Malvern Scout Group

Acknowledging achievement and rediscovering the Malvern Spirit

2011-10-02T11:42:00.001+13:00

To all Malvern Parents and leaders we have email for…

Wow, what a year it's been for us all!
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A quick note about Wednesday this week:

It's the end of term, and the time we transition Keas to Cubs, and Cubs to Scouts, so this week on Wednesday we're going to have a group meeting with as many parents as we can get together. Bring a plate and watch your child get the awards they've been working on this year.

6:00pm Openings

6:10 begin awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold section awards and any Be Prepared badges)

6:25 activities in Rugby park

6:40 Invest Keas to their next Cub pack (Matai or Tama)
Invest Cubs to their next Scout troop (Monday or Tuesday)

7:00 informal supper

This will be instead of the regular Kea meeting for the last week of the term, other sections are meeting as normal, check with your section leader for your regular meeting
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Due to leader movements as their children move between sections we've had some re-arranging to do.

This has led to some re-thinking of how best to organise our volunteers into a scheme that works for most of us, it's not perfect but I think it will work out well in the long run for us all.

I'll confirm the finer details with you all on Wednesday, there'll be a few new faces and some day changes but I believe that your youngsters will continue to be faced with a challenging, adventurous, outdoors programme of Scouting at Malvern after these changes.

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I'm struck by the loss of momentum the group has faced this year, and in part I blame myself for this.

That is why the group really does need a Group Leader who's only doing one thing, and currently as Acting Group Leader I'm not doing a very good job of uniting all the families of the sections.

So, if you've got an inkling that you could devote some time to the group, please consider some of the roles we need to fill:

Group Leader
Committee members (currently the largest group in the zone has only 3 committee members, this isn't enough to do the work they face)
Section leaders: from Keas to Scouts, there's room for you.

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Looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday October 5

Adrian

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Some milestones for Malvern

2011-02-07T11:12:00.001+13:00

I'm proud to note that Grant Bennett, our Scoutmaster of very long standing has been awarded a Medal of Merit in the Founder's day awards list. Grant has worked alongside a number of leaders for the last ten years and more, his children are long gone from the section but he's continued to work with our youth members.

I'm sure you'll all join me in thanking him for his excellent service for more than a decade.

I'd also like to note that I'll be presenting three new leader warrants in the next few weeks.

Glen Daglish has helped us with Keas since we set it up, as well as being something of a fixture at Cubs as well. Towards the end of last year Glen made an application to be a leader, and this has been processed. I'll invest Glen as soon as I can.

James Egan has also been highly involved in the Cub section and when we jump-started our new Thursday Cubs last year he was one of the first to jump in and give us a hand. His application has also been processed successfully and I'll invest James too.

Jo Le Gros, has been a leader for many years and transferred to Malvern last year, she's been one of the linchpins for the Tama (Thursday) pack which is going gangbusters. Jo has been highly trained (to Wood-Badge) in the other zones. I'll be proud and pleased to present her warrant one night soon.

There are now 13 adults running our sections at Malvern which happens to be two more than the number of Scouts we had back in 1996/7 when I first got involved at the group.

Say hi to them all next time you're down at the den...

Grant Bennett
Mike Foubister
Asipeli Tufau

John Enright
Kenny sparrow
Darren Kellett

Jo Le Gros
James Egan

Deanne White
Kayla Hazlett
David Douglas
Glen Daglish
Courtney Von Hagen

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Welcome Back to 2011, term one, and already it's all on

2011-02-04T18:42:00.001+13:00

I hope you all had an awesome break, I know that after Jamboree I certainly had a week without answering my emails and without wearing my Scout uniform. I felt very naughty.

Keas, Cubs and Scouts start again next week on Monday, there's an exciting programme the leaders have prepared for you all.

Can you all do some housekeeping for me please?

Let me know if you're not coming back to the group.
Unsubscribe from the emails if you're not coming back (instructions at the bottom of this)
If you owe any money, can you please pay the treasurer, the Jamboree has cleared out the bank.
Let me know if your contacts have changed.

There will be a separate new fees notice coming out soon with the fees as approved at the AGM (I missed you all at that meeting). Nothing has changed substantially, though we have passed on the $20 increase in our fees to National, the first fee rise in many years.

Don't forget to keep an eye on the web page, our calendars are live there and kept current.

Upcoming events this term.

Mudslide Day Feb 20
Founders Day fun at Blue Skies Feb 22
Kea Sleepover (Zone, not group) March 12/13
Zone Camp Keas, Cubs, Scouts April 1/2/3
ANZAC day observance
and many more.

Please check out the calendar when you get a chance: bit.ly/iiegoh or on our web page at the top

See you in the weeks to come...

(I am no longer the group leader at Malvern as I'll be keeping the same eye on the whole zone now as the Zone Leader. If you think you could help us out by being our new group leader, please get in touch. It's a lot easier than I made it look, and also a lot less work. Go on, you know you want to help.)

Adrian

-- Malvern Scout Group Innes Road Christchurch Bringing adventure into kids lives since 1944 http://malvern.scouting.org.nz http://malvernscoutgroup.blogspot.com Keas Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 Cubs Mondays (MATAI) 6:30-8:00 Cubs Thursdays (TAMA) 6:30-8:00 Scouts Tuesdays 7:00-9:00 Phoenix Venturers meet on Wednesdays at Wainoni Den 7:30-9:30 Zone Website: www.scoutingpegasus.org.nz Region Website: http://scouts.org.nz/HOME/UpperSouthIsland.aspx

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

From whoa to go and then some

2011-01-06T00:21:00.001+13:00

We've had a few ups and a few downs this Jamboree, but today has been a very good day for all of us.

You should be very proud of your Scouts, they're an awesome team. From getting our hands slapped by our sub camp team on the evening of the second of January your Scouts have learned how to set up and keep their camp site in the proper order. Yesterday they were awarded the Silver award for Camp-Craft, we were all really chuffed with our progress. (From -1 to +2 almost overnight)

Gaining the award, and being able to see what to do (from their own efforts and from viewing other camp sites with input from the Sub-Camp team) has allowed the Scouts to move on and achieve more, to such an extent that today at the Patrol Leader's Council they've been attending all Jamboree my PLs were awarded a Platinum Camp-Craft award.

Stacking the beds lets us get more room to move and clean within the tents and helps the clothes and bedding get aired and healthier.

The morning Duty Patrol worked hard to get their kitchen really clean and tidy, with all the food covered and put away neatly, and ready for service when it came to lunch as well.

We'd been given a bit of an inside tip on this and so at dinner today we made a bit of a wager.

If the Scouts can get another pennant tomorrow at the final judging of the Jamboree and it's higher than our current platinum, I get to go the full Yul Brynner.

As long as I get to do it myself I think it may not look too bad. Mike Bellamy will give me some tips on maintaining the look hopefully.

