Oxted Scout News Feb 2007

The Annual District night hike will take place on 24 March 2007. This is later than last year and consequently the weather will be much warmer - if not better. As always, the location will be kept secret - at least until early March. Much of our activity this autumn is arranged to be training for this exciting event.

I would like the Troop to enter two teams; this is an exciting and challenging event which proved enjoyable last year. Not all can enter, so it may be necessary to implement some form of test or competition (in map reading!) to decide who is eligible.

Scouts joining the Troop since Christmas, whether from Cubs or otherwise, are not eligible for this event.

The District could always do with help "spotting" - that is, teams of adults driving around the area looking for the Scout hike teams, who will attempt to hide. Any volunteers?


	*Oxted Scout News #6 - Feb 5 2007* This newsletter is also available at www.1stoxtedscouts/scouts/news07-06.htm

Contents: Scouts during the coming weeks The Faraday lecture Colditz Night Hike St Georges Day Parade		Outdoor coats Dates for your diary Tons o' fun camp Walk in the downs		OUTDOOR COATS Please be reminded to send your son or daughter to Scouts with a proper coat during the winter months. I don't want to see Scouts who are not properly dressed, and we could do work outdoors in the grounds at any time.

			DATES for your diary Bonfire celebration evening Saturday 10 March 2007 St Georges Day Parade Sunday 22 March 2007 BIKE SALE 12 Saturday May 2007 Group AGM Friday 18 May District 5-a-side football Sunday 20 May Donkey Derby Saturday 9 June 2007

	Scouts during the coming weeks Monday 19 February -A walk in the downs Monday 26 February - Open fire cooking night Monday 5/12 March - Scrapheap challenge Monday 19 March - Mapwork

			"Tons o' fun" CAMP 25-27 MAY 2007 Note the change in dates - owing to a booking error the camp has been shortened; Scouts will be picked up on the Sunday. The "tons a fun" camp is a County level event so there will be Scouts from all over Surrey attending. It will take place at Blacklands Farm near East Grinstead. Lots of fun activities for all Scouts, including climbing and canoeing, and go-karting (not motorised). The theme for East Surrey district is "Asia". We will need two parent volunteers for this camp to assist with the catering - which is being organised at District level. As leaders we will also have to assist with first-aid cover and contribute an activity to the camp. The cost will be £42.50 per Scout not including transportation - I will cost this up later. Scouts will arrive Friday afternoon after school and finish Monday (bank holiday) around noon. Eleven scouts have said they would like to attend; I have assumed that more will come out of the woodwork, so to speak, and arranged for 16 Scouts to be able to attend from the 1st Oxted. *It is not too late.* If you would like your Scout to attend this camp, you need to provide a cheque, payable to 1st Oxted Scouts, for a deposit of £12.50, with the name of your Scout on the reverse as soon as possible. Click here for more details

FARADAY LECTURE - 25 January 2007 The Scouts had a fun time recently at the "Faraday lecture" an annual roadshow taking science and technology to school children and young people, seeking to present science and technology in a way accessible to teenagers. It is aimed at 13-15 year olds but others were encouraged to attend. The theme this year was "WINNING FORMULA - TECHNOLOGY IN THE FAST LANE" - what is the real story that lies behind the champagne, the glory and the glamour?

COLDITZ NIGHT HIKE OPERATION ECHO The Annual District night hike will take place on 24 March 2007. This is later than last year and consequently the weather will be much warmer - if not better. As always, the location will be kept secret - at least until early March. Much of our activity this autumn is arranged to be training for this exciting event. I would like the Troop to enter two teams; this is an exciting and challenging event which proved enjoyable last year. Not all can enter, so it may be necessary to implement some form of test or competition (in map reading!) to decide who is eligible. Scouts joining the Troop since Christmas, whether from Cubs or otherwise, are not eligible for this event. The District could always do with help "spotting" - that is, teams of adults driving around the area looking for the Scout hike teams, who will attempt to hide. Any volunteers?

			Walk in the Downs On Monday 19 February, the Scouts will have a night time walk instead of a meeting at the Stafford Hut. It is an important part of our programme in this rural location that we should make use of the wonderful countryside around us. This term's walk will probably start at Woldingham Station, from where the Scouts will walk back to the Stafford Hut. The Troop will take the train from Oxted to Woldingham, at 1853. There will be at least four or five adults accompanying the Troop; anyone who wants to join us is welcome. The walk back is proven to be possible for Scouts in around two hours. Scouts can be picked up at the usual time (9pm) at the Stafford Hut. Scouts should be brought to Oxted railway station, northbound side, no later than 1845 - quarter to seven. The Group will pay the train fare. Scouts should be dressed for walking in the Downs - boots and waterproof coat, hat and gloves if cold, flashlight or torch, and a bottle of water. Uniform shirts and scarfs please.

St Georges Day Parade Lingfield, Sunday 22 April St Georges Day is an important event in the Scout calendar. We should like ALL the Scouts to attend this parade through Lingfield and short service afterwards on the Sunday afternoon.

Contact telephone numbers (in case of problems:) District Commissioner for East Surrey Mr Paul Howard, 01959 577004 Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts Mr Albert Thompson, 01342 714688					Chairman of the 1st Oxted Scout Group Malcolm Kirk, 01883 713195 Scout Leader scoutleader@1stoxtedscouts.com Nick Hough, 01883 371935 and 07851 001940