Scouts - The magazine for Scout LeadersFebruary/March 2010
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Transcript of Scouts - The magazine for Scout LeadersFebruary/March 2010
The magazine for Scout Leaders
February/March 2010
Outdoor skillsClockface
Orienteering
SCOUT SURVIVORSSCOUT SURVIVORS
A chance for Scouts to win a place
at Bear Grylls’ adventure camp
Camping optionsGreenfield and
ready made locations compared
PROGRAMMESInnovative ideas
for improving skills
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IFC_Scouts_FebMar.indd 6 12/01/2010 17:07
INTRO
3scouts.org.uk/pol
WELCOMEYour Scout Support TeamAlasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section),Ed Wilson – Programme & Development Adviser
Contact them at:[email protected]
Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818
AdvertisingRichard Ellacott [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258
The West Coker Scout Group in Yeovil District, Somerset recently enjoyed the Big Cat Encounter at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation
As promised in the last issue, we get 2010 off to a great start by re-invigorating Scouting Skills.
Given that there are six supplements this year, I think it would be a great
personal challenge if every leader in the Scout Section were to learn six new
practical skills over the year and pass them on to the troop. This is exactly what
lies at the core of the Scout Section programme and method and should
transfer to our thinking on planning.
One of the pieces this month concerns choosing a campsite and, even as I am
writing this with snow outside, I am thinking of what adventures Scouting holds
in 2010. Choosing sites and planning programmes for the summer camps is an
ideal opportunity to get Scouts involved and showing that their ideas do have
an impact on the life of the Troop. Last year I encouraged Scout Leaders to offer
more opportunities for involving Scouts in planning so let’s build on that.
As I’ve gone round the country – particularly at regional meetings, the
support team and I have been looking at, and sharing good practice from, the
Expedition Challenge. We continue to receive feedback from Scout Leaders
who find this difficult to deliver and I hope that our advice has given ideas to
Leaders to make this valuable and enjoyable opportunity available to more
Scouts.
The Chief Scout is organising ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for Scouts
– a Survival Camp in August and details are in the
following pages.
Finally, Ed Wilson, who has worked at Gilwell in the
Scout Office supporting us in the Section for the past two
years, is moving on to pastures new. We thank him for his
excellent work and wish him every success in his new job.
Practical support
Contents 4 Survival camp
Chief Scout Bear Grylls is offering Scouts the chance to join him on a 24-hour adventure camp. All the detals are here
6 Outdoor PlusWhat you should look for in a campsite
8 Meeting sparklersFun ideas for your meeting
10 Programmes on a plate This issue’s theme is Scouting skills
14 Clockface orienteeringAn exercise in improving your Scouts’ outdoor skills
16 Greenfi eld or ready made?Phil Santana-Reedy and Louise Henderson examine the various merits of different types of camping locations
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4 Scouts February/March 2010
Be like Bear
W hen young people come up and ask me
‘How do I learn the stuff you do on Born
Survivor?’ I tell them to join the Scouts.
There are hundreds of activities, and you
get trained by the best.
I went on to learn a lot of my survival skills in the special
forces and I guess I continue to do so through my day job,
but above all I’m keen to pass some of them on to Scouts
face-to-face.
That’s why I’m so pleased to be able to announce the
first Chief Scout’s Survival Camp, to be held in an
undisclosed island location in Wales at the end of July.
Eight Scouts who have proven themselves by gaining the
Chief Scout’s Gold Award by 31 July will join me for a 24
hour wilderness camp where we’ll get to have a wild
adventure, and loads of fun.
The successful applicants will have to go above and
beyond to show that they’re up to the challenge. I’m
looking for young people who I think will benefit the most
from the camp. I’m relying on you, the Scout Leaders,
to pass the information on to your Troop, and encourage
the Scouts who could be eligible to finish their Gold
Award in time, to complete the application.
Good luck!
Award in time, to complete the application.
The Scout section will be the first
to experience a 24 hour survival
adventure with Chief Scout Bear
Grylls. Will your Scouts be there?
scouts_Final.indd 4 13/01/2010 13:12
5scouts.org.uk/pol
Chief SCout’S Survival Camp
Chief Scout’s Survival Camp -
application formName
Date of Birth
Address
Postcode
Email address
Contact telephone
Troop and Scout Group name
Scout Leader’s Name
Scout District
Parent/carer name
Parent/guardian email address
Parental consent
What have you done for your Chief Scout’s Gold Award so far?
