing for a breakfast and a main meal for a Patrol of six Scouts. As well as the food, they should also include all the peripheral items they will need such as drinks, matches, cooking oil and washing up liquid. As the Scouts won’t be buying anything, it would be a good idea to talk to the store manager before carrying out this activity as a training exercise.

Pitch and strike


Modern tents with flexible frame poles can be pitched in good weather without the need for tent pegs. Give pairs of Scouts a modern two-man tent to erect and then strike indoors. For maximum benefit the pairing should be a novice with an experienced Scout.

Seeing at night


What sort of lighting does your Troop use in camp at night? Provide pairs of Scouts with a range of lights, such as a gas lamp, candle, torch and wind-up lantern. Get them to assess each one for its ability to provide light outside at night, safety, ease of use and environmental impact.

Map reading 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities

Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Provide each with an Ordnance Survey Pathfinder map, the grid references for a start/finish point and three sites to visit en route. Their task is to plan a hike route, avoiding roads as much as possible, between the points. They should also describe the terrain and any landmarks they would encounter in completing the hike.

Axe and saw 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities

Give pairs of Scouts the opportunity to use a saw and a hand axe safely to prepare some firewood. You will need a collection of dead tree branches before starting this activity. The wood that is prepared can be used at a later camp.

Flag down, prayers

5 mins Beliefs and AttitudesPrayer, worship and reflection

Thank you for the opportunity to learn new skills in our Scout Troop. Thank you for the experience and time that our Leaders provide to teach us. Thank you for the support that we get from our families.

Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions

11scouts.org.uk/pol

Diversity dates coming soonApril 2 Good Friday (Christian)

4 (19th Orthodox) Easter Day

(Christian)

5 Ch’ing Ming/Festival of pure

brightness (Chinese)

8 Hanamatsuri (Buddhist)

12 Yom Ha-Shoah (Jewish)

14 Vaisakha/Baisakhi (Sikh)

21 1st Day of Ridwan (Baha’i)

23 St George’s Day

25 Start of Save the Children

week

26 Start of RSPCA week

MayNational share a story month

2 Lag B’omer (Jewish)

3 Start of deaf awareness week

3 Start of Red Cross week (tbc)

8 World fair trade day

9 Start of Christian Aid week

13 Ascension Day (Christian)

19 20th Shavuot (Jewish)

23 Pentecost/Whitsuntide

(Christian)

23 Anniversary of the declaration

of the Bab (Baha’i)

27 Vesakha Puja/Wesak/Buddha

Day (Buddhist)

29 Anniversary of the ascension

of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)



Since the launch of the Garmin-sponsored Hiker badge, over 7000 of you have downloaded the resource pack and tackled the great outdoors with a Garmin GPS in hand.

T he Hiker badge obviously involves some serious

trekking but using Garmin GPS it becomes a

walk in the park. Just to make the hike a bit

more interesting Garmin has challenged you to

geocache along the way! Geocaching is basically

high-tech treasure hunting where you search for hidden

boxes or ‘geocaches’ in the great outdoors. The geocaches

can contain a variety of items including toys, coins, stickers

and a log book for you to write in to say you’ve been

there. You can plan your hike around the location of the

geocaches and race each other to make it a real event.

To find a geocache near you visit www.geocaching.com

Garmin GPS are available from all the main outdoor

retailers but Blacks is kindly offering Scouts 10% off a

Garmin eTrex H or GPS 60 handheld GPS and a free guide

to GPS book worth £9.99 with the voucher below. Simply

cut it out and take it to your nearest Blacks store to receive

your discount and free gift.

Prize hike

If you’re keen on the outdoors you may want to get a

Garmin Oregon or Dakota 20 GPS. Both have colour

touchscreens and are compatible with Garmin GB

Discoverer mapping, giving you an Ordnance Survey map

inside your GPS! Visit www.garmingbdiscoverer.co.uk to

find out more.

The beauty of geocaching and hiking with a Garmin

GPS is that once you’ve bought the handset its costs

nothing to enjoy the great outdoors so just get out there!

Download the Hiker badge resource at www.scouts.org.uk/garmin

more info


http://leisure.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

13scouts.org.uk/pol

PROMO

Discover the natural wonders on your doorstep

Ordnance Survey, great mapping for Scouts

2010 has been named the International Year of Biodiversity – but what does that actually mean?

Ordnance Survey, Britain’s national mapping agency provides essentials to those who love the outdoors. From detailed maps to digital mapping products for gadget lovers

M ention biodiversity to most people and they

immediately think about rare animals like the

giant panda, or threatened habitats like the

rainforests.

In fact biodiversity includes all living things and all

habitats, from humans right down to the smallest

microbe, from the deepest countryside to your local park.

It’s not just ‘exotic’ species that are in decline. Many

creatures that we take for granted are under threat too,

like the grass snake, the water vole, even the beautiful

song thrush.

