Sailing Level 1 Course 2004

Staunton Harold based course run by Ivanhoe Youth Club

September 2004

The RYA sailing course took place during September. We had already had a couple of sailing sessions during the summer so we were now ready to do the Level 1 course. 4th Ashby joined up with eight other guides, scouts and explorers. We went along to Staunton Harold reservoir every Monday and Tuesday night. The scouts were Mullet, Uni, Hairbear, Lexy, Mini Baggers and myself Baggers.

The first night we learned how to rig the boats (put the sails up and get the boats ready) before going out on the water. I think we all fell in that night. I was hit on the head with the boom. Then Uni was knocked out of the boat with the boom. We didn’t think it was that funny!! (Ha ha). After 11/2 hours sailing we all had hot showers and were ready for the final hour of theory – we learned about everything from parts of the boat and the rules of sailing to tying knots and the weather.

More sailing and more theory followed in week two and three. We had all improved. We even managed to stay dry–ish, eventhough we sailed in some very windy conditions.

It was week four and we were ready for the test. But guess what? No wind! After 2 weeks of a bit too much we now had too little!!! We rigged the boats and sailed out to the middle of the lake with a passing breeze, and there we stopped. It started to get dark so we had to paddle back to shore with our hands, it was great fun, but not quite what we should have been doing!

The final night came. We had done the theory test, so this was our last chance to prove we could sail. The conditions were perfect and so were we!!! Richard the course leader presented us with our RYA Level 1 sailing certificates.

Now we can’t wait to take Level 2 next year.

By Daniel Bagley – 4th Ashby Scout

Splash Camp 2004

17th – 19th September

This year again we faced the cold and wet of a September splash camp. however the weather couldn’t dampen our spirits, (even if we all had to miss the fair in Ashby). There were nine Scouts in all, Chris (J-Lo), Matt, Jamie(Hair Bear), Alex, Neil (Swampy), Craig, Luke, Daniel (Baggers), and Me (Mullet) and for their sins, Leaders Ernie and Neil were residing over the proceedings.After getting the camp set-up, we were split into groups; I teamed up with Hair Bear (Jamie who has been aptly named because of his flowing locks). Sadly however, due to the numbers attending the event, we only got to do two water activities over the whole weekend. First we had kayaking (we may have got our picture in the local papers after they heard such celebrities as us were coming). It took a while for Jamie to learn how to steer in a straight line but when he had stopped messing around he was unstoppable during the various games of tag we played. Then we had abseiling and the weather took a turn for the worst. I only got one go, however Jamie braved the weather and his fears and traversed the face two or three times. After that we had air rifles, and both of us excelled in aiming and shooting, Jamie even hit the top bell, which was very hard to do. When Baggers had a go he managed to give himself a black eye, even our resident accident prone Swampy didn’t get hurt this time. Later we were off to the climbing wall where Jamie climbed it blindfolded!
On the next day we built rafts and sailed them across the canal and my team won because James’s team fell in due to a fatal design error. We all had fun and got very wet.

James Southward.

October 2004 Newsletter

October 2004 News Letter

During October we will be starting an Explorer Scout section to cater for the boys who are fast approaching the end of their Scout section careers. At the age of 15, if the boys wish to remain in Scouts, they need to move on to an Explorer unit. Explorer units were introduced 18 months ago when we took on board the changes to the Scout program structure. Unfortunately the Ashby unit did not survive the changes and was disbanded when the numbers dropped to three. These boys move to what is now our nearest unit in Donisthorpe.

We will soon have five boys eligible to move on to Explorers. After talking to them is was obvious they would probably leave Scouting rather than move on into the unknown, hence the 4^th Ashby Explorer unit was born.

10^th October District picnic at Willesley. 1 pm to 4pm

Bring a picnic and socialise with other members of the district.

Puzzle Games.

Parent / Young Person Archery and Shooting Competition (small fee)

BBQ

No admission charge