As part of their winter programme, 20 Beavers Scouts (6-8 year olds) from 1st Apsley Scout Group enjoyed took part in a 24hr sleepover – themed on the Smurfs.

The adventure for them was to visit Smurfland – on arrival they all had to burst their “Smurf Berry”, take on a new Smurf name, turned themselves blue and collected their smurf hat.

Activities included craft making, cooking outdoor challenges and games aswell as the great smurf campfire sing-along.

Scouts from 1st Leverstock Green Scout Group donned their kitchen aprons and put their culinary skills to the test during an evening challenge last week.

After a quick demonstration, each patrol was given a tray of ingredients with which to create a chunky vegetable soup, Thai curry and Fruit salad.

For some, it was the first time they had ever prepared vegetables or cooked meat from raw, so careful supervision was in order from the head-chefs (the Scout Leaders) to avoid any upset stomachs or cut fingers… All of the patrols managed to produce their meal on-time and safely, although the presentation of one dish left a little to be desired. At the end of the evening, those who had enjoyed the challenge (including some of the youngest and least experienced) volunteered to represent the group in a similar challenge against other Scout Troops from across Hemel Hempstead to be held later in the Spring term.

Check back in early March to see what the Scouts from the rest of the District produce when they go head-to-head in competition.

Here is an opportunity to experience a new activity – snorkelling.

Initially there will be a single evening try-out introduction session to learn the basics and find out if you like it. This will be followed by evenings for a progressive course to learn more and achieve an approved qualification. The number of sessions needed to reach a qualification level will depend on individual ability.

Sessions will take place on Tuesday nights from 6-8 pm at a swimming pool in Hemel Hempstead.

To find out more, or apply for a space, please download the letter:

Snorkelling Activity (184.4 KiB)

Congratulations to this year’s Swimming Gala winners:

Cub Scouts: 1st Bennetts End (Lockers Pack) Cub Pack

Scouts: 4th Hemel Hempstead Scout Troop

Group: 4th Hemel Hempstead Scout Group

The results sheet are available to download:

Swimming Gala 2012 - Results (10.4 KiB)

Detais for the forthcoming Ready, Steady, Cook competition are avalable to download:

Ready Steady Cook 2012 Group Letter (118.4 KiB)

Ready Steady Cook 2012 Group Poster (119.1 KiB)

Questions should be directed to Stuart Dickens (dc[@]hemel-scouts.co.uk)

Bookings are now being taken for the District social event (adults only).

A fun-filled evening for leaders, committee members and their partners, to say thank you for the time you put into Scouting in Hemel Hempstead!

The evening will include a complimentary drink on arrival, an authentic Ceilidh (Scottish dancing), hog roast and manned bar – all for a bargain £5 per head (subsidised by Hemel Hempstead District Scouts to thank volunteers for their hard work during 2011).

http://www.hemel-scouts.co.uk/events/adult-social-event

Happy Christmas.

I thought I would drop you a line to wish you a happy Christmas and thank you for all the work and time you have individually put in. It struck me that this year we have seen many of our friends and colleagues “go home”. It may be written off as a sign of age, however, I am reminded that only a few weeks ago a young man, a former Scout in Hemel Hempstead, was needlessly murdered while trying “to do his best”.

As adults and leaders in Scouting we all still strive “to do our best” only now it’s for the young people in our care. I am grateful that a recent District event was attended by young people from 10 of our 11 current groups – something I believe is a first for many years.

Thank you all for your continued support of the District.

We are currently looking at the feasibility to resurrect one of the dormant groups, the possibility of a new group and the expansion of at least one other. All of this to enable us to deliver quality scouting to more young people in Hemel Hempstead and as a strong District working together we can start working towards the 2018 vision (www.scouts.org.uk/2018) by completing the vision 2012 tasks we have been working on since our development day in early 2008.

We have a great line-up of District activities planned for 2012 which will be both exciting and challenging for the leaders to deliver and the young people to participate in.

I look forward to working with you all to deliver the programme and the activities planned for our young people in the coming year.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all.

Stuart Dickens, District Commissioner

Scouts from 1st Leverstock Green spent their Christmas party racing the Santa sleighs they have spent two evenings racing as part of their annual Christmas DIY challenge!

Based on which Scout they thought could pull the sleigh from one side of the hall to the other in the fastest time, they placed their bets (Maoam sweets – no cash!) and cheered enthusiastically whilst the race was in full flow. Those who chose carefully ended up winning extra sweets to take home!

The Scouts also enjoyed pizza and party food to round off a successful year of adventure – including a Summer camp to York, 10 days in Denmark, stop motion photography challenge, backwoods camping and plenty of other great activities!

Click here to see pictures of the construction process and the finished sleighs.

Rae Wells (Assistant District Commissioner for Beaver Scouts) has given birth to her first child, Alexander, who arrived on 27th November weighing in at 6lb 7oz. Mum and baby are doing well.

I am sure you all join with me in congratulating Rae and Tony on their new arrival and wishing them all the best for the future.

Stuart Dickens, District Commissioner

Dates for Bushcraft activities next year are now available – full details available in the attached PDF file.

Bushcraft Flyer 2012 (299.7 KiB)

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