Green Beret

The Green Beret Challenge is a weekend competition for teams of six Scouts. The event is open to all Scout Troops, who may enter as many Teams as practically possible. Teams from outside Hertfordshire are also very welcome, and compete for their own Trophy To achieve the Green Beret Challenge, teams compete in FOUR elements:

- Orienteering


- Assault Course


- Challenge Incidents (daytime)


- Night Exercise

The Challenge is designed to test a group of Scouts through a range of physical and intellectual activities. It also proves to be a significant challenge to their Leadership and Teamwork skills.

No doubt about it, IT’S TOUGH!! However, the Scouts can and do survive, provided they are prepared for the weather, and have trained beforehand. The Challenge is held in November, cold and wet weather is the normal for this time of year. This only adds to the challenge.

Two teams of 3rd Ware Scouts took part and so did our GSL who was on the committee and lots of the local Explorers, many of whom are ex 3rd Ware or still involved at Young leaders.

The Explorers were running several of the bases and one involved pulling a Landrover! This proved irresistible to many.

The Green Beret is always a popular event with 3rd Ware Scouts and one which the younger ones can not wait to take part in. Full results are available of the county website,which is also where I got much of this information from. The Scouts may have enjoyed the events but they were not so forth coming when asked to write about it! Thanks also to the YL and GSL for their words.

Peak Assault

One Friday evening a week or so ago I boarded a coach and set off for an unknown destination. No, it was not a mystery tour, but the Peak assault Competition!

Every year coach loads of Hertfordshire Scouting members, of Explorer age and above, get taken to “destination unknown”, set up camp and then spend the next couple of days yomping round "peaks" to gain as many points as possible in an orienteering event.

I joined them this year because we had two adult teams taking part and also an explorer team which was made up of six Scouts, three of which were 3rd Ware young leaders. There was also many other past and present members there as support teams or organisers.

Some of our Young leaders and Leaders

When we arrived we found out that, this year, we were in the Peak district. The teams camped in two different places with the adults returning to base on the first night and the young people staying at "high camp" overnight.

Which way next?

A great weekend was had by all, the weather held and the sun even came out. The two leader teams did well coming 5th and 6th in their class, and the Explorers exceptionally well coming 8th out of 24 in their class.

It is very popular event and I am glad I got a chance to experience it this year.

Denmark Adventure

I promised to tell you about our trip to Denmark.

Well where shall I start? It was a County expedition and we stayed at an international site in Denmark where we met Scouts from other countries. It was a great experience for us all.

Because 3rd Ware had 6 Scouts and a Young leader attend I was invited to join in the fun. There were no other monkeys at the campsite but I did meet a friend on the ferry going over.

I enjoyed going on a boat with the Scouts. They kept me well fed with chocolate and entertained me with many board and card games. Thanks to them and their leaders.



Ware and District



Whilst away we took part in may practical things. We cooked on wood fires, chopped the wood, built a swing and had a go in a Blacksmiths forge and at making a bracelet. Not to mention rowing the Viking boat and kayaking.

Our pioneering swing

Cooking

At the Forge

Viking boat



Trying our hand at rowing the Viking ships



Kayaking

We had a day trip to Copenhagen where we toured the city, saw lots of Lego, celebrated a birthday and visited the Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid

Another trip out was to Sweden, where we visited the World Scout Jamboree 2011. Here we got to visit the tents from many nations sample their food and drink, take part in their activities, collect souvenirs and meets Scouts and Guides from all over the world.

The UK Fort at the Jamboree

Entering the Jamboree site

All Scout leaders work towards the Wood badge. When they gain this they are a fully trained leader and they are presented with a set of Wood Beads. This usually takes around 3 years to complete. I was allowed to try on a set for size in one of the UK tents.

Look at me!

As you can see we had an amazing time away and all gained from it in many ways. Thanks to everyone who took part and helped create my memories. If any of the 3rd Ware Scouts (or any others) what to contact me and add to the Denmark news then please do.

Denmark

A few days ago six of our Scouts and one of our Young Leaders set off for Denmark and are joining Scouts from the rest of the county to attend a larger camp, experience life in Denmark and visit the 2011 Scout jamboree for a short while. (They are visiting, another of our young leaders is already there as a contingent member.)

I have joined them and am looking forward to the adventures and activities we will undertake whilst there. I wonder what we will do.

They don't have access to phones or computers whilst there and so I will update you when we get back!

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?

Denmark camping

Guess what I did this week end?

