Festival Photos Updated

We have updloaded more photos from the Festival 08 Camp.

Who won the battle of the scouts v the guides?

Festival 08 Photos

The first batch of photos from the Festival 08 camp are available for you to view.

To look at the photo album user this link: Festival 08 Photos

As you may be aware our sub camp theme was Aloha the festival of Hawaii. The scouts were quite keen participate as you can see below. This was taken on the first day of camp.

14th January Newsletter

New District Name
As you may have noticed from the heading of this newsletter, we are no longer called 172^nd Merchiston Scouts.
As of 1^st January the Merchiston district has merged with some of the Pentland and Almond Valley district. Our new district name is Pentland.

Ratho Climbing Centre – Monday 28^th January 8pm – 10pm
I can only apologise for the cancellation of our Christmas night to the Ratho Climbing Centre.
The centre double booked us, which was not desirable.
The new date for the climbing centre is Monday 28^th January between 8pm and 10pm.
Please arrive 15 minutes before the start to get all the equipment.

Scout Post
A big thank you to all those who helped with scout post. At the time of print I do not have the total amount of money raised. Going on the amount of cards collected I hope it is a bumper year.

ASDA Bag Pack
Also thank you to all those that attended the Bag Pack at ASDA in December.
We raised £581.69 plus a 5 euro note! That is our best total.
Even better considering we only packed for 3 and ½ hours.

Brass Monkey Camp – Bonaly – 16^th – 17^th February 2008
Bonaly are holding a Brass Monkey camp in February.
The cost will be £15 and the deadline is 28^th January 2008.
This camp will count towards the Zodiac Awards.

District “Blast Off” Camp 25^th – 27^th April 2008
To celebrate the creation of the new Pentland District, a District “Blast Off” camp is being organised for all scouts within the new District.
This camp will be at Auchengillan near Loch Lommond and will consist of a variety of scouting skills/fun activities. We are trying to provide a very active programme including activities such as Kayaking, Rock Climbing, and Archery.

The cost will be £45.00 per person.
A deposit of £20.00 is required NOW DUE so that we can book the campsite and activities.

 

Summer Camp 2008 – Festival Camp – Fordell Firs
Next year’s summer camp will be at Fordell Firs between 27^th July and 2^nd August 2008.
This will be part of an international jamboree with Edinburgh Scouts/Guides.
You can find out more information in the web site – http://www.festivalcamp2008.org.uk/
The total cost of the camp will be £150, and there is a £50.00 deposit NOW DUE.

Scouts News - November 2007

Next Zodiac Camp – Friday 23^rd November - Bonaly
The next Zodiac camp will be at Bonaly on Friday 23^rd November.
The cost will be £5.00.
Arrive at Bonaly for 8pm.
We will leave Bonaly at 8am Saturday morning.
Please indicate on the return slip if you wish to attend.

Scout Post – Help in the Sorting Office
We will require small teams of scouts to help take the Scout Post cards that we have collected to the sorting office.
We require scouts for:

• Monday 3^rd December (during Scouts) – meet at Juniper Green Church Hall 7:15pm.
• Wednesday 5^th December – meet at Neill’s house (5 Baberton Mains Lea) 6pm.

Scout Post Delivery – Sunday 9^th December 2007
As part of our fund raising the scouts will be expected to help helping deliver scout post to Commiston Road on Sunday 9^th December at 10:00am.
Scout Post provides approximately £500 of fund raising each year.

Ratho Climbing Centre – 17^th December 2007
For the end of term we will be going to the Ratho Climbing centre to use the Climbing Wall and Aerial Assault.
This will be between 8pm and 10pm.
The cost will be £15.00 each (including a £5.00 subsidy from the Scout group).
Please fill in the details on the return slip.

Asda Bag Pack – Thursday 27^th December 2007
We have been given a slot between 12pm and 6pm on Thursday 27^th December to pack bags in Asda Chesser.
This is a wonderful opportunity to raise significant funds for the Scout Group.
You will be expected to attend for at least 2 hours (12pm-2pm, 2pm-4pm, or 4pm-6pm).

Unfortunately at present we are making a loss financially and if this continues then fees and the cost of activities will rise. By attending the bag pack we will be able to minimize the rise in costs.
We would like to ask if parents/carers can also attend if possible as this is a major fund raising initiative and to maximise our income we need to man all available checkouts.

We will provide identification for adults attending.

This bag pack can potentially raise £1,000 which in turn will help in reducing fees/costs of activities during the year.
For information we will be operating at a loss for this year without fund raising.

