2006 September « 172nd Pentland Scout Group Edinburgh

Bag Pack - Tickled Pink 24th September - ASDA Chesser
ASDA have once again asked us to help with their charity - Tickled Pink. This takes the form of packing bags in ASDA Chesser on Sunday 24th Septemeber between 12pm and 6pm. By participating in this bag pack we are given a slot in the busy Christmas period to raise our own funding. You should have been given a slip indicating which time slot you have been asked to do. I expect everyone to take part in this event. If you cannot make the slot provided then please arrange to swap with someone else. We would also like as many parent helpers as possible.
Night
Next week’s troop night will be a backwards night where everything will be backwards. “?Backwards speak anyone does.” Keep on your toes for some zany goings on!
Help Required
Are there any parents out there who think they might have a skill that could be utilised at scouts? We are looking for help in the following areas of scouts Badge Administrator - this would involve coming along once a month to keep the scout record cards up to date. The record cards indicate the progression through the scout badge system. Events coordinator - this would involve making bookings for activites that will take place out with scouts such as arrnaging a trip to Alien Rock. Badge Trainer/Tester - there are almost 70 activity badges that scouts can achieve. Many of the skills adults may already have via work/hobbies. Examples of badges are: Swimmer, Orienteering, Athletics, Artist, Emergency Aid etc. If you would like to help or if you want to discuss this in more detail please contact Chris.
Scouts Centenary Year
2007 is a big year for the Scout movement. In 1907 the first experimental Scout camp was held. Robert Baden-Powell mixed together boys from diverse backgrounds. During their eight days together, they learnt to survive in the wild, and how to live by a code of honour.Therefore there will be lots of events and activities during 2007 to celebrate our Centenary year including: Gifts for Peace Join-in-Centenary Scouting’s Sunrise Edinburgh Area Centenary Camp - Dalmeny Estate - 25th - 27th May 2007 During the year there will be an opportunity to gain four special badges that can be attached to a special centenary necker chief. Centenary Camp - a booking form will be available sometime in October for this camp. Due to the numbers that will be invovled a 50% deposit will be required by the 31st January.
Zodiac Award
The Zodiac award involves camping for at least 8 different months in one year. The camping will have varying themes such as sleeping in Bivouacs (shelters), camping at sea level, and camping below 0 degrees Celsius. Craig and Alex completed sleeping in bivouacs during the summer camp so they have a head start. This award will be open to all scouts and we will be lauching this later on in the year.
Scout Post
Once again this year we will be participating in Scout Post. Details will come out nearer the time of collection and delivery. Just as a reminder delivery is usually early in December so be prepared to write your cards by the end of November. You will be expected to help with this in some way.
Juniper Green 300
With the 300^th anniversary of Juniper Green coinciding with the Scout centenary year we are looking to get involved in the Juniper Green celebrations.Does anyone have any recollections of scouting in Juniper Green throughout the last 100 years? We would love to hear your stories.
Chief Scouts Gold
Five of our scouts that are moving on to Explorers after the summer achieved the Chief Scouts Gold Award.This involves completing challenges in the following areas, Outdoor, Creative, Fitness, Community, Adventure and a personal challenge. It has been quite some years since we had so many scouts achieve this award.Well done to Alison, Gemma, Kirsty, Jamie, and Lisa in completing this award. This is the standard of achievement that will be striving towards for all scouts.For most of you that means you have alomst 4 years to do this.

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Martin Ormiston and I am the new Cub Scout Leader (CSL) for the 172nd Merchiston Scout Group. I was involved with the group for nearly 10 years (1995-2004), where I was leader at the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers at various points during that time. Prior to 1995, I was a Cub, a Scout then a Venture Scout in Newcastle before moving to Edinburgh for University. I have now settled in the area, having married a “local lass” and living in Livingston. I am a financial analyst and work for State Street. As yet I have no children, but I have a dog called Bouncer who, like my wife, is a complete maniac!

My pervious service as cub leader with 172nd Merchiston was very successful and enjoyable. The main focus for our cub pack was to ensure that the kids enjoyed themselves, whatever activity they were doing. The kids enjoyed themselves every night and very rarely missed any event – whether it be a cub camp or a hike in the rain! Of course, I didn’t do it alone and I had a fantastic support team during my leadership. I am certain the leader team I am inheriting will prove to be the same J! Either way, its all about the kids!

The first few weeks back will be more about me finding out where each of the cubs are at in terms of their training and scouting background. As the weeks go by and later in the term, the nights will become more structured, with the occasional excursion out of the School Hall.

Programme: September 2006

Friday 1 First Night Back – School Hall

Friday 8 Scouting Skills

Friday 15 No Cubs

Friday 22 Fun and Games

Friday 29 Scouting Skills

Martin Ormiston -