Beaver Scout Section
of North Dorset Scout District

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Mon.20th March 2008 @ Sturminster Newton

Present:
Debbie ADC
Shaftesbury - Sue, Tracey, Steph
Gillingham Sioux – Jackie, Carrie
Gillingham Chippewa – Sandra, Serena
Sturminster Newton – Michael
Motcombe – Elaine, Sharon
Blandford – Helen, Ian
Stalbridge – Gill, Julie
Charlton Marshall – Mick

Apologies:
none received

Welcome to Mick – new leader at Charlton Marshall.

County Outing at Longleat
3 Colonies attending.

St Georges Day Parade
26th April, details should have arrived via GSL’s. Rehearsal for those involved, April 22nd 7pm, with flag please.

Adventure Day.
A few dates were offered and July 11th was decided as the best date for all. (Double checking leaders available to run the activities) Gillingham Sioux might have a problem with leaders but it was decided that they could be incorporated into other groups for the day. Bases- climbing, with low ropes open for those waiting. Archery with jenga, bats & balls for those waiting. Bell boating with the Bungee run for those waiting. Also Debbie to check as we think there is an orienteering course ready set up and this could be done as and when. Debbie to also do a scavenger hunt.

Camp
CRB’s must be cleared, no CRB – no camp. Deposits and numbers due 17th April.
Site visit has taken place – all to camp in the main fenced off area, car parking on your left as you arrive, big field out the back for inflatables, activities etc. Main hut as a leaders chill out – no children allowed!!
Badge competition due in tonight – CC judging at the weekend (haven’t told him yet!)
Joint meeting with the Cubs to be held 30th April 7.30 Trinity Shaftesbury. Queries were made as several colonies had a couple of under 5’s attending camp. It was decided to charge them £10 each as no camp fees are payable and they only eat a bit of food!!

Archery July 4th Buddens
Teams of 8 but can take 12. Please put forward names and the team will be decided nearer the time but hopefully one from each colony. Volunteers to help on the day please but we won’t need a leader from every colony unless you would like to go. Marquee and a game required.
County AGM is also happening the same day from 10 ‘til 4. 

District Football – Saturday 18th April
Please sign teams in by 10.30, approx finish is 3.30. Last year it seemed a long time between matches and it was very cold, Debbie to sort a large marquee and can each team bring some games/activities to play inside to keep warm and occupied. Refreshments will be available to buy this year.

County News –
County census is up by 2.5% for the 3rd year in a row - well done to all leaders.

Goose 2010 1-7 August
News from County: Goose has been launched on the website, DVD on its way to all GSL’s. On/Off site activities, parties, adventurous activities, full programme for all. Scouts / Explorers / Guides on site all week, hopefully many will come from abroad. Cubs Monday-Friday, Beavers all day possibly Wednesday, from Dorset only.
Explorers £180, Scouts £160, Cubs £130, Beavers £10. Most prices cheaper than last year as we don’t have the expense of going to the Jamboree. Registration starts September 2009.
T-shirts – size to be on form so people get the right size!
Scarves not needed – all Beavers look the same- easier to find your own if wearing their own colours – badge instead?
Comments from our meeting: Zip wire was brilliant but had to queue for a long time. Paint balling was a disappointment as you queued for quite a while and only got to fire 5 shots. Craft tent, circus skills, and the drumming man were brilliant.
Would it be possible to get the Beavers on the water??
Is it an idea to get a large number of cubs / scouts off site that day to free up the activities and meet up for tea?
Can we please stay for campfire / fireworks please?
Disappointment was felt over the scarves as some leaders collect them although it was understood about the beavers all looking the same. If GOOSE don’t provide a scarf then it was decided to design a special North Dorset one.

Meeting finished at 8.55
Next meeting  - date to follow

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Mon.20th Oct. 2008 @ Shaftesbury HQ

Joint meeting with the Cub leaders to discuss the joint camp.

New form. HQ have never before defined what is an occasional helper.
Occasional helpers now have to complete a form similar to an AA but simpler. (Called an OH!)   This applies to parent helpers etc, so are particularly relevant to Beavers. They have to sign to say that they understand the principles of Scouting, so HQ have issued a blue card for that purpose. They must also have a yellow card (CP) as they do not have to go to training or appointments committee. Suggest this all goes into your “welcome pack” This will be started in February.

CRB process has changed slightly, CRB’s to go to Roger Sprosen as before, HQ will search their records and then the form is returned to Sheila before going for final clearance. HQ will give the yay or nay. Once Sheila has received the form back, they can then work with the Scouts as long as they are supervised. This will speed up people getting started and hopefully stop any more camps being postponed etc. Please send them in promptly though to keep things running.
When the forms are returned Roger S e-mails GSL’s with the clearance, if you have problems getting the information or would like it sent to you as well, please put in pencil at the top of the form the contact details for the clearance to be sent to.

