Media
District Documents
DropBox
Unit / Group projects
Skill Boosters
Other information
About us
Community Week Saturday 19 May
Please see attached pdf. The District’s various ideas for Community Week have not been possible except for the one at Heartwood Forest. Some Groups have their own plans which are doing well but for those who want a scheme or would like to extend their choices of schemes to participate in, the volunteer teams at Heartwood would welcome our help. This is an opportunity for Scouts and Explorers.
There are young trees with damaged wire protectors or protectors that are choked with grasses which weaken or kill the trees. The task is to make the protection good and lay woodchip around the base. Two areas to work: the orchard, and the wider forest. This makes for a morning session and an afternoon one. We start at 10am, quit at 3pm.
We will take direction from the Heartwood team.
I have indicated to the Heartwood team that the District can muster 20 to 30 scouts and explorers (and possibly more). Leaders, helpers and parents are also welcome making it an ideal opportunity for Groups to include their adult base.
I will try to get tea and coffee made available but that will be a bonus. Tell scouts to bring packed lunch, dress for the weather and have a trowel if possible. Scout scarf should be worn. We meet at Sandridge – see flyer for details.
I will visit as many troops and units as I can in the next weeks to support the event.
Many thanks
Ray
30 JUNE – 1 JULY 2012
Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Scout Network, Active Support & Others
Phasels Wood to Tolmers (or vice-versa!)
As part of our support for the County’s Capital Appeal to raise funds for our fantastic campsites or centres, there will be a sponsored walk between Phasels Wood and Tolmers, in either direction, on Saturday 30 June. It will be a great way to see the Hertfordshire countryside and see the facilities our Activity Centres have to offer.
The route will largely follow part of the Hertfordshire Way which runs between Phasels Wood and Tolmers and there will be the opportunity to walk the full 25 miles between the sites or 5, 10, 15 or 20 miles as you prefer. And at the end of the walk there will be a campsite if you wish to stay the night – with your own tents of course! All adults staying overnight must have a current CRB.
We would ask that your walkers seek sponsorship please and 50% of the money you raise can be retained by your Group.
Transport & food: your own.
Cost: £5.00 per person including 25 mile badge. We also ask you to get some sponsors!
Start: from either Phasels Wood or Tolmers for the full walk or various points in between for shorter distances. (Times and locations of start will be sent through once the application form is received)
Entry: by application form only please (click here).
Further details or offers of help for the start and checkpoints please contact:
Our current Publicity person has decided to step down after years of service to the Gang Show so we are now in need of new person to fill the gap. The role is not arduous but it does call for someone that can liaise with the local Press, Media, Cast & Crew. Interested? In the first instance have a look at the role description by clicking the poster above then contact Sally to find out more about the role. You will have a warm welcome and support of the rest of the Crew.
Many thanks.
Harpenden - Ghana Scouting.
I have just got back from a 1.5hr "quick" meeting with Jo Busby regarding Ghana and the expedition this year. Sally Crawford, one of the Explorers on the trip has written an article telling about her experience. You can find it here and it's well worth the read.
Talking to Jo you can see that she is passionate about the work and friends in Ghana and I had forgotten that it all started 20 years ago with the Harpenden Beaver Scouts collecting 20p coins in Smartie tubes.
Each tube could hold £14 worth of 20p coins and that first year the Beavers collected >£1000. Of course the tube design has changed since then and you cant do that now. Things have gone full circle as now some of those coin collecting Beaver Scouts were on the trip this year.
Jo told me that her son, Thomas, while a Cub Scout at a camp in Scotland saw a black skinned Scout. This, it turns out, was 50 year old Francis who had come over from Ghana. The Cub Scout, Jo and the Commissioner became firm friends and little did she know that that was the start of a Scouting relationship that would last for 20 years and is still going. There has been 3 working trips to Hohoe in Ghana in 2006, 2008 and 2011 to work on different projects as well as many reconnaissance trips.
Jo has known Norman Hoare, the Headmaster of St Georges, for a long time 
and in talking to him got the school involved with her work. St Georges and the Gbi (pronounced B) schools are now linked and St Georges has donated around 4000 text books as well as the pupils raising >£1400 through various schemes at school.
If you haven't already done so I recommend that you have a read of the article by Sally. It is good to hear how the young people of our District, at the same time as having a good time, can help others that are not as fortunate as we are in the Harpenden area.
Rod Keen
Webmaster.
One of the District' Scouts, Emma Boon carries the Torch.
A very excited Emma Boon is to carry the torch through part of Welwyn Garden City! The 2012 Olympic Torch, as held by Lord Coe above, will be relayed around the country and a couple of months ago Emma was asked if she wanted to be nominated to carry the Torch. Obviously she thought this a real honour and great opportunity the next thing she knew she had been accepted!
Emma has been chosen due to her work with the Scouts and was a Young Leader at the Wheathampstead Beaver Scouts from 14yrs whilst still attending Wheathampstead and Kimpton Explorer Scouts, known as WAKESU.
Emma has now moved to Leeds to study at University and has found a new group in the city. She continues to work with the Scouts and will shortly gain her Wood Beads, which is no mean feat.
She was also lucky enough to attend the 2007 World Scout Jamboree and took part in the Expedition to Ghana in 2008 where she helped build a community centre. She is really looking forward to carrying the torch and hopes NOT to drop it!!!
Any photographs of Emma doing the relay will be posted here later.