Scout Notes:- Week Ending 27 June 2009
National Explorer Competition
Over the weekend of 12 -14th June 18 teams of Explorer Scouts (14-18 yrs) competed at Everton Campsite for the Andy Mathews Trophy, some having travelled from as far afield as Tain . The main activity at the camp was on Saturday with an early start for activities which spanned the next 7 hours. The teams walked or ran between various bases run by Local Scout Leaders and Scout Fellowship members. The bases were emergency (simulated car accident) , orienteering, kayaking, ropes and pulleys, pioneering and riding the rib on the Clyde. The activities finished with a session at Gourock Outdoor Pool. In the evening David Storey was in charge of the camp fire followed by a casino and finishing off with a rave in the large marquee. Sunday was based on site at Everton with archery, golf, Jacobs Ladder, assault course, crate climbing and the Internet bus on offer.
Camp finished on Sunday afternoon with the Trophy being presented by Jenny Stevens, Scottish Commissioner for Explorer Scouts. The winning team was 85th Greenock & District (Inverkip) closely followed by the 32nd NFESU with Tain in 3rd place. The District Explorer Scout Commissioner would like to thank all of the District team that ensured this event was a success, also our main sponsor AMG groups for prizes and support, Inverclyde Council for activity equipment and the staff at Gourock Pool.
Guidespell
As part of the Guide Movement’s centenary celebrations the local Division has asked our Gang Show to help them produce an event to be staged in the Arts Guild between the 18th to 21st November. The Guides, being short of male dance partners and bass voices, have recruited some of our Gang Show Cast for this purpose. Greenock Scout Gang Show Producer Kenny Wilson and his team will be producing the show with help from some of the Gang’s musicians, stage crews, business team etc.
Please put the dates of the show in your group diary as it would be good to support our sister movement in their Centenary year.
Scout Shop Summer Break
The District Scout Shop has closed for the summer break. Saturday morning gatherings will commence again on Saturday 12th September
Scout Notes
The next scheduled Scout Notes will be week ending Saturday 20th August 2009.
Sailing Opportunity
THREE young people are being offering an unforgettable sailing experience thanks to redevelopment company Riverside Inverclyde.
It is backing this year’s ASTO Small Ships’ Race from Greenock to Belfast. As part of that support, there are three spaces for volunteers between the ages of 16 and 24 among the crew of the 23-metre ketch “Alba Venturer”, which, with a crew of 18, will be one of the fourteen-strong fleet of boats taking part in the Small Ships Races between the 8 and 11 of August, starting with some sailing on the Clyde before racing from Greenock to Belfast.
ASTO, the Association of Sail Training Organisations, has been running Small Ships Races since 2002, in vessels that, although described as “small”, are in fact up to 35 metres long, with crews of up to 20.
The selected local crew members will play a full part in the event programme, after receiving training from experienced staff members beforehand. When they reach Belfast, the lucky winners will also have the opportunity to mingle with the crew members involved in this year’s Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, which will be in port when the ASTO racers arrive.
The biggest sailing event of this type, the full Tall Ships Race, will return to Greenock in July 2011, when up to 100 majestic sailing craft will come to the area.
Helen Drummond, who is the project co-ordinator for Riverside Inverclyde’s involvement in both this year’s Small Ships event and the 2011 Tall Ships Race, said: “This will be a truly memorable experience for them.
“Of course, all safety and insurance arrangements will be taken care of, as will all associated costs, so, apart from anything else, this is a completely free opportunity. Our partners in this are Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, an award-winning Greenock-based charity fully experienced in helping young people develop teamwork and sailing skills quickly and safely. Our lucky crew members will play key roles in sailing and racing their ship. I’m sure they will really enjoy themselves.”
Anyone interested in being considered as one of the three crew members should contact Helen at Riverside Inverclyde. 2-6 Custom House Way, Greenock PA15 1EN, or on 01475 883104, or Helen.drummond@riversideinverclyde.com
Updates about activities or events during the holiday period can be added to this web page.
Any Group wishing to add information is asked to contact Jim Bell at all.the.bells@ntlworld.com
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