Scouts Winter Camping at -6 Degrees!

camp fire

Another successful Winter Camp at Tolmers Scout Camp near Cuffley saw overnight temperatures down to minus six degrees! All Scouts and leaders coped very well and a fun packed weekend was had by all. Indeed it was a bit chilly, but there was less mud than on previous years – mud is definitely better when frozen!!!

camp fire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were lots of activities available to keep everyone busy including, archery, air rifles, climbing walls, laser tag, quad bikes, dodgems, waltzer, crazy golf, and loads more……

icy tents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the cold temperatures there were plenty of smiling faces – nobody complained of being cold! Our spirits were kept high by a very cheery leadership team, and our bellies well stoked with excellent hot meals supplied by Mark and his catering crew.

ice and smiles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our party of 73 was our biggest Winter Camp yet and we were pleased to share it with, our friends from Liphook Explorers, 124th Nottingham, and Heath & Reach Scouts. With Buzzards Scouts camping just across the field from us it was a great friendly weekend. Thank you all for you help and friendship.

Special thanks to Mark for master-minding the food, and all leaders and adult helpers for your support. You made it happen again!!

 

 

 

Christmas Message

Hi All Scout Families

We wish you and all your families a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

A special thank you to all the leaders and parent helpers who made the last 12 months so enjoyable.

2011 has been quite a year for 1st Linslade Scouts! In total our Scouts have racked up an incredible combined total of 331 nights away!! We have had 5 weekend camps ranging from the annual Winter Camp, to Survival Camp, to Kayak Expeditions. Plus we cannot forget the 9 amazing days in the Swiss Alps during the summer. Only 1323 days to the next trip in 2015!!! Planning has started……

Activities have ranged from day hikes, to night hikes, challenges and expeditions, kayaking and canoeing, climbing, rafting, cycling, football & for the lucky few who got a clear day, gliding. See the web gallery….

See you all in 2012…… 

The Scout Section Leadership Team

Children In Need Cake Sale

brad-cakes

Entrepreneur Scout Bradley B organised a Cake Sale this morning in aid of Children In Need. For the last three weeks he has been canvassing support from all sections, leaders and parents. He even managed to get a mention on local radio and in the local paper! A massive effort from all involved has raised a tremendous £210 for a very worthy charity. WELL DONE BRADLEY!!

brad-cakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were other Scouting activities for the children to do while making their purchases, such as tin can cooking, making gadgets, knots and lashings, camp doughnuts, drawing and colouring, and toasting marshmallows over an open fire.

cake-sale-activities

Many thanks to all parents, leaders, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers that supported Bradley and his team.


Fully Trained….

Trevor presented with Wood Badge

Assistant Scout Leader Trevor Burns was last night presented with his hard earned “Wood Badge” by District Commissioner Andy Goddon. The Wood Badge is the culmination of three years adult training by the Scout Association. Trevor has completed many training courses, planned camps and activities, administration, safety training and perfected his practical skills.

Trevor presented with Wood Badge

The Wood Badge is worn by all fully trained leaders, around the neck, and consists of a leather lace with two wooden beads attached which are carved from a special tree at Gilwell Park – Lord Baden-Powell’s former estate and home of Scouting.

wood badge

Well done Trevor!! We thank you for all the time and effort you give to the Scout Section.

Scouts dredge The Grand Union for treasure!

canal-treasure

On Sunday 16th October a group of our Scouts, Leaders and parents helped the Milton Keynes Branch of the Inland Waterways Association with a clean up of the Grand Union Canal. Following a health and safety briefing we were equipped with grappling hooks and went “fishing” for treasure. Our haul included: two motorbikes, two push bikes, a wheel chair (only 3 wheels!), a car battery, a ladder, a sign post, numerous bits of metal, poles, and what looked like a pair of Trevor’s old pants!…..

The Scouts were rewarded at the end of the session with cake and biscuits, and a trip back to the start on a narrow boat. Their hard work will also go towards the requirements of their Community Challenge Award badge. We would like to thank the IWA for the opportunity to help out, and look forward to the next time.

canal-treasure

 

Kayaking / Hiking / Camping / Gliding……

Ouse-team

WOW!!!  What a weekend 1st Linslade Scouts have just had!

Teacher: “What did you do this weekend?”

1st Linslade Scout: ” On Saturday morning we met up early for our first kayaking expedition on the River Ouse, near Bedford. We paddled five miles down stream, where we met up with the rest of our troop who had travelled from Leighton Buzzard by train to Bedford and hiked along the river bank to A Scout campsite at Great Barford. We all had a really fun session canoeing in the river all afternoon, after which we put up our tents and had a fish and chip supper.”

Ouse-team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Linslade Scout: “On Sunday morning we went to the Cambridge Gliding Centre, where 10 of us each had a half hour flight in the Hertfordshire Scouts powered glider. The instructor even let me take the controls once we were up in the air! The views were amazing!! We all did various activities through the day and passed out Air Activies Badge”.

Gliding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are more photos in the Web Gallery

 

Climbing at Green Park

Climbing Wall

Last week the Scout section had another successful climbing session with the Bucks County Scout Climbing team at the fantastic facility at Green Park, Aston Clinton. More photos in the gallery.

 

Climbing Wall

Scouts back from Kandersteg…

54 Scouts, Explorers, Young Leaders, Leaders and Group friends had a really successful trip to Kandersteg in Switzerland. We stayed at Kandersteg International Scout Centre in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, high up in the Alps. There were hikes to over 2000m, swimming in alpine lakes, white water rafting, cable car rides, overnight expedition to a traditional alpine hutte, and meeting other Scouts from all over the world

Continue reading “Scouts back from Kandersteg…”

Scouts start kayaking course

Now that we have 2 fully qualified Level 1 Coaches for Kayaking & Open Canoes (well done Nigel & Martin!) and have acquired our own boats, the Scout section has started on a 10 week course of sessions at Willen Lake in Milton Keynes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sessions are on Tuesday nights and in addition to usual troop nights. There is a rota organised, so everyone that wants to have a go will get a chance. See Nigel or Martin for more details.