The new 'A Complete Guide to Scouting Skills' book is now out and aviable for scout shops, if you do want to get a copy go to Jabbering All Day Long which has a review of the book, there is also a chance to win a copy of the book.
To find out more please go to http://ow.ly/1d9V4

Northwinds go Off Road!

Northwinds Explorer Scout Unit recently gave the Explorers a chance to have a go at driving (most having never driven before). To make this a bit more challenging they were put in a 4x4 in a field and sent through a few holes / craters!

Pictures of this and our other activities can be seen at www.northwindsesu.co.uk/2010Gallery.aspx


Thanks

Ben

Ben Hopper
Explorer Scout Leader
Northwinds Explorer Scout Unit

Hello all

The County Explorer section have set up a Twitter feed, we will be using this to publicise events and activities within the county and wider region.

Below is the HTML coding to enable those with websites, if they so wish to, to add a twitter feedbox similar to that found on the county website.

Also if you would like any activity or event to be publicised via twitter please let Phil Bird or myself know and we will distribute the information.

Yours in Scouting

Chris Meadows
ACC Explorers

Tel: ++44 (0)117 966 7189 Mob: ++44(0)7734151055
E-mail chris.meadows@avonscouts.org.uk Web: www.avonscouts.org.uk

The Avon Explorer Challenge took place between the 30th & 31st of January 2010, the final standing of the event was: -

1st Vulcan ESU 24 points

2nd Endeavour ESU 22 points

Joint 3rd Scorpions ESU & Mystery 10 points

I would like to thank all those who helped to make the event a success and all those who took part, I look forward to seeing you all for breakfast on the 21st November when we run the event again.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind you that the County is running “Module A” of the Young Leader Scheme. The session will be at Woodhouse Park on 20 March. Places still available, contact rosmarie.kirwan@avonscouts.org.uk for further information.

Chris Meadows

ACC Explorers
Avon Scout County
39 Lisburn Road, Knowle, Bristol BS4 1NF
Tel: 0117 966 7189 Mob: 07734 151055
E-mail chris.meadows@avonscouts.org.uk Web: www.avonscouts.org.uk

The night hike ran again this year with 11 groups represented. It was a cold night and all the scouts did extremely well.
Many thanks to all from fromeside that helped out with the checkpoints and catering.

Change to Northwinds ESU Leadership

Ben and Karen have reluctantly decided that after this summer’s trip to Belgium (in August) they are going to leave their roles as Explorer Scout Leader and Assistant Explorer Scout Leader at Northwinds ESU.

This is because both are also heavily involved in running the 209th Bristol Scout Group and the amount of time needed to also run a District Explorer Scout Unit has simply become too much.

Kevin (AESL but can only usually make weekends) and Karl (Unit Assistant) will both continue with their current roles.

Brunel District were told in October and are currently looking for new Leaders for Northwinds ESU. If you know anybody who may be interested in the running of the Unit please contact Mark Gollop (District Commissioner) on 0117 965 3244 / 07789 621 323 or mark.gollop@avonscouts.org.uk.

If you want to see more about the unit go to www.northwindsesu.co.uk.

Ben Hopper - Explorer Scout Leader
www.northwindsesu.co.uk

Rickard Shield – 20th & 21st March 2010

This year's Rickard Shield county night navigation event will take place over the weekend 20th & 21st March.

A letter/application form (together with a poster to put up in your HQ to promote interest) about Rickard Shield 2010 are now available. They can be downloaded from www.avonscouts.org.uk/rickardshield

As always there is little preparation involved other than making sure that your teams are suitably equipped for the event.

Feel free to mail me with any queries that you may have. As always, James will be managing the applications on rickardshield

More information on the competition can be found at www.avonscouts.org.uk/rickardshield

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Gary Welsh
gary.welsh@avonscouts.org.uk

Dear DESC,

I attach a form that each leader / participant will need to complete and send with each completed Bronze and Silver DofE record book when they are sent to me for sign-off. The sheet has three slips on it to save paper!

The form is simply to ensure that the books are returned to the right address and that we can communicate with the participant and the leader as quickly as possible to confirm their award. Using email will also save money!

Could you please forward this mail to your leaders who are engaged with DofE. I am aware that in some districts scout groups are also engaged in the DofE so please could you ensure that they are also copied in?

The process for Gold Record Books is that a DofE notification form needs to be completed and sent to me together with the Gold Record Book and the Silver Record Book if possible. I have attached the form for Gold notification.

Could you please stress that each book needs a slip and that I appreciate leaders help in making the award process as smooth as possible. Many thanks.

YiS,

Bronze___Silver_Notification_slip.pdf

GoldNotificationFormAUG09.pdf

Brian Rogers,

County Advisor for the DofE Award, Avon County Scouts.