Camp
Have provisionally booked Braggers Wood for 5th – 7th June.
A rough program had been written by ADC Cubs and Beavers, this was circulated for an open discussion.
It was decided to let the cubs come along on their own on Friday night, with thoughts that if parents have a cub and a beaver then two trips might be a problem, if so will they be able to stay Friday night as well?
A long debate then occurred about Beavers having parents on site but not the Cubs, do we want to invite Cub parents as well? The site might then be a problem as we’re not sure they could cope with larger numbers. It was decided for groups to get their parents wishes and feedback to the relevant ADC by the end of November. The vast majority of Leaders thought that the cubs would be happier on their own.
If we have cub parents we will then all sleep in groups
If Cubs are sleeping together as a group we might need a portaloo in the cub sleeping area, as it’s quite a way to the toilet blocks in the dark- ADC’s to check.
At the moment estimated cost will be £15 Cubs, £10 Beavers (1 night) + groups to organize costing for food – includes a badge – still getting costs for the inflatables, bases etc when it’s decided what we are doing.
Group catering
No district cost to leaders
Badge competition – will be e-mailed out to leaders later when we have a theme.
The majority of leaders thought we needed to do more in the way of bases etc, suggestions were: Circus skills, fire brigade/chip pan fire demonstration, possible trip to Hurn airport (Debbie to look into), Raptor centre – hawks etc, Aerial runway. Suggestions brought to the next meeting please.

Beaver Meet

Present:
Debbie Hines ADC
Gary Rice – Charlton Marshall
Sandra Trowbridge – Gillingham
Sue Crocker, Darren Brewer, Tracey Moxham –Shaftesbury
Jackie Westbrook – Gillingham
Elaine Lindsay – Motcombe
Gill Prill – Stalbridge
Helen Whitelock - Blandford
Apologies
Michael Reed – Sturminster Newton
Ian Christie – Blandford Camp

Matters Arising
The District outing has not gone ahead, Debbie to contact Cranborne Technology Centre to see if they can accommodate us during the Easter holidays

District News
Leaders meeting Monday 2nd February 7pm Sturminster Newton in uniform for all warranted Leaders Inc Fellowship. Will be held as an open Forum & then split into sections for our own meeting.
17th January – District Party, Masonic Hall Shaftesbury as before for Leaders and families.

District Activity day. A provisional date has been set for the 28th June, same bases as before but a few more would be appreciated. Clive to look into the Orienteering Course as concerns were raised about the proximity to the river. Bats & balls are always welcome, any more ideas please feedback Funding is on its way for the bell boats, if we still don’t have them then County have some we could maybe borrow – Clive to check.

News from County 
New age range – Core has not changed however you can now join Cubs at 7½, although please keep to exceptions rather than the norm
County Workshop 1st & 2nd November cancelled due to lack of support.
Lots of new and updated fact sheets on the website including Youth Participation in the Beaver colony  -Scoutbase.org – Beaver resources
Programmes on line has been updated, activities with templates www.scouts.org.uk/pol and enter the words “colony programme plus” in the search engine
New Chief Scouts Personal Award – Available to all persons in Scouting e.g. to achieve an award: Network member being the youngest to trek to the North Pole, A YP raising a substantial amount of money etc
Home contact system is being reviewed comments welcome through Scout base
Burma Appeal – County has already sent boxes to Burma and have a shortfall of £800. We were asked as a District to raise £100 this was refused as we were not asked or did not commit to it and I know that most Colonies have major fundraising of their own to do

County Outing May 16th 2009 Suggestion made at the ADC meeting was Lego land by a special train – Rosemary is looking into the logistics of getting everyone there. As we all go off once there and do “our own thing” –suggest all getting together for a tea party, again Rosemary looking into cost and whether available, (also depends where we choose!)
Legoland was deemed a good idea although the cost could be high, could parents use Tesco/Sainsburys vouchers to get free admittance?
Need 3 choices in list of preference.
We liked Legoland (depending on cost) or Longleat as we had a County trip there a few years ago and it was brilliant

County Archery Competition Saturday July 4th Clive to organise a practise session for each Colony, please liase with Clive to book. Beavers will not have to be booked in with names this year so suggest a team of 10 (1 from each colony), we then have 2 reserves but they can be rotated so everyone has a go. Same format as before – very low-key competition wise.

GOOSE Prov day is Wednesday, ticket system as before but with times on and the people running the bases to be aware of what is going on. Suggest the Scouts are off site that day to alleviate busy bases and give them something good to do.
Same bases as before but maybe replace the paintballing. Concerns rose over running shuttle buses onto site, as it can be organised chaos! Debbie to look into cost of hiring buses, which can then go straight onto site. If there are fireworks can the beavers please stay this time?

St Georges Day 26th April
Blandford as last year as it was brilliant. Suggestion from District is to go to Blandford HQ after for tea and games, District looking at the cost for the tea.
Bus hire will be much more expensive as it will be for a much longer time and picking up from Blandford HQ could be a major problem. Also having to pay for buses and tea will put up the cost – could everyone bring their own although the food will be on the buses the other side of town??!!

AOB, both Charlton Marshall and Blandford in need of Leaders.

