Film night

Tonight I went to Herons and  finish the term off with a night at the movies.

The Cubs watched the film Elf and were served home made popcorn made by myself and Bagheera's son who came down to help.

Everyone enjoyed the film and the tasty snack. Those Herons certain love their food.

Afterwards Rama came down and presented some Silver awards and we aid Godd bye to Tom and Greg who are leaving us to live in Scotland. The Herons gave them a copy of The Jungle book as a going away present.

Dinner dance

Gus and his guest

The adults at 3rd Ware enjoy having fun as much as the young people do. The highlight of the centenary year for some was a chance to dress up and act like grown ups!

On Saturday we held a Dinner dance at the Roebuck hotel. A local band provided the music (all have been involved in Scouting in Ware at some point either as Scouts or parents of Scouts, although not all at our Group).

The Guests were past and present members of the Group, parents of members and others asociated with 3rd Ware. They were welcomed by three of our Young Leaders. After being greeted by the GSL, they were invited to have their photograph taken and to then proceed to the bar area where a slide show of photos was taking place. Many took this chance to sip their drink and reminisce.

Once all were present, everyone moved to the formal dining room and enjoyed a delicious meal. The GSL made a speech, the master of ceremonies kept the proceedings going and the lucky ticket winners were announced.  

The meal consisted of soup, a chicken dinner and apple crumble and ice cream. Red and white wine was drunk, the commemorative scrolls were read and the formal meal came to an end. The GSL made a toast to Scouting.

Despite saying that he would keep the speeches and thanks you kept short, the GSL (and his first lady - she was unaware that she held this title!) were delighted, surprised and humbled to be thanked and then presented with a gift each. An engraved tankard for Gavin and an engraved wine glass for Jacqui.  They both expressed their thanks and said it was totally unexpected and totally unwarranted. 

Two present day leaders and their wives.

The evening finished with more dancing, more chatting, more photos in the bar and a chance to talk to many people and celebrate a special year for 3rd Ware. Everyone seemed to have a great time and even the band said it had been fun playing at this particular event.

WaGAwood 2011

Last weekend I attended WaGAwood. This is the annual Beaver camp that is run by 3rd Ware and 1st Great Amwell. Four years ago the camp was started and ever since has proved to be a popular event.

Each Beaver Scout is invited to bring one adult with them and the ethos of the camp is about enriching and enhancing the adult/child relationship. How often does a parent/carer get a whole 24 hours alone with one child, to take part in the same activities and not only experience first hand what their child is doing but also to be there as encouragement? Well at WaGAwood that is exactly what they get! (As well as good food, laughter and adventure!)



Ready for the CrestaRun



making camp

Flag break

Backwoods cooking

Pedal cars

The leaders and older children stay for the whole weekend at Thriftwood and ensure that everything is ready for when the Beavers arrive. They assist the Beaver and adult in pitching their tent, and then a whirlwind of activity takes place. This year included pedal cars, inflate-Bull, a photo trail, pond dipping, backwoods cooking, a wide game, a campfire, scouts own, a scavenger hunt, a soft toy competition, time to play in the woods, a trip to the provi and more.

camp fire

Breakfast

Cuddly toys

Beavers

The meals are catered for centrally, so well done to the team who cooked for 155 people! However the Beavers (and adults!) learn about plate bags, washing up, wet pits and pig bins ready for when they are in Cubs.

Pond dipping

Dampers

Inflata-Bull

everyone needs a cuddle

Whilst this is taking place a sub camp runs for the leader’s children, who have to be there because their parents are, but who are Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides or Explorers. The older ones do assist with the Beavers but as a group they do their own cooking, camp on a different field and have their own activities all over seen by a leader, who is there to supervise but also to step back and let them work as a “large” patrol. This year these included the Cresta run, surfing and bouldering in addition to some of the previously mention activities.

Bouldering

Surfing

Once the Beavers are in bed the adults can congregate around the campfire and socialise and it is here that leader/parent relationships are made and stories swapped. WaGAwood has, in the past, resulted in adults asking to join the leadership team. If this is you please do contact the GSL of Great Amwell or 3rd Ware.

This was my first WaGAwood and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was even awarded a certificate at the cuddly toy competition for being the “centenaryist toy”!!

As the Beavers and parents left, they were full of praise for the camp and many a thank you was heard – the leaders then packed up the kit, cleaned the site drove home unloaded the trailers and went home feeling it was a job well done!

Goodbye

Video will be coming soon.

and home again.

All safely back to HQ and a quick game of Duck and Goose before the evening meal arrives.

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?

Food Glorious Food

Whilst the Beavers and Cubs are being fed and watered by the leadership team, the Scouts are fending for themselves.

They soon learn how to cook up a storm and enjoy taking part in providing for themselves and others. This morning started with the Scouts sizzling sausages, frying bacon and making eggy bread (French toast).

What could be better than the aroma of a cooked breakfast wafting across a campsite in the cool air of a Sunday morning?

Off to camp...

...yes it is centenary camp time. This time it is the Group camp (everyone not just the Scouts). I am packed, the trailer is loaded, the bike is on the car roof, the advanced party has arrived and we have set off for Gilwell. I will update you when I can.

School Family camp

Many of our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts attend the same school. This weekend the PSA held a family camp. Since 3rd Ware have quite a few leaders who are parents at the school, many young people at the school and even a couple of adults on staff at the school, we decided to offer our help.