Tomorrow will be our last cooked meal together and once the chores are complete we'll have ourselves and awards dinner, each PL has chosen one of their team to recognise in some way and has procured some kind of award to present. The leaders have also done some discussion, and awarded some humorous as well as serious awards to our young men and women. Additionally there will be some people's choice awards voted on by our Scouts. This is in part to show them that they get to take responsibility for their own futures.

We'll let you all know who's who once we get back to Christchurch on Friday.

Please be ready to collect your Scouts on Friday evening around 8:50pm. This will be the last news from Jamboree as we start to break camp tomorrow after breakfast. Last official event is tomorrow night and Jamboree will officially close at 9:30pm, followed by some last fellowship and swapping of uniforms etc. Our Scouts have made some wonderful friends here at our first single troop contingent Jamboree, an event they'll all remember for a very long time.

Keep an eye out for photos of yours truly in the newspapers (real ones, not online ones) in the coming days, I was interviewed at length today and had my photo taken, so I may get another shot at my 15 minutes of fame.

Thanks for letting me take your children away, it's been an honour and a privilege.

See you all on Friday

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

An important visitor, a proud Scout and a prouder leader or two.

2011-01-05T00:53:00.001+13:00

First of all, most of our Scouts are back on site with us again, Tom and Luke are allowed out of isolation tomorrow at 5pm and will rejoin light activities for the last day of Jambo. Kate is also popping back in with John tomorrow and then we'll see how she gets on with activities.

It was an exciting morning when the Governor General, Anand Satynand dropped by with RH Bill English and RH Phil Goff to see the Jamboree and to have lunch with Takuma Peters who has achieved his Chief Scout award. We gave him a wave and called out as he went past the front door of our site as we were finishing off the last of our duties before inspection.

There are a couple of inspectors who pop by every day checking on our site's health, hygiene and camping standards. Today I'm proud to report that our Scouts achieved the Silver standard for the first time on the whole Jamboree. They've all begun to understand how camp works, and how the team work brings together many skills to make the whole family site work. You can all be proud of your kids, they are an awesome bunch. They won't be the same boys and girls you sent away almost nine days ago.

Tak went along to the Chief Scout's Luncheon with around 120 other Chief Scouts who have been awarded their badge this year. Jo and I vetted his uniform and presentation last night and Tak organised cover for when he would be away from his patrol during the day. We borrowed a few things from amongst the troop to make sure he had some smarter pants, and a more modern shirt, but I felt like a proud uncle as he walked off to his appointment with the Scouting top brass as well as the top echelon of our political system, representing our group. Well done Tak.

He's become an aspirational goal for our Scouts and a number of them came up to us afterwards to ask just how they could get on the track to their own Chief Scout next year, a few of these were Scouts who'd expressed their intention to leave after the Jamboree.

Mike's patrol were chasing round Hamilton Gardens today, whilst our other patrols were busy making some fancy items and discovering some of the nooks and crannies they'd ignored in the early parts of the Jamboree when they were more focused on doing the 'big ticket item events'. They were also treated to an extra hour in bed as we wind down in an effort to gear ourselves up for the end of the Jamboree.

Some of the Scouts got organised to paint this fence post in a replica of the group jamboree scarf, that will be a permanent reminder of the group when it's erected at Hamilton Zoo sometime in 2011.

Here's hoping for the Gold Standard tomorrow, and the first of many more group camps using the skills we're learning now. See you all with your tired wee bunnies on the 7th.

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Another day older, another day nearer to the end.

2011-01-04T00:22:00.001+13:00

Today's been a little more trying than usual, during the night we had a couple of the boys succumb to some kind of food poisoning. Matthew is back with us and healthy again, but Luke and Tom F are still in observation.

We think it's a case of bad burgers (this sunshine is harsh on food left out in the bush in the sun), but we may never find out what happened.

Two of the tents were isolated due to contamination, but I've hosed them down and disinfected them thoroughly. During the night (why do boys choose 3:40 am to wake to vomit?) we moved the unaffected boys to the marquee whilst we cleaned up. So our dining and chillaxing area looked a little chaotic before breakfast.

But by afternoon and dinner, everything was ship shape again.
Luckily two of the affected had parents here, with only Luke on his 'own'. The whole troop has rallied around and keep visiting the two boys who are a metre and half back from the isolation fencing as well as cheering them both up by making stuff at the activity bases and dropping it off to them.

Everyone else in our troop was out today as planned having adventures, and nothing else has developed with other troop members. Considering there are more than 4,000 young people here it's a wonder there aren't more illness outbreaks really.

Time is catching up with us all

the couch gets a battering some days,

as do the benches...

I have heard tell there's some delicious photos of leaders catching a few Zs, I imagine they'll surface at the most embarrassing time too.

But still there's endless sunshine and some awesome food...

Here's Aidan posing in the canoes they made from a roll of Duct Tape and some coreflute from yesterday before the trots set in...

It's really time to get some sleep for me. So rather than talk too long, I'll bid you all adieu until tomorrow.

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Wow What A day it's been.

2011-01-03T00:58:00.001+13:00

My phone died just now so no photos today, and we were wet through from start to finish so not much opportunity for posing with cameras today!

We were mucky bums today, we did a runner on our breakfast dishes which was not the most sensible thing to do for many reasons, not least of which it would have disappointed my dad. At least he's not here to see what a slob I was today as he's enjoying the winter sun in the UK.

Unfortunately the leaders pummelled the kids in every challenge today. We started by all having to make a raft float from three 20 litre containers and a piece of string. racing in pairs around two bouys, and relaying all our patrol back to the beach. Leaders 1, kids 4 patrols 0.

Lake Karapiro was mighty bracing at 10 am, but like most things refreshing and reminiscent of my favourite Brighton beach, just no pier. I think it was all down to the fifty metre lead that Darren and I set up for the leader patrol personally. Asi's awesome calf muscles seemed to get bogged down in the thigh deep mud around 30M out, and of course the Scouts were a little disadvantaged as they couldn't reach the lake-bed like Darren could for much of the route. Thanks for the drag Darren.

From there onto the Top Troop competition. We let them have this base to themselves. They had to fill a container with water, but had to transport it in some interesting and challenging modes. Samantha did an awesome job on the stretcher with the ice cream container on her tummy. Early on their ingenuity was almost disqualified as they resourcefully used one of their lunchbox lids to speed the progress of the water on the uneven wheeled trotting carriage section.

Asi set the benchmark for the tennis ball shot. Using bungy cords and a tennis ball we aimed for the pontoon on the lake from our cliff-side vantage point. None of the youngsters got very close to the distance, but they did take to aiming at the poor fellas retrieving the ammunition in the kayaks. Maybe that's why we only got two refills?

After lunch the leaders won the challenge, but the kids stayed the driest. Building a platform for our 5L bucket and filling it the fastest and having it be stable for a minute was easy for the leaders. But the kids had the last laugh as they found the wheelie bin full of water and distributed it over the leaders rather than filling their own buckets.

