Sunday 26 July 2009

Xploreration 2009

Xploreration 2009

19th September 2009
The Event:
As a team of 4 -6, using public transport and your feet only, you have to visit as many places as possible from the list of 'sites of interest' we'll give you (40+ at the moment), gaining points for each site visited. The more awkward a site is to visit via public transport, the more points it is worth…
All you'll need to do is take a photo whilst you are there to prove you arrived. To prevent any cheating (surely not; you're Scouts after all!) you must buy a copy of the day's Newspaper to appear in all the photos with you.
You can start off from where ever you like in South Yorkshire: the only stipulation is that it should have internet access, as the list of destinations will be published online at 08:00 that morning.
The event will finish at the Jubilee Lodge at Hesley Wood at 18:00. Teams that arrive after this will be penalised by 1 point for every minute they are late!
How much will it cost?
That depends on you! The only thing we'll provide will be the instructions and a BBQ at Hesley when you've finished, so the basic cost is £3.00. You must also work out how much your fares will be and the cheapest way of paying for them – for some of you this may be by buying a 'South Yorkshire Day Tripper' ticket (currently £5.50, buy it from the driver or conductor), for others it may be cheaper to use your 'MegaTravel Pass' (40p for each bus or tram fare, half price on trains).
So we reckon the cost will be around £8.50 for the whole event.
Of course you could make a weekend out of it and book yourself into Hesley for Friday and/or Saturday night – pay your own camp fees (£2.70 pppn) and bring/buy your own food. There's plenty of camping space at the front of the Jubilee Lodge!
Programme
By the 22
nd August
Register your general interest with the organisers, so we know if it's worthwhile doing or not. As long as we have at least 5 teams (Explorer, Network or Leaders, from anywhere in South Yorkshire) then it's a goer! We'll email you a team-sheet.
By the 5
th September
Let us know if you're definitely going to enter a team. Email us your forms and send a cheque for £3 for each member. Cheques should be made payable to 'Don District Explorer Scouts' and sent to: Kit Levesley, 9 Bower Lane, Grenoside, Sheffield, S35 8NE.
19
th September
At 08:00 the list of destinations will be published on the web. You have until 18:00 to gain as many points as possible and reach Hesley. You will loose 1 point for each 1 minute you are late, and if you arrive after 19:00 you'll be disqualified.
After you've stuffed your faces at the BBQ there will be a presentation of prizes and a slide show of the best photos, then after that you can wind your weary way back home, or if you're camping the night then head back to your tent/party all night (quietly!) etc etc.
Equipment
 Packed Lunch including drink – or buy it en route if you wish.
 Unit Necker/Scarf – must be worn at all times and definitely worn in all photos!
 Maps to cover South Yorkshire, your route list and Points list
 Waterproof Coat
 Team Mascot
 Mobile Phone and/or digital camera. Please bring an adaptor card or USB connector just in case we don't have the right one…
 Personal First Aid Kit
 Bag to put it all in!
 If you're camping you'll need all the usual gear as well.
A few points:
 You will be using public transport, so please remember that we are members of the Scout Association and consider other public users during the day.
 Try and plan a route that will take you in a circle, so that you are not constantly criss-crossing your path.
 Are destinations that are more difficult to get to worth visiting – could you get more points by visiting more of the easier sites?
 When you arrive at the destination, take a photo of the whole group (minus the picture taker of course!).
 Don't spend the first hour buying a load of sweets!
 The only transport you can use is public or your feet – absolutely no cars or motor bikes, and definitely no Hitch Hiking!
 Don't forget safety first on crossing roads etc.
 An emergency mobile number will be supplied with the download.
 As a team you will need to be collected from Hesley Wood after the event at approx 21:00.
 Alternatively your team may wish to camp over at Hesley Wood – see the camp warden for details.
To enter download an Entry Form from the website:
http://xploreration.spaces.live.com


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Wednesday 22 July 2009

August Camp, Hope Valley (Dates Changed)

Hi All,
Since we last met at the hut the dates and the venue have changed as follows:-
  1. New dates are 7/8/9 August 09
  2. New Venue Pindale Farm Outdoor Centre. S33-6RN http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/selected-accommodation.php?area=72
  3. Cost is now £5 per person per night = Total £15
  4. If you want to attend the camp, please collect your kit at the meeting at the Hut on the 3rd August from 6pm for one hour. No attendance = no camp
  5. Bring consent form to the meeting. No consent form on the night = no camp
  6. If you do not Any questions contact Chris W.

