Squirrel Scouts

As we approach the busy camp season, a reminder for all those involved in organising camps, particularly camp leaders:

Nights Away-reminder to include all adults attending & RA when sending information –including programme, to Sarah Bennett, if possible, more than 14 days before the camp starts.  Any adult sleeping over MUST have completed Safety and Safeguarding modules & have a DBS, suggested applications should be made 3 months before the event.

Remember to keep updating RA’s and share with all adults attending camp.

Sarah

District Events Update

• Cubs Founders Day 24^th February – Great success as usual, thanks to Daisy and the Team
• Explorers Target Competition Saturday 25^th February at Rhydd, great day with Harkaway Unit taking the lion’s share of the trophies, but all the Explorers did amazingly well.  Thanks to all involved.

• Explorers Monopoly Run, London Friday 1^st – Sunday 3^rd March. All home safe and sound and very tired.  Some excellent results and a great time spent being tourists in London.  Well done Wyre Forest Explorers.

Plans going forward:

·       Explorers taking part in the Six Summit Challenge in May

District Camps 2024:

A Musicals themed Camp at Rhydd for Cubs, Beavers, and Squirrels 21^st – 23rd June – a planning meeting has now been held for this camp for our younger sections, and the activities have been confirmed.  There will be Giant Inflatables, Science activities, plus a talent contest.  This is very exciting and will involve each group putting on a multi section little show on stage around their chosen Musical, more details from your Lead Section Volunteer (ADC).  There will also be a costume parade on the Sunday morning with prizes and trophies to be won.    Cost confirmed as £35 per child, payable by May DLM.   Formal proramme and times will be out soon

District International Jersey 2025:

There was a core team meeting on the 18^th February, where a great deal of planning and budgeting took place, and there will be a relaunch for any remaining places on the 24^th March at WF8 HQ at 3.00 pm.

St George’s Day Parade – 21^st April 2024

All Groups will be required to provide at least 3 marshalls on Parade Day, who are able to attend the briefing the night before at Rhydd.  Deadline is 7^th April for names and contact numbers.

Julie

Rhydd – Paul

Potholes – Apologies for the potholes, we are awaiting a delivery of plannings which are arriving this week and then the service team will be repairing them.

Car Parking – The car park on Ebury Rise has been extended to the left as you enter Ebury Rise, enabling more cars to be parked in the bad weather.

Self Led Training –

Saturday 13^th and Sunday 14^th April – for the following activities - assault course, atb's, grass sledges, bikes, waterslide, turf boards, under 8's play area, pedal karts, frisbee golf, slack line, caving, pioneering and Beaver Caving Trailer.

Saturday - 9am-10.30am - FULL

11.30am - 1pm

2pm - 3.30pm

Sunday - 9am- 10.30am – Limited spaces

11.30am - 1pm

Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th April – for auto belay tower and bouldering wall

Saturday –

10am -12noon – Limited spaces

12.30pm – 2.30pm

Sunday –

10am-12noon – Full

To book onto either course please email Kathy on bookings@rhyddcovert.org.uk

Activities for week nights only and campfire bookings are to be booked by emailing Kathy on bookings@rhyddcovert.org.uk, please include your meeting times when emailing. Individual sites can not be booked for weeknights but are operated on a first come first served basis when you arrive on site.

Weekend activities are to be booked on OSM please as normal.

County News

• County Klatch (Conference) will now be held in late April, possibly at the 3 Counties Showground.  Carl Hankinson UK Commissioner hopefully to attend.
• County Cub Camp will be held at Eastnor Castle with a Jungle Theme. Clashes with our own District Camp
• Shirehike will be March 2024
• Shirejam, date to announced shortly, possibly a 4-year rotation.
• H & W now have joint Transformation Leads in post, John Day and Derek Barnes
• County TA positions are being reviewed as the role will not exist after Transformation
• Recruitment drive called ‘Bring your Grown-Up’ Useful guide on the website
• All ACC roles are changing to Team Leaders with Accreditations
• Roll out of First Aid Training.  All volunteer roles working directly in the sections will now require a First Aid Certificate.  This means that all current Section Assistants who do not currently need the qualification will require to complete the training.  There will however be a period of 2 years for this to be undertaken. * See below
• Network to be redesigned and/or rebranded.  Districts to be asked what they want for their Network members.
• 2024 Capitation Fee for Hereford & Worcester:
  • The capitation fee for the county in 2024 will be £13.50.
  • This adjustment is necessary due to the rising cost of living and our commitment to support growth within local communities and ensure consistent support across Scouts Hereford & Worcester.
• UK HQ Membership Fee for 2024-25:
  • The UK HQ membership fee for the 2024-25 period will be £38, (£37.50 for prompt payment)
  • Districts will receive invoices from the County Treasurer in due course, facilitating the collection of payments from Groups.