(max 300 words; Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary)
.................................................................................................................
........... / ........... / ................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................. (please sign)
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
Terms and conditions
Who can apply Any invested scout who was born after 01/08/1996, who has completed or will have completed their Chief Scout’s Gold Award by 31 July 2010How to Apply There are two ways for Scouts to apply for a place on the camp. Either go online to www.scouts.org.uk/survivalcamp and complete the application form, or use this one in the supplement. If using this form, be sure to make copies for all the Scouts in your Troop who are eligible.
In both cases, applicants are encouraged to include additional information to aid their application. This can be photos or reports of activities, or any other form of evidence. Any material you provide will be used online to promote the Chief Scout’s Awards to other Scouts,
and parental consent to use the material in print or online is assumed.
How will you choose which Scouts go to the Survival Camp?All applications will be read by a team of volunteers. From all the applications received a shortlist will be made from which the eight successful Scouts will be selected. This final selection will be done by a panel that will include the Chief Scout and UK Chief Commissioner.Closing date for applications is 15 MayPostal applications should be sent to: Chief Scout’s Survival Camp, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, E4 7QWFull terms and conditions, plus some FAQs, are available online at www.scouts.org.uk/survivalcamp
"
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6 Scouts February/March 2010
Find a Campsite
ChecklistThere are many recognised campsites run by The Scout
Association, Counties, and Districts (see the ads in
Scouting magazine) or you can look for a greenfield site.
After deciding where you want to go and what you want
to do, you should:
• Check the maps of the area. If you know someone who
has been there before, talk to them; they might be able
to give you helpful information about what’s available
in the area, best shops for food buying, etc.
• If using public transport remember to check for distance
from where you alight to where you are camping
• Organise your equipment so that it is packed to be easy
to carry
• Arrange for heavy equipment to be brought to the site.
EssentialsWhen choosing a campsite, check for the following:
• A safe water supply. No dead sheep nearby please!
• Is the site well drained and not on a slope?
• Are there shops nearby?
• Do you need firewood? Are wood fires allowed?
• Is the site sheltered but with an open, non-
claustrophobic aspect?
• Have you got permission to use the land if it is
farmland?
• Will you need to bring a toilet tent?
• Is there something you can do to thank the owner
for the use of the land?
• Are there things to do – places to visit or activities like
orienteering or canoeing?
• Is there any potential danger nearby such as cliffs
or fast-flowing rivers that you need to be aware of?
You’re taking your Scouts on a camping trip. How do you
decide on a site, what should you look for once you get
there and just what is WASWAS and why is it important?
Campsite
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Memory tipRemember the mnemonic to help you remember the key
features to consider when choosing a campsite:
WASWASStands for:
ood (is firewood available?)
ccess (how easy to get everyone and the kit on and
off the site?)
upplies (local shops for fresh food, doctor, hospital?)
ater (where’s the drinking water?)
spect (sheltered from prevailing wind, but not too
enclosed - a nice open view)
oil (well drained, easy to get pegs into)
As the weather in the UK is so changeable it’s a good
idea to visualise the site in the worst possible conditions
beforehand. Take some time to choose the best place.
Avoid marshy ground which might become waterlogged
(look for reeds). Look for a dry area that is slightly raised.
Avoid areas with rocks and stones, ground which is very
sandy or that has a lot of clay (poor drainage).
7scouts.org.uk/pol
OUTDOOR PLUS
Download your copy of Scouts Taking the Lead at www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead
more info
W
WS
S
A
A
Look at Taking the Lead p27 and 28. You will find an activity that encourages Scouts to question and solutions that will allow them to play a more active leadership role. It’s not just a theoretical exercise - you can use it to help decide where
you will hold your next Summer Camp, or weekend activity.
