Latest News

A Message from our new District Commissioner

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to quickly introduce myself as your next District Commissioner for Southampton City Scouts. I will be taking over from David Bowers at our AGM on the 8th of July.

As your District Commissioner, I will be responsible for overseeing our Scouting provision in Southampton. My role will be to ensure it runs effectively, that our volunteers are supported and that our young people have the best possible experience.

One of my top priorities is to form a new team of District volunteers.

If you are interested in getting involved and joining the team we have a number of roles available, such as: Assistant District Commissioner (ADC) Beavers, ADC Activities and Deputy District Commissioner.

You can find out more and express interest for each role here:

https://forms.gle/ao3BGEX72MHraSmy6

There are also opportunities to join the District Exec, become a Training Advisor, etc... or support the District in a more informal way without the commitment of taking on a full role. If you are interested in doing this, please also let me know using the form above.

I'm really looking forward to working with you all soon. If you have any questions in the meantime, please do ping me a message.

Finally, I'd just like to say a massive thank you to David and your team for all the hard work and energy you've put into making Scouting in Southampton a success.

Many Thanks,

Joshua Smith

🎬 Find out about DofE ‘With a Difference’ with Amanda and Luke

Posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021

If you’re aged 14+ or in year 9 or above, you can still take part in DofE. The coronavirus doesn’t mean your DofE needs to stop – far from it. Whether you’re just starting or already doing your DofE we can help you achieve your award.

Amanda (our DofE aficionado) and Luke (DofE assistant aficionado) have recorded this launch video to explain all about the DofE awards. Perfect if you’re new and want to find out about Bronze or if you’re returning back to challenge Silver.

When you start doing your DofE, you need to pay a £24 fee(Bronze/Silver) or £31 fee (Gold) for your Welcome Pack, which includes your eDofE account and the certificate and badge when you achieve your Award.

You can register in two different ways:

1. Register online using PayPal or credit card OR

2. Download and complete a paper registration form,. Print and send to the address on the form with a cheque payable to HCSC

When completing the online forms you will need the following information:

• District: Southampton City

• DofE Leaders: Amanda Jukes, Luke Hall, Sam Chapman. Ask your leader if you are unsure which name to use.

You can get in touch with us at anytime to ask questions or arrange a zoom call to help you with your award. Our address is dofe@southamptoncityscouts.org.uk

🥇 Gail Langton celebrated with Silver Wolf Award for five decades of service

Posted on Sunday, January 24th, 2021

Congratulations to Gail on gaining her Silver Wolf Award – very well deserved.

About Gail….

Gail has had several roles within the district over her service years. These have been at two main groups, The 2^nd and more recently the 7^th, both Southampton City District. This has taken up several evenings as she worked with the Sections and Execs and with the District Team.

Gail spent 20 years as GSL at the 2nd taking over from her dad Alf Longhurst.

She started as a Cub Instructor aged 13 – the equivalent of Young Leaders today.

Within her role with the 7^th Group as Group Scout Leader Gail has given time to each section when needed but for the last 2- 3 years she has been attending Scouts each week to support the changing leadership in place. It’s only been in the last 12 months she’s moved away from that weekly commitment.

At the same time as the Scout support Gail is still the current Beaver Leader with the group, her other main role. Gail has been with the Beaver team since 2012 and this is a weekly commitment for her, leading the team and running events.

Added to this Beaver role Gail is also part of the ADC Beaver team in the district and supports other colonies and helps with the district events such as the Panto’s, Planning and organising these for the last few years.

Gail is a member of the District Appointments Committee and regularly attends the appointment meetings meeting new Leaders and volunteers, often going to help in a Training Advisor role with them as well. As a Training Advisor in the County Gail has worked in the training world and remained current with the new processes and new training approaches over the years. She is a valued member of the District Training group and enthuses others in this manner.

Gail is also a District Beaver Scouter. Gail plays a vital role in the ADC Beaver team and has helped shape that section with the ADC team. She encourages involvement in events and plans several events in the calendar each year such as organising of the Annual Panto Trip and the District Beaver Sleepover at Ferny Crofts.

Within the GSL role at the 7^th she has led the team there in bringing in support and grown the group in terms of numbers and Executive and committee. This had been noted throughout the District. The site that the group is on has undergone some key developments and has more planned soon that Gail is heavily involved in. Mainly, the group acquired its own land a few years ago and in doing so managed to double its footprint. Plans are already underway to clear the land and develop the site and access further.

Gail also regularly volunteers at Ferny Crofts and generally works in the campsite tuck shop. This is a week and weekend commitment throughout the busiest times of the year.

This award is in recognition of the time and effort Gail had given to Scouting. Gail has not only continued to grow as GSL but has become integral to the District team, in her GSL role, in Beavers, in Training and Executive roles. Gail is a sound voice of experience whilst remaining grounded to the young people at her own group and section.

Gail has been instrumental in the development of others around her and to the continuity of good program delivery to all those who have been through the group or sectional events. Gail’s role with Appointments and her kind natured way of working with new people is also a great asset to the District and I’m sure has been used in training courses with others that she’s worked with over the years.

Gail has continued to be a real voice in the district, dealing with issues with several DC’s over the years. During these time Gail has always been able to see both sides, empathise and share advice in a caring manner to all who needed it.

Again, from the District, well done Gail…….

About the Award

Silver Wolf Award (The Scout Association)

The Silver Wolf is the highest award made by The Scout Association “for services of the most exceptional character.” It is an unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout. The award consists of a Silver Wolf suspended from a dark green and yellow neck ribbon.

Since its inception by Robert Baden-Powell, the Silver Wolf has remained the “unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout”, although “County Commissioners and overseas Chief Scouts may submit recommendations to Scout Headquarters.”

During the early years of the development of the Scout Movement throughout the world, it was the practice of the Founder, Lord Baden-Powell, to give the Silver Wolf to Scouters in any country who had done outstandingly valuable work for the Movement. The Silver Wolf was first awarded to King’s Scouts or King’s Sea Scouts of at least 2 years service and who earned 12 proficiency badges, who performed under exceptional circumstances like saving a life or repeated acts of bravery, endurance, or self-sacrifice. This Silver Wolf remained a Youth award until 1922, when it became an award for Adult volunteers for Services to Scouting.

The award was of course highly valued, but it began to be realized that the Silver Wolf was a British Scout decoration, even though it was given by the Chief Scout of the World. Accordingly, in 1934, the Bronze Wolf Award was created as the only award made by the World Scout Committee.