From there we went on to making canoes from a roll of duct tape and an 8X4 sheet of coreflute. (plastic corrugated card). The Scouts then had to navigate it around a buoy and back to the jetty. Andrew L-W was probably the lightest and most co-ordinated so was the first round the bouy and back. Once again as well as the task focus, there was a fair amount of malarkey in the water.

From here the 14 year olds peeled off on their own for an overnight adventure possibly on one of the islands in Lake Karapiro, where they are building their own bivvy and feeding themselves.

The 13 year olds were also separated for an introduction to Venturers and some paintball activities. Like most 13 year olds they came home late and woke up the young uns as they bounced through the gate having been allowed up late.

Mike B is hopefully taking off a patrol to Karamu caves as long as we can find enough thermal polyprops. I'm amazed how many kids have missed this and other items they've been asked to pack. Their excuse is always that they didn't think they'd need it and how unfair it is they can't do that activity. There's always something they learn from the disappointment though. I'm dreading the activity that asks for the ground-sheet I told you all we didn't need.

Hopefully tomorrow is a slower day than today, the kids and I are both looking forward to some chillaxing before the excitement of the last night and the sadness of saying goodbye to some of the new friends they've made.

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

A New day, a new year, a new adventure.

2011-01-02T00:38:00.001+13:00

There were a few tired faces this morning, and the kids didn't fare too well either.

After a lie in until 7:15 the duty patrol were roused (gently) to make the breakfast for the rest of the troop. It was a relaxed affair, and there was a fairly subdued and contemplative breakfast of Spaghetti, toast and the ubiquitous tinned fruit with cereal. I'm glad we're not having to peel all those glacé cherries.

Awesome snags for lunch: (hot dogs and rolls). Today definitely seemed much hotter than the other days, thankfully it's a little breezier today. I never thought we might miss the easterly like we do.

We've heard that Kate is safely out of surgery at the hospital and will make a speedy recovery, but may not make it back to take up the last two days of Jamboree. The on-site doctors and hospital staff made the right choices in getting her referred to the Hamilton Hospital. Unfortunately there have been two quarantined sites with possible gastro medical issues, they're on 24 hour lock-down in case the whole troop goes down with the same thing.

Some excitement today was that two patrols were invited out to dinner as guests of South Otago Troop, two patrols came to our mess for dinner. Everyone had fun and I'm proud to say that our troop stepped up and were awesome hosts, as well as being courteous and polite guests, with Will doing us proud in his giving thanks for the hospitality shown to our troop.

I'm sorry there's been no photos today, but the pace of things is beginning to get to all of us, and discretion is the better part of valour when it comes to getting some sleep.

Tomorrow is a big day for all of us, we're all off to Finlay Park as a whole troop. Most of our activities are based in our patrols. Every day two patrols go off site, whilst the other three stay on site and take part in 6 activities on-site. Finlay Park is the only day when we are all off-site together.

Following the day together our three 14 year olds are being whisked away by the Venturer team on an extension programme overnight in the bush near the park. The 13 year olds are not staying overnight but will take part in another evening treat activity that the younger ones are excluded from.

St Matts are our neighbours in Christchurch, and at Jamboree we are in adjacent sites. Tomorrow they'll keep an eye on our site while we're away, and collect and store our rations from the QM store on our behalf. Thanks for the support guys.

Hopefully your children are keeping in touch when they can, please txt me on 21 2 438 347 if you're hearing anything that concerns you, or if anything is going pear-shaped.

Tonight the Scouts were treated to a Tauranga 'rock' band after seeing the new uniform in the flesh for the first time ever. The new silver shirts looked awesome, and whilst there were a few groans (it looks like a boy's high shirt was one of the comments I overheard) most thought it a positive change and I personally am looking forward to wearing it as it's phased in from April 2011.

Do keep an eye on the Jamboree facebook page where Brenda and the media team are uploading lots of photos of our children having fun here in their first adventure of 2011.

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Would you really send your children off with these people?

2011-01-01T01:47:00.001+13:00

Well it's nearly new year's day and we've had a big busy day here in the Hamiltron. Kate Enright is unfortunately off-site with possible appendicitis, John her father is a leader here and he's on tenterhooks waiting to hear what the outcome is. The med team are hopeful that if it is a surgery issue she could be back in a few days anyway.

On a brighter note, here we all are just before heading off to the international night and new year's eve party. Our subcamp colour is blue, and Malvern went along themed to the hilt. We may well feature as the most photogenic troop on the front of the Jamboree Newsletter. Even though we were the only troop to go in fancy dress, we had blast and we certainly got noticed.

The international night followed another full-on day. Mike showed me photos of all his patrol fast asleep on the out-bound and in-bound coach rides to their day out on the wet and wild adventure. The Scouts are having a great time, but are beginning to tire, bedtimes are certainly getting quieter quicker.

I got out today with the rest of John's patrol whilst he was with poor Kate. We went to the Xhaust base and ended up smashing cars with sledge hammers (once again our smaller Scouts soon ran out of puff lifting the 10Kg hammer) Axe throwing (no one lost a finger) and a water fight with some Australians. We gave them a hiding as usual. It was awesome to see the Scouts hooning round the go-kart track on two-stroke motorised scooters and snowboards.

After a dinner cooked under some trying conditions (whoever in catering and menu design dept. that thought fish cakes and potato chips cooked on a barbecue without resort to enough oil to deep fry them was a good idea should be shot.) we went over to the International night to be entertained by some of the more than 500 Scouts from Australia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Hong Kong and our treasured Asi's homeland: The Cook Islands.

Almost two hours of songs, drumming, and haka were topped of by seeing Siosifa (our shy young Scout) up on the stage in front of 5,000 demonstrating how the Chinese handkerchief dance was done. An impressive task given that he'd only been taught how to do it 10 minutes before by Amy; one of the leaders from Hong Kong.

The Scouts enjoyed making a fair bit of noise and seeing the new year in under a rain of hundreds of balloons in the arena with some of that new-fangled rock'n'roll rubbish blaring from the sound system with some of their new found friends and peers.

A happy new year to you all from the Jamboree troop, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Enright family and Kate.

Have a hunt around on facebook for some more photos, as well as the links from the Scouts.org.nz sit. These stories also appear on our website at www.malvern.scouting.co.nz

And this was taken after the shower to get rid of the worst mess...

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Day two, like day one only a day later

2010-12-30T23:24:00.001+13:00

Sunset on day two, fingers reaching out to our Scouts from behind the clouds.

Well we're now fully into things with the Jamboree proper getting into full swing. Two of our patrols off the site today one to Hamilton Zoo (which is like Orana Park only closer, and the others to Waingaro for an adventure camp experience.

The other patrols spent their day getting muddy at Xperience (an army styled adventure activity) Xhaust (goodness knows what they were doing but they came back tired and wet) and Xtend.

As well as the adventure they've also been creative and our Leader John is re-living his youth in his newly created Tie-Dye T-shirt. He's hoping it becomes fashion again. Some of the leaders are hoping to revive Gonks, but somehow I doubt they'll take off like Tie-Dye did.

