1[st] Horsell Scout Group Annual Report April 2021- March 2022
How the Group works-
The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
The Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leaders, individual section leaders and parent’s representation and meets every term.
This Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
The maintenance of Group property; The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance; The insurance of persons, property and equipment; Group public occasions; Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; Appointing any sub committees that may be required;Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
Structure, Governance and Management-
Risk and Internal Control
The Group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all cheques /bank transfers and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
Public Benefit Statement
The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
Investment Strategy
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies
- Group Report April 2021 March 2022
This year has been a good one for Horsell Scouts. We have kept stable with numbers where other groups are still seeing a drop in numbers, we still have a strong waiting list with places easily filled. This is all down to the amazing volunteers we have making the group amazing.
The programmes each section offers is still remain strong, with top awards being gained across the board as well as a vast number of activity badges (this is shown in the rate we go through credit with the badge secretary!)
We have seen leaders come and go throughout the year which always happens, but we have a stable leadership team across the group and they have all worked tirelessly to give the young people amazing experiences. So a huge thank you to them all.
Thankfully the May Fayre returned this year as the main fundraiser for the Scout and Guide HQ committee, this money helps to finance the building and this year was a record year raising in the region of £10,000. This is amazing and is all down to the hard work of volunteers in the planning and on the day. So thank you to everyone involved.
Woking District has seen changes recently with a new District Commissioner Kath Brown taking on the challenging role. We wish her all the best with this and look forward to any changes or ideas she brings to the district.
All our volunteers have worked incredibly hard after the unsettled covid years and the groups strength is down to all their hard work so I would like to finish by saying thank you for all your time, effort and commitment, it really is appreciated.
Unit Reports
Beavers
Adventurers
1st Horsell Adventurers Beavers meet on Wednesday evening at 6pm, we are an active group who enjoy taking on new challenges and the pandemic hasn’t stopped us from doing that.
Our colony has strong foundations in the local community and was run very successful by Nomad (Lis), Sherpa (Sue) and Old Beaver (George) for over fifteen years, the new leadership team was handed the reigns during lockdown and we strive to continue to give children within the community a great experience of Scouting.
During the lockdowns Adventurers continued to meet via Zoom thanks to our supportive parents/carers. The Beavers had our first online Prehistoric Camp, completed cooking challenges, exercised with a GB rowing silver medalist and raised over £300 sponsoring toilets in Honduras.
As we returned to face to face Scouting, Adventurers Beavers have taken every opportunity to enjoy being outside and have been donutting at the dry ski slope at Christ College Guildford, experienced Kayaking at Hawley Lake Sailing Club and went back to basics learning camp craft skills at Rugged Earth.
Trailblazers
Trailblazers have had a busy year with so many badges achieved including a number of Chief Scout Bronze awards! Highlights include donuting, fire lighting
using a flint and steel, completing a litter pick around Horsell, learning about money and learning how to pitch a tent.
Coming out of lockdown and back to normal meetings has been amazing, giving the Beavers a chance to grow friendship, help each other and learn practical skills that couldn’t be taught via zoom. We have a great programme planned for the year ahead so watch this space.
Cubs
Baden Powell Cubs
BP Cubs have been busy
We have been active during the last year earning well over 200 activity badges and 6 cubs achieved their Chief Scouts Silver Award, the highest award a Cub Scout canachieve, well done to you all.
So, what is a typical meeting like, a mixture of learning life skills, environmental challenges, badge work, visiting local places, games but most importantly having fun in a controlled manner. The leadership team wishes to thank theparents for supporting us during these difficult times.
Brownsea Cubs
Brownsea Cubs have had a very busy and exciting year, holding an Activity Weekend at Walton Firs including fire lighting, backwoods cooking, rocket making and archery as well as virtual sleepovers. I
In the autumn we held a Night Hike with all thecubs spending the night in the HQ. Other highlights are a camp fire show, a Martial Arts Evening, and a trip to the Temple in Knaphill to learn about Buddhism and meditation.
Hopefully we will be able to camp in July and have some interesting plans!
Scouts
Gladstone
This year Gladstone Troop has continued to group in numbers and seen a small number of scouts achieve their Chief Scout Gold award.
It was great to be able to get back to some sense of normal and welcome the scouts back into the HQ.
This year has seen us take part in hikes, paintballing,knife skills and a very wet and muddy camp. We have also been lucky enough to welcome our local councillor Adam Kirby to give us an insight into his role and local politics.
Somers
Somers Scouts continued to deliver a varied and interesting program during the various COVID lockdowns and restrictions. Lots of outdoor activities when we were not allowed indoors gave real understanding of “be prepared”, as scouting in all weather was the norm.
With rules relaxing normal scouting resumes, some of which is indoors, with focus on completing Challenge Badges. A team of older scouts completed in the District Night Hike coming a very respectable 5th place and a team competed in the Air Rifle Challenge inJanuary.
The scouts are very much looking forward to Scoutabout this year.
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