Northamptonshire County Scouts Newsletter January 2014 IN THIS ISSUE

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1 Northamptonshire County Scouts Newsletter January 2014 IN THIS ISSUE Help us share articles Name our newsletter We really need your help in sharing and distributing news from around the county! As you can see, this edition of the county s newsletter is very bare, and we need some of your stories; whether it be another interesting fun evening with the group, or a follow up story following a camp or event. These are all fantastic examples of scouting that we want to share with everyone! You can submit your stories and photos to your District Media Manager, or Peter Reynolds (County Media Development Manager) by sending an to media@northamptonshirescountyscouts.org.uk If you d like some media presence, or support at an event, please also arrange this via the media team, and we will arrange for someone to come and obtain the story for publication. Get ready for Compass Scout Community Week 2014 Sharing Stories Drowning Prevention Week County Beaveree Grizzly PAW Scouts Speak Up Cub Scout Centenary badge Let It Out single With our newsletter taking a kick start in the right direction, we want to give it a more personalised name to the county. We have had various names bounced around, such as The Three Roses, The Rose, The Boot but what are your ideas? Please submit your ideas to Peter Reynolds, or send a message to the county s Facebook page.

2 Get ready for Compass Compass is a powerful set of online tools for members to manage their Scouting administrative activities in one place offering shared access to relevant Scouting colleagues with a high level of data security. Compass is currently being developed and will be ready for use by members during The County s Compass Implementation Champion is Tony Keay (County Commissioner), and he will be managing the introduction process for all local members. Further details and support details are due from Scout HQ in January Each District has at least one appointed person to support and train adults in the use of the new system. Scout Community Week return in June 2014 Scout Community Week 2014 Positive local community impact Taking place from 2-8 June 2014, Scout Community Week not only gives us the opportunity to bond with the local community and raise essential funds for your Scouting, but it s a chance to promote and champion Scouting. Sign up for this year s pack to find out more about how Scouting can make a real difference in your community. Sign up for the badge In order to receive your Scout Community badges you need to register on the Scout Community Week microsite. You ll receive a free pack full of resources including a brochure with project ideas, plus promotional goodies. Register today! Choose an inspiring project Scout Community Week is a great opportunity to get your young people working towards a number of badges and awards and can seamlessly fit into your Group s programme. Check out our project ideas to give your section some inspiration and our Flickr account to see a handful of 2013 s photos.

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4 Mark Founder s Day To mark this year s Founder s Day, 22 February, the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, we encourage you to celebrate Scout heroes. Who most inspires others in Scouting? Was there someone who introduced you to Scouting that you d like to thank? Someone who bowls you over with their energy and enthusiasm? Encourage everyone to share on Twitter and Facebook, including photos and videos using the hashtag #myscouthero. From 22 February, please share the below YouTube video which is also promoted via the February issue of Scouting magazine. youtu.be/f-vuy2h_hqq 2nd Raunds Hi Chèle, I am pleased to inform you that 2 nd Raunds were successful and came 1 st in the public voting and won an award of I would like to thank you for circulating the information on our behalf and ask if you would be kind enough to mention this in the next newsletter and send both my personal and the groups thanks to all those who voted for us. The money will be spent on some much needed equipment and I have ring fenced some to be spent on Leader development. I used to be on the County Training Team and worked as a Training manager for the Police; so I am very hot on learning and development and will ensure it is spent wisely. Kind regards Steve Lack Treasurer 2 nd Raunds Scout Group International Visits January is a great time to plan ahead, and international trips are an ideal way to show the adventures Scouting provides. Get in touch with the Assistant County Commissioner (International) for details of international trips and support. Want to join the Communications team? Please send an to media@northamptonshirecountyscouts.org.uk to express your interest and what support you could provide.

