Warwickshire Scouts Issue 86 - May 2010www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk

INTouch | Welcome to WISPA | Active Support Launches | Explorers & Scouts Working Together

...Stratford rockets away!Beavers & Cub Scouts from across Stratford District

visited the Space Centre (Leicester) recently. Much

fun was had by youngsters, parents and leaders

plus we received a letter congratulating everyone

on their excellent behaviour!

Congratulations to all St.

George's Day Award recipients.

Please see the County website for details.

Early March saw WAGS

deliver a brilliant week of

entertainment, not only did

they sell more tickets than

ever before, they raised

£2,500 for charity. Well

Done!

Last month saw the first planning meeting

for the County Camp in 2011. Although still

in its early stages, this will be a fantastic

event. Motivat10n is also moving fast, with

over 200 Explorers already booked to

attend.

Our thanks to WCVYS and John Sharp for

their help with our successful grant

application to Warwickshire County

Council. This annual grant is most welcome,

although not guaranteed.

Having served 5 years as your County

Commissioner, I recently accepted the post of

Regional Commissioner (West Midlands).

Before launching into this new challenge I will

ensure Warwickshire is left in good hands.

I am happy to talk to anyone who wishes to

explore the position and I am also happy to

arrange a confidential chat with any other

County Commissioners who may be of help.

Warwickshire is a fun and exciting place to

do Scouting, so I hope as you read about the

search for my replacement you will think

about whether this is a job you can do or

you can nominate someone else for. We are

looking for someone who will be an asset in

managing Warwickshire's winning team to

provide exciting, safe Scouting for more and

more young people.

Have fun!

Dave

County Outlook

The number of Scouts in the UK has increased by 16,500 since 2009, biggest rise in 38 years

Chairman's CornerIn past reports I have mentioned that 2010

would involve changes in the structure of the

County Executive Committee; even I was

unaware of how radical these changes would be.

Dave Bramston has been appointed Regional

Commissioner. This means we are searching for

his replacement. Anyone interested in taking on

the role of County Commissioner is encouraged

to apply. Whether you nominate yourself or

someone else, we shall be happy to receive all

applications.

Whoever is successful will have the backing of

the whole Executive Committee and County

Scout Members and the transition will be made

as painless as possible.

Dave has been instrumental in developing

Warwickshire into one of the most forward

thinking and innovative counties in the Country,

whilst not losing site of basic Scouting values.

Typically he has stated he is happy to support his

successor in the transition period. Dave will be a

hard act to follow; working as a team we will

continue to develop and look forward to

embracing new ideas from his successor which

will without doubt benefit the County as a whole.

On behalf of the Exec' and County Scouting

Members I should like to congratulate David on

his appointment and inform Headquarters that

our loss is definitely their gain (although I'm not

sure they know what they have let themselves in

for!)

Sid Russell

Capitation ThanksThank you to all District Treasurers for their very

prompt response to this year's request for

capitation payments. I am pleased to say all

payments were received by the 7 April deadline

and our County payment was made to the Scout

Association in time to claim the 50p early

payment discount.

Hazel Prescott | County Treasurer

STOP PRESS: We have the date and venue for the County Camp

20th - 22nd May 2011 at Stoneleigh Park (home of what was The Royal Show)

If this is the first issue of WISPA you have

receive then we hope you enjoy it. WISPA is

now sent to every adult who is a registered

member of Warwickshire Scouting.

We aim to make each issue of WISPA as

interesting as possible. The County team use

it to publicise forthcoming programme events

and promote good practice and District teams

use it for idea sharing and to shout about local

success stories.

Anyone can contribute WISPA and we like to

receive good quality photos showing local

Scouting in action. WISPA is issued quarterly

on the first of February, May, August and

November. The deadline for submissions is

the 14th of the month before publication.

WISPA is also published online at

www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk We will

continue to send you our newsletter unless

you tell us not to. To opt-out of receiving

WISPA by post please either contact Andy

Walker at andy.walker@googlemail.com or

click on the 'opt-out' button on the WISPA

page of the website.

