Messing around on the water

Last Sunday a group of past and present 3rd Ware members took to the water. This was actually the August centenary event (alongside a window display) however booking restrictions saw it take place in September. So what did they do….?

They went white water rafting at the new Olympic competition course!

The two rafts of our members thoroughly enjoyed the evening and thought the instruction was second to none. A training session on the lake and then several runs down the course saw an exhilarated bunch get very wet and happily tired. The rapids were amazing and no one wanted the evening to end.

The evening was judged to be a fantastic success and the most heard word was “Brilliant!”

The evening was rounded off with food and drink and everyone who participated declared they would do it again because it was “brilliant” and those who were still under 14 and so could only spectate can not wait until after the Olympics when they will be old enough to take part!

Think you know Scouting

Here at 3rd Ware we are dedicated to providing Scouting for all. Have a look at this video by The Scout Association to see what the bigger picture is.

WaGAwood

Did you?.....Photos, report and video coming very soon. 

Tug of War

Another annual event in our District calendar is the Beaver tug of war. Each year the colonies gather and compete against each other. The event ends with a traditional campfire for Beavers and parents alike. On Saturday we attended the 2011 TOW.

Here at 3rd Ware we have been fortunate enough to win this event many times over the last few years and it is one that our Beavers throw themselves into with gusto.

This year was the closest event for a long time! Three colonies tied for first place and so a “pull off” had to take place to get 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Sadly for us although River Ash was one of these 3, they ended up 3rd overall – still a fantastic achievement!

River Lea colony came joint 4th, along with three other colonies, after coming a close second (to River Ash, Great Amwell Bears and 2nd Ware). A really close contest with only a couple of points separating 7 colonies! No one could call the winner before the end which made for an exciting afternoon.

New Scout Troop is launched!

On Wednesday the new 3rd Ware Lynx  Scout Troop was launched! A fantastic evening was spent getting to know each other and finding out how to use the many different types of stoves that one comes across at Scout camp. The GSL and I went to visit them and see how they were getting on.

A centenary after our formation 3rd Ware are still going strong; we are fortunate that the Group has always been full enough to provide continuous Scouting in Ware for over 100 years.

In 2007 as part of our celebrations, for the centenary of Scouting, we opened a second Beaver colony. River Ash joined River Lea and both colonies are now always full. They feed into our two Cub packs. This year, to celebrate 100 years of 3rd Ware, we have opened a second Scout Troop.

I went to join in with the fun and to meet the founding Scouts and the Leaders. Some of the Leaders have moved from our Friday Troop bringing with them years of experience, but we also have several brand new and enthusiastic Leaders who jumped at the chance to share this adventure. Thank you to them all.

It was great that so many young people wanted to be Scouts at 3rd Ware but was becoming a problem for us because we would soon not be able to offer them all places. It is thanks to already established Leaders and Scouts (and their families) who were prepared to be flexible and swap nights, as well as the new recruits, that we are now able to ensure all those who express an interest in joining our Troops can now be offered a place (for now!).

We look forward to them becoming an established and important part of 3rd Ware.

Triumphant Falcons

Winners

Well, Oxley Shield is over for another year and our Cubs thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The Cubs have gone home for a well deserved bath and dinner and the leaders have taken the kit back to the stores.

The Falcons were delighted to once again be named as the winners. Well done to them, they fielded a strong and competent team and deserved their win.

The Herons put in a brave attempt and had a lot of fun and were finally declared in 10th place. A great effort Cubs.

During the event the Cubs had to, amongst other things, prepare and cook a meal on an open fire, put up a tent,  tie and use six different knots, take part in an assualt course, use their tracking skills, show their first aid knowledge and light a fire. This is coupled with inspections and teamwork assessments.

Joining the Herons for Inspection

After the evening meal the Cubs took part in a wide game and then a campfire where each Group presented an item. Then it was hot chocloate and into those sleeping bags ready for the morning and the Wildgoose craft competition, which this year involved making flowers for Akela out of unusal items! The item made changes each year.

Well done to the Herons for coming 2nd in the Wildgoose Competition, with the Falcons close behind in 3rd place.

Thanks to all the Cubs who turned up and represent 3rd Ware and let me join them in this event.

Oxley Shield

This weekend I am off to The Oxley Shield. Each September Ware and District invite each Cub Pack to enter a team of six cubs into a skills and camping competition. The teams are made up of two eight year olds, two nine year olds and two ten year olds.

3rd Ware usually try to be inclusive and let as many young people as possible join events and so because the numbers are restricted on this one the two Cub packs do strive to ensure a variety of Cubs take part. This means the twelve Cubs who attend may or may not have taken part before depending on the ages of the Cubs at the time of the competition and the family commitments of the Cubs.

It is a fun weekend and is rounded off with a handicaft competition.

Fun with the Falcons

Last night I went to the HQ to join the Falcon Cubs at their first meeting of the new term and to witness one of the leaders being presented with an award. The county commissioner came down to join us and to make the presentation. Well done Baloo.

A sunday stroll along a river (or two).

The centenary event for September was a river walk. On a rather wet afternoon a group of leaders, young people and their families met at our HQ building and took me for a walk along the river.

We walked from Ware to Stanstead Abbotts and back again. On the way we stopped at the locks to look for boats and we tried opening the lock gates.The rain soon stopped and it was a very pleasant stroll with good company.

When we reached the other end we stopped for refreshments, gave our doggy friend a bowl of water and a treat and then returned via the New River. Here we saw swans, cygnets and lots of geese. In the fields horses were grazing and rabbits hopping around. We stopped to look at Emma's well.

It was a great way to round up the school holiday and to start a new term. Thank you all who attended.

This was my second river walk in as many months. I will update you on the other one when I have time.