A training camp for the Denmark Expedition. Hopefully some of the Scouts, who attended, will help me fill you in a bit later this week. 

Peter Geer winners!

The members of 3rd Ware who attended the parade

What a fantastic day! It all started with the Scouts meeting at Christ Church School and getting ready to take part in the community action. They were set the task of planting a display at the entrance to The Priory. There was a strict plan to follow and it will make an interesting display when it flowers. Make sure you go down and take a look, you will be pleasantly be surprised. You may like to know like to know we planted 1000 bedding plants in the "Centenary Bed". If we didn't get them all mixed up within a few weeks we should see a flowering tribute to the Centenary! If they did get mixed up we will describe it as an abstract!

Community work

Whilst they were doing this, Guides, Explorers, other Scout Troops and Leaders were all over town engaged in other community acts, from planting to cleaning to litter picking. Then it was back to the school for the service.

When they met in the school hall for their service, the rest of the Group joined other Cubs, Beavers, Brownies and Rainbows in Christ Church, Church Building. Here a service not only celebrated St. George but also included presentations  of the different things which had taken place in the District this year.

There were all manner of worthwhile activities from planting flowers with Ware in Bloom to our own fundraising for The Scouts in Gambia. I know I am biased but I thought our speakers presented their item very well.

Presentation in church

After the services the GSL invested our newest Leader and then we formed up ready to parade. It is always exciting to walk through the town and see how many people come out to witness the parade and today was no exception, the sun shone, we smiled and people waved!

Two Scouts, Rikki and me!

Once we reached the Priory the colour parties formed up at the front and the rest of us stood behind and listened to the speeches. We were privileged this year to have Rikki, the Scout County Commissioner attend our celebration and make a speech. I had got to meet him earlier in the day when we were gardening!

Can you see me?

After every section had renewed their promise David Geer gave a short speech and got ready to present the Peter Geer trophy. This is an award  which is presented every year to the Scout Group which has, percentage wise, had the most members take part in District events. It holds special meaning to 3rd Ware because Peter is an ex 3rd Ware Leader and his son attended our Group.

After his death his family instigated the award based on Peter’s philosophy that although it is great to win, taking part and making the most of the opportunities given is just as important, and our Group still stand by that and it is a trophy we have been fortunate to win several times in the past.

Eyes Right

So it was with great delight and surprise that we won again this year! Even Peter’s son seemed thrilled that his old Group had won it in their centenary year. Everyone in the Group and their parents gave a loud cheer and it was smiles all round.

After the presentations we all arranged ourselves for our annual Group photograph and then the Young People, who all still seemed to be smiling, went home.

Thank you to all the Young People and Leaders who represented us today and have turned out over the past 12 months to make us the most active Group in the District.

ITTH 2011

Can you spot me at the bottom of the flag pole?

After the Royal Wedding I nipped off to Orchard Farm. Several of the 3rd Ware Leaders were on the leadership team for Introduction to the Hills which is a joint event held by Hertfordshire Scouts and Guides. Young people aged between 10 and 14 are able to take part in an action packed weekend at in the Peak District which includes; climbing, cycling, walking & orienteering.

It was quite different to my last trip last week but was just as enjoyable and in Wales I did not get a chance to play the piano!

As you can see in the first photo I was watching one of the Leaders playing and was very impressed by his ability, but then another Leader let me into the secret and showed me that even I, yes me a monkey, could play as well because it is in fact a pianola!

I only knew one of the young people on this trip, a Guide and that was because her brothers are in 3rd Ware, but that was fine and of course I knew several Leaders. A big part of Scouting (and Guiding) is about getting out there and having an adventure; making new friends is all part of that. Most of us were in the same position because the young people came from Guides and Scouts from all over Hertfordshire.

We got to take part in quite a few activities from cycling to rock climbing and I particularly enjoyed the orienteering. The views were spectacular and the company was great.

I even got to meet a few more ex-3rd Ware members and have my photo taken with them. It was a fun filled week end and I know that the Scouts and Guides enjoyed it and would recommend it to their friends and there was even a badge to sew on your blanket at the end of it!

My latest badge

Just thought you may like to see my latest badge. I bought it whilst in Lochearnhead last week.

The reason it has a train on it is because Lochearnhead Scout Station is just that; a converted railway station several miles north of Stirling. The station and railway platform have both been restored and are now a dining area, a sun lounge, an office and a fully fitted kitchen. In the grounds of the station are a number of log cabins, showers and toilets, and a large drying room.

Hertfordshire Scouts have been using it for almost 50 years and Ware and District take their turn and visit the station, en mass, roughly once every four years, whilst the IMC and AMC are held there every year.

