Welcome to Ripon and District Scouts

We are pleased to be able to tell you that the following FOUR Members of the District have been honoured with Scouting Awards in March 2021 (along with 31 other people from across the County) thus recognising their achievements and thanking them as volunteers for their contribution to Scouting. 

Those honoured from our District are: 

ELIZABETH HALL (District Appointments Chair, Ripon & District) - The Bar to the Silver Acorn. 

ERIC CAMPBELL (Assistant Scout Leader, 1st Sowerby Group, Ripon & District) - The Silver Acorn.

BRIAN HAWTHORNTHWAITE (District Active Support Unit, Ripon & District) - The Bar to the Award for Merit. 

JOHN LOCKWOOD (District Commissioner, Ripon & District) - The Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service.

Our Congratulations go to them ALL for their work in the District and the County.

England moves to Amber readiness level from 29 March. Following an announcement from the National Youth Agency (NYA), the Scout Association (TSA)is pleased to say that face-to-face meetings in England can restart from Monday 29 March 2021.

From 29 March, we’ll move to Amber, with Groups allowed to meet OUTDOORS in group sizes of 15 plus leaders (5 maximum).

From 12 April, both outdoors and indoors meetings will be allowed in group sizes of 15 plus leaders (5 maximum).

From 12 April, you’ll be allowed to take part in non-residential day trips and visits.

Updates on residentials in the UK and larger group sizes are expected to be announced in the coming months. These dates follow the government’s roadmap -– they’re subject to the vaccination programme continuing at the same rate and the rate of infections reducing across the country. There will be NO International Scout trips before 1 January 2022. 

Please continue to follow all COVID-19 restrictions while meeting with your group. If you’ve had an Amber risk assessment approved by your District, this will still be valid – but we’d encourage you to review your risk assessment before meeting again. 

If your Amber risk assessment hasn’t been approved yet, we’d recommend you complete one this month, detailing risks for both indoor and outdoor activities. Don’t forget that before meeting face-to-face, all adults will have to have their mandatory safety and safeguarding up to date. 

You can view full guidance on the ‘Getting back together safely’ pages HERE

A note here from the GSL of Hillside Scout Group (who are the organisers of this year's District Cub Scout Hike scheduled on the Calendar for April.)

IRIS SAYS "The District Cub Hike planned for April 18th at Boltby has been postponed until later in the year or possibly even next year.  Please keep your eyes on this website and the District Calendar for a revised date"

A Saturday evening in - pencils sharpened, paper stacked, bottles opened and glasses ready – a good start to the DAS Lockdown Quiz Night held by courtesy of Zoom.

Nine DAS Teams entered, with some being composite households if they could manage the technology, but all teams were between 2 and 4 members (the baby didn’t count) and an honorary Scouters team from 9th Leith were invited to play alongside.

A couple of visual rounds with Dingbats and Cryptics had been sent out beforehand to get in the mood and on the night, eight rounds were played. The topics ranged from Very General Knowledge, to Yorkshire Staycations (a very high scoring round!) through Time for Tea, St Valentine, Board Games, Chocolate Adverts, the Last Century and Silly Season (obviously not something that Scouters have time to dwell on!)

The scores were remarkably close with only 7 points between the highest and lowest, and the winners, The Quarrymen, just 2.5 marks above joint seconds February 4th and GabbaGhouls.

It was good to see so many DAS members and their households, everyone looking (reasonably) fit and well. Having had to cancel several planned events, including the annual dinner, walks and visits during the past year and with no section activities for young people that DAS would normally be supporting, many members will not have seen each other for quite some time. Using a simple format, the technology performed well and communication was maintained all evening, allowing a little normality to return to the social side of DAS Scouting.

Those of you with "Eagle Eyes" will have noticed TWO changes in this year's District Calendar!

The District Scout Hike (organised by 6th Ripon) was to have been on Saturday 6th February but has now been changed to Saturday 25th September

The District Indoor Scout Challenge (organised by 1st Boroughbridge) was to have been on Friday 8th October but has now been changed to Friday 19th November

There MAY be other changes due to the current Pandemic so keep your eyes on this website!!

The Official Census date for all Groups was 31st January 2021. Ripon and District recorded 373 young members, a drop in numbers of 183 from the Census last year (which was to be expected in the current Pandemic.)

All data collected was anonymous so there were NO data protection concerns, however, care should have been taken collecting the data using the form provided to collect ethnicity and disability information. 

The forms should be collected and collated anonymously and DESTROYED now that the figures have been pulled together.

The County Executive have agreed to REDUCE the NY County Membership Fee this year (for 2021) from £13.30 to £10.00, to be funded from County reserves.

The 2021 UK Membership Fee for all members under 18 will be £36.50 (£36.00 for prompt payment by 23rd April 2021).