With winter coming soon we wanted to take the time to look back at whats been happening between summer and now. And what a few months it has been since the return from summer our Young People and Volunteers have been back taking part in many amazing activities. Especially this last weekend when members from across the district joined together and/or with members from the Royal British Legion to take part in acts of remembrance.
As a district we have been fortunate in having the opportunity to provide scouting to young people with the opening of new groups, more recently we have welcomed 1st Lanzarote into our amazing scout district. 1st Lanzarote is joining 1st Tenerife as our second group based on the Canary Islands. 1st Lanzarote aims to officially open in the new year.
I want to firstly say ‘thank you‘ to everyone within Southern Europe District for their continued support, commitment and dedication in delivering scouting abroad to our young people. I’ve always said it to myself and for anyone who has scouted in their home country will know, for someone to give up their time to develop others is amazing, but anyone who relocates to another country for whatever reason and gives up their own time is extraordinary!
These past few months have been a challenging time for the district as we recover from the dear and sudden loss of Ruth our former District Commissioner, and I know that she would be proud that we have come through this challenging period and be proud of the district we continue to develop and support local level grass-roots scouting.
In addition to the fantastic work our existing groups are doing that you will be able see later in this update, I am delighted that 1st Bucharest in Romania has successfully opened and that the group is going strong delivering Beavers, Cubs & Scouts to their young people. I am also very excited that we are currently in the process of establishing 1st Lanzarote, our second group in the Canary Islands which is aiming to open early next year.
With all of this growth and to ensure that the district can support grass-roots level scouting, I am also growing the District Team. These roles are to create networks and forums at sectional level and offer support to these adult volunteers so make sure to check out the roles in this update.
I have a challenge for everyone within Southern Europe, and that is to celebrate someones success. Whether you’re recognising a job well done, celebrating a permit or top award, or simply saying ‘thank you’, we should always take time to reward our people in for their hard work and contribution. It is important that we all take time to thank one another even if it is just saying ‘thank you’ as previously mentioned and The Scouts have a load of information available of how we can do that.
1st Naples
After having our first birthday before the summer, our young people came back ready for many more adventure. Our cubs and scouts created some models and took part in some team games showing how well they can work together. They also learnt their promise ready to be invested into the group. The scouts also finished up painting some War Hammer models at one of their meetings.
Like many other scouts from across the UK, commonwealth and the rest of the world we were very proud to say our Squirrels and Beavers were exceptional when it came to paying their respects on the passing of Queen Elizabeth, as were the rest of the young people in the group. This past weekend our group took part in acts of remembrance which again made us all very proud of our young people who were fantastic.
Within a few weeks time we will be going on camp which we have been planning for over the last few months.
1st Bucharest
1st Bucharest has experienced an action-packed beginning to life under the scouting umbrella!
With 35 children across 3 ages ranges, the opportunities for fun and learning have been numerous and varied. Cubs achieved the prestigious honour of earning the 1st badge in Bucharest! Foraging for materials, which were used to create bug hotels, combined with gaining an understanding of knots, ropes and shelters. This resulted in the awarding of the Naturalist Activity badge, which was widely celebrated in our community.
Beavers have also constructed bug hotels and used this experience as part of their work towards a Photography badge. They were tasked with photographing suitable locations to place their hotels. This expanded into snapping pictures of our surroundings and one another. We are currently choosing our favourites (it’s difficult!). Our Scout troop are eager to explore the Romanian wilderness so have focused on sharpening their skills in preparation. Shelter building, rope making and geocache investigations have fostered the sense of commitment and togetherness that will be essential in our rugged terrain.
From an adult’s perspective, it is heart-warming to see the sense of inclusion and belonging begin to develop amongst our group. Smiles and salutes occur as we see each other, and the feeling of positivity is tangible.
1st Maisons-Laffitte
This remembrance day our young people also contributed to a worthy cause by fundraising and participating in a swimathon for autism support. Two Scout teams from 1st Bougival swam against Scouts from Maisons-Lafitte and the Paris Explorers. They cut through the water like barricudas to accomplish a combined total of over 400 pool lengths! As of today, over 12,000€ has been donated to the benefiting associations. Bravo!
1st Fuengirola
As far as the 1st Fuengirola Scout Group is concerned after being operational for 25 years we continue to grow and improve.
At the invitation from the Royal British Legion here on the coast, saw a total of 18 Leaders and Members from all sections joined in with members of the local Community, for a Memorial Service in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth, on the 24th of September. Also, as part of this year’s Remembrance Sunday Service organised by the Royal British Legion an Explorer read out the Exhortation. A Reef, on behalf of the Group, in memory of all the Scouts who gave their lives was also lain by 2 of our Cubs.
Our Explorer Unit has been busy as they continue to take on more responsibility for their own programme. An incident hike was planned, recced and completed for the Scout Troop. A total of 3 stations were provided where the Scouts had to make a stretcher, small pioneering project and badge recognition. The beginning of the year saw the Unit outdoors where they practiced using the “What Three Words” app in setting up a trail for the other half of the Unit, in order to find hidden tokens. Our Unit has grown by two members, one who was a Scout in Sweden. We have also had one member complete his YL Training with another starting now with another planned to start next year.
