June 2025 Newsletter

Here’s your June update of what’s going on at The Den. With summer in full swing we’ve been out on the water as much as possible, even where the wind doesn’t want us to play. We’ve also been camping, brushing up on our skills, and our on expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s award. All that plus our normal week night activities including beach combing, cake decorating, cycling and creating stalls for Old Leigh Regatta to name but a few.

The main hall is looking a lot smarter too. Colin and Ralph have been hard at work revitalising all of the lockers, with smart new lids and a fresh coat of paint, and Peter has been working with the Guzzlers to renew the honours boards recording the achievements of our members over the Group’s 84 year history (more on that later). Thank you to all of them for their hard work.

After having to review our Group Open Day on Saturday we have unfortunately had to cancel the event. We hope to run it again in the future when adult support is more forthcoming. Instead the day will now be open boating for Scouts and Explorers.

In this month’s newsletter:

• Summer Camp (and a plea for help with driving and coach chaperones)
• Girls Good Turn on Rona
• Honours Board Update
• Activities Roundup
• Dates for your Diary

Summer Camp 2025

There’s still time to sign up for Summer Camp if you haven’t already. One of our favourite weeks of the year, camping under the stars with friends, learning new skills, lots of games, cooking over open fires, and making memories to last a lifetime.

The dates are 26 Jul – 2 Aug (or up until Monday 28th for Beavers, or Thursday 31st for Cubs).

You can sign up on the Parent Portal until Sat 28 June.

If you want more details, talk to your leaders, or take a look at the Summer Camp 24 album to see what we got up to last year.

Camp Help Needed:

Lorry / Van Drivers

We are looking for parents or family members who are willing to join a small collection of elite persons that can assist with driving lorries and vans for the group to support our camps. We are especially looking for drivers that hold a D1 or C1 license.

This is not a regular duty and is just to assist getting camp gear and other equipment to and from camps. Although this role does not require a DBS check ideally we would do this as well as it can make life easier. Anyone interested in helping please contact our Quartermaster, Jack Veitch, at JVeitch@3rdCB.org.uk.

Coach Chaperones

We also need a few more parents with Scouting DBS’s to act as chaperones on the coaches going to camp on Saturday 26 July up to camp, and potentially the return on Saturday 2 August.

If you can help with either of these, please drop an email to TheDen@3rdCB.org.uk, or talk to your child’s section leader.

Girls’ Good Turn

Over half term, three of our Sea Scouts – Katie, Jess & Lulu – spent the week with the Rona Sailing Project, a tall ships sailing project which takes young people age 14-25 to sea to build teamwork. They enjoyed a brilliant week & all achieved the Scott award for “exceptional performance and dedication during a voyage”.

While they were away, they were called upon to put their Scouting skills to good use when a passer-by fell ill. The Scouts called 999, collected a defibrillator & remained calm whilst dealing with the situation.

Thanks to the training they received through 3rdCB the girls were able to put into practise their Skills for Life & make a real difference. Well done girls, we’re so proud of you!

You can find out mor about the Rona Sailing Project at www.ronasailingproject.org.uk

Honours Board

We’re excited to share that The Den now proudly features a brand new honours board in the main hall. This special display celebrates the highest awards that youth and adult members can achieve in Scouting – recognising those who have gone above and beyond in their dedication, service, and skill.

A big thank you goes to the Guzzlers Association whom generously funded the project and allowing this to be completed. Thanks especially to Guzzler Alan Stone, who created two new smaller boards to record our past and present Presidents and Group Scout Leaders, and to Scout parent Phil Cunningham for his excellent woodwork and time in bringing the new honours board to life. Thanks also to Peter Jacob who led the project, researching names and dates all the way back to when our group was founded in 1931, ensuring that every achievement was properly recognised and worked with the sign painter, Myall Signs, to come up with a design that’ll last for many years to come.

This honours board is more than just a display, it’s a celebration of hard work, determination, and the Scout spirit. We look forward to seeing more names added as our members continue to achieve great things!

Activities Roundup

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