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Wednesday 9th July 2008 @ Gillingham Town Hall

Present
Debbie Hines
Carrie McMullan, Sue Jenkins Gillingham Sioux
Elaine Lindsey Motcombe
Christine Ashcroft, Gill Prill Stalbridge
Ian Christie Blandford Camp
Sue Crocker Shaftesbury
Helen Whitelock Blandford
Roger Sprosen District Secretary

Apologies
Sandra Trowbridge
Tracey Moxham
Jackie Westbrook
Tina/Paul Wise
Michael Reed
Darren Brewer

Matters Arising
We were kindly sponsored by Barrie Moss for our County Beaver Archery day - thanks

News from County
New appointments:
Pete Prill – International adviser – if you want him to come and run a night please phone him on 01963 363430
Gary Rice – Child Protection Officer, but still follow normal procedures
Colin Simpson working towards forming a Dorset Activities Fellowship Team (D.A.F.T)
Vicki Ward – Special needs co-ordinator
Kevin Phillips – ACC Fellowship & Brownsea link
Jackie Harris – media manager
Alex Holt – County IT advisor – new website
Ken Old – collating award information
A local development officer and a part time Administrator to be appointed, operating from Buddens.

District Team
Phil Allen will put on an evening for Beavers to introduce them to caving, video and something to do with ladders!! Please phone on 01258 453009
John Kerley canoeing / rafting Wednesdays throughout the summer 01258 451205

Feedback
Archery Competition
7 Districts took part, it was brilliant, liked the fact that it was a very low key competition, it worked well that they had several short goes as it kept everyone interested until the end. The only negatives that arose were that the leaders were not sure where the drinks were and were not sure about first aid arrangements.

District Camp
The concensus was that it was brilliant, the parents all joined in well and no leaders reported any problems. Beavers were always accompanied. Central catering worked really well,   (thanks again to the cook team) it was nice not to have to lug the equipment and then run bases and peel spuds at the same time!  However the venue was too small to sit everyone and we missed the “bonding time” with our Beavers and parents.  Also we were very lucky with the weather however if it had been wet another marquee would have been beneficial. £300 was left over and it was decided to put this money towards a trip.

County Beaver day 
325 Beavers attended, feedback from County was that a “quiet base” was needed; this was met with some puzzlement about why?
Some groups insisted on bringing a whole colony of 30/40 Beavers round in one group and this caused a few problems as a lot of bases were not able or it was not safe to deal with large numbers at one go. A suggestion was that a timetable be made in future but very loosely so bases weren’t too busy.
On the whole a fantastic day, the Beavers absolutely loved it and we’re ready for the next one. Thanks again to Sandra for her help.

District Adventure Day
Once again the sun shone on North Dorset making this a fabulous day. 83 Beavers + leaders, parents & siblings were on site and all joined in and “had a go” The only thing that was mentioned is to have another base by the climbing – were we allowed to use the low ropes?

District Outing
October half term, possibly Streetwise and Bournemouth aquarium, split the District into 2 groups and swap venues but meet somewhere for lunch. Debbie to look into costs etc.  We have £300 to put towards this)

Next years Camp
Debbie and Richard (ADC Cubs) had discussed doing a joint Beaver/Cub camp next year. This was meet with enthusiasm, possibly a weekend in June, Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Looking at about 400+ Braggers wood was suggested if we could book the whole site as the cubs could camp the other side of the hedge and therefore be grown up and not near parents. It was suggested to do the catering in colonies’ as it would be very difficult to find a team to do central catering.

Beaver Forums 
It is a request from County that we all do Log chews or Forums it should be part of the program– very informal just a chat and maybe post-it notes so Beavers can write or draw their ideas, Any feedback to me as I’ve been asked to pass it on to County.

GOOSE 1 – 7th August, Beavers on Wednesday
Although the tickets were a brilliant idea they need times on them and they need to be collected in as some Beavers did the whole lot and others stuck to the one they were booked in for. The people running the bases were also not informed about the tickets etc and this also caused some confusion. The catering was the major headache for everyone, and so NO CENTRAL CATERING. Also the Scouts were causing mischief, as they had nothing to do and were bored. Also if there are fireworks again the Beavers want to stay.

County Events
We would like an annual archery competition, and a fun day also a suggestion for the County outing was Poultons Park?
Also a District fun day next year and an activity day.
Have a Go Day –this Sunday 13th July was e-mailed out. For leaders & prospective leaders
County Workshops same program 2 days Dorchester 1st November, Poole, 2nd November Market type bases, HQ helping. No charge. Suggestions for bases were crafts, games and skills.

AOB
Roger Sprosen joined in our meeting and was please to inform us that he was well on the way to securing funding for 2 bell boats at a cost of £9,500, which includes the trailer. These can be stored at Bryanston and will primarily be for District Beavers to use. This was met with great enthusiasm
CRB’s Roger will run a course in September so that all Beaver leaders will be able to sign off CRB’s. This will enable parents to be cleared quicker and easier and it was suggested to do this as soon as their child joins the movement. When attending please bring a list of parents names and Roger will check who has/hasn’t been done.
All CRB’s will go through the Independent Safeguard Authority. The Police will inform them of any charges brought and will advise whether that person is still cleared or not. This should also cut down on some people having to have more than one clearance.

