Helios ESU

Just a quick note, as a couple of people have asked - the bike ride tomorrow (Sat 14th) is currently still going ahead. Some of you may have heard weather warnings on the news - at the moment they don't apply to us:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/em/em_forecast_warnings.html

I will of course reassess in the morning before we set out.

Padge

Posted by Andy Pagett at 10:17 AM 0 comments    

First off - a big thank you for the great turnout to the Rememberance Sunday service(s) yesterday.

Next - the details for the bike ride on Saturday 14th November are now on the Facebook Group, so if you haven't joined yet, now would be a good time to do so.

And - two extra things on the programe...

1 - 3rd Brampton have an annual Christmas Hike the Saturday before Christmas (19th this year), to which Ben has said you are all invited. Details will follow closer to the time.

2 - the youth worker from St Thomas' Church has invited you all the the Christmas Ball, also on 19th December (in the evening). It will be £15, formal dress, 3 course meal, disco etc. Let me know if you're interested.

Padge

Posted by Andy Pagett at 5:18 AM 0 comments    

First up, thanks to those that turned up to the Halloween shenanigins last night, I hope you enjoyed yourselves (I'm sure Richard will have some photos for me soon!).

The rest of you, don't forget to let me know if you aren't going to be there (sooner rather than later!!!), or else you will owe subs for that week anyway (for example last night I bought enough stuff for 12 people....)

Anyway, here's a quick update to the programme for the rest of the year:

Thu 5th Nov - Fireworks @ Stand Road (ask Padge for details)
Sat 14th Nov - Bike Ride
Weds 18th Nov - Climbing Training
Weds 25th Nov - Indoor meeting regarding QSA etc., plus climbing assessment
Weds 2nd Dec - Widegame
Weds 9th Dec - Planning Meeting
Weds 16th Dec - Ice Skating

Posted by Andy Pagett at 3:48 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Programme

You asked for it, so you got it...

This coming Wednesday (28th October) will be Halloween fancy dress.  Naturally there will be a prize for the best.  Prizes will also be taken back for excessive use of "take that mask off" type jokes.  Pumkin making and other festivities will also be included.  My sincere apologies go out to all those who thought they'd joined an Explorer Scout Unit, rather than a Beaver Colony!!!

And in other news, as I'm sure you can tell by the fact that you're reading it, the website it back.  It has been pointed out to me that it looks horrific; I am aware of this, but don't worry as it won't be here for long then we'll have a proper website.

Posted by Andy Pagett at 5:36 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Meetings, News

Well done to everyone who survived Eastmoor the other night - hopefully you're all nice and recovered now!

Anyway, on to business - this Wednesday's meeting will be at the normal time and place and (as requested!) will be 'moonlit sports'. So, come in some sporty gear (N.B. 'sporty' will probably translate to 'waterproof'!) and bring some sports gear. Couple of footballs, tennis balls, bats etc. If anyone's got a frisbee then bring that along for a game of 'Ultimate'!

Also - 2 weeks left to submit your logo designs.

Posted by Andy Pagett at 1:41 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Meetings

As dull as it may be, Emergency Aid is one of, if not the most important thing you'll learn during your Scouting career. Not only do you need the correct skills to be able to complete your CSA / QSA expeditions, you may find yourself needing them when you least expect it, be it at home, at school/college, at work etc.

Now I know you don't want to be bored still on Wednesday night, so why not make things as painless as possible and do a bit of revision before hand.

I hope to cover everything from Stage 1 to Stage 3 - we'll cover the extra bits that make up Stage 4 next year.

The requirements are here:

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/badges/staged-emai.htm

And you can do some learning online - everything you need to know up to Stage 3, and most of Stage 4 is provided by St John's Ambulance at

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice.aspx

Posted by Andy Pagett at 6:56 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Meetings

Don't forget that the first meeting will be on Wednesday 16th September at the LoveShack(TM). We will be doing some team-building games then foreign cooking using Trangia stoves.

Please could you bring £10 to the meeting - this will cover your subs for the night; the rest will go towards paying for your necker and badges.

See you there...

Posted by Andy Pagett at 4:57 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Meetings

As discussed at the planning meeting there will be a day hike on Saturday 29th August. This will give us all the opportunity to get to know each other as we are mostly from different groups (or completely new to Scouting).

The hike will be around the Hathersage / Bamford area, probably including Stanage Edge. Nothing too strenous, but challenging enough. The exact route will be chosen closer to the time depending on the weather forecast and the abilities of those attending.

We will meet at the LoveShack(TM) at 09:00 and expect to return around 17:00.

Depending on the number of adults going, we may need assistance with transport either to or from the start point (Hathersage or Ladybower reservoir TBC)

All are welcome to attend, leaders included.

If you wish to go, please print out and fill in the attached form and either give it to your Scout Leader who can pass it on to me, or drop it through my letterbox at (omitted from web version).

Posted by Andy Pagett at 11:37 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Activities

ONLINE VERSION OF AUGUST EMAIL

As promised, here is an update on the progress of the new unit

Contents

1. Website
2. First Meeting
3. August Day Hike
4. Contact Details

1. Website

I have started off a blog / website at www.helios-explorers.blogspot.com . All programmes and notices will be posted on there, as well as links to photos etc after events. Please check it regularly as any updates or last minutes changes will be posted there. In fact, if you check it now you'll find a draft issue of the 2009 Q4 programme for you to download.

2. First meeting

As discussed at the planning meeting, the first meeting will be Wednesday 16th September. It will be team building challenges, and foreign cooking using Trangias. A couple of thinks for you to think about before the meeting

Logo - Don't forget that I need your designs for our logo, so we can get badges printed ASAP
Uniform - Have a think about what you would like to wear as uniform. I suggest that we look at what's available from www.scoutshops.co.uk and a polo shirt and hoody from there, but it's up to you
Subs - Subs will be £2.50 per week, but as we are new and have little funds could be as cheeky as to ask you to bring an additional £7.50 (so £10 total) within the first month to cover the cost of neckers and badges? If anyone has any trouble with this, don't be afraid to speak to me in private, either phone (omitted frm web version), email or in person.

3. August Day Hike

There will be a day hike on Saturday 29th August. It is likely to be around the Hathersage / Bamford area. Nothing too strenuous to start with, probably around 7/8 miles with some moderate hills involved. I'll email a consent form out by the end of this week - could you please print it out, fill it in and either hand it in to your Scout Leader or drop it through my letterbox (omitted from web version). I would also appreciate if you could reply to this email to let me know if you can or can't (and why not!) attend.

4. Contact Details

I have attached the latest contact details spreadsheet (omitted from web version). If you know that anyone's email address in it is wrong then please let me know what it should be. Also if anyone knows James Stockton, Will Hall or Max Ward's email address please let me know ASAP! Could you please also send me a contact phone number by reply to this email. (mobile would be preferred, but if you don't want to give this out for whatever reason than landline is fine)

Posted by Andy Pagett at 11:34 AM 0 comments    

A draft issue of the 2009 Q4 programme is available to download [here]

Posted by Andy Pagett at 9:05 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Programme

Welcome to the new blog / website type thing for Helios Explorers.

Here you'll be able to find all the programmes / notices and information about out activities. Check regularly as any changes to the programme will be made here rather than phoning everyone individually.

You'll also notice a big question mark on the header image - that's where our logo is going to go, so get designing!

Posted by Andy Pagett at 7:52 AM 0 comments