Minutes of 1st Meeting held on Wednesday 15 February 2006

Northumberland County Explorer Scout Council
Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 15 February 2006 at Northern Constitutional Club, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle from 7-9pm

Present:
Explorer Scouts and Leaders from Districts around the County.

Chris Eldridge welcomed the County’s Explorer Unit representatives to the first Council meeting.

Nominations were received from the table for Chairman and Minutes Secretary. The representatives voted to have Ryan O'Connor Chairman; Lauren Dean as Vice Chairman; and Emily Wood and Claire Laycock as joint Minutes Secretaries.


The new Chairman introduced Dave from County Headquarters who showed an inspiring video trailer for the Centenary World Jamboree to be held in Essex in 2007. It was explained that 4 leaders have been selected lead the County’s Jamboree Unit and now the process of recruiting 36 Explorers from all over the County has begun. Applications forms will include selection criteria and it was recommended that we all keep an eye on the County web page. Participants must be in the age range 14 -17 at 27 July 2007. Explorers who will be too old to qualify may apply for places on the International Service Team (IST) which Vicky, a leader who has been to two world Jamborees, explained is a really exciting option. Dave explained that the Units can arrange through HQ to borrow the DVD for Jamboree promotional events. It will be screened again at Caud Marra. The County will be looking for scouters interested in acting as hosts to overseas visitors to the Jamboree for Home Hospitality or Ho-Ho.

The Council was asked to consider alternative centenary celebration camps as not everyone will be selected to go to the World Jamboree. Themed weekends were suggested.

The Leaders left to hold a Leaders meeting in another room and the Council debated “What works and what doesn’t work in Unit Activities”. A workshop session followed and in teams of four representatives the following list of welcomed ideas was created:

County camps or events to offer opportunities for socialising
More extreme sports and water sports
Opportunities for adventurous activities to cater for all ability levels
Activities not based on classroom methods
Opportunities for both formal (full unformed) and more casual activities


The leaders rejoined the Council and Mike Robinson gave details about the possibility of forming a County wide Tall Ships Unit which would be involved in training and expeditions. Further details can be obtained by following the Tall Ships link on the County web page http://www.northumberlandscouts.org/ which includes information on a Tall Ships taster weekend at the end of April;.

Chris & Vick's introduced John Swan’s proposed African expedition which is at an early stage in planning and could be open to Explorers from all over the County. It is not yet decided whether this would happen in 2007 or 2008.

Date and venue of next meeting: To be confirmed
It was agreed that meetings would be held three times a year and the next meeting will be held on a Wednesday evening in May just before half term at the Pilgrim Street venue.


Minutes taken by Emily Wood and Claire Laycock
(Alnwick and Felton Explorer Units, Mid Northumberland District)

Suggestions for a Centenary event

Explorer Scout Council Meeting –
Wednesday 15th February 2006

Large team competition between districts,
Wide game over large area, The Cheviots and Simonside were mentioned by the Explorers,
‘Extreme Sports’ weekend, e.g. sailing, shooting, quad-biking etc,
Ice-axe style competition within a camp for those wishing to participate,
The MAC’ style event with three or four levels of difficulty,

A camp that incorporates a socialising area for those not wishing to participate in physical activities,
District Jamboree,
A camp that incorporates a croft section for those not wishing to participate in any other activities offered.


The Explorers suggested the time for this event as being late spring / early summer. That is after the ‘exam season’, however before the main part of the summer holidays so as not to disrupt peoples holiday plans.

Explorer Scout answers to the question:”What does and does not work in your unit?”

Explorer Scout Council Meeting –
Wednesday 15th February 2006

Does Work
Socialising,
Wide games (violent),
Competitions,
Food,
Days out,
Young Leaders Training.

Does Not Work
Very formal meetings,
Wearing uniform in public,
Extended written work,
Unit essentials,
Running meetings without consulting the unit previously.


General suggestions from Explorer Scouts
County social to enable friendships such as those made at this meeting to continue and develop.
Explorer days about; maybe between 2-3 districts or the entire county.
Website, with message board / forum to enable Explorers from different units to communicate. Maybe a website at county level with interlocking district websites so that different units can see what others are doing.
Annual team competitions; like the annual cub and scout 5-a-side competition.
Activity days for Explorers within the county; i.e. forestry work, sailing, climbing etc.