Aberdeen Scouts

District News

General News

• POR Changes affecting the Scout Troop
  Each Troop will have received a copy of letter from HQ (Gilwell) detailing recent changes to POR affecting the Scout Troop. The main changes relate to clarification around who can and can't run section meetings and to introduce adult to young people ratios for nights away events.
  Full details can be seen in the updated POR available on Scoutbase.
  The main implication is that for nights away events there has to be a minimum ration of 1 adult to 12 scouts plus the leader in charge of the events. Therefore a team of 3 adults will be required to take away as many as 24 Scouts.
  If anyone has questions, feedback or requires further information then please get in touch.
  
  
• Taking the Lead publication
  You should have received a letter with a free hard cover for the publication Scouts…taking the lead, and the whole document can either be downloaded from www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead or from the Information Centre to order a hard copy (although this costs £5 to get a hard copy). If you can't get hold of a copy from the internet then let me know and I'll sort out a copy.
  
  
• Programmes Online
  Programmes Online is a new facility which should be being launched about now on Scoutbase. All of the Balanced Programme Zones will have a good number of ideas that are ready to use. You will also be able to select ideas and drop them into a programme plan, so that your whole term's programme can be coordinated using the system. You can also submit your own programmes and programme ideas for others to use.
  
  
• Marath7on
  As part of the SHQ 7On project to raise funds for the Development of Scouting in Scotland, the Scout section has come up with Marath7on challenge, full details of which were in Scottish Scout News in April. The challenge is to take part in a sponsored event by either walking, cycling, kayaking or sailing the marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards.
  Full details of 7On and how to register should be obtained from Scottish Headquarters.

The Scout Section is for young people, usually aged between 10½ and 14 years. A young person can come in to the Troop at 10 and may stay until they are 15 years old. The Scout Troop is the third and final Section in the Scout Group.
Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme.
"Participation" rather than meeting set standards is the key approach and for the Scout who wants to be recognised for his or her achievements there are a number of Challenges Awards and Activity Badges. Scouts take part in a balanced programme that helps them to find out about the world in which they live, encourages them to know their own abilities and the importance of keeping fit and helps develop their creative talents. It also provides opportunities to explore their own values and personal attitudes
Being outdoors is important and half the Programme is given over to taking part in both the traditional Scouting skills, such as camping, survival and cooking as well as the wide range of adventurous activities, anything from abseiling to yachting.
The international aspect gives Scouting a special appeal and many Scouts now travel abroad during their time in the Section. In 2002/3 25,000 Scouts from around the World attended the World Jamboree in Thailand. Even more are expected to attend the World Jamboree in The United Kingdom in 2007. But before this we have the European Jamboree in 2005, Eurojam. This will be for Scouts and Explorer Scouts between the ages of 11 and 18 and will provide a fantastic opportunity for young people, from different parts of Europe, to share a unique experience.
Scouting is about being with friends, as part of a team, participating fully in the adventure and opportunities of life.

More information can be found on Scoutbase about: -

• Scouting
• Badges that can be earned in the Scout Section
• Where Badges should go on Uniforms

For more information on Scouting in Aberdeen contact the AAC Scouts - Mike Winn through the District Office.

Explorer Scouts can become Leaders in the Scout section through the Young Leaders' Scheme. A PDF factsheet is available for section leaders outlining the role they can expect Young Leaders to to play in their leadership teams.