The station even has its own scarf the Lochearnhead Nicholson Tartan, which I believe you can only wear if you have spent the night at the station and as a modern addition there is now a Lochearnhead buff which I am sporting in the above photograph.

Anyway enough is enough and I have a badge to sew on and packing to do for Thursday.

IMC 2011

The station with Rob Wilkinson in the white shirt.

A week in Lochearnhead with good food, good company and great mountain walks and scenery; who could ask for anything more? 

Fortunately for me the GSL of 3rd Ware, and one of our Young Leaders, attended and so I could go along to keep them company!

I also found out that it does not matter where I go, I still seem to meet ex-members of 3rd Ware. This was a County event, with a wide ranging participation list of all ages, but 3rd Ware was represented by past and present members.

High camp

I am so pleased to be part of a Group that has members who still participate in Scouting even though they have moved on from us. It warms the cockles of my heart!

I was delighted to meet Rob Wilkinson, a past member of 3rd Ware Scout Group and former Leader of Lygean Venture Scouts (Now known as Explorers), he can be glimpsed standing in front of the station in the first photo above. He trained many of our present day Leaders when they were still Venture Scouts and is still actively enjoying Scouting and participating in various events.

Snow!

We spent a week enjoying the fresh air and fantastic scenery.

Our High camp was sited at Inverlochlarig Glen with views of 4 different Munros: Ben More, Stob Binnein, Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean. These in turn were tackled by various parties and the summits reached. I, myself, got to play in the snow at Stob Garbh which is fun for a monkey but a little chilly on the old toes! I do prefer the sunshine.

All in all it was a great week, full of informative evening lectures, to make sure everyone was up to speed with first aid, mountain rescue and route planning, great hill walking, plenty of good food and of course the fellowship that comes from spending time with like minded people in interesting surroundings, both at the station and on the hills.

959m at peak of Stob Garbh

If anyone reading this is considering the IMC in 2012 I can not recommend it enough.

Please feel free to contact me (or rather Rama or any of our young people who have attended over the past few years) to find out more details or keep an eye on Headlines or the County website.

Beavering around

I do love a celebration and so this week I joined the River Lea Colony as they celebrated 25 years of Beavers. The Beavers played a couple of Balloon games and were given the County Birthday badge.

They were also thinking of others and so part of the evening was dedicated to making a card and certificate for a certain somebody this Sunday! I was impressed with the care the Beavers took and the thoughtful comments they made whilst colouring.

The Beavers also returned their bean plants tonight and Dormouse measured them and then award a first prize to Marcus for the tallest plant and a runner up prize for the next two tallest.

Thank you River Lea for inviting me down and I look forward to seeing you at the Easter Egg hunt on Sunday. Fresh air, chocolate and good friends, what else could one ask for?

Gus and the beanstalk

County Expedition to Denmark

Here I am - ready to travel!

I was with the Scouts yesterday. I went to the Denmark expedition, team building, afternoon. It was very exciting. First of all they made and cooked meatballs, well they were supposed to be meatballs but one group actually turned theirs into burgers. (I am not sure that was intentional!)

The next thing that happened was that they put up tents, with a twist - two people in each group had to be blindfolded, and these were the only people whom were allowed to touch the tent!

The final activity was making a spaghetti tower. Using only four jelly babies and a handful of spaghetti, a raw egg had to be held off of the ground. Those towers looked really interesting, if that's the right word to use!

Finally the parents arrived and there was a presentation informing everyone about the things that will be happening when they get to Denmark. I wish I could go.

One of the young people helped me write this blog entry when he got home from the training afternoon. Many thanks go to him.

Headlines

I have just been browsing through the latest copy of Headlines and guess what? I am in it! I am very excited that my Monkey business is featured and hope that some of the people who have read the short item will say "Hello" to me if they spot me at a future event.

Cooking up a storm

Every year Ware and District Scouts hold a cooking competition and the winning team get to go though to the County competition. This year I was able to accompany our team of four as they cooked and presented their meal. It was a busy evening but they coped well with the timings.

The Menu

Payne's Patties with chili lime mayonnaise

Mathews' Medallions in cider sauce with Broccoli & carrots

Honeyed Pear Pancake with crème fraiche

I am very proud to say that our Fab Four managed to put in such a good performance, that they came second in the competition, being pipped to the post by 2nd Ware Scout troop.  A big well done to our own team and we also wish the winners well as they represent Ware and District in the County competition this weekend.