Dinner was a welcome sight, even though the chefs forgot to add the vegetables to the sweet and sour pork sauce. And we were almost swimming in vanilla ice-cream with our apple slices.

No one is sunburned yet, but one of the hats has been a casualty and Cas is now wearing a borrowed hat which is even less liked than the black ones they've been issued with.

John tells me that this is a Gum Emporor moth, and frankly I think it feeds on small birds. I don't want to live in the North Island if the moths are this big, I swear it's big enough to carry Andrew Limmer-wood off. Aidan did scream like a girl, but is calm now that it's gone on to terrorise another camp-site.

Tomorrow is new year's eve, and the following day we get a lie in, and a chillaxing day on-site to try a few things out without the travel after a late night.

Our two off-site patrols are going to Cambridge and to Jone's Landing. One race day, and one wet day and as Dave Dobynn said the outlook for tomorrow is good.

Caio parents, enjoy the time without them...

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And just in case you've never seen excited Scouts about to fly before...

2010-12-30T00:53:00.001+13:00

Although Asi does look a little apprehensive...

Maybe he's just realised he's left his favourite purple pillow behind?

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Hey Mum! I'm home

2010-12-30T00:46:00.001+13:00

Well after a few trepidations (a car crash for the Taylors) and a bit of excitement in camp, we're all here safe and sound.

Luke and his family are safe.

Finally we're all here doing the things we've been fund-raising for, and looking forward to doing for so long. Adventure Jam 2010.

26 Scouts and seven leaders busily working out just how things go together when we're out of our comfort zones learning new things.

There's still a few things to fix and make ship-shape, but by and large, we've moved in and are making the site our own. As the photo shows we're a sea of luminous yellow, and when we got to the opening ceremony we could see we weren't alone in our high fashion sense, two or three other groups had similar tops, so my hopes of being able to spot our charges from the moon are dashed. The Jamboree scarf is already in high demand, with Jo and Adrian both being offered bribes to swap them. One Scout said she was canning her swap with 'that fella' for a better scarf: ours. The opening ceremony was inspirational on a couple of levels. Seeing the youth getting up and dancing in the grandstand along with 4,000 other young people was awe inspiring (and bought a tear to a few leaders eyes) followed by some new-fangled dancing from a troupe of boys who all needed a haircut and to pull their pants up. But for me, the most special moment was re-making my Scout Promise as Mark Inglis made his to be the Adventure Plus! Ambassador for Scouting: I'll just call him Mark Inglis, Chief Scout of New Zealand if that's OK with you. All your cherubs are fast asleep in their beds now, and all I can hear is the slow sussuration of the gas lamp and Mike Foubister snoring. Scout of the day was Tom Foubister, who went above and beyond in his patient wait for everyone else's food. PS, the veggie burgers were awesome, and no one left too much behind so the cooks must have done a good job. See you all tomorrow.

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

First day wet, bumpy and about as expected

2010-12-28T22:58:00.001+13:00

I'll try to keep you all updated from the jamboree, battery willing.

The flight was OK, bit turbulent on the ascent and descent, but nothing much to fret about as a good Cantab. Auckland was hot and wet (this is sounding like an Pom talking about the weather)

After convincing the bus driver that picking up our last member in an Auckland suburb was acceptable, and then poor Dennis got himself lost even though we'd thoughtfully printed directions. Mike was now on board and we were wending our wet way to Hamiltron.

Poor Bradley was dropped at his aunties, he thinks he's only there for a few days...

The site is magnificent, but the rain meant we were slow to put the tents up. The heat made us dry quickly though.

By the time you all arrive tomorrow we should have the rest of the tents up and the kitchen fully sorted.

We've got piles of things for you to see and do, and your uniforms are all waiting for your arrival and parade at the opening ceremony.

Should be a good start to Jambo as long as the weather holds out...

If it's dark and I have a forehead torch, it must be jamboree...

Showing on the web near you...

WWW.posterous.com/scouts

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Last minute things :: flights :: container return :: Cellphones :: Pocket Money

2010-12-27T13:36:00.001+13:00

Don't forget. I am leaving for Hamilton tomorrow before breakfast, if you have a question, call me today not tomorrow.

Site banner is now done ^
Just a bit of sewing needed to finish it all off.
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If your child is bringing their cell-phone, please advise the number to me today
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Container arrival in Christchurch
We expect the container back around January 13. I have NOT confirmed the arrival back at the Den yet.

If you need equipment or clothes returned before that date YOU MUST let me know, you will also need to supply a list of what is needed so we can make sure it does get packed. There will not be room for everything to come back, be selective.
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Pocket Money
All money will be held in our lock-box and dispensed daily.
Please send no more than $5 a day ($50) There are no shops close by, no dairy, no need for much money. Unless your child has a caffeine habit there will only be lollies to purchase, or trashy gifts. Should they wish they can purchase leaders a latté every now and again (long black for me).
We will take no responsibility for money not held in the lock-box.
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Cell-Phones
These will be held in a central place as will the money. They will be dispensed and collected back at specific times of the day for around 15 minutes at a time to preserve batteries. If you have spare batteries you will still need to hand your phone in. Phones will not be needed during activities. Phones will be confiscated for the duration of Jamboree, if not handed back in.
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Your flights are leaving Christchurch on Wednesday at 11:00 NZ510
They are rebuilding the terminal and ask that we are there at 9:00am. Arrange to meet with your PL and then with Asi who is the ONLY adult leader travelling on Wednesday. Brenda is also flying with you though.
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Cameras, please make sure it's identified with your name at least, your jamboree ID code and site number (301) would help too.
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Leave your iPods and other personal electronic equipment at home.

There is nowhere to charge them.
You won't be wearing them around the site (because they'll be taken from you)
They are dangerous during activities.
If you can't bear the thought of travelling without them then you need to learn the art of conversation.
If we see them, they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the Jamboree, potentially once the container is unpacked in Christchurch mid January.
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Don't forget to NOT pack bomb making equipment or knives or liquids in your hand luggage, it will get taken from you at the airport, should you get it past security it's likely to get taken from you at Jamboree.
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Do Remember:
Sunblock (your responsibility Scouts)
An Ice cream container full of your lunch for travel day (and the other travel days at Jamboree).
Your full Scout uniform and smart trousers/shorts for travel days.
Your daily medications (hand these to your adult patrol leader once at Jamboree)
Sanitary needs.
Everything else I can't think of right now.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Hamiltron on Wednesday for an awesome Jamboree.

--

Adrian

021 2 438 347

Group Leader

Malvern Scout Group
Innes Road
Christchurch
Bringing adventure into kids lives since 1944

http://malvern.scouting.org.nz
http://malvernscoutgroup.blogspot.com

Keas Wednesdays 6:00-7:00

Cubs Mondays (MATAI) 6:30-8:00

Cubs Thursdays (TAMA) 6:30-8:00

Scouts Tuesdays 7:00-9:00

Phoenix Venturers meet on Wednesdays at Wainoni Den 7:30-9:30

Zone Website:
www.scoutingpegasus.org.nz

Region Website:
http://scouts.org.nz/HOME/UpperSouthIsland.aspx

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Didn't we do well? :: A de-brief on our fund-raising successes.

