I received this last night:

"Steve

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! we need these!! http://www.myhab.com/ they would be
perfect for camps!! can we get some pleaaaaasssseeeeeee? They look easy to
keep clean and we could keep the vangos back for hikes. You do know that I
am going to whine until we get some, don't you?"

They are recycled cardboard tents!

My reply:

"Yes, but only if you make them yourself"

Her reply

"You are a cruel man. Mum said could we use thin MDF and coat it with PVA?"

I think I am going to regret not just saying no!

Last night the 16th Bermondsey laid on an evening for us outside City
Hall opposite the Tower of London. Alas, only 3 of my Scouts were up
for it but they are young and very keen. We were also in the august
company of the 1st City of London (Lord Mayor's Own) Scouts, making it
a 3 County gathering - there were 10 teams of 3 or 4 kids altogether.
I've never been to a Scout event in a more spectacular setting and I
don't think anyone will forget the fire-lighting challenge on the
foreshore almost underneath Tower Bridge. Also the puzzled expression
of tourists watching Scouts make lolly-stick rafts to float a night-
light along the channel of an ornamental fountain. I was astonished
that one of my little Scouts had never seen or heard of the Tower of
London nor Tower Bridge (we live 6 miles away...

What ever I offer my 16/17 year olds doesn't seem to grab their enthusiasm,
certainly compared to they 14/15 who lap up everything and come back for
more.

Has anybody tried something recently that 16/17 year olds particularly
enjoy?

I think given the choice some would sit in front of an x-box, drink beer and
then go to a theme park, and if that's what they want then fine they can go
somewhere else, but I am struggling to get the rest engaged with any of the
activities previous cohorts have enjoyed, such as climbing, canoeing,
sailing etc.

If I remember correctly one of the features for ES that was touted around a
few years ago was that members could be belong to several units and just do
the activities they want.

I now have half a dozen occasional visitors who only seem to come to me
every few weeks for expedition work. At the moment they are not costing me
anything, but when they start using the kit then I need to recover some
costs, plus why should my regulars over the cost of the rent etc. Plus if I
have them at January who pays their AM?

I don't think I can charge them the same as everybody else (£10 per month)
for just one visit, but I don't want to get into paying weekly as I really
don't need the extra work.

Is anybody else in the same situation?

There was some information in January 2008 about this directory
being on line. The web address given produces a 404. Anyone know
if it is still online and what the URL is ?.

Bill

Our Rector has asked the Cubs if we can do something in Church on
Father's Day. I have had some advice here before to the effect that
there was something in the Jungle Book that I could use. I've read
through that book and can't really pick out anything that works for
me. Going to try and get some ideas together but grateful for any
thoughts.

Matthew
CSL 1st Ribchester

I've just about finished designing a new site, ScoutBox. (http://
scoutbox.co.uk)

It's in a blog format, and I'll be filling it with lots of resources
which might be useful to people in Scouting. I know there are sites
offering similar things, but I think they tend to be more 'archives'
than an ongoing thing.

Because I want to keep it ongoing, I'm encouraging people to submit
their resources, tip me off on things, offer suggestions etc. through
the contact page. I've also enabled registration for a trial run,
which means anyone can register, write a post and submit it for
review.

So, what do you think?

-
Graeme

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Hi,

Last year one of our leaders bought some new tents, Sportiva Villas.
Whilst in the snow at Easter we broke a couple of poles so I am looking
for spares. Unfortunately they take 10mm fibreglass poles, the only
ones I can find are 9.5mm and 11mm and I'm certain it isn't either of
those sizes!

If anyone knows a good supplier who might be able to get them for me
then I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,

Apologies if this has been raised before. I have just sent off the email
below to the info centre at Gilwell asking if there is any SA guidance. Is
there any group guidance? - appreciate it.

Ken Millington

Our District Cub leaders last night discussed the new Highway Code and
revised advice that for organised walks, large groups and people walking
together we should walk on the left ie *with* the traffic...