Sweden

I went to see off Ollie, one of our young leaders, who was leaving for Denmark where all the 4,000 UK contingents were meeting up. A great big party was held before those from the UK went on their way to Sweden, to meet up with 38,000 Other Scouts from 160 countries.

It has been raining a lot but has not stopped the fun, and they all enjoyed the opening ceremony last night with fireworks and Bear Grylls absailed in to hand over to Sweden.

Each of the sub camps are named after seasons with Ollie in Autumn. I am busy this summer visiting several of our members on various trips but hopefully will update you with more jamboree news at a later date.

Can you see me and Ollie?

Latest geocaching update

The Scouts are still in the lead, however there has been no movement of their travel bug for a long time now and we await news of its actual where abouts. I wonder what the summer holidays will bring for our travellers?

Have a look at the Geocaching site for more details:

Beavers

Cubs

Scouts

Raft race video

Water water everywhere

Two 3rd Ware teams battle it out

Friday night was the annual Scout and Guide swimming gala at Ware Lido. The weather held and the young people enjoyed their races and the free swim at the end. We did not win but we had fun and supported each other.

The build

Saturday was a bit wetter! As part of the Ware festival a raft race is held every year. There are two prizes. One for the overall winner and one for the first placed Scout raft. Sometimes this is the same raft and others not.

3rd Ware Scouts always enter two or three rafts and sometimes one wonders if they actually want to complete the course or whether the aim is to break up in to lots of pieces and get to swim in the river!

This year the entire race took place in very heavy rain, however this did not dampen any ones spirits and if anything seemed to have the opposite effect and lots of smiles were seen.

The rafts were built, launched, raced and not a single one fell apart this year. All completed the course and 2nd Ware once again won the Scout trophy. Well done to them. I did however get a little ride on it before it was handed over.

Finishing line

Hitching a lift on the trophy

Shelter Building

On Wednesday 13th I went to the woods with River Lea Beavers and this time we were there to build shelters not play a wide game! The Beaver Leaders tell me that this is a traditional end of year activity, which is always popular. 

Sadly the other one had to be abandoned this year as "rain stopped play" in the annual sports against 3rd Hertford Beavers.

Alexander says: "We went to the woods and used wood and branches and leaves and growing sticking to make shelters. We made a really really big one that we could all fit in. Gus came in as well. It was lots of fun and I really liked it. I hope we do it again."

Alex...I am sure you will.

Bell Boating

This Tuesday I was invited out with Falcon Pack who were going bellboating at Stanborough Lakes as their last meeting of term. First I had to be fitted for my new lifejacket as my mum hadn't signed the form to say I could swim 50m in my hoodie and Akela thought the lifejackets at the lakes might be too big for me!

We got to the lakes and the Cubs put on their lifejackets before they could go on the water. They were divided into two groups and each had a turn paddling up and down the lake. Kaa showed the Cubs how to hold the paddle before they set off up and down the lake. I had a turn holding the paddle before watching from the bank.

After the Cubs had finished their turn in the boat they had a drink and crisps before going home. It was a fun evening and was enjoyed by all the Cubs as well as Will and Ollie our young leaders! I went home with Ollie as I am going shelter building in the woods with River Lea Beavers.

100 years of Scouting in Ware Video

The longer video, as promised.

100 years of Scouting in Ware

In 1911 Ware and District was formed and Scouting in Ware was official! This week end we celebrated this is a big way. Over 700 members of our District camped at Woodhall Park and enjoyed the hospitality of the Abel Smith family who own the land and kindly let us camp there.

The weekend was packed with activities. Water slides, pioneering projects, tug of war, craft, archery, backwoods cooking, assault course, slack ropes, a disco, a film, a campfire and so much more.

The weather was no always on our side, or so it seemed, but we all managed to enjoy the time despite the wet afternoon and were witnesses to a double rainbow in the early evening which seemed to start in the craft tent.

The carnival was a real spectacle. We had been assigned Monsters, Inc. as our film and once our carnival "designer" had actually watched the film (yes she had never seen it...whoops!) the ideas came in full flow and the Young people and parents came up trumps as well with extra costumes.

Thanks for all that hard work. We made a colourful spectacle as we joined the other groups walking along side characters from Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin and many other films.

Badger and I had a go on the slack line and as you can see we were soon experts! This was a very popular activity with young and old alike. None of us were very good at it but the video clips showed us what could be achieved!

Rikki visited us and gave out some awards. One leader gained his wood badge and four others were awarded the Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service. Well done to them.

The camp ended on Sunday after a tug of war competition and a gun run. It was a fantastic way to celebrate scouting and we were glad to share it with the rest of the District. Roll on the Party in December!

District centenary camp video

This is a short snapshot of the weekend. A longer version will be coming soon. Enjoy, because I certainly did and will blog soon.

I had a fantastic weekend and hope you did too.Why not comment and let me (and your leaders) know your best bits and activities?

District Centenary camp 2011

I will be there, will you? I will not be able to blog from this camp whilst we are there and so will up date you when we get home.

This evening

Which tent will be yours?

Carnival video

3rd Ware Scout Group at the carnival and the winning District Float.

Carnival time.

So were you there? We had great fun dressing up as spacemen and aliens and flying our space craft and flying saucers down the midle of the High street.

 

Alien siblings

  

Before we set off



In the parade



Nearly there




Can you spot me?

 Many Congratulations to the trophy winners. This did not include us this year although the Ware and District Float did win one.

District Float

Well to and thank you to all who took part before, during and after the parade and to those worked on the Group bottle stall.

The stall

Scouting the Universe!

I will be at the Carnival later as we "Scout the Universe!" Look out for me walking in the parade; I will also visit the stall and may be spotted wandering around the town as well. If you see me come and say hello!