Look at and 28. You will find an activity that encourages Scouts to question and solutions that will allow them to play a more active leadership role. It’s not just a theoretical exercise - you can use it to help decide where
you will hold your next Summer Camp, or
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8 Scouts February/March 2010
Word games, greeting exercises and flexing Scouts’ artistic muscles
are all part of Andrew Corrie’s latest ideas
Meeting sparklers
Do This and Add SomethingThe Group lines up. The person on the right
hand end starts by performing a simple task
such as clapping their hands, bowing their
head or touching their nose. As they do, they
turn to the next person and say “do this and
add something”. The second player repeats
the action, and adds a new one, while the
third copies the first two and adds something
and so on. Anyone unable to perform all of
the previous actions in the proper sequence
goes to the head of the line and becomes
the first player for the next game.
Don’t Say ‘I’Give each person three small disks. Everyone
moves around, introducing themselves to
each other and asks questions that might
make the other person use the word ‘I’.
If anyone does say ‘I’ they must give a disk
to the person asking the question. The aim
of the activity is to collect as many disks
as possible.
scouts_Final.indd 8 13/01/2010 13:18
Meeting sparklers
9scouts.org.uk/pol
Games and activities
Face to FaceAsk everyone to pair off and wait for your commands.
Select one or more ‘its’ who will have no partners. To start,
get all pairs to stand face-to-face. Then give commands for
all to follow such as ‘back-to-back’, ‘elbow-to-elbow’,
‘thumb-to-thumb’, ‘toe-to-toe’. After a while announce
‘vis-à-vis’ which means all must find new partners and
stand face to face with them. The ‘its’ also try to get
partners. Players greet one another and the game
continues. If used as a get-acquainted game, get players
to shake hands and exchange names.
Knife/Nose GameExplain to the group that they are to do as
you say, not as you do. Point to a knife and
shout ‘Knife!’ or ‘Nose!’ Then point to your
nose and shout either of the words. Change
the speed of your commands. Anyone
making a mistake is out.
Self PortraitsGive each person a paper bag, large enough
to go over their head, and a crayon or felt tip
pen. Tell them to place the bags over their
heads. Ask everyone to draw each item on
their bag as you call it out; left eye, left ear,
right eye, right ear, nose, mouth, etc. Tell half
of the group to remove their bags and look
at the others. Then get them to replace
their bags and let the other half admire
their artwork.
scouts_Final.indd 9 13/01/2010 13:18
10 June/July 2009
Top
5 id
eas
from
Pr
ogra
mm
es O
nli
ne
(Dec
embe
r)
52143Sport Relief 2010 - Sporting Heroes
50632 Sweet Rescue
52678 Malawian Fiesta
39393 Human Dominoes
52145Sport Relief 2010 - Sport-o-thon
Programmes on a platePOP
This month’s theme is Scouting skills,
written by Tony Taylor
Flag break 5 mins N/A Scouting skills are associated with outdoor activities like camping and survival techniques as well as socially useful abilities such as fi rst aid, hygiene and budgeting. The best way to learn these skills is through activities that put them into practice. Those listed below can be used as a ‘circus’ of activities.
Debate 10 mins Outdoor and AdventureThemes
What do we mean by ‘Scouting Skills’? From Baden-Powell’s fi rst Scout camp we might think that camping, cooking and tracking is the answer. As Scouting evolved, adventurous activities like climbing, hiking and boating came to the fore. But in today’s society is being able to operate a satellite phone and carry out a health and safety risk assessment more important? Ask the Scouts what they think.
Fire lighting 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureActivities outdoors
Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Give each a box of two matches, a piece of aluminium foil about 50 cm square and a cup with around 100 ml of water in it. They must work outside to fi rst collect materials for a fi re and then light it. It must be kept alight long enough to boil the water in a container fashioned from the foil. Afterwards the fi re must be extinguished and the ashes tidied away.
The cost of a meal
30 mins CommunityTeam-building activities
Take the Scouts in pairs to your local supermarket. In the store they should produce a detailed menu, shopping list and costing for a breakfast and a main meal for a Patrol of six Scouts. As well as the food, they should also include all the peripheral items they will need such as drinks, matches, cooking oil and washing up liquid. As the Scouts won’t be buying anything, it would be a good idea to talk to the store manager before carrying out this activity as a training exercise.
Pitch and strike
30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
Modern tents with fl exible frame poles can be pitched in good weather without the need for tent pegs. Give pairs of Scouts a modern two-man tent to erect and then strike indoors. For maximum benefi t the pairing should be a novice with an experienced Scout.
