West Sussex Scouts World Jamboree 2015 News

7 Explorer Scouts and 1 adult leader from Horsham Scout District are attending the World Jamboree 2015 in Japan.
Follow their adventures on the @Yewnity Twitter and facebook links by clicking below.

West Sussex Scout Jamboree Contingent News

Horsham Scouts Target Shooting Competition

Horsham Scouts were involved in an innovative target shooting competetion developed by adult leaders and archery and air rifle instructors.

Archery and rifle shooting require high levels of personal discipline and control and provide opportununities to develop powers of concentration and precision skills.

Click video link below

Horsham Scouts Target Shooting Competition

The event, held over 2 days, has given the opportunity for Scouts from across Horsham Scout District to join in.

International opportunity for Explorer Scouts in Kandersteg Summer 2015

Stewart Mills Explorer Leader - East Reading Explorer is offering an opportunity for Explorers from Horsham Weald and West to join a trip to Kandersteg in Summer 2015.

There are currently 19 spaces available (total 50 spaces) supported by 10 leaders including Rick Cooper (West Sussex County International Commissioner). There will be explorers from Berkshire and Petworth and Pulborough District on the trip.

See details below;

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Jamboree on the Air - 2015

Kandersteg 2015 - Orion & Paladin ESU winter trip

Horsham Weald Scout District Explorer Scout Units Orion and Paladin are joining together for a trip to Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland in 2015.

To raise funds for the trip there will be a Quiz Night on Saturday 18th October 2015 at 2nd Southwater Scout HQ.

To support the Explorer Scouts contact:

Elaine- wealdyl@gmail.com or Jonny Kimber - jonny.kmbr@gmail.com

Bag packing at Sainsburys to raise funds for Jamboree 2015

Scouts and Explorer Scouts attending the World Jamboree in Japan next year were bag packing at Sainsburys in Horsham today supported by leaders, parents and freinds from their Scout Groups.

Nick Bird who has been selected to attend the Jamboree explains what they were doing;

Horsham Weald Scouts say why they are bag packing in Sainsnburys;

If you would like to make a contribution to help Horsham Weald Scouts attend the World Jamboree in Japan next year or would like to find out more about volunteering for Scouts please contact Peter Scofield District Commissioner Horsham Weald Scouts by e-mail to dcweald@gmail.com or click this link Horsham Weald Scouts Want To Join page

3 Peaks Jamboree Challenge - WSJ 2015 5Th10th Horsham Scouts

 The Challenge

Megan Longdon (15) an Explorer Scout with Europa Explorer Scout Unit, Horsham Weald Scout District will be taking on the tough challenge of scaling the three highest peaks of the UK: Ben Nevis 1344m (29th July) Scotland, Scafell Pike 978m (30th July) England, Snowdon 1085m (31st July) Wales,.

The climbs will be completed over 3 days and may have the occasional surprise thrown in. 

Megan will be supported by a team consisting of Julia (15) another member of Europa ESU, and brother Dylan (13) from 5th /10th Horsham Scouts. 

Dad Simon, mum Mandy and sister Holly also from 5th/10th Horsham Weald Scouts plan to join for some of the treks

The Charity

Megan has been selected to attend the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015 as part of the UK contingent fees fund individual costs and help youths from LDC's to attend. In Japan, cross-cultural learning,looking at the environment, development, human rights, health, science and technology. A peace programme culminating in a trip to Hiroshima. Working closely with the local community. It is an extraordinary experience for everyone involved, providing them with something that will stay with them for life, as well as building strong ties with Scouts from other countries.

The Training

If only....... Hikes and cycle rides have been completed to prepare. Box Hill in Surrey was a good place to get used to the gradients. 

How can you help?

The following link to Mountain Warehouse is a Three Peaks Challenge competition to receive votes. The majority voted link will receive £5000 which Megan would put straight in to the Jamboree and give back the money donated by 5/10. It’s easy to vote but we need a few hundred votes to win.

