Bit of a kerfuffle going on around me following my being informed by ADC
Scouts that none of our Scouts will be awarded CS Gold if the ADC doesn't
think that they deserve it. Rub is, our Troop is one of the only two in
District that (a) has double figures in Scouts and (b) seems be achieving
anything at all worth having. FFS our PLs run their Troop so well now I've
got space to think Big Things and go about making them happen.

Anyway, the issue looks likely to be resolved shortly by the DC (I'm not the
only one to complain, or will be too fussed if the ADC spits his dummy out)
so I won't have to argue the case against yet another local rule, for
that's what it seems to me. I'd give it my best shot though because if any
of our 4 Scouts close on being ready for their Expedition (and thus CS Gold
with some other bits & pieces completed) were refused CS Gold it would
destroy them.

Those of a particularly fine memory may remember that I posted the
invitation for the UK team for these back in November. One of our
Explorers managed to get into the UK team, and they came a very
credible fourth overall - the Swedish won first prize.

Congratulations to him, and the next one's in two years time!

Regards,

Andy

Intrepid ESU
www.explorerscout.net

Epping Forest Conservation Project: Sun 17th - Sat 23rd August 2008 -
www.explorersproject.org.uk

The Epping Forest Conservation Project is a week long summer camp held
in Epping Forest for Explorer Scouts from across the UK. In the past,
participants have come from as far apart as Leeds, Liverpool,
Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Newquay and from as near as
East London, Essex and Kent.

During the week Explorers complete a range of conservation tasks
within the forest, which can be counted towards a number of Scouting
Awards including the Chief Scout's Awards, Queen's Scout Award and
Duke of Edinburgh Gold residential. Explorers are also eligable for
the Environment Partnership Award and Communtiy Service Activity
Badge, both of which are awarded at the end of the week.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so a full programme of
evening entertainment is organised throughout the week, as well as a
days visit on Wednesday, which for this year is planned for London
(details tbc)

Get this!
Yesterday morning I emailed SGS Outdoors Sheffield and asked if they could
provide 24 new Powerpacks?
This morning they ARRIVE

I need ideas for a rather special tent.
I need a small, light-weight 'mess-tent' that is reasonalbly stable n a bit
of wind. Say, 12- 16ft (3-4m) square , standing-up room.
We do have large steel poled canvas mess tents that weigh a ton.

Last year we went to Wales, slept in hike tents and used a very large nylon
tunnel tent as a 'base-tent' ( a super family tent, minus all its rooms)
for meetings, stores and cooking/eating evening meal together. At 2am the
wind decided to flatten it and then transform it into a roaring hang glider
with me as pilot struggling to unzip my sleeping -bag, stoves and tables
crashing down on me in the dark.

A mess tent properly pitched survives Everest base camp and at a push we
will buy a new smaller one, but I wondered if there was anything lighter out
there? I am not too fussed about the cost; good kit is always worth it.

Eddie Langdown 16th Bermondsey London

In this weeks Childern and Young People Now Fiona Blacke has issued a
statement making her position clear.

'For volunteer workers a licence would be given with a passportable
crb check and an induction ,properly delivered by the host
organisation with a set of commonly agreed elements.'

So my question is as we have these already what use will a licence be
to me, the disadvantage would be yet another bit of paper it will take
up to six weeks to process, now if it replaced the need for multibul
crb checks that might be worth it.

What do think

Y.I.S. Tony