Merry Christmas

Third Ware Scout Group would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Click the link below for a message from the Scourt Association

 

 

 

2012: A seasonal message from The Scout Association to members

Ice-skating with Falcon Pack

On Tuesday Falcon Pack went to Van Hages for their last meeting of the year. They had chosen ice-skating for their Christmas outing and everyone was very excited about going along.
Once they had got their skates on they got onto the ice, some finding it easier to skate than others!

Getting up speed!

Getting on well!

Just holding on for a minute!

Even dad's can ice-skate!

Skating with a friend!

Hot chocolate after we had all finished.

The Cubs had a good evening and all enjoyed the skating. It was a great way to end 2012 and to look forward to Christmas.

 

Christmas tree festival

This year the Beavers and Cubs drew and wrote about their achievements for the decoration for the Leaside Christmas tree festival.
Some wrote about what they had achieved in Beavers like getting their Bronze award, some of the Cubs wrote about getting their Silver award.
Others chose to write about their sporting achievements in football, karate, rugby or swimming.
This year each section had a different shaped decoration which made the tree very interesting and we had lots of lights on it!
While the church was open, lots of the Beavers, Cubs and Leaders came to find the 3rd Ware tree and their own special decoration.
as usual, thanks must go to everyone who helped make the tree such a success.

The tree in the church

Tree topper


 

Gambia fundraising and uniforms

From fund raising efforts during 2012,  3rd Ware has recently donated £460 for the purchase of material and tailoring to make 65 uniforms and scarves for our twinned Scout group in Medina Sering Mass. Photos below..

Christmas Post 2012

Today 3rd Ware Scout Group launch their third annual Christmas Post scheme.

Last year we raised £100 for 3rd Ware Scout Group, and each of our two other nominated charities, Isabel Hospice and HELPING.  We aim to do even better this year.


The stamp this year was designed by a Beaver from River Ash.  Well done!

You can buy stamps and souvenir covers at the Isabel Hospice shop on Ware High Street, or at 3rd Ware HQ in Broadmeads after each section meeting.  You can also post your cards in both locations.

The cost of stamps remains good value at 5 for £1, and the delivery area is unchanged from previous years encompassing the three post code areas SG12 7--, SG12 9--, and SG12 0-- as indicated on the delivery area map.

The last day for posting is Thursday 20th December.

Lochearnhead 2013

Just before half term, the Scout Troops were given a presentation on next year's summer expedition to Lochearnhead, run by Ware District Scouts. This is an adventurous 11 days in Scotland where the older Scouts have a chance to experience mountain expeditions, sailing, kayaking, biking and other activities. A promotional video of the expedition is below, and the application form can be downloaded here (group site password required).

PEAK ASSAULT 2012

 

Richard, one of the Scout leaders wrote this post about a recent competition...

 

Every year, in October, the Hertfordshire County team organise an event called Peak Assault, open to all Groups in the County. The event is for Explorer Scout teams (14.5 – 18 year olds), Network teams (18-25 year olds) and Senior teams (25+).  An element of this event is the secret location – you turn up and get on a coach on the Friday night, and get driven to ‘somewhere hilly / mountainous’ in the UK.

3^rd Ware, and Ware and District were well represented at the 2012 event – 3 senior teams (all from 3^rd Ware plus a representative from 1^st Great Amwell –two mens’ teams – the A-team and the I-team, plus an all girl team, none of which had previous experience of the event), 2 Explorer Scout  teams (one from Lygean in Ware, one from Armynage in Buntingford) and a Network team (from the Caveo Network – there’s one for the Latin Scholars amongst you).

There was a rather ominous start to the event, as we awaited the arrival of the coach at Chauncy school whilst it poured with rain. The coach took us around the M25 (taking a diversion via Slough to join the M4 because of the traffic). Heading West along the M4 meant there was effectively only 2 places we could be going – Dartmoor or the Brecon Beacons. Several hours and a Burger King meal later, a failure to turn left at Bristol and a journey over the Severn Bridge meant there was only one place we could be going – the Brecons.

