Lindow Explorers

1. Lindow Explorers Let’s take a closer look...

2. Lindow’s Proud History Venture Scouts started at Lindow in 1979 and ran continuously until Explorer Scouting started nationwide in 2003.  The District started Lindow Explorer unit in 2003 and its been running ever since – there were 22 Explorer scouts at Lindow 2 years ago in 2012. • 2011 WSJ 5/5 Lindow Scout/Explorers • 2015 WSJ 2/3 Lindow Scout/Explorers • Explorers raised £590 in sponsorship for sleeping out in cardboard boxes: this was enough to pay for a Shelterbox set of equipment to help people caught up in natural disasters. • On the Silver practice in 2008, one of the boys had an epileptic seizure. The rest of the team put up a hike tent, put him inside in the recovery position and contacted the expedition Leaders. By the time we arrived, a party made up of Edale Mountain Rescue members (who were themselves out hiking) had come upon our group by chance and congratulated the Explorers on how they had handled things, saying there was nothing they could have done better. • Will Hamilton, home from University for the holiday, was able to give First Aid to an elderly man who had collapsed in Chapel Lane-Will’s father contacted us to let us know that his training had come in useful.

3. The Badges Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Platinum Chief Scouts Award Bronze Chief Scouts Award Silver Duke of Edinburgh Silver Chief Scouts Award Diamond Chief Scouts Award Gold Duke of Edinburgh Gold Chief Scouts Award Queens Scout

4. From Scout

5. To Queens Scout. Queens Scout, Jonny Stanley at Windsor Castle. Adam Ashcroft and Josh Harding collecting their Gold D of E certificates at St James’s Palace.

6. Lindow Explorer’s is worth keeping! • It is ours • It is local • It’s tradition • There is demand and massive potential • Sponsored by St.John’s • We will loose members • There is an opportunity for a new start – we will be the best again!

7. Why volunteer? • Try new things and gain qualifications, such as First Aid • Use your current skills and gain new ones • You can give as much or as little time as you would like • Be an active member of your community • Meet new people • Build confidence and have fun!

8. Don’t believe us? Here’s what others say… 41% of organisations say that Scouting would be a positive influence on a job applicant’s appointment. 91% of Scouts said it helped them gain ‘key skills’ such as leadership, team working and social skills The training and development opportunities taken up by Scouts were critically important to employers The Impact Assessment of The Scout Association, PACEC, Feb 2011

9. Many people doing a little bit. ‘We’ve got a brilliant, talented nation and I want some of that talent to be used to support young people. Life is an adventure live it!’ Bear Grylls, Chief Scout

10. So, what’s stopping you? • Opportunities to support our young people • Opportunities in behind the scenes roles • Opportunities to help lead Questions?

11. Dear Ian and Ed, I wish to add my voice to the current discussion regarding the future of Explore Scouting in Wilmslow. As a former Explorer, I can say without hesitation that the background knowledge and experience I gained during my time with the unit has gone on to help me in my education and career. Far more importantly, it has helped in shaping my view of the world and how I believe people ought to act toward one another. This is not something I attribute to all Explorer units in all counties in England, it is specific to the group of people I was fortunate enough to have as leaders for the simple fact that we had shared experiences and community. Since leaving Wilmslow I have been fortunate enough to get involved with my local group in Cambridge. The group has seen such growth over the last 7 years that we have had the wonderful opportunity of opening a second Cub pack and our own Explorer unit, so that we could keep more young people involved and inspired for longer. I faced several battles in setting this up, not least by the those in the district who thought it would be far easier to send my Scouts to an existing Explorer unit across town. I must be absolutely clear in pointing out that none of the young people leaving our troop would have been prepared to leave their friends, local community and existing network of leaders in order to continue in Scouting. My view is that I would rather keep people involved, not simply lose them at a time in life when the movement could best serve them. After much persuasion we opened the unit with a pitiful number of Explorers (between 3 and 5 on an average night of the first term). This seemed odd and did have us questioning our sanity at times - something that I have long felt is as intrinsic to Scouting as the smell of woodsmoke and burnt baked beans! However, as the first few terms went by, word began to spread in local schools and colleges and we have seen the unit grow steadily. In just 3 years we have seen numbers grow to roughly 25 Explorers at an average meeting. My point is this: Explorer units are something entirely different to any other section of the movement and deserve some special treatment. If numbers were to dwindle over the next 5, 10 or 50 meetings, it is worth keeping in mind that we are dealing with young people with more on their collective plate than previous generations. I'm not talking about exam revision and the rest of the school-related workload, I mean the distractions in their lives that can't just be summed up in a neat couple of sentences. For this reason - along with the fact that your unit is fortunate enough to have a volunteer willing to take on such an important and well respected role - I urge the district to see sense and support this unit in any way they possibly can. With the very best wishes for your continued enjoyment and success in the role, Tom Pinnock

12. Hi Ian, Just wanted to drop you my two cents on Explorers, on the hope it may assist you in keeping the unit going! Having finished my time with Scouting for a number of years now, I can happily look back and say that my time with Explorers helped completely define who I am today, providing my with leadership skills that I never would've gained otherwise. These have been critical in my varying successes over the years, but particularly during my time now as a Game Developer, I find it incredibly useful to have attained useful experience in critically assessing situations, being able to make decisions and lead when there are difficult choices to be made, and be able to acknowledge and weigh up the pros and cons of situations. I've also referenced my time in Scouting and Explorers innumerably during job interviews, as it's a fantastic place to gain examples from, as well as leading into relating skills to real life experiences. I know a number of people feel some things learned during Scouting aren't necessarily relevant to most day-to-day activities, but some of the skills learnt will last me a life time, and will help me create the life I truly desire. I hope these words help you in one way or another. Best of luck, Will Herring