24 October 06 - 12:21Research proves Scouting is good for you!

Taken from www.scout.org.uk 23.10.06

People involved in Scouting and Guiding do better in later life, recent research shows.
The report, conducted by the Institute for Public Policy Research, found that former Scouts and Guides were three per cent less likely to be depressed and five per cent less likely to be single, separated or divorced by the age of 30. They were also more likely to own a home, achieve good qualifications and be earning a decent income, even after correcting for their class background.

The Institute believes the benefits of being a member of uniformed youth organisation is so great that it is calling on the Government to incorporate it into the National curriculum.

If you would like to join Bath Scouts please visit our website at www.bathscouts.org.uk

simon - default - No comments - § ¶

24 October 06 - 12:151st Class Scout Commemorated on Stamp

Scout Jack Cornwell features on a set of six stamps released today to mark the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross.

Boy Seaman First Class Jack Cornwell was 16 when he died at the Battle of Jutland, remaining at his gun turret even though he was fatally wounded. He was a Scout and the Cornwell Scout Badge was introduced in his memory after his death 90 years ago.

Royal Mail has put together this commemorative set in memory of six heroic recipients of this prestigious award.

As the Victoria Cross award itself was always given to honour bravery itself, and was in no way designed to glorify war, the stamps deliberately focus on the recipients. Chosen from a cross section of different services and campaigns, the stamps feature six of the brave soldiers. Behind each awardee is an account of their act of heroism, together with the dates the awards were made.

To find out more about the stamps visit the Royal Mail website.

simon - default - No comments - § ¶

23 October 06 - 20:42A wheely good day had by all!

Adapted from Bath Chronicle 23.10.06

At the weekend 30 Scouts and their Leaders from across Bath, helped marshall a course at Victoria Park, as more than 100 people had turned out to ride around a route marked by traffic cones and hay bales as part of the Tescos Bike Active day.

Speed was not the point - the event was non-competitive and gave people a chance for a traffic-free ride.

Champion mountain bike trial rider Martin Hawyes spent the day demonstrating tricks on a purpose-built course which soon became slippery.

"It was pretty treacherous," he admitted.

"But the response was good and I like the concept of getting people active on their bikes. I've been riding all my life."

Andy Cook from the Government-backed agency British Cycling said Bath was the fifth and final city to take part in Bike Active and had provided the best location.

Sponsored by Tesco, the event was part of British Cycling's Everyday Cycling initiative. There was a skills course for younger riders, including slalom and limbo poles.

simon - default - No comments - § ¶

20 October 06 - 15:34Scouts Enjoy Piano Bash

18 September 2006- Adapted Bristol Evening Post article

Members of Bath Spa University Scouts and Guide Club joined hundreds of Scouts in a weekend under canvas at the Almondsbury Scouting headquarters at Woodhouse. Youngsters from across the region joined in a weekend of activities, which included archery, rifle shooting, orienteering, five-a-side football and a tug-o-war competition.

Ali Kattana, county Scout network commissioner, said the event had been organised to give the young people the opportunity to develop their skills and abilities.

One of the popular events of the weekend was the piano bash, in which teams had to break a piano into pieces small enough to be passed through a hole the size of a letter box.

The pianos had been donated because they were uneconomic to repair.

simon - default - No comments - § ¶

16 October 06 - 18:18Scouts in Serbian Adventure

For a video of the trip visit- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn5bysqD27s By Toxic Bristol Scouts

Two Scout Leaders from Bath, Stuart King and Simon Crowden joined 300 other UK Scouts and Guides for an adventure of a life time at a Scout Jamboree in Nis, Serbia.

Over 3000 participants from across the former Yugoslavia including Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Montenegro enjoyed a traditional camp in the Bubanj National Park, sleeping in tents, cooking on wood fires and enjoying traditional Serbian Scouting.

The theme of the camp was "find your self" and a range of activities were laid on by the Serbian Scouts and the International Service team that was made up of many different nationalities from across Europe.

Activities included archery, climbing, walks in the Serbian hills, boating, a visit to a former concentration camp and a historical hill fort. Other exciting Scout activities included looking at family, culture and citizenship as part of the camps theme.

Despite the very hot and humid weather, all the Leaders and young people had a very enjoyable and rewarding experience while camping with the Serbian Scouts.

This is just one of many International experiences Scouts are involved in across the world as well as more local events. Next year will see many international experiences as Scouting celebrates its centenary in 2007. If anyone is interested in more information on Bath Scouting check out their website at www.bathscouts.org.uk

simon - default - No comments - § ¶

16 October 06 - 17:45Combe Down Scouts Summer Camp

One of the largest of the city's Scout groups is on a camping adventurein Devon. Sixty-one members of the Combe Down group based on The Avenue set off for Dartmoor on Saturday.

With 12 adults in tow to take charge, 33 Scouts and 16 Explorers will spend a week sleeping under the stars and having new adventures.

Activities will include climbing, caving, archery, clay pigeon shooting and swimming.

The oldest members were spending two days on the remotest parts ofthe moor.

They will be working together in small groups to navigate their way across the moor and camp overnight without the help of the adult leaders.

Assault courses are also planned and the teenagers will have their knotting skills put to the test as they make rope bridges across streams.

Scout leader Adrian Plummer, said: "As well as all of these exciting activities the young people will be working together to look after themselves and each other, lighting fires to cook meals and working to promote teamwork with their friends andcolleagues."

The Scouts are camping on the northern edge of Dartmoor in a farmer's field.

"Camping has been the central part of Scouting ever since it was started nearly 100 years ago by a camp on Brownsea Island," said Mr Plummer.

"Since then Scouts have enjoyed camping in many styles, with the summer weeks lending themselves to longer trips away. This camp is by far the biggest I have ever run.

"It will be a very active week and I hope very exciting for the children.

"We will be spending a lot more time at the campsite this year so the children can get to know each other better."

simon - default - No comments - § ¶

16 October 06 - 17:38Explorers Website Wins Top Award

Bath Fusion Explorer Scouts are please to announce that their website has been awarded the Escouts Platinum Award for meeting high standards for quality, content, navigation and coding. This is the highest award the scheme offers. The Escouts Awards are the most prestigious awards for Scouting websites.

The review panel deemed the site to be a "brilliant advert for explorers across the country".

For more information on joining Fusion Explorer Scouts and to view theri websire go to www..fesu.org.uk

simon - default - No comments - § ¶