Getting ready for Haarlem!

We are off to the Netherlands to join thousands of other scouts at the International Haarlem Jamborette scouting camp. Held every four years in Spaarnwoude located between Haarlem and Amsterdam; it’s a ten day camp for scouts in the age of 10 up until 16 years old. It is from July 31st till the 9th August! The last Jamborette was in the summer of 2007. Over 2,500 participants and 400 volunteers made this 10th anniversary edition of the camp into a great success. The next one will be a little bigger, much better and more fun!

Each year there is a theme, this year it is all about Energy! Energy exists in many forms. Energy is more than just a plug. Energy is between people. Energy is all around us. Energy is also fuel. Endless energy is many a dream. Searching for it is of all centuries. The four sub camps represent four peoples (in times without modern energy) who built their civilisations. Thousand years ago they showed the endless possibilities of what can be done when you set your mind to building something together. Through collective thinking and hard work they built a society where the legendary builds they made are still an existing paragon. Built with endless energy. Innovative and lasting. Their times way ahead and in a unique form of co-operation. A miracle in itself. World famous; long before internet. World Wide Wonders.

District Cub Camp 2011

Celebrating St. George's Day

A brilliant camp where 4 groups from the Forest of Dean came together to celebrate St. George's Day and Scouting.

New County Website and Newsletter

For information about Scouting all around Gloucestershire, please sign up to the new newsletter and have a look at the County Website.

www.gscouts.org.uk

Scouts join in with UK Winter Camp

Not sure if I would want to camp in the middle of winter but our scouts certainly know what they wanted. They joined hundreds of other scouts including scouts from the Forest of Dean and across the UK at the annual Winter Camp held in the scouting home of Gilwell Park, Essex.

'Pets at Home' Cub Visit

All the Cubs love caring for and learning about all sorts of animals. Pet at Home in Gloucester gave a free talk, hands on pets and booklet as part of their commitment to sponsoring the Cub Animal Carer Badge. A brilliant evening that all the Cubs loved.

Scouts and Cubs October Camp 2010

For some of the cubs it was their first camp, but for the Scouts it was their first camp as a troop. An amazing weekend and one that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Muddiest Cub Camp Ever!
Grubby Cubs everywhere!

Scouts Opens in September

Starting September, Scouting for boys and girls aged between 10 and 14 will return to Ruardean on a Tuesday night from 7.45 until 9.15pm. Andy and Donna will be the two Scout Leaders and are currently putting in place all that needs to be done to set up a new section. We have a number of Cubs ready to move up to Scouts and there are places available for anyone to join from Ruardean and the surrounding areas. If you are interested please phone 0845 094 1560 or email garyscouts@gmail.com or send us a message click here.

Seven-year-old walks miles for Gloucester's homeless

Ned is certainly keeping his Beaver Scout Promise when he saw a man sleeping rough in the snow that he was determined to do something about it. Find out more from the Forester's news report click here.

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

We too are doing our bit to help the children of Haiti. On Tuesday we collected in our loose change to see how much of the floor we can cover. All the money will go to the Haiti Earthquake appeal. In total it raised £70. Well Done everyone.

£700 Raised

Bag Packing
Thank you to all the customers and staff at the Co-op in Cinderford. With their help we raised over £700 bag packing to go towards buying more scouting equipment like camping equipment.

Activity Hike

District Activity Hike across the centre of the Forest of Dean

We joined Cubs and Leaders from all across the Forest of Dean in the annual Activity Hike starting near Speech House and finishing at Beechenhurst. On a beautiful Sunday morning, we set off on the 4 mile hike and met other Cubs and leaders along the way. At different points on route, we completed a number of challenges, above you can see us completing a mapping challenge. Each event earnt us points and overall two of our teams came second and third place. Well Done everyone, it was a brilliant day.

Winter Camp

Winter Camp for the Cubs over at Beaver Lodge, Parkend

A whole weekend of fun with the luxury of sleeping indoors in the winter months. The Cubs made paper boats and held a 'regatta'; there was firelighting and a good old singsong at Campfire; a walk through the local area and along the river Lyd; lots of games and a chance to make our own marshmallows! What a weekend!

Sign of the Times

Beavers give to the local community

As part of their "Friendship Challenge" Badge, 1st Ruardean Beaver Scouts presented Ernie Jones, one of the custodians of the Pan Tod Beacon at Ruardean Hill, with a new sign to replace the old one which had fallen in-to disrepair. The new sign is now in place on the Beacon and shows points of the compass, the grid reference and height above sea level. Well done Beavers for supporting the community and offering a useful resource that everyone can use. For more information about Beaver Scouting in Ruardean, click here.

Cub Camp Chaos

Cubs and Beavers have a fantastic time at Cub Camp at Mayhill

Mayhill in the Forest of Dean set the scene for this year's cub camp and beaver sleepover. With a global theme, the cubs learnt about recycling, reusing and reclaiming materials. There was lots of activities including campfire, hikes, games, cooking and flag making.

Cubs Splash to Victory!

Cubs sweep the board winning first and third place in the District Swimming Gala

After 14 years, the Ruardean Cubs make a dramatic come back with one team winning the District Swimming Gala and the other team coming third. The Cubs were so excited and all the parents and leaders were so proud of what they had achieved not only in winning the event but with their sustained sportsmanlike attitude throughout. Well Done everyone!

Safari Adventure

Cubs set sail in Slimbridge for safari adventure to learn more about birds

An excellent day's adventure exploring Slimbridge wildfowl and wetland centre gave the Cubs a great opportunity to learn about and see the different birds of our world, then with the new canoe safari, the Cubs were able to travel through canals and come face to face with the birds that make Slimbridge so famous.

Snow Much Fun!

Severe snowstorms sweep through Gloucestershire

Finally, real snow and a chance to build snowmen to be proud of! Well that's what we think anyway, not sure all the drivers of the Forest of Dean feel the same. Thank you to the Snowman Construction Team who created, Frosty, the latest member to Ruardean Scouts.
Have a look at more pictures of Ruardean in the snow.