Centenary District Camp 2007
Newsletter No. 1
Welcome to the first edition of the Centenary District Camp (CDC) Newsletter.
Through this newsletter, we will bring you all the information about the camp in what promises to be a very memorable year.
What is it all about
The Scout Association has decided that, as part of the centenary year celebration, every member should have the chance to take part in a major event to mark this great landmark in scouting history.
Our District Commissioner, John Perkins, has asked me, Ray Shaw, Assistant District Commissioner Scouts, to set up a committee to organise and run a District camp in line with the Associations’ guidelines.
This committee held its first meeting back in December 2005, some 18 months before the event. A second meeting was held in early April. By the time you get to read this newsletter, there will be less than a year to go before the event.
At present, in addition to the main committee, there are three sub committees, with probably more to follow. Would you like to play a part in this event? We are currently seeking a treasurer, you do not have to hold this role in a group, but need to have access to a computer, with e-mail, and be able to bank cheques as they start to roll in. If this is for you then please give me a call.
Where and When
We have booked Walton Firs camp site, we have the whole site, including all of its buildings and facilities, for the entire weekend.
The camp will take place over the spring Bank holiday, 25th-28th May 2007.
I know many groups would be away, for the weekend, or possibly, the whole week. No problem, the warden will be happy to accommodate any groups that want to stay on, although this should be arranged separately.
Who Can Attend
This event is open to every member of the Association, from the youngest Beaver to the oldest Fellowship member.
The Association are keen to encourage ‘Parent Power’ (subject to Criminal Records Bureau clearance). Perhaps a team of parents could help run things at District level. (Were you aware that over 40% of all new adults in Scouting are from the parent base, so let’s not waste this opportunity).
Supporting This Event
We very much hope that every member of our District will have the opportunity to take part in this event, and to this end, we ask that all Groups confirm or decline their intention to take part. We will be asking the Explorer Units the same question. For future planning reasons, we would like a reply from all groups by July 21st 2006. Contact details as before.
Other key dates are:
| 1st February 2007 | Estimated numbers |
| 1st April 2007 | Final numbers |
| 1st May 2007 | Final payment |
If any group or section has any queries, please get in touch and we will try to answer all your questions.
Cost
There are several options; we are trying to be as flexible as possible. Day Visitors – this is aimed at the Beaver section as they are unable to camp. Any other section can choose the Day Visitor option, and the package will include transport to and from site, (two pick up points in the District) activities and a keepsake. Attendance will be from 3pm Saturday afternoon till 8.30pm.
| Day Visitors | |
|---|---|
| Beavers/Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | £20.00 |
| Adults (Leaders/Fellowship/Other) | £15.00 |
Camping
There will be two camping options, a two night camp and a three night camp.
Two nights will start on Saturday after 9.30 and finish on Monday lunchtime.
Three nights will start on Friday afternoon/evening and finish on Monday lunchtime.
One of the reasons we are offering these options is because if everyone tried to arrive on site within an hour or two, it would be utter chaos.
We hope that this will fall naturally into fairly equal lots. But, if necessary, we will shift groups around.
| Two Nights Camping | |
|---|---|
| Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | £36.00 |
| Adults (Leaders/Fellowship/Others) | £16.00 |
| Three Nights Camping | |
| Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | £40.00 |
| Adults (Leaders/Fellowship/Others) | £20.00 |
These figures include camp fees, memento, activity fees etc., but NOT food or transport.
Some of you may think this is a little expensive for a weekend camp; Walton Firs is not a cheap site. We will also have to use outside sources for activities, which are also expensive. We have costed this event very carefully, and even with some subsidy from District this is the cost for running this event.
Each group has got time to organise and run fundraising activities, if they wish to do so.
Unfortunately we need to remember that this is a special event, and the opportunity will not come round again until 2107 – will you be there?
Also, we are keen to try and gain sponsorship for this event from local business’s, but we need to bear in mind that for every £1. Of subsidy we will need to bring in between £1,000. And £1,500. If anyone knows of any likely Companies, please get in touch.
And Finally
This event belongs to the whole District, and it’s only by the whole District supporting it that it will be the great success that it can be. Have a great summer and watch out for issues #2, CDC 2007, in the autumn, when we will tell you about the badge competition.