2010-12-24T10:45:00.001+13:00

To all our families at Malvern Scout Group, merry Christmas and an adventure packed new year.

It's a few days until Jamboree, here's an update on where we are with the fund-raising.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Almost final figures for costs for Jamboree are: $1395.01 per youth member (27)

This is the total cost of Jamboree, including some contingency funds. Costs per person are $1116.01 (35) (Most of these costs are based on cost per youth member, by and large most adult troop leaders are not being charged for their attendance)

Gross costs therefore are $39,060.28

Funds raised so far are $1395.57 per youth member (an amount totalling $15.68(gross) has not yet been allocated to a cost for Jamboree and will be accounted for after Jamboree has finished.)

Gross funds raised (including deposits) $39,075.96

These figures are still not complete as Jamboree has not finished and some of the contingency costs are not known until afterwards.

There has been a lot of discussion in the committee about everyone's fund-raising efforts.

Here's some statistics for you to mull over:

Funds raised by individuals and directly attributable to a family: $5,518.88
(stock-takes, deposits)

Funds raised by EVERYONE: $6,824.20
(Raffle tickets, chocolate [Keas and Cubs who are not getting the benefit of funds they raised, but their turn will come] Bob-a-job)

Funds raised for EVERYONE: $14,96.13
Grants, garage sale, donations, business sponsorship, Ministry of Social Development funds.

GROUP fund-raising: $11,769.84
Trade-Me, Pine cones, Sausages, Compost.

Whilst there were many broadly held conversations about the apparent perceived unfair distribution of work for effort by families within the GROUP fund-raising category, it was decided by the committee that any families who had not contributed to fund raising activities, would be asked to pay a share based on the GROUP Fund-raising total of $11,769.84. This has been concluded.

GROUP Fund-raising raised $11,769.84.

If this was to be divided equally amongst the Scouts then the amount that should have been raised by each family on behalf of the group in joint fund-raising efforts should have been $435.92 per Scout. This is the THEORETICAL figure that each family would have had to contribute through their own fund-raising efforts.

Frankly though, there is always an 'unequal playing field'.

Some examples of how 'unfair' this can be are:

One Scout has personally bought in around 1.5 times his own gross costs, all of which have been distributed evenly into the pot and throughout the Jamboree contingent.

Mike Foubister has been central to raising $10,796 via trade-me, also distributed evenly throughout the contingent.

One committee member has been central in raising $10,950 via grants; he doesn't have any family members within the group, let alone family going to Jamboree.

The end result of all your effort is that there is just enough to do what we set out to do: send 28 Scouts to Jamboree where they have only had to contribute their deposit, just as we have done for the past three Jamborees and summer adventure camps at Stavely.

The original plan for travel to the jamboree was flying in our patrols, as a group, and after many, many discussions and thought on the matter the committee voted that group travel would be the only travel to be covered from fund raising.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you all, and didn't we do well?

A huge thank you goes to the central fund-raising committee of Mike Foubister, Jo Downey, Brenda Greene, Mark Andrews, Toni Smith, Suzie P and Jeff Peters, without whom none of this would have been done at all.

We welcome anyone to join the committee, and share in the processes, discussions and decisions we make; and frankly, to share some of the work that goes on in the background to make this group work for everyone.

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

You can track the progress of the Jamboree container online

2010-12-13T10:02:00.001+13:00

Download now or preview on posterous

Site Plan Mystery Creek.pdf (66 KB)

http://bit.ly/eFfRXV

It's been collected already and is on it's way...

We've put a few extra things in it since Saturday morning:
John Enright made us a washing machine from a front loader and some sweat

Jo made us some more decorations for the gateway

I've added a few more condiments and some tools, rubber aprons for washing up, whiteboards and a garden hose and a bike helmet.

Site plan outline attached

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Leap tall buildings in a single bound, or a t least get down from the high chair.

2010-12-01T17:03:00.001+13:00

To all Malvern Cubs (both packs)

Next Monday is a joint meeting out at Blue Skies, this will be the last Cub meeting of 2010.

Please let me know if you're coming to this, so we can plan car pooling to Kaiapoi.

Costs for Blue Skies are $7 per Cub

Please bring the completed permission slip with you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The final meeting of the year will be an all-in meeting at Jellie Park on Wednesday 15 where we can all have a swim as well as some fun, share some food and get some prizes before we break for summer until next year.

Download now or preview on posterous

Abseiling Permission.pdf (373 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous

T4 Cubs last three weeks.pdf (656 KB)

Posted via email from Cubs at Malvern

Last three week's activities :: roll on summer

2010-12-01T16:35:00.001+13:00

T4 Keas last three weeks.pdf (1216 KB)
View this on posterous

Parents I've attached a programme reminder for the last three weeks of this term.

I hope to see you all at Orana Park this Saturday for a fun afternoon feeding the smallest members of the group to the animals there.

We're going to do something crafty for Christmas and finish with a visit to the pool at Jellie Park for our final activity before Christmas. Then we'll all have some sun and rest before getting everything going again in the new year.

The only time we'll be at the Den this year is Wednesday 8 December

Posted via email from Keas's at Malvern

We're going on a bear hunt

2010-12-01T16:25:00.001+13:00

Download now or preview on posterous

Orana Park permission.pdf (392 KB)

To all Cub and Kea parents and leaders:

Orana Park outing for Cubs and Keas.

Attached to this message: A consent form for the Orana Park outing.

Please RSVP to malvernsanz@gmail.com to let me know if you're coming along.

Please bring the completed permission slip and give it to Kenny when you arrive together with your entry fee.

Costs will be something like $8 for children and $25 for adults, we're still negotiating a group discount so early RSVP would help Kenny to figure this out with Orana Park.

www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz

The form is also available on our website

-- Adrian 021 2 438 347 Group Leader Malvern Scout Group Innes Road Christchurch Bringing adventure into kids lives since 1944 http://malvern.scouting.org.nz http://malvernscoutgroup.blogspot.com Keas Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 Cubs Mondays (MATAI) 6:30-8:00 Cubs Thursdays (TAMA) 6:30-8:00 Scouts Tuesdays 7:00-9:00 Phoenix Venturers meet on Wednesdays at Wainoni Den 7:30-9:30 Zone Website: www.scoutingpegasus.org.nz Region Website: http://scouts.org.nz/HOME/UpperSouthIsland.aspx

Posted via email from Cubs at Malvern

Permission slip :: Orana Park December 4 2010

2010-12-01T16:20:00.001+13:00

Download now or preview on posterous

Orana Park permission.pdf (392 KB)

Posted via email from Cubs at Malvern

Jamboree Calendar (SCOUT Calendar)

2010-11-23T16:20:00.001+13:00

Use the buttons to change your view, I prefer the week view, but YMMV.

