International Events Badge

This badge is exclusive to Scotland.  It is a staged badge available for all sections.  They can be purchased from Fordell at a cost of 50p each.   The badge is being piloted for the UK by Scottish Scouting so any queries or feedback is more than welcome. Click here for the criteria.   Please do distribute this information around your district.

Blair Atholl

Once your Blair Atholl numbers have been confirmed and your co-ordinator appointed or known, then please can you send me their contact information.  As I suggested at the meeting we could possibly explore a joint plan for the bases for the Country Fair Saturday at Blair to ensure we assist each other where required and showcase the North East Region.

Regional Explorer Belt

The Regional development plan includes an intention to run an Explorer Belt expedition. To date I have not begun work on this.   I am aware that there are some Districts or Units who are actively planning to run an Explorer Belt expedition already.   But I am also aware that there are some places where this has not happened for a variety of reasons.   I would be very interested to hear from any District which has leaders or young people who would to look at the possibility of an Explorer Belt expedition in 2013.   I have a couple of countries/areas in mind but am equally willing to consider or investigate other countries which leaders or young people might be interested in.

The two countries I have considered are:

Ireland - travel costs would be very reasonable.   Language is not an issue which might encourage the younger end of the age range for the Explorer Belt (16-25).

Benelux Countries Area - Holland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Belgium - lots of possible routes and again easy to get to.

In both cases I'd like to offer more than the standard walking option.

The Explorer Belt criteria allows participants to complete the expedition by bicycle, canoe/kayak or indeed horseback as long as the required travel hours and distance are completed.

The hike does not have to stay in one country.  Using the Benelux countries, routes could be chosen which take participants through two or even three countries, not to mention two currencies, depending on the starting point and the route.

Again please do distribute this information around your district and ask leaders to contact me direct if they wish to discuss this with me.   If there are young people from your District who want to undertake an Explorer Belt then it is preferable but not essential to have a leader from the District too.  The leaders do not need international experience, indeed this might be an opportunity for someone who has wanted to try and organise an international trip but was not sure where to start.

Finally as ever if anyone has any international queries or would like a visit from me either for an event or training then please do get in touch and I'll be delighted to assist in any way I can.

Thank you

Caroline Campbell
Regional International Adviser
North East Scotland Regional Scout Council
Scottish Charity No. SC 039551

September
18  - Cubs Totem-pole Challenge
16/18 - Highland Extreme (Explorers)
24/25  - Scout Patrol Challenge (Mini Area Flag)

October
01/02 - Beaver Sleepover
16 - Football Tournament (All Sections)
21/23  - Cally Rally (Scouts & Explorers)
29 - Scottish Scout AGM, Tulliallan

November
01 - District Explorer Event (Kinloss)
04/06 - Blair Atholl Selection Camp (Scouts & Explorers)
10  - Regional AGM, Inverurie
13 - Remembrance Sunday
18/20 - Safeguard - Train the Trainer
26 - St. Andrews Night Ceildhu, Miltonduff (All)

December
8 - Christingle Celebration, Fochabers
16 - Explorer Sleepover / Xmas Party
17 - Beaver & Cub Cinema Show, Elgin Playhouse.