And they’re off!!! Last week the Beavers section have held their annual Wacky Races and Picnic on Southampton Common. Over 40 young people from 5 colonies created their own cardboard cars and raced them.
We raised a whopping £163.85 for the district charity – PICU, helping children in intensive care at Southampton General Hospital. Congratulations to all the young people who took part and thanks to the leaders that helped organise & run the event.
Last weekend over 150 Scouts, Explorers, Network members and leaders spent the long bank holiday weekend in glorious Wye Valley. We took part in archery, kayaking, mountain biking and hill walking.
For more photos and updates from the camp, take a look at our Facebook and Instagram page. 14th Highfield (Wed Troop) made this excellent video which captures the camp brilliantly.
This video may not play on mobile devices due to copyright limitations.
Last weekend, 250 Scouts who had recently achieved their Queen Scout Award, the highest youth award in Scouting, came together to parade at Windsor in celebration of St Georges Day.
The Queen’s Scout award involves Scouts taking on and committing to a new skill, physical activity and volunteering service for a year or more, undertaking a self-sustained expedition and complete a residential project as well as working on various topics within the areas of international, community and values.
Four of these Queen’s Scouts, Ben, Tom, Henry and Oli, were from Southampton and have written a little about what their Queen Scout Award means to them.
Taking part in the St Georges Day parade at Windsor was the culmination of a six year journey which has seen me mature and develop. The time I spent on Dartmoor for my expedition challenged me both physically and mentally, particularly when the fog and rain closed in, however the sense of isolation while walking in the middle of the moor with just a few friends is something I will cherish for a long time.
While most people will tell you that their expedition was the most challenging part of their Queens Scout Award, for me it was my residential; I spent several weeks volunteering at an orphanage (Open Arms) in Malawi. As a 19 year old, seeing the very different realities of life in places that I’d previously seen only in documentaries was a perspective changing experience that made me place far more value on the simple things in life that we often take for granted in the UK.
Having started my QSA as a fresh faced Assistant Beaver Scout Leader I’ve made use of the opportunities presented by Scouting, taking on new roles, developing skills, gaining permits and most importantly growing as a person as I’ve seen the impact that I’ve been able to have on those young people around me – the smile of a six-year old who has learnt to tie a knot with strawberry laces is priceless!
All these experiences and challenges were topped off by the St Georges day parade at Windsor, this was a chance to meet other members of the select group of Queens Scout who have achieved the highest badge available in Scouting. Seeing the diversity of people and uniforms (whether the blue of the sea and air scouts or the tartan of the Scot’s kilts) made me so proud of positivity of those in the Scout Movement, with so many enthusiastic people from across to country (and world) taking the opportunity to step up, get involved and take a hand in providing the chance for those in our communities to fulfil their potential.
As part of the QSA service in St George’s Chapel all scouts present renewed our promise.
On my honour I promise that I will do my best – throughout the whole process each of the requirements have required me to do my best, and to push my boundaries.
To do my duty to God – for the values section of the award I was involved in my church and grew in my relationship with God.
And to the Queen – Not only do I feel an immense sense of pride in completing the Queen Scout Award and being invited to receive it at Windsor Castle, but the combined efforts of the 253 recipients in the Environment section will have a positive impact on our country and the global climate.
To help other people – Through volunteering and service. Many have done this alongside helping the next generation of scouting.
And to keep the Scout Law – A combination of everything that has contributed to this award has helped me develop in all areas of the Scout Law. Whether it be camping, travelling abroad or writing a report the activities have refined me towards the role model a Scout is intended to be.
Participating in the St Georges day parade at Windsor castle this year was a great experience as I thought it was a culmination of the hard work I put into my Queens Scout Award and the many years I have been in scouting.
Out of all the experiences I had during my Queens Scout Award the defining was when I undertook my explorer belt expedition in Poland which I found fun but also challenging.
All of Queen’s Scout Award was great fun and has given me new experiences and skills which I would have never done if I didn’t complete it.
Attending Windsor as a Queen Scout really hit home the importance of Scouting in my life, what it means to me, and just what a family Scouting is. Everyone came together as one, with a day of marching in the sun and celebrating our own journeys and challenges, along with a service reinforcing the importance of bringing communities together, kindness to others, friendship and the true meaning of Scouting and a chance to renew the Scout Promise: On my honour, I promise that I will do my best, to do my duty to God and to the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Scout Law.
Before getting involved in Scouting, I didn’t have much confidence or courage, I let most opportunities pass straight by me, I just went where life took me and did what I thought was needed. Since finding Scouting through the Student Scout and Guide Organisation at university and getting involved with a newly starting Network in Southampton and embarking on my QSA, it’s fair to say it has completely changed my life. I now spend more time outdoors and camping than in, I’ve pushed myself in every area, and I’ve had more experiences, learn more things and met more amazing people in the past few years in undertaking my award than I had for the rest of my life before, so both Scouting and the QSA itself mean a lot to me.
