’Lockdown, what lockdown?’ says Alexander

How one Scout has dealt with the situation!

While coronavirus might be making 2020 memorable for all the wrong reasons, this hasn't stopped individual Scouting activities and all the fun.

One 13-year-old Scout in our County, who is a Ripon Grammar School student, has taken on a number of long-distance challenges, including joining in the "collective" 240,000 mile Hike to the Moon (which is supported by Chief Scout Bear Grylls and Astronaut Tim Peake) - but he still finds time to regularly mow his elderly neighbour's lawn

Alexander Pickering has been enjoying a range of ambitious walking, cycling and orienteering challenges throughout lockdown.

This energetic young person has also kept himself busy designing fire escape plans for his family home and setting up a campsite in his back garden, where he sleeps out under canvas and cooks his own breakfast.

During this time, the 13-year-old Scout, who hopes for a career in medicine or engineering, also finds time amongst all his activities to mow his 92-year-old neighbour’s lawn.

As a member of the 6th Ripon Scout Group, Alexander has joined the 'Scout Hike to the Moon Challenge', with a target of collectively walking the 240,000-mile approximate distance from the Earth to the Moon. So far, he has clocked up an impressive 272 miles. He has also undertaken cycling and walking orienteering challenges, involving distances of up to 30 miles.

Alexander said: “Doing these challenges, which will go towards my Chief Scout Gold Award, has helped me keep fit during lockdown. I have also explored various parts of Ripon and the surrounding villages, some of which I have never been to before. It’s given me the opportunity to see lots of wildlife too, including red kites, hares, dragonflies and kestrels.”

His advice to others is: “Enjoy getting outdoors and exploring new places and keep yourself going with lots of determination, resilience and drinks and snacks!”

Good Advice, Alexander, and "Well Done"!

Weekly update from the County Commissioner 30/6

This from the CC, Mark Edwards:

Dear Team North Yorkshire

I hope everyone is keeping well. Some great things are going on and as always I am very proud of what you are all doing. I have seen more AGMs taking place, which is great, and if you need any help or advice let me know. I sent a video message this week to 1st Strensall (Robert Wilkinson) Scout Group (York Minster District) where they were presenting five Gold Chief Scouts Awards. Fantastic work and well done.

As we near the end of term, it would be great to showcase your best online activity or your top achievement since lockdown. So, feel free to send me a picture and a short description. I would like to create a small video to post online of all the great work that has been going on.

It would be great to get something from every District. (Please remember to make sure that I can use the picture online before sending it).

Summer of Scouting
Before the end of July, the region will be releasing a programme of activities and we will publish the list once all the plans are formalised. This, we hope, may take a bit of strain off you as leaders as you can take a break with the knowledge that you can signpost your section to events. I know some Groups are continuing with some activities over the summer, but you all have done a great deal so there should be no pressure to do so if you need a rest

Finally, this week...
Scouting welcomes everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexuality. To celebrate our inclusion and diversity, The Scout Association are holding #ScoutPride2020.
It includes fun activities, thought-provoking discussions and practical support.
Visit the Pride in Our Values webpage  HERE for full details.

To read the remainder of the CC's update about - preparing to return to face to face Scouting - Programme ideas - Scout Training - County Communications survey - and Scout Network survey click HERE and scrawl down to the CC's updates list

Keep safe, keep well and keep Scouting

Mark

Mark Edwards
County Commissioner

Better to be busy than be busy worrying!

Getting Everyone Back Together SAFELY

Guidance from Scout HQ

Last week, 'The Scout Association' published plans and guidance on how we can return to Scouting safely, which we signposted in the 300th edition of Have-u-Heard?

Face-to-Face Scouting remains suspended, but in preparation all leaders should make themselves fully aware of the plans and risk assessment work that will be required. Working with the National Youth Agency, FOUR readiness levels have been developed and we are currently at RED. The plans and guidance that support the readiness levels can be read or downloaded HERE from The Scout Association website.

There is also a webinar on Thursday 2nd July at 7pm to go through the new guidance and what leaders must do to prepare for a safe return.
To register for the webinar, just click HERE

Dawn always comes after the darkness