(Once the Jamboree has finished this will still show the upcoming dates)

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Pitch for sponsorship document

2010-09-24T12:19:00.001+12:00

Download this and email it to your sponsorship contacts

Download now or preview on posterous

Business Sponsorship 09-10.pdf (455 KB)

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Christchurch Rocks on TradeMe and The Press Online

2010-09-23T16:22:00.000+12:00

http://bit.ly/aWvXCL

Mike and his cheeky team have managed to get a neat plate for nix as well as have it featured in the newspaper and on TradeMe's cool auction links
Go you good things

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Pinewood Derby Photos

2010-09-01T13:15:00.001+12:00

Posted via email from Cubs at Malvern

We have our first Queen's Scout since last century!

2010-08-11T12:23:00.001+12:00

and there's more to come...

This photo was taken in 1999 or 2000 at a Cub activity in Bottle Lake (still a favourite venue for many of our sections)

Hannah is top left and still coming to Cubs ten years later!

Last night at her Citizenship Panel she was interviewed by the Regional Development Manager for the Upper South Island region: Mike, the Zone Leader: Fin and the Zone Venturer Leader: Stacey together with her Unit Leader René and her fellow Cub Leader from Malvern: Kenny. After a thorough grilling on her Scouting CV and some topical questions on Scouting in New Zealand today and her view of her future role as a Queen's Scout she was attested a suitable candidate for the Queen's Scout Award which will be presented to her by the Governor General at a time to be arranged in 2011.

I'm a proud father as well as a proud Group Leader. This award is the highest possible youth award in Scouts New Zealand and is an indicator of determination and outstanding youth leadership, as well as tenacity and community spirit. Many Queen's Scouts have gone on to make a difference in their communities.

Something right is happening at our group: young people are still coming along to our sections after a Scout career spanning more than ten years, (there are several more young people not in this picture who are about to complete their Queen's Scout who have been with the group as long or longer)

A huge thanks needs to go out to René who has completely revitalised the Venturer Unit and without whom none of this would be possible.

Thank you René for your unstinting enthusiasm and vision for creating all these Queen's Scouts and more.

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Investitures Galore!

2010-08-10T00:36:00.002+12:00

We had fun tonight with lots of people getting invested into the pack and Darren getting his Gilwell scarf and wood beads
Here's the new cubs being welcomed into the pack and Scouts at Malvern...

Thanks Scott for sending those photos to us

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Cubs at Malvern

We're in the paper! Auctions with a twist

2010-07-27T16:43:00.001+12:00

See the whole NorWest News in your letterboxes, and the page we're on here:

http://bit.ly/ahs27o

Another bit of awesome work by the Fund Raising Committee (Lead by, but not exclusively Mike, Jo, Toni and Suzi)

I was alerted to this being in the paper by Gwen Bradshaw who is 94! She has a long association with Scouts and Guides in the area and called the regional office to see if we needed any of her memorabilia.

I'm going to go see her next week to see if I can find out some of the people who have been leaders at Malvern in the last 60 odd years.

Posted via email from Cubs at Malvern

Our auctions on Trade me

2010-07-12T12:42:00.000+12:00

Help us out, buy our stuff!

Click the link to go through to our auction page

TradeMe auction page is here

Taking responsibility and raising funds is good for our youth

2010-07-06T15:04:00.001+12:00

I was heartened to hear all the awesome things that are being planned by the fund raising committee, as well as all the events that are happening already to fund raise to send the Scouts and the leaders to this year's Jamboree in Hamilton.

It's a big task ahead but one in which all the Scouts (and the Cubs and Keas) can have a credible part.

Raising cash is a lesson all our youth need to learn, and fund raising is a skill they can all benefit from learning. Together with the prudent use of money, and taking responsibility for setting goals and achieving them.

Please encourage your child in taking up the challenge to learn something while raising some funds, allow them to see the connection between work and reward, allow them to begin to understand that nothing comes of nothing, but that something worthwhile can come from their own efforts.

I was reading some of the entries in the original Court of Honour minute book I found at the den, it's an vaguely interesting record of the goings on at the troop going back to 1951. Unfortunately it's also a reflection of how things never change: Scouts who didn't pull their weight in the bottle drive, insubordination and lack of respect for their elders, grumbles about uniforms and programming etc.

Our youth still need to learn these things, and it's an opportunity for us as parents to allow them some of the responsibility for their own learning and future; for us to step aside as the prime provider of our children's safety and allow our children the opportunity to be responsible for themselves. The Scout way: be prepared

Posted via email from Scouts at Malvern Scout Group

Being grateful

2010-06-06T16:22:00.001+12:00

Please visit our sponsors, and show them some love. They are, in no particular order:

FESTIVE

MYCOM

ALI JONES PR

COURIER POST

Christchurch Judo School

CROWN RELOCATIONS

Centrepoint on Colombo Motel

RUSSLEY GOLF CLUB

KIWI RAIL

Exciting Result from Trade Me Magic Button Auction

2010-06-04T20:29:00.006+12:00

The Trade Me magic button auction closed this evening and the winning bid was $520! That's a third of another scout off the jamboree (perhaps just their arms and legs with rest of body to follow?!) Views on the auction closed at 36,926 - a phenomenal number and more than the combined populations of both Timaru and Oamaru. It was awesome to see so many of the scouts turn up for the filming of the Campbell Live item and hopefully you managed to see yourself on tv. See you at the pine cone hunt on Monday.

Pine Cone hunt this Queen's Birthday Monday

2010-06-03T15:22:00.000+12:00

Bottle Lake Forest carpark at 11am

Bring a hammer and some sturdy gloves (or lots of plasters)

Wrap up warm

Bring some food to cook (we're taking the big cooking trailer along, so no salads you woosies)

We'll bang off some pine cones and then we'll share some food together and top the rest of the trailer after that.

It'll be a fun family day and we'll be using the cones to fund–raise for the Jamboree. (last time we made over $500 on all the dried cones)

If you've got some sacks, please bring those too...

Bring all the family.

There's as many huhu snacks as you want to eat all day

Keas, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers...

Magic Button hits TV3!

2010-06-03T14:14:00.001+12:00

Last night we had our start on our fifteen minutes of fame

You can see the 1:40 of video here: VIDEO,

I stole it from the TV3 site, the original is here: TV3.

You've got one day left to bid on the auction, or read some of the questions people have written on the auction page here : AUCTION

Fundraising update

2010-05-31T15:21:00.003+12:00

Hi team
Over the weekend, we had some last remaining payments come in for raffle tickets and some extra Trade Me sales and the new total raised so far is $1518 with a further $305 to come in from Trade Me auctions. Please remember to take any photos of suitable items you may have lurking in your house or garage and forward these with a description to Mike so he can add them to the auctions. Happy fundraising!

Fundraising for Jamboree off to a flying start!