My award for me was my first steps into that new life, those first set of new challenges to take. I undertook hiking expeditions in both Dartmoor and Brecon, going through the whole process of learning how to put up a tent and read a map and navigate through to pushing myself to new heights (figuratively and literally) and camping for the first time! I continued this through my physical skill, in getting involved with the university Hillwalking club taking me to Yorkshire, Cornwall, the Peaks, the Lakes or even just to the Isle of Wight for challenging but always incredibly enjoyable walks – always trying to push myself that one step further on the more technical walks, learning to scramble, bog hop and handle the ice without going for a slide! With my new found and growing confidence and skills, for my volunteering, I took up a student representation role, representing the students in my faculty at university to the staff and for my skill taking up a role in organising and planning events for freshers who weren’t living in halls. For my residential, I pushed my limits on going and helping out on a SSAGO international trip to Slovenia, my first proper trip out of the country and learning and discovering a new culture, but also how to run an international camp, a skill I’ve since put to use in now running a similar camp myself to Switzerland. For my international, I put my technical and computer skills to use in helping with the Essex International Jamboree as the Web Team lead.
All together, it’s impossible to put into words how much this pursuit changed my life and opened up new possibilities beyond anything I ever imagined. Scouting now fills every moment I’m not studying or working and I love every minute of it and cannot thank Scouting enough for the opportunities, the people I’ve made friends with and who have supported me or how it’s changed me as a person from a quiet, shy person passing by life, to the person who can organise and run events, seize every opportunity and actually try to make a difference in the world.
Don’t forget, if you are aged between 18 and 25 and are currently involved in Scouting, you can be working towards your Queen’s Scout Award. You can find out more and register within minutes online at https://members.scouts.org.uk/qsa.
Congratulations to everyone who took part in either the ABP Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K today. Did you notice all the Scout groups cheering you on? Here’s a quick video from 1st and 2nd Southampton groups who were on the common.
Massive congratulations to 29th Immaculata Beaver leaders Ben (forth from right) and Oli (third from left) who took part in the annual Queen’s Scout Parade and Day of Celebration at Windsor Castle today. The Queen’s Scout award is the highest youth award that can be achieved in Scouting and takes a great amount of work and dedication to earn. Today, in celebration of that achievement, Ben and Oli joined Queen’s Scouts from all across the UK to parade through Windsor into the Castle and were inspected by The Duke of Kent. Well done to both of you on your hard work!
Congratulations to the 14th Highfield Cubs and the 29th Immaculata Scouts for winning the football in the Six-a-Side competition this weekend! Well done to all the teams who took part.
Our Winter camp this year would be our first joint weekend away with Network. All 24 of us set off from Southampton with a trailer full of kit, a minibus and car full of people ready for a weekend spent exploring the Peak District. After a bit of a shaky start with the keys for the Scout & Guide centre not appearing for a while, soon the food shopping was done and it wasn’t long before the minibus arrived. After a long journey we set up our beds (as we were staying inside) and enjoyed soup as our supper before getting a good rest ready to walk up Kinder Scout the next day.
Saturday morning was an early start but it was well worth it with the day ahead that we had planned. Most of us walked up Kinder Scout but a few opted for a day trip to Manchester, spending lots of time on the trams! Those of us going to Kinder Scout walked to Jacobs’s ladder where Tom and Ben were both presented with their Queen Scout awards by Mark Terry (Deputy UK Scout Commissioner).
Once all of the compulsory group and award holder photos had been taken we continued to the summit of Kinder scout. At the top there were numerous selfies and standing on trig points as well as enjoying well deserved lunch break before heading on along the ridge and past the waterfall. It was fairly uneventful up until we reached the stream where some ended up having laughing fits from falling in the rather deep mud. We also came across a Christmas tree alongside the river where we found the perfect opportunity to sing ‘All I want for Christmas’ and there were plenty of songs to be sung along the route. Further along our way we met a lady who looked a little lost in a bog and so we happily assisted her back. All in all it was a fantastic walk up and down Kinder Scout! There was even more excitement to enjoy back at base with jigsaw puzzles, board games and a visit from other SSAGO clubs!
Sunday began with a full English breakfast and for some this included a custard cream! Sadly it was some time to pack up and begin to head back. But before we did, we stopped off in a small village in the Peak District, which was hit by the plague. Some of us opted to go for another walk, whereas others visited Eyam Hall (a National Trust site). Then it was time to head back to Southampton after a lovely weekend!
Lauren Whittaker
Social Secretary
Southampton SSAGO
Congratulations to Tom and Ben from Southampton City Network for completing and receiving some of the top awards within Scouting. Tom was presented with his Chief Scout’s Diamond Award and Queen’s Scout Award, with Ben receiving his Duke of Edinburgh Gold and Queen’s Scout Award.
Presented at the start of their climb of Kinder Scout in the Peak District at the start of their Wintercamp, they were joined by Mark Tarry, Deputy UK Chief Commisioner, who presented their awards. “It is really great to be presenting these top awards to Ben and Tom, Network members, who are experiencing fun, adventure and friendship with Southampton”.
As with Hampshire tradition, both Tom and Ben had the chance to wear the Silver Elephant, the highest award in Indian Scouting and was presented to Earl Mountbatten whilst he was Viceroy of India.
Joined by their friends from Southampton City Network, Southampton SSAGO and Solent SSAGO, they then set off for the top of Kinder Scout (and made it back down safely, Silver Elephant in tow).
On a bright sunny February day the Southampton District Explorers assembled for a day of Paintballing. We were kitted out with body armour, overalls and goggles and received our safety brief before we were set loose with our paintball markers. Throughout the day we had various missions to complete including storming the London bus, defending a castle and saving ‘George’ in the Tomb Raiders.
We used many of our Scouting skills of: courage; stealth; following instructions; being self-reliant, as well as working as part of a team. We remembered our Founder Lord Baden Powel as a military man and reflected on his ability to turn his battlefield experiences into the positive youth movement that we all enjoy today.
Happy Birthday BP.