Around the Table
Helen announced that 4 of her Beavers have achieved their Bronze Chief Scout Award – well done.

Next meeting Monday 20th October – Trinity Shaftesbury

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Thurs.17th April 2008 @ Blandford HQ

Present
Carrie, Jackie, Sue – Sioux Gillingham
Sandra – Chippewa Gillingham
Michael – Sturminster Newton
Elaine – Motcombe
Sue, Tracy, Darren – Shaftesbury
Helen – Blandford
Ian, Paul – Blandford Camp
Gill – Stalbridge
Gary – Charlton Marshall

Apologies
Christine – Stalbridge

Matters Arising
none that would not be covered in this meeting

District Football
This was voted a success by all who attended, there were a couple of hiccups with the timing of the matches and also a couple of colonies did not attend, as they did not receive any information until too late to do the paperwork. Could we do this again please, suggestion was a few large games / activities to keep everyone there until the end.

St Georges Day
No queries that were not answered at the rehearsal

County Archery - May 18th - 9.00am > 4.00pm
We have a team made up of 2 from Shaftesbury, 2 from Blandford Camp and 2 from each of the Gillingham colonies. It was decided that if one of your Beavers cannot attend then to please find a replacement.
Cost £3 per Beaver - £25 per team – Debbie to ask the District very nicely if they will donate the payment.
I need names by the end of the month.
We have been asked to take a large game, which Debbie will supply, also Paul will provide a small marquee – thank you
A final practise for the team will be held at Trinity Shaftesbury from 10 – 11.30 on Sat. May 17th.

District Camp - 23rd > 26th May - £25 + ferry, £6 Adult or £4 Child
Approx numbers at this stage are 150. Final numbers to me by 26th April, money by 9th May please.
National trust cards – can all colonies bring there cards and ask all parents to bring there’s if they have one. I would really like to get everyone onto Brownsea free.
Hugh Honnywill has been appointed ADC Fellowship and with the Fellowship would like to support our camp. I therefore have a few members coming (numbers will follow later) who are very willing to help us. I suggested help in the morning when parents are arriving and trying to put up canvas and cope with excited kids, they will also help with running bases and making up the packed lunches for the next day. I offered an invitation that if they would like to camp over and come with us to Brownsea the next day they are welcome but will have to pay the ferry cost.
It was also suggested that some promotional material was available to promote the Fellowship to the parents & newer leaders.
Debbie asked for help with the materials / ideas to build a castle, 5ft canes and corrugated cardboard were suggested – thank you
I need dietary / allergy requirements ASAP to plan the menus please – I know we have one with a severe nut allergy so please  - no nuts on site!!!!!!!
It was decided to have a marquee near the tent area for shelter from the sun or rain. Also to provide a chill out area for the evenings as the hall will be too far from the sleeping Beavers – Gary to provide in his trailer!
Kit list to be written by each colony, please do not forget uniform/ day sack/ water bottle / waterproofs for going to Brownsea. Also all to bring a cake please. Don’t forget plate, bowl, mug, KFS, & a tea towel each please.
We will have a short service around the stone on Brownsea on the Sunday, Sioux & Chippewa will each provide a prayer, songs will be “If you’re happy & you know it” and “ Give me oil in your lamp” – Debbie to provide some song sheets.
The badge design was approved and all YP and leaders will get one. It was also voted to have a white background.
Paul Wise has offered to bring and run the projector for us, Tracy to bring “The chamber of Secrets” DVD
Campfire entertainment will be 5 minutes a colony – 10 minutes was voted as too long.
Now rough numbers are in Debbie to check the budget to check the price for leaders although leaders will have to pay the ferry cost.
Rules – I forgot to let you all check my suggestions for the rules – I have circulated a copy – comments/suggestions please.

District Activity Day - 22nd June 10 - 4
Bell Boating
Canadian Canoes
Archery
Rafting
Climbing etc
Being run by Clive Biggs, John Kerley and Graham Airey.
Cost is £5 to include a badge. It was decided for all to receive a certificate and badge whether they already have the badge or not.
Numbers & payment to me by 12th May – there is a District Exec meeting that night so you will be able to pass this onto your groups representative, to pass to me.

County Fun Day 14th June Buddens
10-4 £5.50 per Beaver, numbers & payment to me by 12th May, as above
Badge competition – won by Robbie Hine 1st Blandford Camp
2nd – Mosterton, 3rd Weymouth West – this was judged by the County Commissioner
Some Districts are putting on buses to get to Buddens. It was decided to get parents to give lifts as a bus will significantly up the price and we would like a lot to attend. I will check about parents staying on site.
I cannot attend and Sandra has kindly offered to organise this event. North Dorset are doing “dampers” and “Scouting skills” Suggestion was to ask Sandra Williams as she put on some brilliant bases at GOOSE.
Give consent forms in on the way in
Receipts to Sue Marsh (DC Bournemouth)
Bring large game as an extra and a small marquee
Hugh will be on site providing first aid, it was also suggested that the Fellowship might like to be involved.