Seeing at night
30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
What sort of lighting does your Troop use in camp at night? Provide pairs of Scouts with a range of lights, such as a gas lamp, candle, torch and wind-up lantern. Get them to assess each one for its ability to provide light outside at night, safety, ease of use and environmental impact.
Map reading 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Provide each with an Ordnance Survey Pathfi nder map, the grid references for a start/fi nish point and three sites to visit en route. Their task is to plan a hike route, avoiding roads as much as possible, between the points. They should also describe the terrain and any landmarks they would encounter in completing the hike.
Axe and saw 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
Give pairs of Scouts the opportunity to use a saw and a hand axe safely to prepare some fi rewood. You will need a collection of dead tree branches before starting this activity. The wood that is prepared can be used at a later camp.
Flag down, prayers
5 mins Beliefs and AttitudesPrayer, worship and refl ection
Thank you for the opportunity to learn new skills in our Scout Troop. Thank you for the experience and time that our Leaders provide to teach us. Thank you for the support that we get from our families.
Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions Ref Activity name
10 Scouts February/March 2010
scouts_Final.indd 10 13/01/2010 13:13
11scouts.org.uk/pol
For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol
Flag break 5 mins N/A Scouting skills are associated with outdoor activities like camping and survival techniques as well as socially useful abilities such as first aid, hygiene and budgeting. The best way to learn these skills is through activities that put them into practice. Those listed below can be used as a ‘circus’ of activities.
Debate 10 mins Outdoor and AdventureThemes
What do we mean by ‘Scouting Skills’? From Baden-Powell’s first Scout camp we might think that camping, cooking and tracking is the answer. As Scouting evolved, adventurous activities like climbing, hiking and boating came to the fore. But in today’s society is being able to operate a satellite phone and carry out a health and safety risk assessment more important? Ask the Scouts what they think.
Fire lighting 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureActivities outdoors
Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Give each a box of two matches, a piece of aluminium foil about 50 cm square and a cup with around 100 ml of water in it. They must work outside to first collect materials for a fire and then light it. It must be kept alight long enough to boil the water in a container fashioned from the foil. Afterwards the fire must be extinguished and the ashes tidied away.
The cost of a meal
30 mins CommunityTeam-building activities
Take the Scouts in pairs to your local supermarket. In the store they should produce a detailed menu, shopping list and costing for a breakfast and a main meal for a Patrol of six Scouts. As well as the food, they should also include all the peripheral items they will need such as drinks, matches, cooking oil and washing up liquid. As the Scouts won’t be buying anything, it would be a good idea to talk to the store manager before carrying out this activity as a training exercise.
Pitch and strike
30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
Modern tents with flexible frame poles can be pitched in good weather without the need for tent pegs. Give pairs of Scouts a modern two-man tent to erect and then strike indoors. For maximum benefit the pairing should be a novice with an experienced Scout.
Seeing at night
30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
What sort of lighting does your Troop use in camp at night? Provide pairs of Scouts with a range of lights, such as a gas lamp, candle, torch and wind-up lantern. Get them to assess each one for its ability to provide light outside at night, safety, ease of use and environmental impact.
Map reading 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
Arrange the Scouts in pairs. Provide each with an Ordnance Survey Pathfinder map, the grid references for a start/finish point and three sites to visit en route. Their task is to plan a hike route, avoiding roads as much as possible, between the points. They should also describe the terrain and any landmarks they would encounter in completing the hike.
Axe and saw 30 mins Outdoor and AdventureTeam-building activities
Give pairs of Scouts the opportunity to use a saw and a hand axe safely to prepare some firewood. You will need a collection of dead tree branches before starting this activity. The wood that is prepared can be used at a later camp.
Flag down, prayers
5 mins Beliefs and AttitudesPrayer, worship and reflection
Thank you for the opportunity to learn new skills in our Scout Troop. Thank you for the experience and time that our Leaders provide to teach us. Thank you for the support that we get from our families.
