Happy New Year all, it is again ADC Beavers turn to write this volunteer update. Time to reflect on the last year and focus on the new. We survived 2020 and have challenges to overcome at the start of 2021 which we will. So, before we give you all the information of what’s going on in 2021 let’s take this opportunity to reflect on 2020.
2020 started off amazingly with our own DC, ADC Activities and Sirhowy Scouts attending Winter Camp in Gilwell, which was a remarkable experience for all involved, highlight of the weekend was seeing the Scouts excitement when coming off white water rafting “We capsized and nearly died! Can we go again!” There were Beaver sleepovers during Storm Dennis and literally the weekend before the whole of the UK went into lockdown Scouts and Explorers from across the District along with Gareth & Dave attended the Alternative Monopoly Run.
Then lockdown hit and Scouting as we all knew it was stopped. But as always so many of you dug deep, took stock of what this meant, started sending work packs out for the young people at home and many made the decision to go virtual for the young people.
So many groups & leaders of all ages have taken to running virtual sessions. Within our District we have had visits from RC Robert Redmond, Chief Commissioner of Wales Rhian Moore (who invested Cubs & a leader virtually) and UK Chief Commissioner Tim Kidd (who also invested a leader virtually). There have been so many different types of virtual sessions run, Magic Shows, Reptile Experiences, Air Museum Trips, Forensic, Water Safety, Visits from Assembly Members, Sign Language, Learning French & Spanish, Joti, District Beaver Sessions and many more. And to top all of this Abercarn have hosted groups from around the world on zoom calls making CRAI truly international!
As a District, thanks to the work of Dave Cook, we have received massive amount of funding (over £16K) from
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Community foundation In Wales for COVID Supplies
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Oakdale Community Fund for tree works
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Gildermeister Community Fund for tree works
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Church of Wales Fund for hammocks, tarps, fire ranges & storage cupboards
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Sports Wales for sport crossbows
We had the exciting news that at end of August, if the time was right for leaders and young people, we could return to Face to Face Scouting. Many groups submitted Risk Assessments for both Amber and Yellow sessions and returned to actual meetings whilst still offering virtual sessions for those unable to return.
So now we are at the start of 2021 and unfortunately again in RED, so we have returned to virtual Scouting, for those nervous on running a virtual session why not contact the appropriate Section ADC and hold joint sessions with their groups? Please remember too that ScoutsCymru are also hosting events for all sections and we will send this information out for you to forward to all young people. Whilst none of us know when this will end, the District Team have already started to plan for the year ahead. Fingers crossed that these events will take place.
Beaver Damboree is pencilled in for 19th/20th June at Scout Park and District Scout Camp is also pencilled in for end of July 2021, please keep an eye out for information soon.
ADC Inclusion
This time last year I went to Gilwell Park to be invested into the National Inclusion Team. Since then I have been working within the Resources Sub-Team where we have been updating the factsheets and website which can be viewed here
This is still an ongoing process and we have more resources that are planned. New training units have also been developed on Gender Identity, Autism as well as Dyslexia and Dyspraxia and this will soon be available.
If you have any suggestions for inclusion resources and training that you would like to see then please let me know: adc.inclusion@craiscouts.org.uk. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need support with any area of inclusion and diversity or if you would like me to come and talk to your sections.
And our very own DESC and ADC Scouts have come up with an event that we can run even in RED! They have been busy putting the following together for us all
CRAI District Virtual Hike (V Hike)
With the District back in tier 4 lockdown we have put together a Virtual hike challenge where between now and the end of February the whole district undertake a challenge where Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers along with their family members can hike as one from their own front door. There will be a Winter, Spring and if it continues a Summer hike as well.
In taking part you will be able to claim a “hikes away” by meeting their specific section’s criteria. To take part all sections must, not only complete this requirement but obtain 20 points from criteria given. Links are included to some badge work too.
Explorers are to upload their photos to the CRAI Scout Explorer Facebook page.
Scouts, Cubs and Beavers are to do a short story of their hike with photos and send them to your own leaders and your section ADC.
Full details of the V Hike will be sent out separately and can be found here.
Stay safe all, don’t forget to contact any of us with any queries.
District Team