The Group loaned kit and helped set up, take down and generally assisted as well as having lots of fun. It was a rather wet start but with the help of some Scout Leaders and a couple of Young Leaders all the families soon had their tents up and were ready to enjoy being together as a family.

Although we were not running the event it was a very positive endorsement of Scouting that so many Group members were willing to lend a hand where it was needed. Thank you.

Cub Fun Run

The start of the race - In a "Where's Wally"
type challenge, can you spot me?

Tonight saw the annual District Cub fun run. We assembled at Rigery Farm, registered and then got ready to race!

Falcons

The Fun Run is a team event around a cross country course of about 2km. All Cubs are presented with a medal as they cross the finishing line and the trophy is awarded to the pack which is the first to have four team members across the line.

Herons

Herons and Falcons did well and came 9th and 5th respectively and all seemed to have fun and gave it their all. The cheers from the watching crowd help a lot and the parents are very supportive of all the runners not just their own Cub.



Some of the Cubs taking part

3rd Ware also sold refreshments during the event to raise money for one of our Young Leaders who is attending the World Scout Jambore in August.

AGM

It is that time of year again..a time to reflect and celebrate the past year, a time for awards and a time to meet together (plus all the formal bits of course)....It is time for the group AGM!

This year it was held on a Wednesday. The day and time varies from year to year because each section take a turn to host the event and this year it was the turn of River Lea Beavers.

The evening started off with the formal Group round up presented by the GSL, the minutes from last year, the electing of the committee and the report from the treasurer. We also found out what great technical skill the chairman has when it comes to mobile phones!

We awarded Mrs D'Arcy her prize for getting the most questions correct on the Scouting quiz held at the Hog Roast.

After this the evening moved on the the entertainment. The Beavers regaled us with tales of their daring-dos and calming capers and then allowed us all to witness two special ceremonies. Three Beavers were invested and those who had made their Scout promise were able to join in with this. They then allowed those present to witness a "Swimming up" ceremony, quite a privilege. (I do, by the way have some photos and video from a previous swimming up which I will share with you at some point.)

Swimming up river to the lodge to change into a Cub.

The last part of the evening was the presentation of various awards and one of the Scout troop leaders got a cheer for a fairly unique achievement. He was presented with his wood badge and his 10 year service award in the same evening. Remarkable!

Finally, Steve Jordan spoke on behalf of the District and mentioned how the Group had changed since he was a 3rd Ware Leader. He was complimentary to the present day leadership team and was pleased that 3rd Ware still play a strong part in District events, as is witnessed by being awarded the Peter Geer trophy again this year.

We were then free to mingle and enjoy the food and drink on offer. Here's to another busy and successful year at 3rd Ware. 

If you were not there and did not get a copy of the report booklet, there is one pinned to the general noticeboard. Please feel free to have a browse and re-live the last year through words and pictures.

Hog Roast video

A short snapshot video of the fun at the Hog Roast.

Family Hog Roast

Family Hog Roast

What a fantastic day! Around 150 people attended our Hog Roast event yesterday. The weather was beautiful and the sky a stunning blue and we were entertained by several light aircraft that buzzed overhead from time to time; always causing the adults and children alike to look up and exclaim. The chance to sit and chat was welcomed by all.

As the families arrived they registered, were given their food tickets and then chose whether to stay in the games field or go through the gate to the campfire area where they could enjoy stunning views across the countryside and even hear the thud of leather on willow.

The children ran around and explored the woods, played giant jenga, snakes and ladders and garden darts. Football, rounders and a simple game of catch entertained some, whilst the inevitable water fight caused many smiles and laughter. Most the adults preferred to sit and enjoy relaxing.

The roasted hog was delicious, with the crackling being much in demand and food was plentiful. Many coming back for seconds.

The Explorers and Scouts that were present, much to the horror of many squeamish adults (most of whom had just eaten their share of the hog in question!) took great delight in dissecting the head and eating the tender bits of meat from it and examining the teeth and jaw bones! They certainly learnt a lot about the make up of a pig and even tried to get me to take part, I prefer bananas and marshmallows myself!

Everyone loves a campfire.

The leaders enjoyed the opportunity to chat to parents for longer than is possible at the beginning and end of section meetings and also to catch up once again with past members of 3rd Ware who came back for a reunion.

Water fight

Once the family event was over and the happy but tired young people left, the leaders and their families stayed behind to clear up and were then joined by a few other leaders to stay over and have a leaders and family camp. A rare treat.

As the sun went down..

A very enjoyable evening was spent whiling away time in the setting sun and then around the renewed campfire. Food was plentiful with delicious chili or curry and the remainder of the Hog.

In my tent

It was after a spot of star gazing and idle chatter, all eventually retired, tired but happy, to their respective tents. I was pleased to be tucked up nice and warm in a fleece blanket with one of the Mums and her daughter. Much better than Friday night when I slept in the trailer when camping with the Scouts!

The wind and rain in the night did not wake many and when most emerged from their tents after a good nights sleep for a bacon roll and cup of tea, ready for the big job of taking down the tents, gazebos and shelters and clearing everything away before transporting it to the HQ, the sun was once again shining. 

I was looked after by two young ladies during this mammoth operation and they both said what a fantastic time they had.

Taking good care of me

Another successful weekend celebration of 100 years of Scouting at 3rd Ware!

Hog Roast Details

On arrival:

• Please park where directed
• Sign in
• Collect tickets
• Relax and enjoy!

If you have not already paid for a ticket you can still turn up and pay on the day. Why not join us at the centenary event for the month of May? Past and present members welcome.