Resources

Badge-work resources

If you have cubs, scouts or explorers wishing to work towards any of the air-related awards but don't know where to start, don't despair! Give me a call and I'll turn up with a car-load of bits and pieces and take them through those tricky bits. I also have links with local airfields for arranging visits.

Scout Meteorologist Badge

The Met Office, sponsors of the Scout Meteorologist Badge have produced a free resource for Scout Leaders to help them explain the badge requirements to their Troop. Packs containing a booklet and poster are available free of charge from the Information Centre on 0845 300 1818. These are limited to one per Troop whilst stocks last. Amongst other things, the booklet covers handy hints on how to recognise the clouds that might produce rain, predict how cold it is likely to be at night, and know where best to pitch tents so they are sheltered from the wind.

County Air Activities Camp

The first County Air Activities camp took place May 2004, The aim of this annual event is to give aviation-minded Cubs, Scouts and Explorers the chance to learn about the art and science of flying and to complete badge work using specialist instructors that would otherwise be hard to find. Due to ill-health I had to stop running this in 2007 but alternative activities now take place. It's due to re-start in 2011.

Timed for the start of the aviation season it provides a good background for Scouts wishing to participate in airborne activities later in the year.

It is also a good meeting place for any air-minded leaders to swap ideas and share resources.

Contact the Air Activities Advisor and join the county air mailing list for details.

Air Scouts Yahoo Group

There is a group for UK Air Scouts on Yahoo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukairscouts, but you will need a (free) Yahoo account before you use it. Your attention is drawn to Yahoo's terms and conditions and privacy policy, which basically says that if you sign up with them they are allowed to sell your address and any personal details to anyone in order that they can send you marketing messages. Some people have suggested registering with fictitious information and throw-away e-mail addresses.

Gliding

The Faulkes Flying Foundation is no more, but gliding continues. Flight training for Scouts (and young people) countrywide from bases including at Lasham in Hampshire and Dunstable in Bedfordshire

Colin Knowles of the 2nd Hitchin Air Scouts is the man to talk to, or contact me and I'll let you know what's currently available.

You might like to look at  http://www.gliding.powernet.co.uk/core/mainframe.htm for the London Gliding Club in Dunstable.