5 WSJ - Nene Valley Contingent Available on: Nene Valley District Newsletter Fundraising is a go. Saturday 18th January members of the contingent piled over to Santa Pod to help with car parking. The event was the Paul Walker tribute. It was a cold day but we were lucky the rain held off. One attendee at Santa Pod. Snakes & Ladders Available on: Nene Valley District Newsletter Nene Valley Explorer Unit had about 25 young people attend from Rebels, Titans and Higham units, split into 5 teams. Locations visited included Alexandra Palace, Swiss Cottage, the O2 Arena, Thames Barrier. Higham were the winners, managing to get to square 95. Ready, Steady, Cook... Available on: Nene Valley District Newsletter This year s team contributions were very very good, Great job to you all. The winning team.

6 We see lots of stories hit media outlets......in all sorts of different formats. We are updated with all newspaper articles, radio presence and TV appearances. The District & County Media Teams are here to support you for such releases and sharing of information. We are here to support and demonstrate the best way to communicate your story, while showing Scouting in the most positive way possible, while also staying on brand. The Scout Association s brand is very strong and powerful, so don t miss an opportunity to seize it and use it where possible! Found in the news... Scout group gets donation Weedon Scout Group received donation from The Buckby Castle Masonic Lodge. Available:

7 Drowning Prevention Week 21st to 29th June 2014 Scouting by its very nature encourages young people to get out and about to enjoy everything the great British countryside has to offer. This will include being on, in or near water. Of course every time you take members of your group to an activity associated with water you carefully risk assess and prove appropriate equipment and qualified leaders to ensure the activity is safe. However this is also a part of the process that our young people do not see. Because of this the young people in our care don t always appreciate the dangers of open water, therefore we ask that you consider taking part in the Royal Life Saving Societies (RLSS) Drowning Prevention Week. The campaign aims to inform everyone about the hidden dangers and signpost people to places they can enjoy open water safely, like Scouting. Drowning Prevention Week (which will run from 21 to 29 June 2014), aims to cut down the number of drowning incidents in the UK by promoting water safety on mass. Around 400 people drown in the UK every year, with hundreds more suffering near drowning experiences, many resulting in life changing injuries. The campaign also aims to raise money to support families and communities who have been affected by drowning or near drowning, as well as to fund our drowning prevention projects. Last year, around 13 million people were reached with our water safety messages. We have produced a host of free downloadable grass-root resources aimed at primary school pupils, such as lesson plans, pool session ideas, interactive games, activities, and an animated film. These are available from our campaign website. In 2014 we will be targeting the year old at risk age group, producing tools which will hopefully hit home with this hard to reach group and help them to make informed decisions when they are near water. Steve Jackson County Swimming Manager Northamptonshire County Council Karen Welsh Campaign Manager Royal Life Saving Society

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10 Scout Speak Up Training Do you know an Explorer Scout who is keen to promote Scouting and learn more about the media? The Scouts Speak Up course trains Explorer Scouts to be confident spokespeople. They will find out how to talk to journalists and get their message across in front of the camera. The Scouts Speak Up course is aimed at 14 to 18 year olds. Confirmation of accepted application will be made once we have made contact with the Explorer Scout s leader and parents/carer. Attendance on the course is not guaranteed by completing the form. Members in Wales and Northern Ireland are welcome to attend. A course for Scotland is currently being planned for January March - John Lowther Centre, Northants Cub Scout Centenary Badge Competition Help your young members celebrate the centenary of Cub Scouts by designing the winning badge design. Download, print and encourage your members to get creative on the badge template and enter the Cub Scout Centenary badge competition. Let it Out Bright Sparks (Scout s Charity Single) Have you heard the Scout s charity single, produced in partnership with Bright Sparks? Go and find it today on itunes, YouTube or other avenues. Proceeds go towards supporting Scouting, so shout all about it and share it with your friends! Full details can be found on members.scouts.org.uk under the Cubs menu item. Northamptonshire County Have you got a story that you want to share with everyone, including the media and press? Your story will need to be with us by the 20th February! If so, please contact the County Media Development Manager, Peter Reynolds, via on Twitter or contact your Distrist Media Manager. You can also book the media team for a future event to come and get a story as well!