The recent term for the 1st Fuengirola Scout Troop has seen some outdoor activities, consisting of 3 leg races, hike in a bird sanctuary and an incident hike organised by the Explorers and a night hike along the Mediterranean coast. We have also had a mass enrolment of five new members to the troop. Scouts also attended the memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II and recently had a talk from the Chairman of the local Royal British Legion who talked to us about Remembrance.
Fuengirola Cubs and Beavers have been very busy out and about enjoying the fine weather. A space themed camp at Centro Scout Bermejales was followed by a skate night and a hike in the local forest.
A very big congratulations to 3 Fuengirola Cubs who have been presented with their Chief Scout Silver Award and to 2 Beavers who have been presented with the Chief Scout Bronze Award.
1st Madrid
This year 1st Madrid celebrated its twelfth birthday and as continued to having young people take part in some amazing activities. At the beginning of November the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers had a winter camp at Aranjuez where they had a bonfire, and slept in tents. The young people also went out on a hike in Madrid. Their theme for this year is energy and this coming weekend the group is visiting a Science Museum.
All the way back in September 1st Madrid joined 1st Majadahonda in visiting the British Embassy and paying their respects to the royal family after the passing of Queen Elizabeth.
1st Majadahonda (Madrid)
After returning from a long summer break the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts were still able to enjoy being outdoors for our meetings. Right from the beginning of our term our scouts started to plan out their next camp starting off with choosing a menu and activities they wanted. From this our scouts continued on with their Skills Challenge learning some valuable every day skills which we are sure will become handy on camp. We also talked about awareness towards dugs and alcohol and how social media can have an impact on that.
Our cubs always get off to a noisy start especially when they are outdoors, wanting to get closer to nature we went on a mini-hike and took the opportunity to explore our surrounding. As the darker nights started to come around our cubs enjoyed being out in the dark playing games in the moonlight.
Our beavers very much enjoy working together in a team especially at the beginning of an evening when they are waiting for everyone to arrive. One week our beavers skipped two sections to become explorers as they enjoyed a Autumn hike at a park in Monte de Pilar.
This previous weekend we joined forces with 1st Madrid Scouts to attend a service at St George’s Church, before helping out at a reception after which included the British Ambassador, Irish Ambassador, South African Defence Attaché, Greek Defence Attaché, along with representatives of the Commonwealth armed forces.
1st Tenerife
In October Kenny the Deputy District Commissioner visited 1st Tenerife spending an evening with each section. During the meeting the Cubs and Scouts prepared for their camp, they practiced the much needed skills that would come in handy for the camp. Their camp was a matter of weeks ago and the young people were able to put the skills they learnt to good use when they cooked on an open fire and put up their tents. This was our first camp in 2 and a half years and we are very happy to be able to camp again. Also during Kenny’s visit he joined the beavers on finishing up their cooking badge which they were very excited to do.
This last weekend our young people and volunteers took part in an act of remembrance here in Tenerife
District Network Scout Commissioner
The District Scout Network Commissioner is the Manager of the Scout Network Section and is responsible for proactively enabling Scout Network members to shape and participate in the Scout Network programme in accordance with the Purpose, Principles and Policies of The Scout Association.
Assistant District Commissioner (Squirrels)
Provide guidance to Squirrel leaders in the delivery of a safe, fun, inclusive and age-appropriate programme. In partnership with the District Commissioner, support the growth of Squirrel Dreys in the District, including getting people ready to set up the Drey and provide ongoing care.
Assistant District Commissioner (Beavers)
To work in partnership with District Commissioner to ensure that effective operation of the Beaver Scout Section in their District in accordance with the rules as laid down in POR of The Scout Association.
Assistant District Commissioner (Cubs)
To work in partnership with the District Commissioner to ensure that effective operation of the Cub Scout Section in their District in accordance with the rules as laid down in POR of The Scout Association.
Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)
To work in partnership with the District Commissioner to ensure that effective operation of the Scout Section in their District in accordance with the rules as laid down in POR of The Scout Association.
Assistant District Commissioner (Growth)
To work in partnership with the District Commissioner to support the growth of British Scouting Overseas within the Southern Europe District in accordance with the rules as laid down in POR of The Scout Association.
With six roles being recruited for our district leadership team is growing, but it’s also important that volunteers across the district are aware as to who members of the leadership team are and what their role is. Every person on the district leadership team is here to support every volunteer within the district to ensure that our young people are getting the very best from their scouting adventure. We activity encourage members from the district to reach out whether its to offer feedback, share ideas or just to introduce yourself. We are all more than happy to talk with you and support you as best as we can.
Jordan McCullough our District Commissioner is more than happy to answer any questions you might have, if he can’t answer he’ll pass it on to a member of the leadership team who can.
Alternatively you can directly contact any member of the leadership team and ask them a question.
On the 18th March 2023 (time TBC in December) Southern Europe are hosting a Digital Citizen Virtual Event for all Scouts and Explorers. This is a great opportunity for all young people and volunteers who are happy to help to meet other young people and volunteers as this virtual event is for all BSO.
During the entire event all young people in attendance will earn the Digital Citizen Stage 1 badge. We will communicate back with groups on who’s needs awarding the badge, as it will be down to groups to get the badges and award them.