But there are lots of ways in which Scouts can help to

save the rich wildlife around us and become good

neighbours to nature. By getting out and about to

discover some of the incredible wildlife on their doorstep,

your Scouts will be well on the way to achieving their

Naturalist badge, which is sponsored by Natural England.

S couts have used Ordnance Survey for years and

detailed maps have helped many to learn about

navigation. They are ideal for Scout Leaders,

Scouts, and Cubs to use when camping, orienteering

and hiking or for gaining the experience needed for the

Scout Navigator Badge.

Top products for ScoutsOS Explorer Map – perfect for walks, hikes, rides and

rambles. Covering every part of England, Scotland and

Wales with a 4cm to 1km (2.5 inches to 1 mile) scale.

OS Landranger Map – your ideal planning partner for

days out and holidays. This series covers Great Britain

with 204 detailed maps. Each map provides all the

information required

to know your local

area in greater detail.

Get active with the

weatherproof versions.The maps

in the OS Explorer map – Active

and OS Landranger – Active ranges are

‘encapsulated’ or weatherproof maps.

They contain the same information as the

standard series but are covered in a lightweight

protective plastic coating.

You could plan a trip to your local national nature reserve –watch out for exciting events at www.naturalengland.org.uk/millionchildren or get involved with Natural England’s Big Wildlife Garden www.bwg.naturalengland.org.uk

more info



Clockface orienteering

Andrew Corrie outlines an effective method of

improving your Scouts’ orienteering skills

Basic trainingOrienteering usually covers a wide area of outdoor space

but it doesn’t have to. Basic compass practice can be

provided by ‘clockface orienteering’. All that is needed to

set out a training area are:

• a length of rope

• an accurate compass

• 15 tent pegs

• an area about the size of a football pitch (or larger) - the

area doesn’t need to be flat.

Peg the end of the rope (or a tape measure) to the

centre spot of the field. Set out the twelve ‘hour’ positions

of a clock by inserting a tent peg into the ground at the

other end of the rope as it is rotated on a series of

compass bearings at 30° intervals up to 360°. The tent

pegs (or other markers) should be inserted into the ground

so that they’re not easily visible from a distance of more

than, say, two yards. They should be identified by a letter,

preferably in a random fashion, so that the sequence is not

obvious to those taking part.

In addition, two other marker pegs should be positioned

at some known distance apart (such as 25 metres) so that

the competitors can check the length of their pace prior to

setting off on the course. This should preferably be located

away from any of the pegs used to mark the playing circle.

Devise coursesThis layout can then be used to devise a number of

orienteering courses, ranging from a simple shape to a

complex zig-zag, by means of the “ready reckoner” table

(fig. 3). This gives the distance and bearing between all

possible pairs of points for a circle of radius 100 feet with

twelve o’clock at due north from the centre. So a typical

nine stage course could be devised as follows:

1. Take point 1 (1 o’clock) as the start

2. Draw each stage of the course on a circle (as in fig. 1)

taking care to use stages of different lengths

3. Number each stage in sequence on this plan

4. Obtain the bearing and distance details from the

appropriate squares from the clock face “ready-

reckoner” (fig 3) and insert these in the chart (fig 2)

5. List these route details in a single column, as instructions

for each competing team, with a request that they

should indicate the identification letter of each marker.

These can be compared with the Leader’s original route

lists to check that each team followed the correct

sequence of marker points.

The great benefit of the arrangement hinges on the use

of the ‘ready-reckoner’ table since it enables the course

details, and instructions, to be worked out in advance

(provided the radius of the circle is known); whilst the

clockface can, if necessary, be laid out later (immediately

prior to a Troop meeting, for example).

Prepare cards in advance for each route and hand them

out. At each stage of the course the Scouts write in the

letter on the marked peg. (There’s a completed card based

on the route used in Fig 1)

Stage Distance Bearing Letter1 100’ 210° K2 100’ 90° B3 173’ 240° G4 52’ 315° E5 173’ 30° A6 100’ 240° D7 173’ 150° L8 52’ 75° F9 173’ 0° I

Fig 2


15scouts.org.uk/pol

IntroPractIcal SkIllS

Clockface Ready ReckonerThe chart shows the distance and bearing

of points for a circle of radius 100 feet with

12 o’clock (XII in the chart) at due North

from the centre. The upper figure in each

square represents the distance (in feet) and

the lower figure the bearing (in degrees)

between the points - taking the horizontal

rows as giving the starting point.

For example, to find the data for a journey from

4 o’clock to 3 o’clock find the horizontal row

marked IV and then the vertical row marked III in the

chart - the figures in the square for which these intersect

(i.e. a distance of 52ft on a bearing of 15°).

For circles of other sizes the bearings would be the

same and the distance would be in proportion to the

circle radius; (for a circle of radius 75ft the distance from IV

to III would be 52 X (75/100) = 39 ft).

Fig 3) Clockface Ready Reckoner

Fig 1) A typical Clockface orienteering route



Greenfield or ready made?