Mountain Warehouse 3 Peaks Challenge - vote for Megan

The link below is to the 5/10 Virgin Just Giving site where Megan has a page for people to donate money for her climbing the Three Peaks.

To sponsor Megan click here 

Horsham Weald Scout District Cross Country Cycle Race

Sunday 29th June saw the “Horsham Weald Scout Cross Country cycle race” return with a bang. Despite the downpours on Saturday while setting the weather improved on the day. There were around 60 participants on the start line coming from all age groups (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers & Adults). All participants and spectators had a great time, supporting and encouraging each other throughout the day. Thanks and congratulations to everyone who took part, but particularly to all the finalists in each age group. A big thank you goes out to the following local businesses who supported the event, giving prizes and their time freely to ensure that it was a great success.

AD Cycles - www.adcycles.net, Tel: 01403258391, Twitter: @ADC_Horsham
The Candy Box, www.candybox.biz, Tel: 01403 254174
Battle Quest Games - info@battlequestgames.co.uk, Tel: 01403242003
Sussex Lighting UK Ltd – www.sussexlighting .co.uk, Tel: 01403241933, Twitter: @sussexlighting
Horsham Bikes – www.horshambikes.co.uk, Tel: 07880806209

Hear what some of those involved had to say;

AD Cycles - scrutineers and sponsors

A parent and participant

A Scout

Parents and participants

Simon - Horsham Bikes  - technical support and sponsor

 

Alan, Sam and the whole team are looking forward to next year’s event already and hope to increase participation at all levels and encouraging healthy competition within Horsham Weald Scout District.

Alan stated “Sam and I have been really thrilled with the take up at this year’s event. We hope the message gets passed around to other Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Leaders and parents to encourage more entries in 2015 and beyond. This was a fantastic Scout family event!” To find out more about joining Scouting and the opportunities it offers to adults and young people go to: Horsham Weald District - http://horshamwealdscouts.org/join.html West Sussex Scouts - http://www.westsussexscouts.org.uk/join-us/volunteer.aspx Scout Association - http://scouts.org.uk/get-involved/

To speak to the District Commissioner call - 0779 267 2443

GPS Picture

Ever wondered how good your young people were at route planning? Just exactly how straight a line can they tread? And if they need inspiration, would they be up for the challenge of drawing pictures that can be ‘seen from space’? As part of the 80th birthday celebrations we held for 1st Shipley Scout Group at the weekend, I got groups from all sections to show their creative side and try walking out a picture using nothing more than a GPS running watch (my Garmin 305), a large field and a bit of teamwork. The results were quite cool and can be seen online on. For an idea of what I am talking about without having to go online, here is a screenshot of a tent (mapped out over 0.17 of a mile.

The idea is simple but the results quite stunning. With enough people and perhaps a dot-to-dot effect, I reckon some quite complex shapes could be made, and why not extend it to hikes in general? With a creative mind, sections could devise routes over miles that write out words, recreate the constellations or make a massive fleur de lis? How about getting the West Sussex contingent of the World Scout Jamboree together and creating a ‘WA’?!!* But back to earth – the Group had a fabulous birthday party, the young people (and the once young people revisiting the HQ they have known and loved these last 8 decades) had a lot of fun and we even invested some new Beavers into the group. “WA: a Spirit of Unity” is the theme for the Jamboree. The Kanji Character “和” (WA) embraces many meanings such as unity, harmony, cooperation, friendship and peace. WA also represents Japan and its culture Chris Sturdy Explorer Scout Leader, Paladin DDC, Horsham Weald

Winter Thrills - Wintercamp 2014

Thousands of Scouts were out in force for the annual Wintercamp. 

A highlight in the calendar for Scouts and Explorers (as well as Guides and Rangers), Wintercamp offers more than 30 different activities over two days, ranging from abseiling to zorbing.

