Welcome to Ripon and District Scouts

Here is Good News for everyone. The District is beginning to bounce back. I am receiving many enquiries from the County, from Parents and from prospective members wanting to know if there are any places left in our Colonies. Packs, Troops and Units.

The Annual Census, taken earlier this year, showed us DOWN in numbers some 32% in the District's young members. This was expected to happen during the year and a half's Pandemic and the consequential 'Lock-Downs' that have followed.

As I said, we are now well on our way to a "bounce back". Can I THANK everyone of our Leaders and Supporters for continuing to put in the effort during this difficult time.

We CAN now see "Sunlight at the End of the Tunnel"  and all I can ask is that you continue to do what you are doing, whilst keeping in mind that we are still only at AMBER level and have not yet reached the complete safety of GREEN level in our Scouting

The County Commissioner has already told us that, as we plan for welcoming back new and existing youth members, we should also think about recruiting new volunteers to our teams to help with face to face and blended delivery of our Scouting programme. 

So, keep SMILING and keep SAFE!!

From Monday 12th April, the key changes to our current Amber status, as advised by The Scout Association, will be: 

• Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers will be able to meet indoors, with no legal limit on youth numbers; however you should keep it as one section meeting at a time with flexibility for smaller sections to join together if required.

It’s important to remember that physical space will be limited and social distancing of 2 metres between everyone will be required.

You should continue to take all measures to stop transmission and we would recommend most sections to continue meeting outdoors if they can.

• Scout Network may also meet indoors, but will be limited to maximum group sizes of 15.  We continue to encourage outdoor meetings where you can.

• Adult activities can only take place outdoors and should follow the current Government guidance.

• Trips and visits are now accepted; however these should only be done where you cannot stay local to achieve the outcomes and each must be completed within a day as residential activities remain prohibited.

Further information will follow soon in April's edition of the County newsletter, Have-u-Heard? and all advice on Getting Back Together Safely is available here on The Scout Association website. 

2021 ADULT LEADER TRAINING IN RIPON & DISTRICT - 

All sessions done by ZOOM and start at 1900 hours

April 12 - Mod 7: Scouting for All

April 26 - Mod 8: Leadership Skills

May 10 - Mod 9: Working with Adults

May 25 - Mod 11: Administration

June 14 - Mod 12B: Programme Planning

(NB - 12A is available by e-learning)

June 28 - Mod 13: Growing the Section

July 15 - Mod 14: Young People Today

July 26 - Mod 15: Challenging Behaviour

Sept 6 - Mod 16: Intro to Residentials

Sept 20 - Mod 17: Running Safe Activities

Oct 4 - Mod 18: Practical Skills

Oct 18 - Mod 19: International

If you would like to register for any of the courses, email JOHN HELLIWELL, Ripon & District Training Manager on;

johnhelliwell604@gmail.com

THIS FROM SARAH RANDS, OUR ADC(BS):  

February’s District Beaver Activity Day grew from an afternoon event into a weekend virtual camp that was offered out across the County.  

Nearly 200 Beavers took part in a 24 hour virtual Teddy Bear Hunt; with Boroughbridge, 6th Ripon, Sowerby and Topcliffe Groups all having Beavers take part.   

Over the weekend we read the story ‘We Are Going On A Bear Hunt’, and then did lots activities that tied into the story.  We made dens; maps and binoculars, salt dough teddies, and bear paw cookies. We collected all the teddies in our houses, had a virtual campfire and bedtime story, played roll-a-bear and did a family quiz.  

For a bonus activity we took our favourite teddies on a walk and photographed them in long wavy grass, thick oozy mud, by a deep cold river, in a big dark forest, some very inventive snowstorms and some narrow gloomy caves.  There has been some fantastic feedback, and there were some fabulous pictures shared over the weekend of Beavers enjoying all the activities.  

Our District Exec kindly funded a commemorative badge for the occasion; meaning we were able to offer the event for free, and give participants the option of making a donation towards the badge.  There are a few left over, so we are offering them on a first come, first serve basis; for a donation of £1.50 per badge.   If anyone would like one please email adc.beavers@riponscouting.com. 

Spring has sprung, the evenings are getting lighter and we are starting to prepare for the return of face-to-face Scouting. As we plan for welcoming back new and existing youth members, we can also think about recruiting new volunteers to our teams, to help with face to face and blended delivery of programme.

The Scout Association's Regional Services Team are hosting an interactive workshop on a number of dates through March and April, that are aimed at helping all Leaders and Section leaders to recruit new adult volunteers. So whether it's moving the parents that have helped in the background on Zoom, from the virtual world into the room or re-engaging families you have lost contact with this is the workshop for you.

You can find out about the workshops HERE    https://www.scouts.org.uk/events/2021/rst/volunteer-recruitment-workshops/

So why not sign up for one of our workshops? They are completely FREE and OPEN TO EVERYBODY - but you need to register in advance.

The workshops will cover the following areas, thinking here and now, for socially distanced and digital programme delivery:

Socially distanced parent/carer engagement and how to make the most of it - Using family rotas on line and in bubbles - Welcoming new volunteers to the team - How to ask for help and promoting vacancies - Recruiting to non-uniform roles.

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!!