Choosing a suitable location for your camping trip depends on many

factors. We examine the main differences between ready made and

greenfield sites


01903 766 921

CAMPING

All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

P hil Santana-Reedy, Group Scout Leader, 13th Stockport, tells us why he prefers ready made locations.

The Troop has 24 members and runs an active programme

including a week-long summer camp on alternate years.

Driving back this year I reflected on how much better it

had been to camp on a managed site with facilities. If I

told my Scouts that we were going to be on a field with

just a tap, I don’t suppose they would react too badly. But

mention that the toilets would be emptied in a pit they

had dug, that fuel for cooking had to be sourced from a

wood, and (worst of all) there was no tuck shop, they

would probably have hot-footed it back home.

Time saverAnd then there’s the leader team. People are working

longer and harder than ever. Where we once had regular

leaders giving lots of time, they might only manage one or

two evenings a month now.

We‘ve also seen a big increase in safety requirements

and procedures. A site that offers fully assessed facilities,

where the service provider will also have done the initial

checks, dramatically cuts the time requirements for

leaders. It also helps protect from the threat of litigation.

In addition, many newer leaders haven’t experienced

greenfield camping and are used to creating a camp

programme using on-site facilities.

Instant gratificationEven if we were a leader team with bags of time and

experience and the permit to camp greenfield, would we

be able to sell it? The change in time demands placed on

people has been matched by a similar increase in

expectations. Today’s children live in an environment of

instant fun where the computer lights up or the X-Box

kicks in at the flick of a switch.

That transfers to Scouting. Our programme has altered

to reflect societal change. We might like to think about

offering greenfield as an alternative, but selling a concept

of fun without visual proof just won’t cut it. We’re

competing with a frenzy of information through a variety

of media.

Scouting is successful today because it has evolved.

Our hard-pressed leaders need to provide adventure

in a safe, constructed environment where the fun is >>

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Item code: 1021985

was £6.99

£5.50 Silverpoint Wind Up 3 LED Head Torch

Item code: 1023863

£8

Scout Camp PackItem code: 1027665

Save £13.50 against items sold separately Get kitted out for camp and make a big saving.

Detachable headlight with 3 light settings. One minute of winding

provides 20 minutes of power.

On the move or in your tent, get a good night’s sleep with a space-

saving inflatable pillow.

This essential mat gives pro-tection, insulation and comfort

and has multiple uses.

Vango Nitestar 250 Sleeping Bag

Item code: 1026328

was £30

£25

Recommended for DofE, the Nitestar offers warm

and seriously comfortable sleeping for the dedicated

camper.

Scouts Be Prepared

35 Litre DaysackItem code: 1027424

£25

With adjustable back system, emergency whistle

and plenty of features, this robust rucksack has

everything you need to be prepare for a hike.

£50



there for all to see and all they have to do is join in.

That’s why our sites are developing more activities;

to reflect the needs of today, not to recreate yesterday.

Louise Henderson outlines the advantages of greenfield sites Did you read the letter in the October issue from Alan

Leader? He pointed out that whilst Bear Grylls was

suggesting interesting and exciting ideas, the chances of

being able to try them at a Scout camp site were almost

zero. Like any community Scout sites need rules. Without

them they would deteriorate under the pressure of

numbers and so wardens are rightly jealous of their

facilities and protect them accordingly.

There can be no doubt though, that the opportunity to dig

holes (for whatever reason), put up a rope swing, dam the

burn, climb trees and any number of other core activities are

what will make a camp memorable for many Scouts.

Freedom to discoverYoung people find their lives awash with regulations.

Grown-ups feel the need to sanitise, protect and civilise

them through a barrage of restrictions and directives.

However, when at camp, we in Scouting have the

opportunity to dispense with much of this excess

constraint and allow them the freedom to discover for

themselves the boundaries of reasonable behaviour both

towards each other and their environment.

So, where is this campsite with no rules? It is a

greenfield site and has no toilet block, hot showers, shops

and maybe even no running water. And what’s the big

attraction? To turn up at an empty field with no-one else

in sight, make it into a comfortable home for a week and

walk away leaving nothing but your thanks has to be as

close as it gets to living the Scout dream.

Evolving rulesOnce there are no neighbours and no worries about

overuse, the rules can change from those imposed upon

the Scouts to those that evolve from the Scouts. How

much more meaningful those unwritten rules that grow

from experience will be and it’s more likely that, on return

to the ‘real’ world, participants will better appreciate some

of the regulations that it holds.

Official Scout sites are great and certainly have their

place, but once you have tried a true greenfield camp

you will never go back. Not even for the hot showers!

Which do you prefer? Greenfield or ready-made? Let us know at [email protected]

more info

>>

Greenfield or Ready Made?


IBC_Scouts_FebMar.indd 6 13/01/2010 13:27

OBC_Scouts_FebMar.indd 6 13/01/2010 13:27

scouts - the magazine for scout leadersfebruary/march 2010

Documents

skills scouts

scout association

scout office

scouts februarymarch

scout section programme

scout leaders februarymarch

scouts outdoor skills

west coker scout group