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.

Night away

As you know I have had lots of nights away this year (I really must count them and get my badges sewn on).

However the most recent one was a little bit different. For those of you who do not know, I spend most of my time living with the GSL and his family and have got to know them all very well and sometimes they take me on extra activities.

At WaGAwood two of his children looked after me, one is a young leader at 3rd Ware and the other is an "Honorary Beaver", she does not actually attend our Beaver colonies (her choice) but goes to Rainbows. However out of necessity, she often attends Beaver events and is in class with lots of the Beavers.

This weekend she had a Rainbow sleepover and I was invited along as a special guest to see how it differed from a Beaver sleepover. Actually it was quite similar - lots of fun and lots of activities to keep us busy.

We went to Cottered (this was where the afore mention Young leader had his first ever Beaver sleepover many many years ago!) and I had a great time.

The theme was holidays and we had a photo taken and made a frame for it, made a place mat, played chinese whispers, went to the shop and bought some badges, ate a stick of rock and fish and chips,  did some washing up, watched a film, played outside and lots lots more.

 

It was great fun. I don't think I will go on one again because my little Rainbow friend will be too old next year but I am glad I got the chance to see what Rainbows do, after all Guiding was started by Baden Powell as well.

 

I now need to ask for my 1 night away badge from Rainbows!

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.

Cub Night Hike

Gus’s Night Hike

On Saturday 15th October, when we got to Roger De Clare school, the first thing we did was unpack our sleeping bags and we waited until it was our go to ride on the minibus to the starting place.

Eventually we started the night hike and passed some eerie, sinister, black cows, all dark with bright eyes! Next we got to our first base. What we had to do was collect chocolate from a cup by fishing the cup out of an area with string and an elastic band.

We then carried on walking and we arrived at a base where we boiled water on a Trangia stove. We had hot chocolate. After a while we carried on and walked back to the school. When I got back I felt exhausted and happy.

We watched films then went to bed. My favourite part was fishing out the chocolate and eating it.

By Brandon (Heron Cubs)

I also met "Akela" the new mascot for Falcon Pack and had a chat! I told him what to expect from being a section mascot. He will be busy, but he has company; Snuggles, the Heron mascot will show him the ropes I am sure. I met him at the beginning of the year and he let me know what fun it is having adventures with the Cubs. He was right and I get the honour of joining the Beavers, Scouts, Young Leaders and Leaders as well!.

Nocturnal

Last weekend I joined the Scouts at the annual nocturnal competition. The Scouts have to read a grid reference and then navigate their way to a base. Once there they undertake an activity.

This year included fire lighting, pioneering, first aid, an assault course, communication, a challenge, mapping and a hot drink. Points are awarded for each base and penalty points deducted for finishing late.

There are also several checkpoints to pas through en route to ennsure everyone is on tack and heading in the correct direction!

This year we did not fair so well coming 8th out of ten teams. Oh well we will try again next year!

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.

One of our Dinosaurs is missing!

A trip to the shop

I am sure you have guessed by now that the destination of the Heron Cub Pack trip was the Natural History Museum in London and, as far as we know, all dinosaurs were still there when we left!

Blue whale and mammals

I had the privilege of travelling by train and tube with the Cubs to the Museum. Once there we looked in the Dinosaur section, visited the Blue Whale area, went to see human biology area and loved the investigation centre. Some of the Cubs claimed to have spotted Terry Wogan in the dinosaur section, which I saw made a few leaders give a wry smile!



Dinosaur Walkway


We travelled back the HQ where we had an evening meal from the local fish and chip shop before gathering outside for a roaring campfire and making s’mores.

In the investigation centre



The Cubs then got into their sleeping bags and we all watched “One of our Dinosaurs is missing” before dropping off to sleep.



In the investigation centre


This morning we ate a breakfast of bacon rolls and watched some Looney tunes before the Cubs were collected and we locked up and came home.

Human Biology area

meeting an ancestor

 It was another successful trip to London. Well done Herons!

Goodnight

and home again.

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

Having a whale of a time..

Just in case you need another clue!

Have you guessed yet?

WaGAwood

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

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.

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.