My apologies if any of this information is slightly later than you'd want it to be – as many of you will be aware, Stu & I are expecting a baby in mid-June, so we're planning a gradual handover of admin tasks to other leaders, so don't worry that there will be a sudden disruption to services in June – it's all under control.
Firstly, thanks to the Scouts and parents who helped out at the recent working weekend – the new extension is far closer to being useable. If your Scout took part and doesn't have their Community Challenge award yet, all their hard work counts towards it.
District Scout quiz – Thursday 2nd February, 7.30pm, Methodist church hall, Otley
We're looking for Scouts to uphold the honour of 2nd Otley! The Wharfedale district Scouts are running a quiz this Thursday and we're looking for at least one team of six – more if we can, as Menston are sending five. Could you have a word with your son/daughter and drop me an email if they want to take part? We'll get final numbers on Wednesday.
Chevin conservation day – Sunday 12th February, 9.30 – 3.30pm, York Gate Quarry car park
Putting something back into your local community is an important part of Scouting, and essential to gaining the Gold Scout Award. Given how much enjoyment we get out of using the Chevin, we'd like as many Scouts as possible to help the Friends of Chevin Forest on their next work day. Stout boots and warm clothes are essential, but gloves will be provided. (The York Gate Quarry car park is the first one on your right going up East Chevin Road – confusingly, it's not even on York Gate.)
If your Scout can't make the full day, they can take part for either the morning or the afternoon. Can your Scout do a half or a full day? We also need some parents to volunteer to help supervise (I'm certainly waddling too much nowadays!) – can you let us know if you can help?
Camps coming up... spring Fossil camp & Big Camp 4-7th May 2012
We're seeing if we can book a short-notice camp for the end of February/beginning of March – a seaside camp on the East Coast, with a fossil theme. Cliffs, treacherous tides, cold North Sea... what could possibly go wrong? 13 Scouts said they'd be interested – we're trying to find a venue and will keep you updated. As ever, we'll try to keep costs down, as we're sure that we're not the only ones feeling the pinch at the moment. However, we may have to charge slightly more than the usual £35 - £37 – we'll keep you informed.
You'll probably be aware of Big Camp from previous emails. It's a huge event being held at Harrogate Show Ground and they're planning to attract over 4,000 Scouts, Cubs & Beavers, with hundreds of activities on site. It costs £45 for the entire bank holiday weekend. Many Scouts already have their names down for it, but we'll be asking for final numbers soon.
Reva (Wharfedale Scout Sailing Centre) – sailing taster sessions
In case you're not aware, we have a district sailing centre at Reva reservoir, up on the moors past Menston. They give local Scouts the opportunity to try out water activities like sailing, canoeing and windsurfing, at an affordable price. They've offered us places on water activity taster sessions on the following dates. Please let us know if your Scout would be interested, and if there's enough demand, we'll see if we can book places. It costs £5 per 2 ½ hour session.
* Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th May 2012
* Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th June 2012
* Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th July 2012
Coming this autumn... 2nd Otley Explorers!
Once our Scouts get to 14, they have to move on. However, because of the large number of 2nd Otley Scouts who'll be 14 in the next school year, we're planning to set up an Explorers group for 14-17 year-olds. It's like Scouts, but a lot more independent and with a whole load more challenging activities. We'll be fully involving our older Scouts in setting up the group and deciding on the programme, and already have a team of leaders who will be working with the new section – me, Richard Fishburn (presently in Cubs and came to our last Hard Core camp) and Jill Handford (presently a Cub leader). We're really excited about it and will keep you informed on developments.
As ever, if you have any questions, you know where I am.
Emma
