Coastal' s Gilwell Takeover

Author: Kate Marnoch

Published: October 3, 2024

Gilwell Takeover Camp Report


This summer, many of Coastal and Manby Scouts, from the sleepy Louth District, had an adventure many miles from Lincolnshire at Gilwell Park, headquarters of Scouts UK. From August 11th to 18th, 151 miles and four hours away from where they started, 12 Scouts and two tired leaders spent a full seven days at one of the largest permanent Scout sites in the world, and made a trip to the capital as well. And perhaps most exciting for the leaders and parents, this camp was fully funded by Scouts Adventures for us!


The Scouts began by helping spruce up Gilwell with a spot of fence painting and gardening, before taking on a range of adventurous activities across the site, including fencing (of the sword variety this time), archery, climbing, rafting, hiking and fishing, alongside more calming activities such as a morning of crafts, and some coding with the Raspberry Pi team. Mid-week they learnt about the cultures of many volunteers at the site, trying Brazilian sweets, Mexican salsas, playing Kenyan marble games, Korean paper throwing game and the Argentinian Necker Stealing Game!


But of course, the big day followed, a trip to London on the Overground and underground trains, to enjoy a boat cruise on the Thames. We saw many buildings from the cruise, including the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge, before spending an afternoon with creatures from across the world in Sealife London including the popular penguins.


In the evenings Scouts watched movies and scavenger-hunted their way through the historic park, but also a lot of time was spent mixing with other Scouts from across the UK. We had one Scout finish the week with a different accent to the one she started with! One of the most popular spots was the Quick, a hill that overlooked an estuary and part of the London area, where Scouts went for their own private time to talk amongst themselves. And if they felt peckish, Gilwell had many blackberry bushes ripe for the plundering.


But food wasn’t a concern with the fully-catered meals becoming a welcome change from other camps for Scouts and Leaders. We had hot meals with a pudding for lunch and dinner, and even began the week with a full roast! We didn’t even need to do the washing up, which I think adults appreciated even more than Scouts.


At the end of the week, after an invigorating campfire and a busy night of necker trading (including with some visiting German Scouts), it was no wonder that all but one Scout slept on the ride home. But they all perked up in time to tell their parents of their many, many adventures.


We couldn’t have had this trip without the generous funding from Scouts Adventures, for which we extend warmest thanks, and encourage other eligible groups to apply in the future. We weren’t expecting to receive it either, and here we are!

Other News from Across the County

By Howard Nelson March 21, 2025
Thursday 8 May is VE Day 80 (Victory in Europe Day). This marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe with the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies in May 1945. The day is an opportunity to remember the 450,000 from the UK who lost their lives in the war (including 70,000 civilians) as well as the millions more across Europe and around the world. The event will be marked by commemorative events across the UK. Scouts are invited to light beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9.30pm on Thursday 8 May. If you’re planning to be part of the VE Day Commemoration, you can register your event nationally. You event will be added to the official calendar and a certificate will be issued. Please also let the County Communications tea m know, provide a photo or two plus brief details of the event. The Royal British Legion is also organising events to mark this anniversary, involving veterans from the UK, Commonwealth and beyond. Do one thing: Look out for the VE Day 80 – Scouts for Peace Occasional Badge that can be worn on uniform from May to October 2025. More details on this to follow in the membership email. National VE Day Celebrations – Thursday 08 May 2025 Scouts have been invited to take part in the national VE Day Celebrations, part of which is the special 80th Anniversary concert on the evening of Thursday 08 May 2025. This will take place at the Horse Guards Parade Ground, London. Arrival by 6.30pm and finishing by 10pm. It will be televised on BBC One, but we don’t yet have further details about what will be involved for us. Lincolnshire Scouts has been allocated 10 places for this event (2 adult and 8 young people). Some 10,000 members of the public are expected to attend and we will be part of a wider contingent of 500 Scouts from around the UK and British Scouting Overseas. It promises to be a very special evening, part of a moment in history. Lincolnshire adult volunteers wanting to take part – please respond before Tuesday 25 March 2025 Initially, Howard Nelson -County Lead Volunteer, is looking for two adult volunteers from across the County to lead our contingent of 8 young people of Scout and Explorer Scout age. At this stage, he is inviting expressions of interest from adult volunteers only, to be received by Tuesday 25 March 2025. Candidates will: lead and take responsibility for our contingent, travelling into London, whilst at the event and for the return journey. have section Team Leader or Team Member experience be working with the Scout or Explorer age range (although preferred this is not essential as long as you have experience in either of these sections) If you would to take part, then please let Howard Nelson know by Sunday 23 March and provide the following information: Name Membership number Current role, section, Group / Unit A paragraph about yourself and why you would like to take up this opportunity. Young People wanting to take part – please respond before Friday 04 April 2025 With 8 May being just 8 weeks away, Howard is also seeking candidates from young people wanting to take part. Section Team Leaders in Scouts and Explorers, please talk to your young people about this opportunity at your meetings next week and let Howard know your candidates, by providing the name of the young person(s) initially. If there are too many candidates then it is likely the places will be decided on the basis of ease of transport arrangements or potentially a ballot. The deadline for submission of names is before Friday 04 April 2025. Interested or would like more information? Please reply / get in touch with Howard at howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk.
By Lincolnshire Scouts March 7, 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lincs County Bulletin. This is issued on the first Friday of each month. The bulletin will be sent to all adults registered on My Membership and distributed widely. To submit material for the bulletin please email howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk . Download as a PDF View historic Bulletins In this issue: From the County Lead Volunteer Beavers on Boats - bookings open 1/4/25 at 10am Post 18 Options Session Weekend on the Water Youth Shapers event January 2025 It's time to book on as a staff member at Poacher 2026! NorJam Activity Staff Opportunities Uniform days at external attractions LincsFest - Save the date New membership system
By Lucy Copeland March 5, 2025
First response dates for March and April 2025 17 th March 7pm-9pm – online - Consolidation session for those that have completed the Hampshire e-learning module. Please send your e-learning certificate to Lucy or Michelle prior to the course. 26 th March 7pm-8pm – online – Top up session for those Leaders that have completed an external first aid course that does not include the Scout specific extras on the syllabus. 7 th April 7pm-9pm - online - Consolidation session for those that have completed the Hampshire e-learning module. Please send your e-learning certificate to Lucy or Michelle prior to the course. Bookings at https://forms.office.com/e/Xkvgv51NMQ
March 2, 2025
Bookings now open for WOW (Weekend on the Water). This event is for Explorers (14+), Network and Adult Volunteers.
By Lincolnshire Scouts February 7, 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lincs County Bulletin. This is issued on the first Friday of each month. The bulletin will be sent to all adults registered on My Membership and distributed widely. To submit material for the bulletin please email howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk . Download as a PDF View historic Bulletins In this issue:
By Claire Burt February 2, 2025
Pride
January 28, 2025
Lincolnshire Scouts Open DofE Expedition
By Howard Nelson January 21, 2025
We are looking a new District Lead Volunteer roles for South Holland
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