Regards

Jim

Sunday 19 July 2009

Hope Valley Camp

Hi Guys,
If you are going to this camp on the 14th to 16th August please attend the meeting at the scout hut Monday 20/7/09 @ 6pm. The meeting will last for 1 hour.

Chris W and Jim look forward to seeing you.

Sunday 12 July 2009

RE: Notes from DESC meeting

The following people expressed an interest (so far) in applying for the Jamboree as contingents, if you could please advise when the selection camps are to be held or if any further information becomes available:
  • Adam Bagnall
  • Becky Greenwood
  • Curtis Halligan
  • Daniel Greenwood
  • Flora Sweetman
  • George Akid
  • James Riddiough
  • James Rymer
  • Joseph Exley
  • Lauren Hirst
  • Matthew Woodhouse
  • Paul McAleavy
  • Ryan Walker
  • Tom Levitt
  • Tore Espaas
The following people have expressed an interest in applying for the Leadership team and have been given the paperwork circulated, for completion & return to Hesley by Sat 18.07.09:
  • Ash McNamara
  • Ben McNamara
  • Dale McNamara
  • Nathan Lodge
  • Tamsin Taylor
 
Cheers
Chris M


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Friday 10 July 2009

Reminder

6pm start this Monday (13.07.09) - uniform please & bring your DOE books.

I need to know who's doing the Rimmington & Apex challenge' - £5 deposit & parental consent.

There will be no Explorers till Mon 31.08.09

Saturday 4 July 2009

Rimmington Challenge Sat 5th Sun 6th Sep 2009

The start for Explorers is Stairfoot roundabout, teams of 4 Explorers 13.5yrs to 18.5yrs (on 05.09.09) will be set off at 20 minutue intervals (1st set off 08:30hrs).
Explorers will need to carry personal equipment to Hike and bivvi, food and drink will be provided, but you'll need something to eat & drink with!

All team entries have to be in with £5 deposit per person & permission form (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/forms/index.htm) by 01.08.09 (full cost £12ea). Any additional persons could make up a mixed team.

We are providing a stew supper on the Sat evening, Explorers will cook their own breakfast on open fires Sunday morning.
I have booked shooting as one activity so will require relevant permission forms in due course. Explorers will need to complete a 10 to 15 mile walk, navigate using maps and co-ordinates provided, complete challenge bases provided by the Fitzwilliam Fellowship and build/sleep in self constructed bivvi’.

Parents will collect Explorers from Silverwood Scout camp midday Sunday 06.09.09.

Apex Extreme Fri 2nd Sun 4th Oct 2009

Again I need a completed permission form and £5 per person deposit by anyone wanting a go by 01.08.09. Full details @ http://www.apexchallenge.co.uk/

Friday 3 July 2009

Chief Scout & DOE requirements

Platinum CSA & Bronze DOE
14 years old minimum (3months before for organised events) trained & assessed by Explorer Leaders
Service – 6 months with Beavers or Cubs + Young Leader training + Emergency Aid 4
Skill - 6 months
Expedition 2days 1 night – 3 training sessions, 15mile on foot in terrain 1
Physical 6months
6 Nights away camping
2 activities from INTERNATIONAL, ENVIRONMENT, VALUES

QSA & Gold DOE
16 years old minimum (25yrs max) trained by Explorer Leaders Expedition assessed by independent assessor. For QSA/Gold you are responsible for creating and completing the various sections of the awards
Service – 18 months with Beavers, Cubs or Scouts+ Young Leader training + Emergency Aid 5
Skill - 18 months
Expedition 4days 3 night – 3 training sessions, 50mile on foot or 100mile on MTB in terrain 1/2
Residential 5days 4 night with unknown people in unfamiliar environment
Physical 18months
18 Nights away camping
Presentation to Group/District on achievements
2 activities from INTERNATIONAL, ENVIRONMENT, VALUES

Mon 13.07.09 Early Explorer start 6pm as we may get some sponsorship for equipment