Around the Table
It was queried what the District provide for Beavers in return for the money they receive. Grass sledges had been asked for and had been turned down due to lack of funds, this was queried when a thousands were being spent on canoes. It was felt that Beavers are being left out when the older sections have expensive adventurous activities provided for them. It was explained that District are not spending thousands on the canoes – the figure is most likely to be nearer £200 and this won’t be done until the instructors have finished their training. District does not have much in the account due to the celebrations for the centenary year; they also invest in providing future activities. It was also mentioned that there is a possibility of central storage for District equipment and when this has been achieved perhaps we could ask again. It was re-iterated to ask for the £25 for the Archery competition, as we will be representing our District at a County event.

Meeting close at 9.50

Next meeting Gillingham 7th July – venue to be confirmed

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Wed. 16th Jan. 2008 @ Sturminster Newton HQ
Apologies
Christine- Stalbridge
Jackie & Laura-Gillingham

Present
Debbie Hines ADC
Michael Reed - Sturminster Newton
Ian Christie, Paul Wise – Blandford Camp
Helen Whitelock - Blandford
Sue Crocker, Tracy Moxham, Darren Brewer – Shaftesbury
Sandra Trowbridge, Sue Jenkins & Carrie McMullen - Gillingham

Matters Arising
The only thing was Gary’s sleepover – if interested please contact Gary direct.

District Activity Day
This is Sunday 22nd June at Bryanston from 10 – 4pm. Bring a packed lunch. Cost is £5 including the badge. Outing consent forms to be done within colony’s. Debbie to e-mail the activity consent form. Numbers to Debbie please by mid May (to make sure I have enough badges!)

District Outing
This was decided to go to Moors Valley at the end of September on a Sunday, between approx 12 and 6pm. Debbie to check prices for buses

District Camp
The majority of the District camp is now planned. Debbie to get badge designed (Beaver dressed as Harry Potter).

AOB
St Georges Day parade will be held at Blandford on the 20th April. It is Blandfords’ Centenary year and the church there can hold 450+

Please check your records and see if any of your Beavers qualify for their Bronze Chief Scout Award. As a District we have very poor numbers, with only one colony putting forward any from the last 3 years.

District Football is provisionally booked for the 5th April – I will check and get back to you

County Archery Competition, both Clive and Tony have Beaver sized bows and have offered their help. Colony’s to have an archery evening either at Blandford or Shaftesbury which ever is easiest for you. Please contact either them or me if interested to arrange.

Around The Table
Jackie had a couple of concerns over the Chief Scout Award, please get back to me if you still have a problem.
Debbie Hines - ADC (Beavers)

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Wed. 7th Nov. 2007 @ Sturminster Newton HQ
Apologies
Jodi & Christine – Stalbridge
Laura Ashfield – Sioux Gillingham
Lee – Blandford
Barnie – Blandford Camp

Present
Debbie Hines ADC
Sandra Trowbridge –Chippawa Gillingham
Jackie Westbrook, Carrie McMullan, Sue Jenkins – Sioux Gillingham
Ian Christie – Blandford Camp
Michael Reed – Sturminster Newton
Gary Rice – Charlton Marshall
Helen Whitelock - Blandford
Sue Crocker, Tracy Moxham, Darren Brewer – Shaftesbury
Elaine Lindsay - Motcombe

Matters arising
None apart from the trip did not take place but Charlton Marshall had a brilliant time!

Feedback from GOOSE
Fantastic, Beavers had a fabulous day but on a minus would have been nice if they could have stayed for the fireworks. Also the main activity was sometimes too short – a lot of queuing for 5 minutes of activity.

District Activity Day
See later

District Party
Jenny would like to hold a party to end the fantastic Centenary year. All Scouts, Leaders, Parents, Siblings etc. She has suggested New Years Eve but would appreciate suggestions.
At the Cub meeting they came up with 29th Dec or Jan 5th Karaoke or a disco.
Lots of suggestions / ideas / comments came from this:
Too big an age range for all to have a great time suggest maybe stagger times but allow people on the whole to come and go e.g. if a parent has a child in Beavers and Scouts then they can’t be expected to make several trips, e.g. Beavers & Cubs 6-8 & Scouts & Explorers 8-10.
It would be a huge venue – BBQ / Barn Dance / Fireworks
December was ruled out, as it would be too long from when we break for Xmas and a lot of people would forget.
Suggested Milldown School Blandford as they have a couple of very large rooms where we could put on different activities.
Suggest selling tickets for possibly £1 to get people to commit otherwise it could be very difficult to ascertain correct numbers and a lot of people wouldn’t bother to turn up!
Leaders are going to have a lot of work to do, supervising etc not much fun for us!!
Bouncy castle / games for younger ones but again will need supervising
Each family to “bring a dish”
District football is possibly Sat 5th April – would this be a better date as the majority of the District would already be there, the weather is better (we hope!) and in the meantime have a separate party for the leaders – the kids have already had a fantastic year!