2010-05-20T15:53:00.004+12:00

Our fundraising to send scouts to Jamboree in December 2010 and January 2011 at Mystery Creek in Hamilton has begun! To get 27 scouts and 8 adults to Jamboree, we need to raise at least $38,000. We're off to great start with $1251 already raised from raffle ticket sales and Trade Me Auctions. We estimate that it will cost around $1,500 per scout to get everyone there, so we nearly have enough money for our first scout. Check back regularly for updates. Happy fundraising!

what a busy weekend!

2010-03-14T18:53:00.001+13:00

Malvern Scouts took part in the Scouting Pegasus Bay Camper's Cup competition this weekend at Omaka, as well as the Keas taking part in the National Kea Sleepover by camping out at the den.
The Scouts camped out on Saturday night and Sunday as they competed for a place in the regional camper's cup next month. Our rookie patrol presented for us, but missed line honours. They did an awesome job of dealing with all the rules of the cup coming down the field to the winners New Brighton. New Brighton had a very well laid out site with plenty of constructions and as a very old Scout I felt quite at home amongst the 'old school' tables, wash stands and roll up side tents.
The Keas bought it all on as they moved in for the weekend, the piled up pizza boxes were taller than most of the 10 wee things that came along. We had an enjoyable time eating more popcorn than is healthy for us, watching UP and giggling at the Scout Russel, and playing some games in the dark before cooking our own pancakes and cracking eggs as if we'd been doing it for ever.

mad surfari on New Brighton Beach

2010-03-10T19:07:00.006+13:00

View all

Get your own

Another mad idea we had for the making waves theme this term. John said why don't we go surfing, so we did.

The aftermath of the Chile water event could be felt, particularly by the lower mass Cubs who were surfing out as well as in...

Mudslide Day this weekend

2010-02-19T17:48:00.002+13:00

Come along on Sunday for Mudslide day

it's
HERE

Beach Water Safety

2010-02-16T22:01:00.001+13:00

let's meet here at New Brighton Pier on the left hand side by the Whale!

We're going to learn a little about being safe on the beach, play some surf lifesaving games, and maybe have a paddle in the whale pool if we have time, we'll be running about I hope it will be warm for us and not too windy.

There is no alternative option for bad weather, so just wrap up warm and let's enjoy the outdoors

Afterwards we'll share a few hot chips unless you're potato intolerant, in which case we'll let you drink water.

Cubs go wild with cameras

2009-12-09T06:11:00.002+13:00

here's a slideshow of the photos you're uploading, as you upload your photos, they will be added to the slideshow automatically

email your photos here

the paparazzi are coming!

2009-12-07T06:56:00.001+13:00

Cubs tonight is all on at Victoria Park, rain or shine, wet or fine.

Darren has lots of things to do planned so see you there...

View Larger Map

Bring your camera, something warm in case it's windy and maybe a wet weather jacket. We're going walking and photographing in the bush at Victoria Park, then hope to have some time on the slide in the last of the sunlight. Leaving for home by 8pm I hope, last one off the slide is making Milo for everyone else.

AGM, invitation to the meeting on December 14 at 7:00pm

2009-12-07T06:51:00.000+13:00

You are formally invited to the Malvern Scout Group’s AGM

As well as the formalities of tying up the business loose ends for the year, we’re also going to doing a number of presentations, investitures and awards. The Committee and I hope you can attend with your Kea, Cub, Scout or Venturer.

While the adults go through the AGM business, we will also be running a youth programme outside for all ages.

After the clapping and the awards there’ll be time for some supper; and some official photos to commemorate and record the past year.

Please bring a plate!

We have got plenty of nominations already for the Committee roles, so you can rest assured that you won’t get picked on at the meeting to volunteer for something you don’t wish to. That said, we do still need more Leaders and Committee members. Scouting is a family business and many hands make light work.

I hope you can be there.

Hey Ho! Let's Go!

2009-11-17T21:42:00.000+13:00

For all the Ramones fans out there...

Tomorrow, everything will be louder than everything else.

We're meeting at Victoria Park

View Larger Map

Bring your camera, something warm in case it's windy and maybe a wet weather jacket. We're going walking in the bush at Victoria Park, then hope to have some time on the slide in the last of the sunlight. Home by 7pm I hope, last one off the slide is making Milo for everyone else.

Ballooning resources

2009-11-14T10:42:00.000+13:00

Here's a link to the Balloon instructions for making the tissue balloons

Auckland Point School Site

This is the kind of thing we could get into next time maybe?

Here are some instructions and information from Oliver Yeh and Justin Lee who made the Space Balloon

Bike Hike in Spencer Park

2009-11-08T21:53:00.000+13:00

Don't forget to bring your bike and a helmet
If you don't eat sausages and burgers, or hate fried food, it might be a good idea to bring something to eat instead of the above.

Don't forget to bring some warm clothes in case it's blowing a wind off the sea too.

View Scout Den to Spencer Park in a larger map

Cubs term 4 09, programme download

2009-10-18T22:17:00.000+13:00

Current Plan for Cubs term four 2009

PDF file to download and print then stick it on your fridge...

Lots of excitement, introduce it to your friends and let's find some girls, we need them to help with the cooking

Happy Birthday to Koa Kea and all the Keas nationwide

2009-10-18T18:38:00.000+13:00

Here's our first successful task: write your group name in pebbles you found

It's been another fun day out for 267 young people aged between five and seven and a half at Willowbank Wildlife park in Hussey's Road, Christchurch.

Celebrating 30 years of Keas, Keas from all over the Upper South Island region descended on Willowbank with their parents and leaders for a celebration cake, badges and a treasure hunt around the wildlife park.

Keas is the first section of Scouts, catering for girls and boys with adventurous spirits who are too young for Cubs and Scouts proper. It is a programme of adventure plus that's focused on caring, sharing and having fun in the outdoors. Keas were begun in New Zealand 30 years ago this month.

Organised by regional Scouters on behalf of all the Keas, more than half of the Upper South Island's Keas came along today to represent almost 99% of the region's groups.

Ella Winter and Oliver Hlavac with the stuffed Charlie the Cheeky Keas that they made at one of the activity bases.

The Keas took part in many activity bases around the park, took notes and collected litter to earn their Kea Day badge. They took part in activities that used their creative skills, taxed their observation skills as they hunted for answers to the questions in the guide book, and kept them occupied learning whilst having fun. They certainly made more noise than the Kea birds they're named after.

Another successful JOTA and JOTI for Malvern Scouts

2009-10-18T17:29:00.000+13:00

It's been another fun weekend down at Malvern Scout hall in Innes Road St Albans, more than 30 Scouts as well as visiting Keas and Cubs have been chatting on the Amateur Radio and via Internet Relay Chat (IRC) to other Scouts and Guides from as far afield as Alaska and South Africa.

JOTA is an international weekend for a Jamboree on the airwaves, this year marks the 52 year of International JOTA, at the same time there's also Jamboree on the internet using IRC, this is the 13th JOTI weekend.

