1st Braintree Scout Group

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News:
Sainsbury's Active Kids 2010 (added 11 July 2010)
Group Scout Leader, Steve Denton has announced that this year the Group collected 6,426 Active Kids vouchers; some 800 more than last year. The vouches can be exchanged for all sorts of great sports equipment and the Group has its eye on a new rounders set, amongst many other items. Steve said "thanks to all the members, Leaders, parents and friends who have collected for us again this year. Taking part in this scheme means we can obtain some great new equipment free of charge meaning we can keep our membership fee extremely low."
 
Group welcomes new Leaders (added 27 June 2010)
Dawn Clarke and David Dunleavey were invested into the Group as Assistant Beaver Scout Leaders earlier this term. Group Scout Leader, Steve Denton who performed the investiture ceremony said "Scouting relies on adult volunteers to ensure we are able to provide fun and adventure for the young people of Braintree. It's thanks to people like Dawn and David who are joining our ever-growing Leadership team that ensures Scouting will continue to grow."

The number of young people and adults in the Group grew again last year and it remains one of the strongest Groups in the local area. However, there are still numerous adult vacancies to fill, including Leadership roles working directly with young people, and support roles such as administration and HQ and grounds maintenance. If you would like to join our team please email us: info@1stbraintree.org.uk.
 
Scout Group successful in funding bids (added 18 April 2010)

We are delighted to announce that 1st Braintree Scout Group has been awarded two grants to undertake works at the Scout hut in John Ray Street. We have received a grant of £9,000 from the Big Lottery Fund - Awards for All and £5,000 from Essex County Council's Community Initiative Fund. The grants will be used in conjunction with our own funds to undertake a complete rewire of the Scout hut, including replacement of heating and the like. We are currently in discussion with contractors with a view to completing these works during the school summer holidays this year.

 

This is the start of our refurbishment programme at the hut and we will very soon be starting further fundraising to raise match funding in support of applications for further grants. If we can attract further funds, we are planning a new roof and a new kitchen at the hut to modernise the facilities, in order to improve what the building is able to offer.

 
Scouts complete challenge hike (added 18 April 2010)

Five Scouts Joshua, Abi, Iuean, Esther and Paul completed the Expedition Challenge by completing a two day expedition hike, with an overnight stay at Gilwell Park. They carried all their own tents and food and cooked using Trangias. Their route was planned over several weeks before the event by the group. This is special for all of the Scouts taking part but especially for Joshua and Abi as it completes a full set of the nine available Challenge badges. Well done to all concerned!
 
Conservation work at Skreens Park (added 18 April 2010)
Nineteen Scouts did a conservation camp at Skreens Park, helping the warden team to prepare the site for the camping season. They helped to plant a new butterfly garden, cleared the wood pile, cleared the copse and planted numerous trees to form wind breaks on the site. They also had a campfire, played a wide game and played quite a lot of football between work sessions. Steve Denton, Group Scout Leader said "we are really proud of all the Scouts that took part in this conservation weekend. They have done a fantastic job helping prepare the site ready for other Scouts from all over Essex and beyond to enjoy."
 
Scouts work towards communicator badge (added 28 March 2010)
Scouts from the Friday night Troop have been working towards their Communicator badge, and as a part of that have written a number of reports on activities that they have taken part in. These include Summer Camp, Scarefest and some information on what is involved in completing the Chief Scout's Gold Award.

Read the reports here.
 
Group Scout Leader receives woodbadge (added 28 March 2010)
Group Scout Leader Steve Denton was awarded his GSL woodbadge earlier this month in a ceremony attended by District Commissioner David Cohen. The presentation of Steve's woodbadge marks the completion of his formal training as Group Scout Leader and adds to his collection which also includes recognition for Scout Leader training.

Group Chairman, Simon Docherty commented "Since 1st Braintree and 1st Cressing Scout Groups merged we have gone from strength to strength under Steve's leadership. The award of his woodbadge is a significant achievement and everyone in the Group is delighted."
 
Leader Invested (added 01 January 2010)
Lesley Southgate has just been invested as a Leader in the Group. Lesley has been helping with the Cub Section for many years as a Young Leader, and when she turned 18 took out her full adult appointment.

Group Scout Leader Steve Denton said "Lesley has been a part of the Group for many years, and we are very grateful for the huge amount of work she has done as a young leader. She has been a huge asset to the Leadership Team in the Tiger's Cub Pack and we are all really pleased she has taken out a full appointment in the Group."

For more information on becoming an adult leader or helper in the Group see the adult team page.
 
Gliding day in Cambridge (added 04 October 2009)
Seven Scouts from 1st Braintree went to Cambridge Gliding Centre, Little Gransden on Sunday 27 September and completed their Aeronautics Activity Badge. To achieve this they looked at the theory of flight and gliding, learnt all about the control surfaces of aircraft and took a 20 minute flight (accompanied by an instructor, of course) in the clear blue skies during which they took control of the aircraft and put theory into practice. Luckily, the Scouts had more success keeping the real glider in the air than they did with the computer flight simulators! Gliding is being planned again for next spring. See the photos from the day here.
 