Activity Time Zone/Method Instructions
11scouts.org.uk/pol
Diversity dates coming soonApril 2 Good Friday (Christian)
4 (19th Orthodox) Easter Day
(Christian)
5 Ch’ing Ming/Festival of pure
brightness (Chinese)
8 Hanamatsuri (Buddhist)
12 Yom Ha-Shoah (Jewish)
14 Vaisakha/Baisakhi (Sikh)
21 1st Day of Ridwan (Baha’i)
23 St George’s Day
25 Start of Save the Children
week
26 Start of RSPCA week
MayNational share a story month
2 Lag B’omer (Jewish)
3 Start of deaf awareness week
3 Start of Red Cross week (tbc)
8 World fair trade day
9 Start of Christian Aid week
13 Ascension Day (Christian)
19 20th Shavuot (Jewish)
23 Pentecost/Whitsuntide
(Christian)
23 Anniversary of the declaration
of the Bab (Baha’i)
27 Vesakha Puja/Wesak/Buddha
Day (Buddhist)
29 Anniversary of the ascension
of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
scouts_Final.indd 11 13/01/2010 13:13
12 Scouts February/March 2010
Since the launch of the Garmin-sponsored Hiker badge, over 7000 of you have downloaded the resource pack and tackled the great outdoors with a Garmin GPS in hand.
T he Hiker badge obviously involves some serious
trekking but using Garmin GPS it becomes a
walk in the park. Just to make the hike a bit
more interesting Garmin has challenged you to
geocache along the way! Geocaching is basically
high-tech treasure hunting where you search for hidden
boxes or ‘geocaches’ in the great outdoors. The geocaches
can contain a variety of items including toys, coins, stickers
and a log book for you to write in to say you’ve been
there. You can plan your hike around the location of the
geocaches and race each other to make it a real event.
To find a geocache near you visit www.geocaching.com
Garmin GPS are available from all the main outdoor
retailers but Blacks is kindly offering Scouts 10% off a
Garmin eTrex H or GPS 60 handheld GPS and a free guide
to GPS book worth £9.99 with the voucher below. Simply
cut it out and take it to your nearest Blacks store to receive
your discount and free gift.
Prize hike
If you’re keen on the outdoors you may want to get a
Garmin Oregon or Dakota 20 GPS. Both have colour
touchscreens and are compatible with Garmin GB
Discoverer mapping, giving you an Ordnance Survey map
inside your GPS! Visit www.garmingbdiscoverer.co.uk to
find out more.
The beauty of geocaching and hiking with a Garmin
GPS is that once you’ve bought the handset its costs
nothing to enjoy the great outdoors so just get out there!
Download the Hiker badge resource at www.scouts.org.uk/garmin
more info
scouts_Final.indd 12 13/01/2010 13:13
http://leisure.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
13scouts.org.uk/pol
PROMO
Discover the natural wonders on your doorstep
Ordnance Survey, great mapping for Scouts
2010 has been named the International Year of Biodiversity – but what does that actually mean?
Ordnance Survey, Britain’s national mapping agency provides essentials to those who love the outdoors. From detailed maps to digital mapping products for gadget lovers
M ention biodiversity to most people and they
immediately think about rare animals like the
giant panda, or threatened habitats like the
rainforests.
In fact biodiversity includes all living things and all
habitats, from humans right down to the smallest
microbe, from the deepest countryside to your local park.
It’s not just ‘exotic’ species that are in decline. Many
creatures that we take for granted are under threat too,
like the grass snake, the water vole, even the beautiful
song thrush.
But there are lots of ways in which Scouts can help to
save the rich wildlife around us and become good
neighbours to nature. By getting out and about to
discover some of the incredible wildlife on their doorstep,
your Scouts will be well on the way to achieving their
Naturalist badge, which is sponsored by Natural England.
S couts have used Ordnance Survey for years and
detailed maps have helped many to learn about
navigation. They are ideal for Scout Leaders,
Scouts, and Cubs to use when camping, orienteering
and hiking or for gaining the experience needed for the
Scout Navigator Badge.
Top products for ScoutsOS Explorer Map – perfect for walks, hikes, rides and
rambles. Covering every part of England, Scotland and
Wales with a 4cm to 1km (2.5 inches to 1 mile) scale.
OS Landranger Map – your ideal planning partner for
days out and holidays. This series covers Great Britain
with 204 detailed maps. Each map provides all the
information required
to know your local
area in greater detail.
Get active with the
weatherproof versions.The maps
in the OS Explorer map – Active
and OS Landranger – Active ranges are
‘encapsulated’ or weatherproof maps.
They contain the same information as the
standard series but are covered in a lightweight
protective plastic coating.