We arrived at our destination, Llanthony in the Black mountains (Eastern end of the Brecon Beacons), at 2330, and went about setting up camp. The rain that had met us at Chauncy school had disappeared and it was dry and clear.

The format of the event is slightly different for the Explorer Scout teams – they do the event as a 2 day expedition, taking all their kit with them and camping out at a pre-determined ‘high camp’. The Network and Senior teams return to base camp on the Saturday night, doing the event as 2 day walks.

The event itself is essentially a wide scale orienteering event. You are handed a couple of 1:25000 maps plus a sheet of (8 figure) map references of the checkpoints, along with their scores (the further away / more remote they are, the higher the points value – this year the checkpoints were worth 3, 6 or 8 points). Each checkpoint is a 1.5 foot high metal post, with an orange circle on top, attached to which will be a orienteering stamper with a unique pattern. The competition is to locate as many checkpoints as possible, stamping your sheet to prove that you had located the checkpoint. Being only 1.5 foot high, some checkpoints are very challenging to locate and really test micro navigation skills – esp. challenging when using maps dated 12 years previously which had, amongst other things, an entire forest marked which had now been felled.

There are more checkpoints to find than time available, so decisions have to be made as to which ones to attempt and which ones to leave – for every 5 mins late back from your 8 hour allocation, 1 point is deducted.

Once the tents were all up, there was a short time to admire the beautiful stars (it’s amazing how many stars you can see when there’s little light pollution – it was stunning, you could even make out the Milky Way). As we gazed up and our eyes scanned the horizon, we noticed these rather large hills surrounding us. With those in mind we turned in ready to get up a few hours later.

We were very blessed this year to have a fantastic support crew to do the catering – Richard Knight and Michael ‘Weasel’ Walkerdine, who looked after us so well all weekend – a huge thanks to the pair of them. We got up to be greeted with bacon butties and hot tea. Wonderful. All too soon it was over to kit check (there are mandatory kit requirements) and then to start day 1. We did the kit check in the dark and by the time we actually started it was just about light enough to mark the maps (you are only handed maps and the list of checkpoints once you’ve completed kit check) and make a decision as to which checkpoints to go for

The team I was in decided to go for all the checkpoints on the ridge (incl. Ben Mawr) on west side of the valley – since there were more points available from the checkpoints. Any spare time we had left would be used to get ones on the other side of the valley. Many teams came to the same conclusion, albeit route selection was somewhat varied.

A slog up to the top ensued, meeting our first marshals towards the top of the climb just before we bagged our first checkpoint. A walk along the ridge followed as we picked off more checkpoints. One of our most challenging of the day was the checkpoint furthest from base camp on this side of the valley. It was marked beside a Boundary Stone…..although in reality it was no longer there causing us some doubts as to whether we’d found the right checkpoint. We guessed we had, grabbed the stamp and moved on to collect the others. Despite another challenging one hidden amongst a load of bracken, we successfully located all the checkpoints we were aiming for and decided to head back to base camp via the 3 point checkpoint on the eastern side of the valley. A checkpoint that, despite being a little tricky, we successfully found. This find was to prove significant in the final reckoning.

We had bumped into both the other senior teams, and our Network team whilst out and about – all of whom had picked different routes. The Caveo network team, I-team and Insanity team both came back within the 8 hour time slot. The A-team went for a different tactic of deliberately getting back late (and thus incurring penalty points) – whilst trying to pick up enough checkpoints on the eastern side of the valley to give them a net gain of points. The A-team were very reticient to admit how many points they’d earned themselves at the end of Saturday, meaning they’d either done well (as I thought), or gone a little wrong.

After a short sleep to recover, a superb Richard / Michael meal of pasta bolognaise followed by chocolate sponge and custard was provided, after which we all retired to a local bar to socialise and share thoughts and experiences.