County Archery Competition
May 18th,  Buddens, County paying, Beavers to pay 50p each for the targets. 10 - 4 bring packed lunch
1 team per district – 8 to a team
Each District to bring a game
10 colonies in District only need 1 team of 8!!
Debbie to ask Clive if he could put on an archery night for each colony – from this choose the best 4? 5? who then enter a District knockout to produce our team. As this will take a couple of months remember to pick Beavers who will still be Beavers in May! Tony Dando also has Beaver sized equipment and has offered support.

County Fun Day
Sat June 14th 10-4
£5.50 per Beaver – no cost to Leaders to include a badge
Theme “The great outdoors”
Outdoor challenge – trekking & trailing, cold food cooking etc
Discovery challenge – tye dye
Hikes away 1 – walk round Buddens
Pioneering
Campfire food & songs
Poss climbing wall if enough qualified leaders
Each District supplies & erects 1 marque - checking if the people setting up can camp overnight
Each District 2 activities each any from above or other ideas – manned on a rota
We opted for booking the campfire circle and doing dampers and scouting skills, similar to the activities at GOOSE.
Badge comp, 2½” round 5 colours not too much detail – difficult to replicate. All entrants to me by End Jan Winner receives £5 compliments of County
Must include- “Dorset Beavers 2008” and “The Great Outdoors”
Suggestion was a framed badge & certificate rather than £5

County 2008 workshop
Suggestion to hold 1 in April What would you like, suggestions from County are Pioneering, camping
Suggestions that came forward – Environmental is not easy with Beavers, planning for trips/days out/ conservation/ few games

District Activity Day
To be held at Bryanston by Clive & John Kerley. Bell boating, Canadian canoes, archery, rafting and climbing. Cost to include activity badge. To be held in May- looking at approx £5 – see next item

District Camp
No go Brownsea- to busy with Cubs and Scouts
Braggers I can only get the farmers field across the road – too far from the toilets / not safe for Beavers.

Date suggested by Clive for the activity day is the 24th May Do we move the activity day? or Clive has suggested moving the camp to Bryanston.

Decided to go for Butchers Coppice May 23rd – 26th cost £2.70 pp per night (leaders only Friday night) I have also booked Dad Atkins centre. Large hall 51’ x 24’ wet weather escape, indoor area, will we need/ want marquees? Central catering – mess tents? Cost £30 per 24 hours, also has disabled loo & shower. Decided to plan this more at our next meeting, please come up with a theme/ideas. Central catering offered by Tina was gladly accepted.

Debbie to talk to Clive & John to see if they could move the activity day to the end of July – weather warmer????, safety concerns over combining the 2 events due to the river at Bryanston.

Around the table
Gary Rice wants to do a sleepover for the older ones, possibly in January – please contact him if interested.

AOB
St George’s day Parade 20th April – suggestion is to circulate around the District. Poss Shaftesbury this year – still checking venues – Sue suggested Shaftesbury Abbey?

Future Meeting Dates, with Cubs
Weds 16th Jan Stur 8:15
Thurs 17th April Blandford 8:15
Mon 7th July Gillingham – Sandra to arrange time and venue

Thank you all for another brilliant turnout and thank you to Sturminster Newton for the use of their hall

May I take this time to thank you all for your continuing hard work and wish you all a Merry Christmas!!

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Thurs. 5th July 2007 @ Blandford Scout HQ

Joint meeting with the Cub Leaders~

1) GOOSE
Latest figures 1120 Cubs, 730 Beavers ( gone up from the meeting!)
Cubs to arrive at Purbeck School at 11am.
Scouts are to arrive between 3 & 3.45 on the Sunday; departure time is between 9.45 & 10.30 – good luck leaders getting them ready!!!
No vehicles on site after 11am Sunday, All infrastructures to be completed by then.
I have a copy of the “camp rules” which I will circulate & give to groups at our meeting next week. I also have rules about smoking & alcohol.
I need to know who is leaving the site Tuesday night for the Beavers. Also when on site if you leave/return can you please tell Charles in the admin tent (located at the crossroads)
Sandra is organising our District zone and needs leaders to fill in slots to help run activities. Please support & allocate yourself before you get allocated!!
We also have 5 spaces on the buses going to the Jamboree please get back to me names of people interested.

Beaver Meeting

Present:
Debbie Hines ADC
Gary Rice & Susanne Newton - Charlton Marshall
Michael Reed – Sturminster Newton
Jackie Westbrook, Laura Ashfield & Carrie McMullan – Gillingham Sioux
Sandra Trowbridge –Gillingham Chippewa
Mark Christie & Ian Christie – 1st Blandford Camp

Apologies:
Jodi Walbrin – Stalbridge
Lee Ibbotson – Blandford
Sue Crocker – Shaftesbury
Tracy Moxham – Shaftesbury

2) GOOSE continued
We have 3 District pick up points, which are as follows:

Stalbridge- Scout hut 5.45am (sorry) Stalbridge & Sturminster Newton

Blandford -the old Safeway’s car park 6.15am, Charlton Marshall, Blandford Camp & Blandford

Shaftesbury -Somerfield car park 6.00am Shaftesbury, Gillingham & Motcombe.