You could plan a trip to your local national nature reserve –watch out for exciting events at www.naturalengland.org.uk/millionchildren or get involved with Natural England’s Big Wildlife Garden www.bwg.naturalengland.org.uk
more info
scouts_Final.indd 13 13/01/2010 13:13
14 Scouts February/March 2010
Clockface orienteering
Andrew Corrie outlines an effective method of
improving your Scouts’ orienteering skills
Basic trainingOrienteering usually covers a wide area of outdoor space
but it doesn’t have to. Basic compass practice can be
provided by ‘clockface orienteering’. All that is needed to
set out a training area are:
• a length of rope
• an accurate compass
• 15 tent pegs
• an area about the size of a football pitch (or larger) - the
area doesn’t need to be flat.
Peg the end of the rope (or a tape measure) to the
centre spot of the field. Set out the twelve ‘hour’ positions
of a clock by inserting a tent peg into the ground at the
other end of the rope as it is rotated on a series of
compass bearings at 30° intervals up to 360°. The tent
pegs (or other markers) should be inserted into the ground
so that they’re not easily visible from a distance of more
than, say, two yards. They should be identified by a letter,
preferably in a random fashion, so that the sequence is not
obvious to those taking part.
In addition, two other marker pegs should be positioned
at some known distance apart (such as 25 metres) so that
the competitors can check the length of their pace prior to
setting off on the course. This should preferably be located
away from any of the pegs used to mark the playing circle.
Devise coursesThis layout can then be used to devise a number of
orienteering courses, ranging from a simple shape to a
complex zig-zag, by means of the “ready reckoner” table
(fig. 3). This gives the distance and bearing between all
possible pairs of points for a circle of radius 100 feet with
twelve o’clock at due north from the centre. So a typical
nine stage course could be devised as follows:
1. Take point 1 (1 o’clock) as the start
2. Draw each stage of the course on a circle (as in fig. 1)
taking care to use stages of different lengths
3. Number each stage in sequence on this plan
4. Obtain the bearing and distance details from the
appropriate squares from the clock face “ready-
reckoner” (fig 3) and insert these in the chart (fig 2)
5. List these route details in a single column, as instructions
for each competing team, with a request that they
should indicate the identification letter of each marker.
These can be compared with the Leader’s original route
lists to check that each team followed the correct
sequence of marker points.
The great benefit of the arrangement hinges on the use
of the ‘ready-reckoner’ table since it enables the course
details, and instructions, to be worked out in advance
(provided the radius of the circle is known); whilst the
clockface can, if necessary, be laid out later (immediately
prior to a Troop meeting, for example).
Prepare cards in advance for each route and hand them
out. At each stage of the course the Scouts write in the
letter on the marked peg. (There’s a completed card based
on the route used in Fig 1)
Stage Distance Bearing Letter1 100’ 210° K2 100’ 90° B3 173’ 240° G4 52’ 315° E5 173’ 30° A6 100’ 240° D7 173’ 150° L8 52’ 75° F9 173’ 0° I
Fig 2
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15scouts.org.uk/pol
IntroPractIcal SkIllS
Clockface Ready ReckonerThe chart shows the distance and bearing
of points for a circle of radius 100 feet with
12 o’clock (XII in the chart) at due North
from the centre. The upper figure in each
square represents the distance (in feet) and
the lower figure the bearing (in degrees)
between the points - taking the horizontal
rows as giving the starting point.
For example, to find the data for a journey from
4 o’clock to 3 o’clock find the horizontal row
marked IV and then the vertical row marked III in the
chart - the figures in the square for which these intersect
(i.e. a distance of 52ft on a bearing of 15°).
For circles of other sizes the bearings would be the
same and the distance would be in proportion to the
circle radius; (for a circle of radius 75ft the distance from IV
to III would be 52 X (75/100) = 39 ft).
Fig 3) Clockface Ready Reckoner
Fig 1) A typical Clockface orienteering route
scouts_Final.indd 15 13/01/2010 13:22
16 Scouts February/March 2010
Greenfield or ready made?
Choosing a suitable location for your camping trip depends on many
factors. We examine the main differences between ready made and
greenfield sites
scouts_Final.indd 16 13/01/2010 13:14
01903 766 921
CAMPING
All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).