Communication Team

Welcome to .....Warwickshire Scout County's

newsletter for those supporting

Scouting

Please help us to find a new County

Commissioner for Warwickshire by

nominating any people you think should be

considered for this important appointment.

Use the form available at

www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk (click on

the advert). There is also a copy of the role

description and other information. Paper

copies can be obtained by calling the County

Secretary, Andy Walker, on 01926 774277.

To keep the process confidential, and to avoid

building up false hopes, please submit

nominations without approaching the

individuals concerned. It is perfectly

acceptable to nominate yourself using the

same form, but again to maintain

confidentiality do not tell

others that you have done

so.

Please think carefully about people you know,

whether in Scouting, at work, or in the wider

community, to identify anyone who you

believe would be a good County

Commissioner. Don't compare them with the

current or any previous CCs because at this

stage it is important to draw up a list with the

widest possible cross section of people.

Nomination forms must be returned by 28th

May. Thank you in anticipation of your

support.

Sid Russell | County & Search Team Chairman

Nominations for a new County Commissioner?

Nuneaton Cub Scouts held their

annual Ghost Hunt recently at

Ullesthorpe. By the light of the moon

this was a scary place!

Fifty Cubs took part in a variety

of activities from lightweight

tent pitching to camp cooking,

and woodcraft to chivalry. A

great time was had by all.

Under the leadership of Phil Houghton & Jo-ann

Bramston (ACC Scouts & Explorers) the County is

currently looking at how to improve retention between

Scouts and Explorers.

The project so far has looked at the following:

Scouts and Explorer Scout membership over the past 5

years and see if we can see any pattern on when we lose

them. Data is currently being collect to identify where &

when we are loosing people.

What is happening in the 'life' of a 14-18 year old? Exams,

relationships, driving, earning money, DofE (Scouts or

school) plus lots of other stuff they want to get involved in;

camps, gang shows, etc. In fact there are huge demands on

this age range.

How Districts communicate and engage with the older

Scouts to aid transition. Having looked at this we recently

shared best practice with the Explorer leadership across

Warwickshire. Plus all Districts are encouraged to carry out

joint activities with the older Scout age range, as we believe

this will aid successful transition.

Is Explore Scout provision in the right place within Districts?

Longer term we plan to map Scout Troop locations overlaid

with Explorer Units. This will be published so young people

can see the choices available to them.

Is the Explore programme sufficiently flexible to allow for the

many life challenges this age group encounters? We are

working with DESC's & Explorer Leaders to see if too much

or too little is expected from this age group bearing in mind

their full lives. We will also be working with the Training Team

to promote key message to Explorer leaders about flexibility

of membership and commitment for this age group.

Explorers & Scouts Working TogetherExplorer Scout agerange changes:The Vetting & Barring Scheme will

start to be implemented from July

2010. Most people in Scouting

aged 18 or over will need to be

registered with the Independent

Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Feedback to HQ suggests having

both Leaders and young people

over the age of 18 years old can

cause some confusion with regard

to making correct arrangements for

residential experiences, CRB /

disclosure checking, permits etc.

To clarify the distinction between

young people and adults in the

Association, the Explorer Scout

section age flexibility will change

with effect from July 2010.

Currently Explorer Scouts have

until they are 18 years old to move

on. From July 2010 Explorer Scouts

will be required to move on from

the Explorer Scout Section by their

18th birthday.

Explorer Scouts can move on to

any or all of:

The Scout Network section (from

17 1/2 years of age)

To a role in Scout Active Support

(from 18 years of age)

To any other adult role in Scouting

(from 18 years of age)

Jo-ann Bramston (01926 498168) | ACC Explorers

Scout Active Support is an opportunity for

adults to volunteer time to support Scouting

in Warwickshire. As an adult you can

volunteer time flexibly to suit you. Groups of

people who join together to provide support

are known as Active Support Units. Units

provide a resource pool for managers of local

Scouting.

