AGM Reports

	2007 AGM Reports
BEAVER REPORT Last July the Beaver Scouts participated in the District Football tournament. Well done to the boys - they came second! During the summer break, a few Beavers entered the County holiday photo competition. A Beaver from 9th Bracknell colony won first prize. After a long hot and very dry summer, we began collecting Tesco sports tokens and managed to obtain some sports equipment. This was used regularly during the autumn term. During autumn we also worked towards various badges, had a fun Halloween night and visited different countries (hut theme nights). The Autumn term ended with Christmas cookery and a noisy party! When we returned to Beavers in January, it was the start of the big Centenary Year for Scouting. We began celebrations by starting a Centenary Year scrapbook and taking part in the "100up! Join in" centenary activity. In February, three Beavers took part in the Gang Show - this involved three rehearsals and three performances and the boys had a great time. Everyone said how well they performed. We gained two new badges; Healthy Easting and Fitness badges. We also had a Red Nose Day evening to which the Beavers could bring a friend and we managed to raise £19 for Comic Relief. The spring term ended with an Easter egg hunt at the hut. Summer term began with some Beavers attending the St. George's Day parade where they sat well through a long service and paraded well around the parade square at the RMA. The first Bank Holiday weekend, seven Beavers attended the District Jamboree camp on the Sunday at Bracknell Hockey Club. They arrived at 0945 and departed at 2030 - a full day - and took part in Spider Mountain, Bouncy Castle, crate climbing, woggle making, eating lunch and tea with the cubs and scouts and joining in with the camp fire. A few of the Beavers have now recieved three of the four centenary badges to go on the back of their centenary ties: the last one is for attending the Sunrise ceremony (0800 on 8th August). I would like to thank all the parents for their help and support throughout the year and special thanks to Jo for being Beaver Parent Rep up to Christmas and to Julie who then took over this role. Let's hope that next year will be even more successful and enjoyable. And finally - this will be my last AGM report as after much soul searching I have decided to leave the colony in July. I would like to thank everyone for all their help over the years and to wish all the boys that came through Beavers the very best in life. Happy Scouting and Good Luck 1st Sandhurst in everything you do. Alder (Erica Malone) SCOUT REPORT Camps Summer Camp 2006 was on the Gower and we took 9 Scouts. Activities included hiking, archery, surviving on 24 hour ration packs and sleeping on the beach. It was a great camp despite being quite a long way to drive in an ageing minibus! In September we took 14 scouts to White Beeches campsite near Godalming. Despite getting really muddy and using up the entire stock of plasters from cuts on fingers it was an excellent camp even with a visit to A&E! District winter camp was held at Gilwell, 5 scouts went representing 1st Sandhurst. Again a muddy but great camp! Six Scouts were fortunate to attend the District Paris Camp. A great experience for all despite some transport "challenges". Finally 1st Sandhurst Scouts took 16 to the Centenary Celebration at Bracknell Hockey Club - combined with the Cubs and Beavers 1st Sandhurst took more numbers than any other group. The above camps amounted to a total of over 150 days away for our members - the best I can remember. It amounts to an average of over 5 per Scout!!! An amazing achievement for 1st Sandhurst Scouts and probably a record! Scout Nights In the centenary year of Scouting we have been offering a traditional program with firelighting, cooking, first aid, map reading, knots and wide games. We have also balanced this with trips to Ice Skating and Laser Quest. In 2006/7 we faced the real possibility of waiting lists for Scouts. The flow up from Cubs was large and a number of members joined from other Troops and youth organisations. This put pressure on the leadership team and jeopardised the sustainability of the troop. 30 is considered the maximum level we are happy to maintain with a full leadership team. The additional support provided by Sarah has allowed us to avoid turning anyone away. We are currently running at 26 Scouts, and based on the forecasts of Cubs coming up and Scouts moving on to Explorers we expect this level to continue, however the prospect of a waiting list remains a distinct possiblity. Thanks from Gareth! Good things are happening at 1st Sandhurst Scout Troop. 2006/07 has been a great year. The troop is vibrant, experienced, challenging and respectful and closely aligned to my own beliefs of what Scouting should be about. It is fun for me and we are making a difference to the children involved. This has only been made possible with brilliant people making it happen! Bruce and the Committee - Thanks for "getting" Scouting and making leaders jobs as easy as possible. Thanks for the energy and determination to make things happen on the ground. The committee delivers! Tim - Thanks for giving us great "raw material" and in such numbers that it creates Scout leaders a problem!!! Erica - Scouting is about development and progress and it all starts at Beavers. Much of the success we have had at 1st Sandhurst has been based on the good foundations provided by Erica and her colony. Erica is retiring after "thousands of years" of service to Scouting (we would love her to stay but she is a stubborn one!) She will be missed by me as good counsel and for her sharp wit. Stay in touch! Conan - Thank you for your guidance and support and attendance at all the camps, a brilliant District Commissioner already! Sarah - Without Sarah we would have a waiting list and be restricting access to Scouting in Little Sandhurst! Sarah supplies key competencies to the leadership team that are often invisible but are always invaluable to the troop and fully appreciated. And finally Andy - It is no mystery to me that the increasing success of 1st Sandhurst Scouts correlates directly to the "acquisition" of Andy as ASL. His knowledge, passion, integrity and experience have been fundamental in the delivery of high quality Scouting in Little Sandhurst over the past two years. His contribution is invaluable. Thank you all. Gareth Huxtable, Scout Leader

BEAVER REPORT

Last July the Beaver Scouts participated in the District Football tournament. Well done to the boys - they came second!