P hil Santana-Reedy, Group Scout Leader, 13th Stockport, tells us why he prefers ready made locations.
The Troop has 24 members and runs an active programme
including a week-long summer camp on alternate years.
Driving back this year I reflected on how much better it
had been to camp on a managed site with facilities. If I
told my Scouts that we were going to be on a field with
just a tap, I don’t suppose they would react too badly. But
mention that the toilets would be emptied in a pit they
had dug, that fuel for cooking had to be sourced from a
wood, and (worst of all) there was no tuck shop, they
would probably have hot-footed it back home.
Time saverAnd then there’s the leader team. People are working
longer and harder than ever. Where we once had regular
leaders giving lots of time, they might only manage one or
two evenings a month now.
We‘ve also seen a big increase in safety requirements
and procedures. A site that offers fully assessed facilities,
where the service provider will also have done the initial
checks, dramatically cuts the time requirements for
leaders. It also helps protect from the threat of litigation.
In addition, many newer leaders haven’t experienced
greenfield camping and are used to creating a camp
programme using on-site facilities.
Instant gratificationEven if we were a leader team with bags of time and
experience and the permit to camp greenfield, would we
be able to sell it? The change in time demands placed on
people has been matched by a similar increase in
expectations. Today’s children live in an environment of
instant fun where the computer lights up or the X-Box
kicks in at the flick of a switch.
That transfers to Scouting. Our programme has altered
to reflect societal change. We might like to think about
offering greenfield as an alternative, but selling a concept
of fun without visual proof just won’t cut it. We’re
competing with a frenzy of information through a variety
of media.
Scouting is successful today because it has evolved.
Our hard-pressed leaders need to provide adventure
in a safe, constructed environment where the fun is >>
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Foam Sleeping Mat
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£5.50 Silverpoint Wind Up 3 LED Head Torch
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Scout Camp PackItem code: 1027665
Save £13.50 against items sold separately Get kitted out for camp and make a big saving.
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This essential mat gives pro-tection, insulation and comfort
and has multiple uses.
Vango Nitestar 250 Sleeping Bag
Item code: 1026328
was £30
£25
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Scouts Be Prepared
35 Litre DaysackItem code: 1027424
£25
With adjustable back system, emergency whistle
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£50
scouts_Final.indd 17 13/01/2010 13:14
18 Scouts February/March 2010
there for all to see and all they have to do is join in.
That’s why our sites are developing more activities;
to reflect the needs of today, not to recreate yesterday.
Louise Henderson outlines the advantages of greenfield sites Did you read the letter in the October issue from Alan
Leader? He pointed out that whilst Bear Grylls was
suggesting interesting and exciting ideas, the chances of
being able to try them at a Scout camp site were almost
zero. Like any community Scout sites need rules. Without
them they would deteriorate under the pressure of
numbers and so wardens are rightly jealous of their
facilities and protect them accordingly.
There can be no doubt though, that the opportunity to dig
holes (for whatever reason), put up a rope swing, dam the
burn, climb trees and any number of other core activities are
what will make a camp memorable for many Scouts.
Freedom to discoverYoung people find their lives awash with regulations.
Grown-ups feel the need to sanitise, protect and civilise
them through a barrage of restrictions and directives.
However, when at camp, we in Scouting have the
opportunity to dispense with much of this excess
constraint and allow them the freedom to discover for
themselves the boundaries of reasonable behaviour both
towards each other and their environment.
So, where is this campsite with no rules? It is a
greenfield site and has no toilet block, hot showers, shops
and maybe even no running water. And what’s the big
attraction? To turn up at an empty field with no-one else
in sight, make it into a comfortable home for a week and
walk away leaving nothing but your thanks has to be as
close as it gets to living the Scout dream.
Evolving rulesOnce there are no neighbours and no worries about
overuse, the rules can change from those imposed upon
the Scouts to those that evolve from the Scouts. How
much more meaningful those unwritten rules that grow
from experience will be and it’s more likely that, on return
to the ‘real’ world, participants will better appreciate some
of the regulations that it holds.
Official Scout sites are great and certainly have their
place, but once you have tried a true greenfield camp
you will never go back. Not even for the hot showers!
Which do you prefer? Greenfield or ready-made? Let us know at [email protected]
more info
>>
Greenfield or Ready Made?
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