On Sunday, after another bacon butty and tea breakfast, all three 3^rd Ware Senior teams picked the same strategy – pick off all four 8 point checkpoints up on the Eastern ridge. The ridge actually forms part of the border between England and Wales, and is part of the Offa’s Dyke footpath (so you could say the event took us to 2 different countries). After 2.5 hours the I-team were back in base camp, followed by the A-team, the Caveo Network team and then Insanity. Shortly afterwards the Explorer teams returned and we set about packing up.

Once we were all back, we loaded all kit into the bus and awaited the prizegiving. In all, it was a pretty successful prize giving for Ware and District – the Caveo team won the Network competition and in the senior competition the 3^rd Ware teams came 3^rd, 4^th and 9^th. I think the Lygean Explorer Scout team came 10^th in the Explorer competition.

To try and put into context the amount of height the teams had to climb – over the course of the 2 days most teams climbed the height of Snowdon from sea level. The A-team climbed this sort of height on the first day alone.

Everyone from 3^rd Ware seemed to enjoy it. The dry weather certainly helped, and it was great for the Leaders, who put in so much time and effort during the year on behalf of the young people, to have an event that they can take part and compete in. Everyone seems to keen to take part in next year’s event………wherever that might take us. Let us know if you want to join us next October.

JOTA/JOTI weekend

On Saturday Ware & District had their own Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI). It was held at Buntingford Scout HQ and Freman College.

 

First we went to the HQ where the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts were able to make a crystal radio.

Shere Khan and a cub making a radio

Dormouse helping a Beaver make his radio

 Some of the the young people were also able to use the amateur radio and talked to Scouts who were camping at Gilwell.

 

Next we went along to the school where there were some other Leaders who showed the young people how to join in the conversations that were happening with Scouts from all over the world. They were able to 'talk' with Scouts from Greece, Denmark, and Aruba in the Caribbean.

 

 

 

Talking to a Scout in Greece

A Beaver using the computer

 Thank you to everyone who organised the day for the young people of the District. It was great and we look forward to doing it again next year!



 

 



 

 

Harvest parcels

Tonight Heron Pack made up the harvest parcels for elderly people in the town. All of the members of the Group had donated items for the parcels such as tins of fruit, soup, teabags and packets of bisuits and the Heron Cubs shared them out into 21 baskets.



Adding cellophane to the parcels



While half of the Pack were making up the parcels, the rest of the Cubs were making and addressing cards for the people that were going to receive them. The Cubs really enjoyed doing this and made some beautiful cards.



Cubs hard at work!



Writing the card

Once all the cards and baskets were finished, they were stored in the committee room ready to be distributed to local people of the town.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who helped with this project your support is much appreciated.





Mini Pioneering

Heron Cubs returned to the hut this week, for a mini pioneering challenge.

Each six were given some elastic bands and bamboo canes, and the had to build the best catapult.

Teams were scored on teamwork as well as construction and how far they could propel their bean bag.

 

 

The winning six were Blue six, who nearly managed to hit the far wall.

Heron Cubs Out and About

"assalam o alaikum"

That is how Muslims greet each other when they meet.

Heron Pack were the guests of the Stevenage Muslim Community Centre. The Cubs learned about what goes on in the Mosque.

We learned that Muslims always face Makkah in Saudi Arabia when they pray, and this direction is called "Qiblah". There is a special part of the Mosque called "Mihrab" which is built into the wall to show which direction this is.

As always, we were made very welcome, and after our tour of the Mosque, we were provided with crisps and drinks.

Falcons out and about part three

This week Falcon Pack visited Christchurch as part of the Promise Challenge. They learnt about the history of the church and that 3rd Ware were founded by one of the Curates back in 1910. Martin who works at the church had done a quiz for the Cubs to follow and there were sweets for Kaa's team who won!

We were also able to go up the tower and see what was up there as well as counting the steps up which was one of the quiz questions!

Martin explaining about the church

Playing the organ



In the pulpit

Four girls in the tower

Will showing the Cubs the tower

Reading the Bible
 

Falcons out and about part two

While the older Cubs were venturing to Hertford, the rest of the Pack went to Ware museum to see the Great Bed of Ware and hear about some of its history from John Wing. The Cubs also had the chance to dress up in some Tudor costumes before walking back up the High Street along the Great Bed Trail.

