1st Finchampstead

1st Finchampstead
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Meetings
Beavers - Mondays & Saturday mornings Cubs - Tuesdays & Wednesdays Scouts - Thursdays & Fridays The Phoenix Explorer Scouts also meet at Finchampstead on Mondays from 19:30 to 21:00. Explorer Scouts are mixed.
Location

Wokingham District Scouts is committed to the safety and security of its members, therefore we are unable to publish the exact location of this group.

Contact 1st Finchampstead

Should you require any more information please please drop us an email . The Group also have their own web site at www.1finch.org.uk
News

Just some snippets of news from the Group with photographs that have been passed to the webmaster

End of Term News

Members of the Group from the Troops and Packs, not to mention leaders and members of the Group Executive have been enjoying themselves completing a 1 * canoe course. Hopefully one or two wet photographs shortly!

The new Beaver Colony will open shortly and is already full! They will be meeting on Saturday mornings so that will bring a new dimension to Scouting in Finchampstead. It will also mean that few young people will remain on the waiting list who are already old enough to join.

Sadly we have to report the passing of Richard Walsh Atkins towards the end of June. Richard had been a Beaver, a Cub and a Scout with 1st Finchampstead before moving on to join Phoenix Explorer Scouts. He was in his early 20s and the funeral will be at Easthampstead Park at 3PM on Friday 11th July.

The Scouts will be holding summer camp at Tintern in the Wye Valley at the end of July. Cubs will be holding their summer camp at Longridge near Marlow towards the end of August, and the Troop plan to hold another camp in October/November. Looking further ahead, the Group plans three floats at the Winter Carnival on 30th November.

Annual General Meeting 2008

The AGM took place on 14th May at Finchbase and the joint GSLs took turns to present the year's achievements and plans for the future. Dave talked about the year past, including a growth of 30% (mostly thanks to the revival of the second Scout Troop) and a whole raft of activities (many reported above), while Simon talked about the plans for the forthcoming year and even mentioned that they had booked their site for the 2011 camp in Kendersteg. The Group also hoped to open that second Beaver Colony before long - they already had enough Beavers to open one, but still needed more adult support. The Group had investigated expanding the building, but instead had been offered another large facility. This would allow them to lose the old HQ building - now used as an equipment store.

The Group Opens a New Scout Troop

A new Scout Troop will open at the end of May, restoring the number of Troops to two at Finchampstead. Known as Greenfinch, they will be meeting on a Friday evening.

The Group's Easter Expedition

Easttrek '08 was a hike along part of the Kennet & Avon Canal from Bath to Crofton. Spread over four days, the Group's leaders, Scouts and some Explorers from Phoenix camped during the intervening nights. There are more photos at Finch's own web site, but here are a few.
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Three Towers Hiking Competition

The Three Towers Hiking Competition, organised by Reading Central District, supported by Taceham Hundred District, took place on 5th April. A number of teams from the Group and from Phoenix Explorer Scouts took part and here is a brief report on their achievements: In the Scout Event (25 Kms) Rob, Auryan & Jacob took 5Hrs 46Mins and Matthew, Matthew & Isi took 8Hrs 16 Mins. In the Explorer Scout Event (45Kms) Tom, Matt & Phil took 9Hrs 42Mins while Belinda, Nick & Phil took 12Hrs 12Mins. In the Classic Event (70Kms) Chris and Niall took 12Hrs 53Mins, but lost Simon to injury along the way. Simon Jess & Chris took 15Hrs 21Mins and Adam, Phil & Ali took 15Hrs 55Mins. There are some photos taken during training, and during the event itself.

Scouts and Explorers try Bridge Building

At the end of January, the Scout Troop and Phoenix Explorers got together to have a go at Bridge Building. Restricting materials to just paper and tape to cross the hall did keep costs under control, but made for an interesting challenge. For some photos taken during the evening, have a look here.
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Wokingham Winter Carnival

The Group entered no fewer than three floats in the Winter Carnival - one each for the Scouts, the Cubs and the Beavers. Thanks to Simon and others, here are a few photos.

A Potted Group History

With 1st Finchampstead Scout Group celebrating 85 years scouting in 2004, former GSL, Chris Brett has put together a potted history of the oldest group in the District so here, 85 years on, is a brief story of how Finchampstead got here.

Leader Vacancies

What does it take to become a Leader? Well, enthusiasm is a more important asset than experience, and training & support are provided. In addition, we are always pleased to talk to anyone who is interested in just lending a hand. It's a great way to find out if you're suited to working with the young, or just to throw a bit of variety into ordinary, everyday life! Even a busy one! You can have fun too! For a younger person, it's a great way to find out about dealing with people which will undoubtedly help them in this ever more challenging world. To find out more about our enthusiastic leadership team, just drop us an e-mail.
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