Nearly half a million Scouts and Guides were connecting with each other this weekend, and there were other active sites in Christchurch at the regional office in Retreat Road as well as at Bishopdale Scout Group. Malvern were the only group to be running a live radio base though.

Here's Tak Peters, Samantha Smith and Luke Taylor at the radio mic on Saturday evening.

All the Scouts camped out overnight after going to bed late; the best time for the radio calls to the other side of the world is during our night time as the rest of Europe and places to the west of New Zealand wake and begin to chatter. Everyone went home today tired, but knowing they'd cooked their own dinners and had the chance few have to talk via radio to other Scouts across the world.

World Scouting's communication theme for this year is environment, I'm not sure how many of Malvern's Scouts used this in their conversation via IRC or the radio, more often topics seemed more banal; questions such as where they were from and their favourite sport seemed to dominate conversation initially. Hopefully everyone involved learned something from the encounters

Keas up and running

2009-09-11T20:34:00.000+12:00

We've finally got our Kea Club running again after a 6 year hiatus.

I invested 9 Keen Keas on Wednesday 9/9/9, unfortunately it wasn't at 9pm :-)

Wednesdays at 6, come along and check us out

Swimming Carnival

2009-09-11T20:33:00.000+12:00

Please participate and let's get swimming!

3rd Term Plan for Cubs

2009-08-10T16:37:00.001+12:00

Current Plan for term three 2009

PDF file to download and print then stick it on your fridge...

Lots of excitement, some explosions and plenty of giggles

Midwinter Campfire Malarkey

2009-07-22T11:25:00.000+12:00

The first Pegasus Zone mid winter camp fire!

The first mid winter camp fire run by Malvern was absolutely awesome.

It was at Blue Skies and there were about 100 people there.
Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers were there. Adrian organised this event to get the Pegasus Zone local groups together and have a winter activity.
Malvern Group, Burwood Group and the old ugly Phoenix Venturers were there.

There was lightning and we were a bit worried about rain. It was a bit cold but Helen and Fins amazing camp fire song warmed us up. Some of Malvern’s cubs and scouts performed acts, some of the big Venturers did some sing-a-longs and the bigger rovers did some weird act. We ended with our Leaders giving us some badges we earned.
I thought that it can be better next year if more groups came along and had fun with us.
Tak :: Scout/PL

Does anyone have photos or video of the activities? Can you send them in please?

I also have two pairs of gloves I found whilst clearing up on Thursday

Image below is the circle after it's been cleared up the morning after.

Cub Programme term 2

2009-04-29T12:35:00.000+12:00

Programme is here

There's lot of things going on this term and quite a few things to collect now... so make a list and stick it on your fridge

ANZAC Remembered

2009-04-29T10:44:00.000+12:00

More than 20 Cubs, Scouts and Venturers stayed overnight at the Den on Friday April 24 ready for a very early start for the Dawn Parade Service in the Christchurch Cathedral Square.
After watching another of Adrian's interminable war movies; The Dambusters, the rest of the group went to sleep. Although much shorter than last years slow and long Great Escape, this black and white 4:3 movie failed to show off the newly donated screen and Mike F's flash pojector and sound system.

(in fairness though, it's difficult to find something in G rating that isn't fairly slow)

Everyone woke fresh and relaxed on Saturday morning and we were soon off to the City in convoy. Once again Mike managed to give the tail end charlies the slip, but we managed to get together again and walked to some good spots in front of the Cenotaph.

The kids all jumped when the rifles were fired, and were a bit awe struck as the Grumman Fighter overflew the parade: (below)

Returning to cook ourselves some breakfast outside in the crisp morning air, we enjoyed sausages, burgers and plenty of sauce. The boys and girls seemed to enjoy themselves with plenty of volunteers to cook, just not quite so many to volunteer to clear up.

Thanks to Mike, Kenny and Kerry for leading this and to the parents who got up early to help ferry us all into town.

Thanks too to Daniel and Kerry who hung around at the end of the event to make sure the kitchen was clean

Alien Invasion tonight

2009-04-07T14:26:00.001+12:00

Scouts are being invaded by small aliens bearing food and looking a lot like Cubs and Venturers.
6:30 'til 8:00pm for the small folk, bigger buys have much later bed times

Nor'West news coverage of kontiki

2009-03-19T15:28:00.000+13:00

Another good bit of news in the local Nor'West news

more on Sam's Flickr account: Recession Invention

Coverage in Christchurch's Nor'West news of 18/3/09

Nor'West news can be seen in you letterboxes every fortnight and on the web here

Scouts go wild on rafts

2009-03-10T15:56:00.000+13:00

Every year since the early seventies there've been Scouts competing for the Kontiki Raft Race trophy. This year on Sunday March 8th the peace of lake Roto Kohatu was broken by more than 300 scouts and their handmade rafts as they prepared their rafts and barbecues for a very tightly contested trophy.
Groups had been preparing for several weeks, and many of them had their eyes on wresting the trophy from the incumbent "masters of rafting" Malvern Scout Group.
Each entry has to make a raft without using screws or nails, have it vetted for safety, cook a meal to a theme and then race it round a course on the lake. This years winners of the trophy (a model of Thor Heyerdahl's original balsa raft used to cross the pacific) were the team from Marshland Scout Group.
Novelty rafts were also present, most noteworthy of which was the Dean's Rover Crew in their amphibious car.

A big thank you to the organisers: the Aoraki Region and safety manager Roger Horton.

More photos here
See video of the event here

Mudslide 09 Coverage in newspapers

2009-02-25T18:02:00.000+13:00

Thanks to Sam who took the photos and set the pages we managed to get ourselves into the newspapers

Nor'West news can be seen in you letterboxes every fortnight and on the web here

Mudslide Mayhem

2009-02-10T16:50:00.000+13:00

On the birthday of it's founder Baden Powell more than 800 youth members: Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers had a muddy ball on Sunday February 22.

152 years after BP was born Scouting is still going strong and still providing fun in the outdoors for boys and girls of all ages. Whilst you might not have seen the smiles on their faces, it was only because they were crusted in mud.

Youth from the three local Scouting Zones converged on a paddock off QEII drive to spend four hours in a variety of activities which were open to the general public as well: all the activities involved water and most of them some opportunity to get muddy. Canterbury's washing machines may never recover.

Locally organised by the Avon Cossgrove Rover Crew and Pegasus Zone annually, Mudslide has quickly become a big favourite of all involved in Scouting in Canterbury. A big thank you also has to go to the owner of the property: Kerry Sergeant.

Mudslide Day is a national event and this year more than 10,000 youth had fun getting muddy with their mates.

See some of the photos here

Welcome to #1

2009-02-08T12:03:00.000+13:00

New year new challenges, here's a quick start to the Malvern Scout Group blog.
More to come as we get some time to alter it all.

The calendar is above.

Calendar will be updated as we go and is reliable for current information on Cub nights, with more general information on the other sections