We are booked as the last District to leave at 5pm
Beaver ID etc to be given on the buses on the way so they don’t lose it
Beavers do not need infectious disease forms for1 day
I will also have forms for Beavers to do face painting which again I will circulate at the meeting next week – no form no face painting

There was a lengthy discussion regarding our main activity as we have been allocated 28 paintball tickets, 24 zip wire tickets, 14 climbing tickets and 14 archery tickets. It was discussed the easiest way of allocating the activities the Beavers want to do with leaders etc. It was suggested that Leaders take groups to activities (not necessarily their own Beavers) this we decided was probably not the best option and it was decided for me to allocate assorted tickets, the variety to be allotted as to the amount of leaders. Blandford camp only having 1 leader for example can only have one choice, which was requested as archery. Charlton Marshall requested not the zip wire. Wish me luck I’ll do the best I can! It was also decided that if there were problems on the day then we would swap amongst ourselves

3) Past eventsAny photos of Centenary camp or other activities please pass to me or Roger Monksummers for inclusion on the District and/or County website (obviously make sure we have permissions!)

4) District OutingI have contacted Yeovilton and they are getting back to me in regards to paying as a school group. Laura has taken this on for me as she has a “friend” who works there!!!! She will get back once a price can be confirmed. The date we are aiming at is 7th October.

5) Banner competitionto be held at Stalbridge on Saturday 14th July 10 – 12. Please can I have an idea of colonies coming and numbers of Beavers & leaders please? I have had answers from Gillingham, Charlton Marshall, Blandford Camp & Shaftesbury.

6) Poster CompetitionCounty are providing each district with 50 posters. These are to be displayed throughout the District, the idea being to provide a bit of fun and to promote Beavers/Scouting. These will have a blank space for contact details for groups. The idea is that each Beaver will have a form and must write down the location of all (or as many) the posters in their District. On the reverse of the form they can write down any they see from other Districts as well. The competition will run for the main summer holiday and a prize will be issued sometime in September.
This was met with some scepticism as our groups are so spread apart but it was decided that we’d give it a go. I will have the posters for next week and will e-mail the Beavers entry forms to leaders for printing. Please give Debbie the locations of the posters please, & return the forms in September!!

7) County OutingWookey Hole Saturday 6th October 10 – 5. Entrance is £7 for Beavers and leaders It was decided to give this a miss as we have a lot of other things going on, including our District trip. If any group would like to go please contact me for further details

8) County Archery CompetitionSunday 18th May Buddens. A county Archery competition is to be held at Buddens. Each District to enter a team of 8. A freebee funded by County. 
We decided to hold a “fun day” on a Sunday in March with one of the activities being archery. We will find the best 8 of the District and enter them as a team. It was decided to ask Blandford if we could use their hut as they have a secure area for the archery if wet. Debbie to ask Clive & Graham how many Beaver size bows they have and if they will do it for us. Come up with a theme and other activities at a later date when confirmed.

9) District Camp next yearLooking at the weather are we still trying for Brownsea??? I’ve spoken at length as they hadn’t considered it suitable for Beavers but I have convinced them otherwise. There is a large education centre that we could use in an emergency washout. They also have showers etc. Or do we want to go to Braggers and go over to Brownsea for the day?
There was a resounding yes to the camp. We will be the first Beavers to ever camp there. The vast majority of Beavers were disappointed to go home from Centenary Camp; they survived better than the Cubs. Debbie to look into costs including hiring the larger boat from Poole quay to allow for canvas, food etc etc. If we go make sure each group has a National Trust card, as this will save a lot. Aiming to go the last Bank holiday in May.

10) Around the table
Gary asked if anyone was interested in doing a small District sleepover. This will just be for the Beavers aiming at their Bronze Award. A few groups were interested and Shaftesbury Trinity was suggested as a suitable venue. This will be held on a Saturday night during October. Please let Gary or Debbie know if you are interested in joining in.

Date & venue to be confirmed for the next meeting

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North Dorset District Beaver Leaders Meeting
Thurs. 12th Oct. 2006 @ The Crown, Blandford

Present:
Gary Rice: Charlton Marshall,
Linda Netherway, Sharon Moss & Elaine Lindsay: Motcombe
Lee Ibbotson:  Blandford
Michael Reed: Sturminster Newton
Sue Crocker & Tracy Moxham: Shaftesbury
Lisa Whitehand & Jackie Westbrook: Gillingham
Robert Powell & Mark Christie: Blandford Camp

Apologies were received from Gillingham Chippewa & Bourton

Thank you for a brilliant turnout of leaders

The meeting started as a joint meeting with the Cubs.
Birthday party (20 years for Beavers, 90 years for Cubs) is planned at Blandford Milldown School on the 19th November. It will be held from 2 – 5 although we will have access to the venue from 1.30 – 6. District will provide drinks and birthday cake. Each Beaver/Cub to bring a named carrier bag to put their things in please. Please can I have numbers by Nov 5th. Cost is £2 each, to be brought on the day, preferably a cheque made out to North Dorset Scout Council. Each colony/pack to provide a base, please let me know what you intend to do, Blandford camp is doing 2 bases of iced biscuits, Blandford is doing tin can alley. Also can each colony/pack provide 5 full toilet rolls please.
Itinery for the day; 2 – 3.30 Bases, 3.30 – 4 Tea, 4 – 5 Games & singsongs.