Scout Active Support welcomes men &

women aged 18 and over of all interests,

abilities and backgrounds. All that is required

is a willingness to volunteer some time to

support Scouting. To be a member of a Scout

Active Support Unit you must become a

member or associate member of The Scout

Association.

In Warwickshire there will be Units for all

interests including Activity Centre,

Warwickshire Gang Show, County Events and

County Commissioners Support.

To find out more, come along to one of our

open meetings, (without commitment).

www.scouts.org.uk/activesupport

Tony Guy | County Active Support Manager -

tony@tonyguy.co.uk | 0777 416 2222

Wednesday 12th May, 7.30-9.00pm

Alfrey Activity Centre, Maxstoke Lane,

Meriden CV7 7HR

or

Sunday 16th May, 2.00-3.30pm

Dale Street Church, Leamington Spa

CV32 5HL

Nuneaton LeaderScores a Treble!

Andrea Dunn, ASL 1st Bulkington at a

recent awards evening received her Duke

of Edinburgh Gold Award from Helen

Heenan, Adult Training Wood-beads from

Sam Marshall and the Queen Scout Award

from Dave Bramston.

Andrea travelled to St James Palace in early

April to receive her certificate from Prince

Edward and was on Parade at Windsor

Castle for the Queens Scout Parade,

attended this year by HRH Prince of Wales.

Congratulations to Andrea on this

fantastic achievement!

Shelterbox ChallengeOver 18,000 young people from all sections

of Scouting have now registered to take part

in the ShelterBox Challenge. The

ShelterBox Challenge is a brilliant

opportunity for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and

Explorers to take part in fun activities whilst

exploring the international disaster relief

work of ShelterBox.

Skills Training Day - 5th June 2010

STOP PRESS: The Warwickshire Unit have agreed on their unit name...BRITISH BEARWAYS...stand forward and take a bow! We look forward to seeing their Unit badge soon.

HQ have recently become aware of some confusion and

concerns at the implications of the revised swimming rules

contained in the recently updated edition of POR. As a result

the HQ Activities Team is carrying out an urgent review of our swimming rules.

Please note that whilst this review will be undertaken, the rules as written in POR remain

in place and must be followed.

Swimming Rules

It's been a crazy nine months in the world of

Jamboree preparations! Road shows,

recruitment and some of the toughest

decisions we've had to make in our Scouting

lives. Finally Unit 79 was created with 36

young people who will represent

Warwickshire in 18 months time.

Our training programme started in February

with our 'get to know you' day. Inspired by the

words 'Strangers are just friends you have not

met yet', the Unit was engaged in a variety of

tasks designed to encourage interaction.

Challenged to force themselves into different

shapes to mimic vehicles, chairs and even a

toilet, we were soon surrounded by much

laughter! During the day they embarked upon

a 4 (yes 4!) legged assault course, rivalled

each other at blindfolded egg & spoon racing

and even tested origami skills.

A fantastic day setting a great tone for events

to come!

This signalled a light-hearted start to our

training programme. Over the next year our

Unit will attend training camps designed to

help build the skills necessary to get the most

from the Jamboree; teamwork, Scouting skills

& working in the community. It's going to be a

fantastic journey!

Andy Shorter | Unit 79 Contingent Leader

News:Alfrey Centre: Over 140 scouts from across

the county enjoyed a weekend of challenges

for the bi-annual Olympics trophy at Alfrey

Activity Centre Broadwater. Congratulations

to Hampton Magna's 'M.I.T.' who won the

trophy and were declared true Olympians.

Bookings for our Cub 'Fun in the Sun' camp,

11-13 June are being taken. Visit

www.broadwatersc.co.uk for details.

ACC International Vacancy: Graham Martin

is stepping down as ACC International. Our

sincere thanks go to Graham for carrying out

the role with such dedication over many

years.

For full details of the role & responsibilities

go to www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk and

click on the home page news item.