Brass Monkey Camp – Bonaly – 16^th – 17^th February 2008
Bonaly are holding a Brass Monkey camp in February.
The cost will be £15 and the deadline is 28^th January 2008.
This camp will count towards the Zodiac Awards.

Cycling at Glentress – March 2008
We did speak about organizing a trip to Glentress near Peebles to do some mountain biking.
At the moment we are proposing some time in March 2008 where we will travel to Peebles on the Saturday, spend the whole day at Glentress and then camp overnight near by.
More details will follow once we have finalized the arrangements with Glentress and the campsite.

District “Blast Off” Camp 25^th – 27^th April 2008

There are changes within the district of Edinburgh Area scouting that affect our current District of Merchiston.
Next year the Merchiston and Pentland & Almond Valley districts will be merging.
To celebrate the creation of the new District, a District “Blast Off” camp is being organised for all scouts within the new District (the new name is still being decided).
This camp will be at Auchengillan new Loch Lommond and will consist of a variety of scouting skills/fun activities. We are trying to provide a very active programme including activities such as Kayaking, Rock Climbing, and Archery.
The cost will be £45.00 per person.
A deposit of £20.00 is required by 1^st December so that we can book the campsite and activities.
If you are interested in this camp then please complete the return slip.

Summer Camp 2008 – Festival Camp – Fordell Firs
Next year’s summer camp will be at Fordell Firs between 27^th July and 2^nd August 2008.
This will be part of an international jamboree with Edinburgh Scouts/Guides.
You can find out more information in the web site – http://www.festivalcamp2008.org.uk/

The total cost of the camp will be £150, and there is a £50.00 deposit required by 31^st January 2008.
If you are interested then please complete the return slip.

Scouts Return on 14^th January 2008
The 17^th December will be the last scout night of the year.
Scouts will start back on Monday 14^th January 2008.

Have a great Christmas and New Year!

Contact Details
Chris Welch – Scout Leader
Email: chris@172scouts.com

172nd Merchiston Scouts – Return Slip
Name______________________________________________________________________________

I would/would not* like to attend the Zodiac camp on 23^rd November at Bonaly.

• Please find enclosed the fee of £5.00 (Cheques made payable to “172^nd Merchiston Scouts”).

I will/will not* be able to help in the scout post sorting office on Monday 3^rd December.

I will/will not* be able to help in the scout post sorting office on Wednesday 5^th December.

I will/will not be able* to help with the Scout Post Delivery on Sunday 9^th December.

I will/will not be able* to attend the Ratho Climbing Centre on Monday 17^th December.

• Please find enclosed £15.00 (Cheques made payable to “172^nd Merchiston Scouts”).

I am/am not* able to attend the ASDA Bag Pack on Thursday 27^th December.

• Myself plus _______ others can attend.

• My preferred time slot is (tick your choice:

• 12pm – 2pm
• 2pm – 4pm
• 4pm – 6pm

I am/am not* interested in the Brass Monkey camp at Bonaly in February 2008.

I am/am not* interested in the District Blast Off camp at Auchengillan on 25^th -27^th April 2008.Please find enclosed a deposit of £20.00 (Cheques made payable to “172^nd Merchiston Scouts”).

I am/am not* interested in the Scout/Guide Festival Camp in Summer 2008

*delete were appropriate.

Scouts News - October

Activity Badge Weekend – 27^th – 28^th October - Bonaly
Edinburgh Area are running an Activity badge weekend at Bonaly on the above dates.
The badges available are (you get to choose one):

• Pioneer badge
• DIY Badge
• Cyclist badge
• Mechanic
• Photographer

The cost will be £30.00 per head and includes, food, chalet accommodation, and badge material.
If you are interested then return the slip below by next week (Monday 8^th October).

Places are limited therefore you may not be guaranteed a place.

Scout Football Competition – Sunday 18^th November Sighthill PowerLeague
The Scout football competition is on Sunday 18^th November at Sighthill Powerleague.
We were runners up in the final last year.
Please let me know if you wish to play.

Asda Bag Pack - Tickled Pink - 2nd September
Thank you for those who turned up to the tickled Pink bag pack. We raised £219.00 for the charity.

Older Cub Camp

Almost all scouts took part in the older Cub Camp at Bonaly the weekend of 15th-16th September.

This camp was to show the older cubs some of the skills that would be used at a scout camp.

It was very wet on the Sunday but all had a great time.

At the camp fire on Saturday night.