During the summer break, a few Beavers entered the County holiday photo competition. A Beaver from 9th Bracknell colony won first prize.

After a long hot and very dry summer, we began collecting Tesco sports tokens and managed to obtain some sports equipment. This was used regularly during the autumn term. During autumn we also worked towards various badges, had a fun Halloween night and visited different countries (hut theme nights). The Autumn term ended with Christmas cookery and a noisy party!

When we returned to Beavers in January, it was the start of the big Centenary Year for Scouting. We began celebrations by starting a Centenary Year scrapbook and taking part in the "100up! Join in" centenary activity. In February, three Beavers took part in the Gang Show - this involved three rehearsals and three performances and the boys had a great time. Everyone said how well they performed. We gained two new badges; Healthy Easting and Fitness badges. We also had a Red Nose Day evening to which the Beavers could bring a friend and we managed to raise £19 for Comic Relief. The spring term ended with an Easter egg hunt at the hut.

Summer term began with some Beavers attending the St. George's Day parade where they sat well through a long service and paraded well around the parade square at the RMA. The first Bank Holiday weekend, seven Beavers attended the District Jamboree camp on the Sunday at Bracknell Hockey Club. They arrived at 0945 and departed at 2030 - a full day - and took part in Spider Mountain, Bouncy Castle, crate climbing, woggle making, eating lunch and tea with the cubs and scouts and joining in with the camp fire. A few of the Beavers have now recieved three of the four centenary badges to go on the back of their centenary ties: the last one is for attending the Sunrise ceremony (0800 on 8th August).

I would like to thank all the parents for their help and support throughout the year and special thanks to Jo for being Beaver Parent Rep up to Christmas and to Julie who then took over this role.

Let's hope that next year will be even more successful and enjoyable. And finally - this will be my last AGM report as after much soul searching I have decided to leave the colony in July. I would like to thank everyone for all their help over the years and to wish all the boys that came through Beavers the very best in life.

Happy Scouting and Good Luck 1st Sandhurst in everything you do.

Alder (Erica Malone)

SCOUT REPORT

Camps

Summer Camp 2006 was on the Gower and we took 9 Scouts. Activities included hiking, archery, surviving on 24 hour ration packs and sleeping on the beach. It was a great camp despite being quite a long way to drive in an ageing minibus!

In September we took 14 scouts to White Beeches campsite near Godalming. Despite getting really muddy and using up the entire stock of plasters from cuts on fingers it was an excellent camp even with a visit to A&E!

District winter camp was held at Gilwell, 5 scouts went representing 1st Sandhurst. Again a muddy but great camp!

Six Scouts were fortunate to attend the District Paris Camp. A great experience for all despite some transport "challenges".

Finally 1st Sandhurst Scouts took 16 to the Centenary Celebration at Bracknell Hockey Club - combined with the Cubs and Beavers 1st Sandhurst took more numbers than any other group.

The above camps amounted to a total of over 150 days away for our members - the best I can remember. It amounts to an average of over 5 per Scout!!! An amazing achievement for 1st Sandhurst Scouts and probably a record!

Scout Nights

In the centenary year of Scouting we have been offering a traditional program with firelighting, cooking, first aid, map reading, knots and wide games. We have also balanced this with trips to Ice Skating and Laser Quest.

In 2006/7 we faced the real possibility of waiting lists for Scouts. The flow up from Cubs was large and a number of members joined from other Troops and youth organisations. This put pressure on the leadership team and jeopardised the sustainability of the troop.

30 is considered the maximum level we are happy to maintain with a full leadership team. The additional support provided by Sarah has allowed us to avoid turning anyone away. We are currently running at 26 Scouts, and based on the forecasts of Cubs coming up and Scouts moving on to Explorers we expect this level to continue, however the prospect of a waiting list remains a distinct possiblity.

Thanks from Gareth!

Good things are happening at 1st Sandhurst Scout Troop. 2006/07 has been a great year. The troop is vibrant, experienced, challenging and respectful and closely aligned to my own beliefs of what Scouting should be about. It is fun for me and we are making a difference to the children involved. This has only been made possible with brilliant people making it happen!

Bruce and the Committee - Thanks for "getting" Scouting and making leaders jobs as easy as possible. Thanks for the energy and determination to make things happen on the ground. The committee delivers!
Tim - Thanks for giving us great "raw material" and in such numbers that it creates Scout leaders a problem!!!
Erica - Scouting is about development and progress and it all starts at Beavers. Much of the success we have had at 1st Sandhurst has been based on the good foundations provided by Erica and her colony. Erica is retiring after "thousands of years" of service to Scouting (we would love her to stay but she is a stubborn one!) She will be missed by me as good counsel and for her sharp wit. Stay in touch!
Conan - Thank you for your guidance and support and attendance at all the camps, a brilliant District Commissioner already!
Sarah - Without Sarah we would have a waiting list and be restricting access to Scouting in Little Sandhurst! Sarah supplies key competencies to the leadership team that are often invisible but are always invaluable to the troop and fully appreciated.
And finally Andy - It is no mystery to me that the increasing success of 1st Sandhurst Scouts correlates directly to the "acquisition" of Andy as ASL. His knowledge, passion, integrity and experience have been fundamental in the delivery of high quality Scouting in Little Sandhurst over the past two years. His contribution is invaluable.

Thank you all.

Gareth Huxtable, Scout Leader