Nominations and applications should be sent

to the County Commissioner.

Anyone interested in taking up this role is

welcome to contact David, in confidence,

01926 498168|davebram@ukonline.co.uk

New Resources! The following are now

available from Scout Shops: Colony

Programmes Plus II, Pack Programmes Plus

II, Troop Programmers Plus II, Unit

Programmes Plus II, Beaver Scout Games,

Cub Scout Games, Scout Games and Nights

Away

(new

edition).

Nuneaton GangshowMembers of Nuneaton

Gang Show were visited

by the Mayor &

Mayoress of Nuneaton &

Bedworth. Afterwards,

the Mayor talked to the

cast and said how much

he had enjoyed the show. Indeed he was seen virtually

jumping up and down in his seat. Also visiting the show

was CC, Dave Bramston

who after visiting the

cast left the theatre still

humming some of the

songs!

Geoff Russell

Motivat10n - Explorer Camp - 17/19 Sept 2010

...The NEW Home Contact System

Scouting has reviewed Home Contacts.

The new system is called InTouch. DCs

have passed information to all Groups

so that across Warwickshire we will all

use the new system from 1st May 2010.

InTouch is designed to give you more flexibility to put

together the most effective communication process for

all events & activities you run, including recognising the

different communication methods available.

InTouch needs to be in place for every event or activity

within Scouting. Whether regular weekly meetings or

international expeditions and for all sections and groups

(young people and adults).

The InTouch process asks the leader in charge of the

activity to think about a series of key questions about

how contact information will be held and accessed, how

leaders, young people and parents will communicate

and how communication will be handled in an

emergency.

To help you implement InTouch several resources have

been created and can be found at

www.scouts.org.uk/intouch. These include factsheets,

frequent questions & answers and other useful

information. There was also information in the

December/January edition of Scouting Magazine.

Sam Marshall | County Training Manager

INtouch

Cub Leaders & HelpersTraining Weekendfor all adults at

Alfrey Activity Centre9th-10th October 2010

FREEFREE

www.warwickshirescouts.org.uk/cubs/

for moreinformationcall Graham

on 01926 431384

County useful numbers:See County website.

Diary Dates:16 May: Scout Fishing Competition

5 June: County Basic Skills Day - Horley

11-13 June: Cub Beach Party - Alfrey

Centre

27 June: Beaver Fun Day - Alfrey Centre

17-19 Sept: Motivat10n - Explorer Camp

2 Oct: Frank Latcham

9-10 Oct: Cub Leader Training Weekend

For more information & specific training

details please consult the County website

calendar.

Next WISPA deadline:

14th July 2010 - all articles & adverts. If your Group needs a website.

Contact: Alan Peedle - 5 Broomybank, Kenilworth CV8 2SF | 01926 851195 | alan@acstededesign.co.uk

Limebridge Scout Camp,

Nr Alcester

17 to 19 September 2010

Contact Unit Leader for more infoCamp deposits to be paid ASAP

Final balances by 19 July 2010

MOTIVATMOTIVAT1010Nm o t i v 8 - 2 0 1 0

MOTIVAT10N

Leamington Commissioner makes newfriends in MauritiusTim Thorpe (Leamington DC) and his wife Cathy

recently holidayed in Mauritius. Cathy, a Brownie

Guider, had made contact with the Chief Commissioner

of Mauritius, for the Guiding Centenary.

Tim says: “At the meeting place in Curepipe, we

discovered the Brownies (known as Bluebirds) meet at

the same time as the other uniformed groups. We

found Cubs, Scouts and Ventures in the Scout hut

behind an adjacent building.

This became a great opportunity for us to mix with Scouts and leaders from another country. They were

very friendly and made us feel very welcome. It was amazing to travel so far and discover the same bond

with Scouts from other sides of the world, and to realise that we operate in very much the same way.

It was an amazing experience and hopefully we can develop the friendship link in the future.”

Tim Thorpe | Leamington DC