Taking place at Gilwell Park in East London the weekend was jam-packed with high-octane adventure, with even more activities to choose from than ever before, including brush boarding and go-karting.

The best adventure.  The snow was nowhere to be seen this year, and while temperatures dropped to -2°C during the chilly nights, the 3,000 young people, along with nearly one thousand adult leaders, enjoyed two days of camping, cooking on open fires and experiencing fun under clear skies.

Phoenix (1^st Roffey) went as part of the Horsham Weald / Young Leaders contingency which was a total of 38 Explorers, other groups included Orion, Paladin, Europa and Pegasus.

‘This was my first time at Wintercamp, the new activities were great. I would definitely like to go again and maybe visit Gilwell 24 in the Summer if the Leaders can put up with us again.’ says Owen.

‘The White water rafting was awesome, we went to Lee Valley by minibus after booking our places early in the morning, and the water was very COLD!!  I am sure the Guide capsized the raft on purpose!! It was nice to have a hot shower afterwards before coming back to camp’ says Louis.

A few members of the Group mentioned that their favourite thing about Wintercamp is meeting up with people from other Scout groups from across the UK. It is undoubtedly one of the best adventures.’

Chief Scout Bear Grylls, all-year round international adventurer, said, ‘Wintercamp provides a whole new adventure experience for young people. This challenge is all about empowering these Scouts with the confidence and skills to survive the sub-zero temperatures, and keep warm and comfortable in their tents.  It's humbling to see so many inspiring young people enjoying such a wide range of activities, from climbing, abseiling, quad-biking and high ropes, all in January: the coldest month of the year. Go Scouts!’

The tents are now cleaned from all the Gilwell mud brought home, a BIG thanks to all the Phoenix Explorers that came to help John and Dave on Saturday 18th, your help was very much appreciated and over the past week to get the equipment back to normal…..  just the large mess tent to go now!!!

Thanks to all the Leaders that helped at Gilwell :-  Grizz, Chris, John, Ben, Alistair and Tom for your hard work over the MUDDY weekend.

To Elaine for arranging the fine details and organisation of the trip.

John FitzPatrick

Overland Hike 2013

4 teams of Scouts, Explorers from 1^st Roffey Scout Troop, Phoenix and Young Leader ESUs entered the Overland Hike which proved to be one of the most demanding for many years.
Despite the very wet, cold and freezing conditions experienced on both the practice and event hike weekends everyone was pumped up and excited about taking part in the challenge.

The morning of the Overland started with Snow falling as the teams tavelled to Plumpton Green for the start. The kit check was a breeze and all teams came
through with maximum points.

The Horsham Weald check point at Jack & Jill windmills above Pyecombe, which was well supported by leaders and other adults, was also very cold and gloomy but compensated by a great view down the valley.

The teams arrived during the course of the day and running repairs to the odd blister were made to keep everyone on the road. One of the Scout teams, after a confused start arrived full of smiles and the Explorers skipped their way through the car park. The Young Leader team had to withdraw due to an injury to one of the members – but they are determined to give it another go in the Downsman and next year’s Overland. A lot of positives have been taken from this all girl team;

• Getting the team organised in a very short amount of time.  
• Very strong willed girls that worked together well as a team even though they hardly knew each other before getting together as YLs.
• Two more Explorers want to start the YL training.
• Friendship and support to all team members

After a very cold night in the base camp the teams set off on Sunday
morning for the finish line.

1st Roffey Scouts 7th place	1st Roffey Scouts 9th place	Phoenix ESU 16th place	Young Leader ESU DNF
Oliver Whorwood   Louis Timperley  Christian Smith   Paul Ambrose	Heather Lindfield India Belfield Oliver Field   Owen Duda	David Ambrose Ethan Belfield Oscar Rhodes James Lindfield	Zoe FitzPatrick  Megan Longdon  Julia Feltham Annabel Light

Well done to everyone taking part in and supporting this year’s Overland hike.