We’ve not been able to do bag packing for the 5th this year and that normally brings in over Â£1,000 so this is very important for us. We don’t get money from the borough, from the government or anywhere else… we have to raise every penny that we spend and we either spend that money on boring stuff like utilities and insurance or cool stuff like go karts, archery kit etc! Nothing is wasted.

Term draws to a close

By Chris Elmer

On July 20, 2012

In Beavers, Cubs, Explorers, Group, Scouts

Let’s keep the last post of the year simple.

Thank you to everybody who ran everyday adventure for our young people.
The leaders who turn out each week, who plan and who train to earn qualifications.

The people in the background who build, paint, drill, saw and help us grow.

The paperworkers who let the leaders do the fun stuff while the subs are collected, gift aid completed, accounts audited, finances recorded, waiting lists managed etc.

Thanks to the parents who trust us with their kids and who budget and save to send their kids away with us.

Finally a thank you to our beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers who make The Fifth one of the best groups in the district.

We are careful with your money

By Chris Elmer

On July 6, 2012

In Beavers, Cubs, Explorers, Group, Scouts

The Fifth has doubled in size in 10 years and, to match the growth, we have had to buy an awful lot of kit. We welcomed girls in 2007 and that meant we needed more new tents, toilets and changing areas. We are careful with your money and we shop around for months to find the best deals for The Fifth. How about some examples?

Seven years under canvas with The Fifth

By Chris Elmer

On June 22, 2012

In Beavers, Cubs, Explorers, Group, Scouts

How about some facts and figures? Camping is the best thing that we do in scouts and we recognise that with badges for the young people as they move through the sections.

2,464 nights away among our 155Â under 18s

That’s nearly 7 years away.

Between the cubs scouts and explorers:

only 5 young people have not been on a residential experience with us (and of those 5, 3 joined this term)
all the explorers have been on a residential.
I don’t include the beavers in this bit because they have 12 who do not have nights away badges but Badger and Squirrel have a sleepover planned next month

29 beavers – 17 have a nights away badge

and a sleepover is planned in July so that will round up the rest of them

11 have 2 or more

Cub Camp 2012 Group Picture

41 cub – 38 have a nights away badge

32 have 5 or more
14 have 10 or more

55 scouts – 53 have a nights away badge

40 have 5 or more
38 have 10 or more
19 have 20 or more
3 have 35 or more

Switzerland Trip 2011 Group Photo

31 explorers – all 31 have a nights away badge

29 have 5 or more
25 have 10 or more
22 have 20 or more
12 have 35 or more
9 have 50 or more
7 have 75 more
1 has 121 nights away

And every single one of these has been run by our 100% volunteer team of leaders