 Rich young Tudors

A rich Tudor

A peasant boy

John explaining the Great Bed trail

Falcons out and about

Falcon Pack divided into two groups this week. The older Cubs had planned an expedition for their Outdoor Plus challenge badge. They caught the train to Hertford, visited the play area at Hartham Common before speeding back to the bus station to catch the bus back home.

At Ware station waiting for the train

Nathan at the top of the climbing wall

On the bus going home

Falcon Cubs update

Falcon Cubs have had a busy start to the term. Six members joined 14 other Packs in the annual Oxley Shield competition. The team of Hugh, Elspeth, Jack, Ethan, Jack and Alex had been practising for the event and all had a good time over the weekend. They did all the bases, cooked their own dinner, played a wide game and sang round the campfire before bed.


Making pizza for dinner

Eating dinner

Celebrating Jack's birthday

Inspection!







This afternoon

Can you see us?

Soon the Nocturnal start and we will move on from a our fun-filled 3rd Ware camp to the serious business of a competition. Oh yes, that will be fun-filled as well and so really what we have here is a busy and challenging weekend filled with great activities. Let the Nocturnal begin!  

Scouts

What else would you do on a Saturday morning to limber up for a District Competition? A spot of climbing on the rolling rock at Phasels seemed to be just the ticket after a slightly damp night!

 

 

Heron Gambian cafe

On Monday I was invited to visit the Heron Cub Pack for their Gambian cafe. Parents and friends were treated to an amazing array of home made cakes and were served tea and coffee by the Cubs.

 

We also had a chance to see a presentation of photographs from the trip last Easter and to ask questions about The Gambia. Shere Khan looked amazing in her traditional dress.

The evening was a great success and the Herons made a fantastic £143.00 that will be used to help our twin Scout Group. Many thanks to all who attended and well done Heron Pack.

 

One parent commented - "My lemon cake was delicious and it was interesting to hear all about the Gambian scout group."

WaGAwood 2012

For the last five years the two Beaver colonies from 3rd Ware have met together with the two colonies from Great Amwell and enjoy "WaGAwood". This year was no exception.

 

Where else can a parent and child engage in such fun activities such as pedal carting, the cresta run, Inflata- Bull (which rumour has it Rama was very good at!) and also get to enjoy cooking scrummy food over an open fire?

 

Below are a few photos from the weekend. Hopefully more will be in the gallery on the group website within the next week or so.

 



Registration



 



How many Beavers can you get in a 2 man tent?



 

How many people does it take to put up a 2 man tent?

 

Flag Break

 



Backwoods cooking



 



Inflata- bull



 

Pedal Cars

 

Father and son...and food!

 

Cresta Run

 

Dinner time

 

Scavenger Hunt

 

Everyone is still smiling!

Adventure playground

 



And then there were none.



Whilst all this was going on the "Cuckoos" where holding their own camp. These are the Leader's children who have to come, because their parents are at WaGAwood, but are too old to be Beavers. They take part in some of the same activities but cook their own food.

 

Chicken and peas

Chief Onion cook

WaGAwood has always been about enabling parents to enhance their relationship with their child by engaging in activities with them on an equal basis; each time, without fail, when asked the best part of the weekend, the adults say it was spending time with their child and the children say it was being with Mum/Dad and sleeping in a tent. Everyone enjoys the adventurous activities, the backwood cooking in never long enough and best of all two different Scout groups unite to become one for a weekend...

 

 

...and of course everyone enjoys the campfire, even once the Beavers are asleep and the parents and Leaders get a chance to socialise. Why not come along next year, and if your Beaver is now in Cubs...there is always space for more on the Leader team.

 

 

Finally a few words from a Dad...

"I just thought I would drop a line to thank you for an exceptionally well organised and enjoyable weekend. Both myself and my Beaver thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and even forgetting my sleeping bag, didn’t put a damper on the fun !"

 

See you at WaGAwood 2013