The meeting then split into our own sections.

Centenary camp
This is being held on the Gillingham & Shaftesbury showground on the last bank holiday weekend in May. It has been decided that Beaver parents can come and put up canvas on the Friday night and return early on Saturday. No kids on site Friday night except leaders own and Explorers. The theme is "Scouting- the Past, Present and Future" We are having different bases than normal, so no shooting, archery etc. One lot of bases will be based on the Crystal Maze – help?? Suggestions included the loan of 9 laser rifles, definitely some sort of obstacle course involving water where they might get a little damp!!, and puzzles or similar made from wooden blocks.

Would you like a District event/s if so what and where??
Suggestions were made for me to see if we could book @ Bristol for October half term, another suggestion was to see if I could get a reduced rate ticket for Paultons Park and have a family day out.

There are new Beaver Badges,
you can download details and criteria from Scoutbase, I also gave out hard copies (I have more if you want them). County have also requested a 3 night badge as it can take Beavers a long time  (or never) to get to 5.
It was also stated "You can also give them a 1 night badge for each night so they can wear 3 or 4". PLEASE NOTE - this was inacccurate info. that had been wrongly "passed down the line", only the highest stage awarded to them may be worn by any young person for each staged badge.

The theme for next year is " Growth, Recognition and Celebration"

There is also a Join In Centenary pack, which has been sent to each group (chase your GSL's if necessary) that has lots of ideas for next year including a whole years programming.

New Centenary scarves can be worn over existing group scarves but tied in a friendship knot - do not use another woggle. These are being ordered by GSL's

End of October each Colony should receive a welcome pack. This is a new tool used to engage parents; how Scouting works, how parents can help/get involved. Get your CRB's in the pack so all paperwork is completed from the beginning. It will be available on-line but no fixed date yet.

There is a new 50p coin to celebrate the centenary; this should probably surface about April. Presentation packs will be available in post offices from February.

There are also 6 stamps coming out - available in July.

The pantomime in Poole this year is Cinderella with Peter Duncan as Buttons. Certain dates are half price for scouts and I know of 1 group who has booked and Peter said he would meet them afterwards.

Goose 1st August
You do not have to worry about strict ratios on the buses to Goose, as the Beavers are not getting off. Also when at Buddens as there will be plenty of leaders, District and County leaders to make up any shortfall. Buses will be picking up each District in a central location approx 6am!
Goose has had a 50% response- approx breakdown is: 87 Explorers, 593 Scouts, 761 Cubs and 564 Beavers, with Leaders, GSL's etc the total as it stands is 2409 will be on site on 1st August. Closing date has been extended to November.

Each Beaver colony is being asked to design, make and bring a banner with the theme " Centenary of Scouting". Make it from what you want, the only criteria is it must be able to be carried by 2 Beavers. Bring the banners to Goose where they will be judged and a prize will go to the winners.

St George’s day parade ~ April 22nd 2007 at Dorchester
We will march as District Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers- not in groups as normal, each group will be led by their DC.
After the parade "tea" will be served, every one there will receive a bag with e .g a filled roll, crisps, drink and a cake. This should stop everyone having to bring bags with them. Also extra toilets are being put out and all car parks will be free for anyone in uniform.

County
It was decided that as it was such a busy year for everyone next year that County would not be putting on any events, unless you want to say otherwise!!!
The following year it will probably be a day out - any suggestions?? Longleat was suggested, as we haven’t been there for some years, also it would be nice to have a county day up our neck of the woods!

There is a sleepover questionnaire on Scoutbase at the moment, County have requested any feedback - this is our chance to change things, do you want the 24 hour rule extended?, do you want Beavers to be able to sleep under canvas? Please look and feedback

YL Training - There will be 2 dates next year for training/information on recruiting and retaining YL's. the first one is in May - details on the website. These are a valuable resource with 2 of our first "batch" becoming warranted adult leaders.

A programme of entrants was given out for next years Gillingham & Shaftesbury show. A lot of the classes could be entered by Beavers (either singly or in colonies) this year they were short of entries.

Dates of next year’s meetings
Tuesday 23rd January @ Gillingham
Wednesday 25th April @ Sturminster Newton
Thursday 5th July @ Blandford
Monday 15th October @ Shaftesbury
All meetings to begin at 8.30

Debbie Hines
ADC Beavers
01747 855237
Debbie.hines@virgin.net

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