SOWA course

December always sees lots of preparation for Christmas and lots of fantastic events. I have already been to a brilliant gang show at 18th Gainsborough (Haxey) and the superb Lincoln Awards Event. I am also visiting Boston’s Carol Service and looking forward to seeing the International Peace Light in Stamford. We have recently held a successful County Team Day, including our County and wider district teams. Our SLT ran a series of talks and activities, getting us all to review where we are and where we would like to be in 2028. We even got to have a look at our new Cave maze trailer, which is nearing completion and will be available for use soon! Thank you to everyone that took part. We have also moved into the next phase of transformation with the introduction of a new database to replace Compass. This will make administration much easier and will require everyone to log in to complete their learning (previously known as training), to submit Nights Away Notifications and also nominate someone for an award. Everyone will receive an invitation to log on to the new system, so please make sure you do. Everyone will be required to complete the new safety training by July 2025 so a good reason to log on and check it out. Finally, it just remains for me to say have a very Happy Christmas and the very best wishes to you and your families for the New Year. Howard County Lead Volunteer

From Robin Wright of Willingham group: " As well as a huge collection at Harvest Service, our young people have done their own fundraising, by walking, climbing steep hill a number of times, cycle rides and small pop up shops in schools. All their own ideas. On Monday and Tuesday they will shop at Morrisons and buy the guided food for the local community foodbank. It was a nice job to take out scout Groups contribution to the Salvation Army Foodbank. My van was full from passage seat to seats. Very very proud of our young people, who raised the money through their individual ideas and then shopped for the goods. Incredible achievement Willingham Scouts Group". Well done from all at Lincolnshire Scouts too!

County Activity Assessors 1st February 2025 We have an Assessor’s day at 7th Grantham Scout HQ, Earlesfield Lane, Lincs, NG31 7NT on Saturday 1st February for all county activity assessors. This will run from 9am until 3.30pm with a break for lunch and some healthy competition in the afternoon. It is a chance for everyone assessing permits to ensure that we all comply to the same rules and standards when granting permits. Please do your very best to attend.

Duke Of Edinburgh’s Leader Update day 1st March 2025 Lincolnshire DofE day The new team of Lincolnshire DofE Advisors would like to invite all adults involved with DofE, and any thinking about starting or just wondering what it is all about, to a meeting on 1st March 2025. Venue is 7th Grantham HQ, Earlesfield Lane, Grantham NG31 7NT. 10am – 4pm. FOC, but packed lunch required. Tea, coffee etc will be provided. Whatever your experience you are very welcome. There will be opportunities to share your ideas, get the latest updates and information, and engage with support in the county, with breakout sessions and workshops to suit everyone. More information, including booking, will follow shortly. Lincolnshire Scouts DofE Advisors Dave Relton dave.relton@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk Heidi Latronico Ferris heidi.latronico-ferris@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk Murray Macdonald murray.macdonald@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk

It’s a busy time at the moment, planning for 2025 and wrapping up all of 2024’s event. Chiller 2024 It was brilliant to see so many Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Young Leaders and even Leaders enjoying themselves at Chiller last month. Thank you to the whole team who made such a great event happen again and to the weather gods who smiled on us once more keeping the worst of the rain, high winds and freezing temperatures at bay at least for the day. The team aren’t resting on their laurels though and not only are they busy collecting your feedback about the event, but they’re also very busy planning an all section camping event Chill Out 2025 for next summer as something a little different for you all to enjoy. Prices were circulated on the maps at Chiller and the flyer is attached for anyone who didn’t see it at Walesby. Booking forms should be out in the next few weeks so do start thinking about next summer and whether you would like to join the fun. Explorers will be doing their 24 hour stint again at Chill out with lots of wild things to do during the night. Feedback can still be submitted through: https://bit.ly/49pvjwH 

Young Leader training weekend 11th - 13th April 2025 Key Details: Arrival: From 6:00 PM on Friday Collection: By 3:00 PM on Sunday Accommodation: Indoor accommodation is available on a First-come, First-served basis. Camping is also available (please bring your own tent). Kit List and Itinerary will be sent out closer to the event What to Expect: Training modules A–J to help you progress towards your Young Leader Award. Additional opportunities For skill development and Fun activities. Food: All meals will be provided throughout the weekend. Cost: The event is subsidised by the County; we ask For a £15 contribution per participant. Payment details: Lincolnshire County Scout Council, 09-01-27, 91841993, Payment Deadline: 01.03.2025 Flexibility: Can’t attend the whole weekend? That’s Fine! You’re welcome to join us for: A single day Specific modules One Night Please make contact to arrange an alternative schedule. Accessibility: IF you require reasonable adjustments to participate Fully, please get in touch to discuss your needs. We’ll do our best to support you. How to Book: Complete your booking using the link below or Scan the ǪR: https://Forms.oFFice.com/e/E2vdn4ekwA We look forward to seeing you there! Shacklewell Hollow Scout Site, Stamford Road, LE15 8ǪǪ Contact: Ellie.Broome@LincolnshireScouts.org.uk

Greetings from Bonny Scotland! Moving from Stamford and Bourne and settling into Scottish Scouting has been fun, and the campsite at Bonaly has been somewhere I have really enjoyed getting involved. Just like Shacklewell and other Lincolnshire sites, but on a bit bigger scale! Camping, bunkhouses, and cabins available, and open all year round. This is a real accessible place for you to plan to bring your Scouts – with great facilities on the edge of the Pentland Hills (hike out the back of the site), yet in easy reach of the big city attractions of museums and historical buildings (Edinburgh Castle!) and even a fantastic Zoo. Late summer has the famous Edinburgh Festival and Fringe……hard to get accommodation in the city then, but usually plenty of room at Bonaly. Getting here from Lincolnshire is an easy rail trip up the east Coast main line, and when you arrive at Waverley Station, just catch the No 10 bus on Princes Street to get out direct to Bonaly, with a bus stop just down the road! If anyone would like more information, have a look at the website or email as above….or if you want a more personal chat, please give me a call or text– 07776 247981 Yours in Scouting Doug Cobbold

We’re growing our Inclusion Team! Are you passionate about ensuring as many people as possible get to experience Scouting? Do you have experience working with children or adults with additional needs? Have you supported children or adults with mental health problems? Are you eager to help make Scouting in Lincolnshire more diverse and support people from under represented communities to become members? We’re building a team to support adults and young people across the County to ensure Scouting in Lincolnshire is inclusive and accessible to all. We hope our team will include members who are able to support: Additional needs LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Equity and Diversity including Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Groups (BAME) and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Faith and Beliefs. As well as helping to: Support events around the County to be accessible and inclusive. Support leaders to make their programmes accessible and inclusive. Deliver inclusion training and workshops across the county. If you feel you are able to support this team in anyway please get in touch with Claire Thompson- Inclusion Team Lead- claire.burt@lincolnscouts.org.uk

On 1 December Lincoln Scouts were proud to light Lincoln’s peace light at Lincoln Cathedral, with district representatives of all ages coming together at the Choral Evensong. Lincoln Scouts are honoured to be a part of this ceremony and encourage all to join us in spreading peace and hope this festive season.