Chief Scout's Awards for Beavers and Scouts (added 04 October 2009)
On Friday 11 September Scouts Ashleigh and Zach were presented with their Chief Scout's Gold Award by Deputy County Commissioner Matt Mills. The Chief Scout's Gold Award is the highest award that can be achieved in the Scout Section.

On Monday 21 September Beaver Scout Joshua was presented with his Bronze Chief Scout's Award by Group Scout Leader Steve Denton. The Chief Scout's Bronze Award is the highest award that can be achieved in the Beaver Scout Section.

All three will be invited to the County Awards ceremony in the near future.
 
Beaver Scouts visit Science Museum (added 04 October 2009)
1st Braintree Beaver Scouts from both Monday Dawntreaders and Wednesday Evreux Colonies attended a day trip to the Science Museum in London on Sunday 13 September. They travelled by coach to London and were able to enjoy looking at the exhibitions and getting hands on in the Launch Pad and Pattern Pod zones.
 
Bag packing at Tesco (added 05 August 2009)
Scouts from the Troop spent a very productive day on Sunday 02 August packing bags at the Marks Farm Tesco store in Braintree. The Scouts raised £365 to help with fundraising towards their trip to the Kandestag International Scout Centre in Switzerland next summer.

Thanks to the store for allowing us to do the bag packing, but most of all to all the shoppers who very generously donated.
 
Group Fete (added 18 July 2009)
The 1st Braintree Group Fete was a great success! Members, Leaders, parents and friends enjoyed plenty of different activities at the Scout Hut - with the most popular choice being throwing wet sponges at Shaun, our Scout Leader! The event raised around £280 from the various activities and stalls which included archery, BBQ, cake stall and a raffle.

See the photos here.
 
Active Kids 2009 (added 14 July 2009)
Group Scout Leader Steve Denton has recently announced the total number of Active Kids vouchers gained. Our combined efforts have given us a total of 5,600 vouchers! Steve said "I am delighted that we've collected so many vouchers. We have placed an order for a range of new equipment which will be delivered in the summer holidays ready for the new term."

Thank you to everyone that has contributed.
 
Scout Leader awarded Woodbadge (added 12 July 2009)
Scout Leader Lesley Bull was recently awarded her woodbadge signifying the completion of her formal Scout Leader training. District Commissioner Dave Cohen presented the award after an evening's activities including archery.

The woodbadge is gained by Leaders after completing a number of training modules with themes including programme planning, international Scouting, valuing diversity, first aid and nights away.
 
Scouts earn top award (added 06 July 2009)
Two Scouts from the Group recently attended a prestigious County award ceremony at Colchester Castle to receive their Chief Scout's Gold Award. Scouts Abigail and Joshua both completed the award through their dedication to Scouting and following full participation in the exciting programme of activities offered by the Group.

To achieve the award, they have both spent time camping, undertaken community work, undertaken adventurous and creative activities as well as taking on leadership responsibilities for younger Scouts. The Chief Scout Award - Gold is the highest award that can be achieved in the Scout section.

More information on the Chief Scout's Gold Award can be found here.
 
Beaver Scout Leader invested (added 06 July 2009)
On 22nd June Beaver Scout Leader Jo Richardson was formally invested into the Group. Jo has been helping at Beavers for several months and offered to take over when the former Leader stepped down.

This isn't Jo's first foray into Scouting as she was a Venture Scout when she was younger. Now with a young son in the Group Jo felt it was time to re-live the enjoyment she gained as a young adult in Scouts and to give something back to the Movement.

Congratulations and thanks to Jo!
 
New Cub Pack and Scout Troop to open (added 05 July 2009)
Group Scout Leader Steve Denton has recently announced the opening of a new Cub Pack and Scout Troop in the Group. 1st Braintree is growing and growing, and the current Pack and Troop are bursting at the seams. The new sections will start in September and will ensure we can continue to offer Scouting for every young person in the area that wants to be involved.

Although this is fantastic news, to ensure longevity new Leaders are needed. Initially the new sections will be run by existing Leaders, but this will not be sustainable in the long-term. Any adult wishing to offer a helping hand (which can be as frequently or as infrequently as you like) can let us know by emailing us or by speaking to any Leader or Committee member.

To see the letters sent out relating to the opening of the new sections follow this links below:

Cub letter   Scout letter
 
Cubs visit to HMS Belfast (added 03 July 2009)
Tigers Cub Pack visited HMS Belfast recently for a sleepover. On board a new Cub - Michael, was invested; as were two Leaders - Duncan and Kirsty. A 21 gun salute and fly past celebrated the investiture (well, it was on the same day as the Trooping of the Colour)!

The Cubs enjoyed a tour round the ship including a visit to the old sleeping quarters (where the was even a hammock for the ship's cat) and some time in the education room where the Cubs tried on clothes from different periods of the ship's history. Some of the Cubs looked so good a photo was taken which is used on the HMS Belfast website! See it here.
 
1st Braintree climbs Everest! (added 01 July 2009)
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts took part in a sponsored climb in March to help raise funds for the Scout Group. The young people did a fantastic job and had managed to climb to the peak well ahead of schedule! Even some of the Leaders and Committee members had a go at climbing over the 1m high obstacle.

The event raised much needed funds to contibute towards the ongoing work at the Scout hut.

See the newspaper report here.