Saturday 4 February is World Cancer Day, a global event which aims to raise awareness and encourage people to unite in fighting against all forms of the disease.

Many scouts’ lives are affected by cancer, whether they are diagnosed themselves or know someone who is. For many this means providing care and support, and scout groups are a supportive family environment in which members feel loved and cared for.

Both teams finished over 1 hour ahead of “schedule”, with excellent pace, teamwork and navigation.

We thought they could do it, and they most  certainly did

Photos are here

The trace of the route is here in three parts (technology issues abounded)

http://runkeeper.com/user/davidjwbailey/activity/67337314

At those speeds, both Unit teams are in with a good chance of a top 10 place (with a predicted finish around 7h30min assuming 10% route errors and 3 stops of 10 minutes each. Let us all hope that life actually works out like that, as the Southern 50 has a habit of springing surprises by way of route, weather and terrain!

About 14 miles, 25km all told

Pace will be set at about 5kph, which is competitive and challenging, but will be a real step towards some of the big events that you all want to do, like Southern 50, Apex Challenge, Dragnet and even Endurance 80

All welcome, even if not planning to do the Southern 50

This is a full dress rehearsal, so please pack proper kit in a proper day sack with two proper straps. 

Each person must wear or carry at all times on the walk:

• Long trousers or similar to cover the lower body (no denims)
• Boots or walking shoes to give protection from the elements (suitability of footwear will be entirely at the discretion of the Inspection teams)
• Three layers of clothing for the upper body
• Waterproof garments to cover the whole body – including the head
• Hat to cover the ears
• Gloves or mittens
• Whistle
• Torch with spare batteries
• A high visibility jacket or vest. This item must be worn or be clearly visible in times of darkness or low natural light or when instructed to do so by a walk official.
• Emergency rations (glucose, sweets, chocolate, nuts, raisins etc.)
• Survival bag – minimum 500 gauge
• Drinking water
• A mug
• Emergency personal first aid kit

Each team must carry:

• OS maps of the area (we will print a route plan for you)
• Two compasses (Silva or similar)
• A copy of the walk booklet and any other written instructions given on the day
• Team first aid kit containing, as a minimum, a good supply of plasters and 3 large triangular bandages in a waterproof bag/box
• At least one mobile phone which must be fully charged at the start of the event and must be switched on throughout the event. The mobile phone number must be given to  leader.

My thanks to every one of you: leaders, assistants, District, parents and Unit members

We raised money in ways that were almost more fun that the events they funded. We had a ceilidh, we packed bags and we walked 50 miles up and down the Greensand Ridge path with Suzi.

We lost members, who will be missed, but who are now adults and making their way in the world. We wish them all well.

We gained members, and we invested them on rope bridges and at 28,000 feet in an EasyJet plane.

Whenever anyone asks me why I give time to Scouting, I always feel a little selfish – it is such a privilege and an honour, and I get to do some amazing things.

What are we planning for 2012?

Well, at the end of the day that is up to the Committee of young people, but we would like to help by pointing out the opportunities we already know of:

* The Sedan Chair rally is still available in October
* I’ve been asked to run a “backwoods/survival” camp with others in
September
* Suzi is off to Botswana in July
* We are probably summer camping in Norfolk in the first week of the
summer holidays (July)
* It is likely we will get to Gilwell 24 somehow in June
* We may well go to County Camp as well in May
* There are mumbles about an Easter camp somewhere close, that
concentrates on basic camp skills and hiking
* The Southern 50 is looming in February (we hope to get 3 teams into
that, at 30km and 50km)
* We want to get some major outdoor challenges in – perhaps taking
some of the 16 & 17 year olds on a Mountain Marathon?
* We really really really must get our act together for DoE, and
Jacquie (our Scout Network Leader) is going to help Mark do that

We always have a need for adult help, so please do volunteer yourselves or friends

We will need more fund raising (we still don’t have enough tents or a bus)

We have room for more young people – especially younger age range (14 – 15)

Thanks again, and here is to yet more wonderful Scouting in 2012

Possibly January 14th?

• 20km, 10 waypoints
• Navigation required – map and compass
• Leaders will NOT correct changes until error exceeds 1km
• Full hike kit
• Full S50 dress code (see their website)
• Teams of 4 with one leader per team
• One or two intermediate bases staffed by parents
• Several hills will be included

Who wants in?

So, are we all ready for the Xmas party?

Sleeping over at the notified site, the decoration team will be there from 15h45 to set up and get the heating on, light the fire, etc

Invited Guests from Anomalous Unit and Aspley Guise Unit should arrive at 19h00 with:

• £5 towards a curry (leaders will collect, rice will be cooked on site)
• A sense of humour
• Fancy dress (if you want to – Leaders will !)
• Soft drink of choice
• Salty snacks
• Sweets
• A game to share
• A favourite DVD
• An iPod or similar full of music that can be shared
• Outdoor clothes, boots, hat, torch (for a wide game)
• Sleeping bag
• Ground mat / air mat
• Night clothes
• Wash kit

The showers will be off – they risk freezing this time of year!

The rough running order is:

1. games (giant twister, cards, etc)
2. competitions (pin the tail on, pinata, etc)
3. curry
4. music break
5. wide game
6. movie night
7. <free time>

Expect to be picked up around 12h00 on Saturday. After restoring the hut to clean perfection.

Please remember, invited guests only (hence actual address is not posted here)
 

This list will probably surprise a lot of people. Unless they were Explorers, of course.

List of top Five Toys of all time
It is wrong on one important matter – over 20 years of surveys in Scouting have shown that the camp fire is the favourite plaything of everyone 6 to 96 years old.

Each team must comprise of between 3 – 5 participants, all of whom must be members of The Scout Association or GirlGuiding UK.

There are THREE routes, 50 miles and 50km open to all and a 30km route for  Explorer Scouts only. The event is a test of good orienteering skills as well as physical ability and teamwork.

MORE INFORMATION IS HERE

The route will not be disclosed until the day of the event. All teams therefore start with exactly the same chance of winning a trophy.

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We have competed and had enormous fun doing this in previous years. The organisation is excellent, the cameraderie is superb and the event is a serious team and personal challenge.

We recommend that Explorers enter at the 30km distance, and do that at least once before tackling the 50km distance. Adults and network members are welcome to enter the 80km / 50 mile “blue ribband” event. Just make sure you can do the distance, over repeated steep hill, in the dark, on an unknown route, map reading, in February.

If you enter, we will support you with training and skills.