View this email in your browser

Not the 2020 we planned is it?

I hope you are all enjoying the extra freedoms we are starting to get in our personal lives and in Scouting. I have found some things I have got to do much more exciting than I really should have including getting a bus and paying £3.10 for a coke in a pub. I have also ordered some lovely facemasks!
While it has been great to see all the online Scouting and even virtual sleepovers I am loving seeing some leaders from Hampshire lead the way to getting face to face Scouting going again. It is also important to remember that this isn't one size fits all and it is fine to wait until the time is right for you. I have included some links at the end of this email to help planning your return
I have a selection of news for this month's newsletter, it is a bit of an eclectic mix!
As always though if you have any questions you can reach out to me and my team
Michael

Hampshire Beavers Virtual Teddy Bears Picnic for Murray Parish Trust
This year we had a digital spin on our picnics and they involved zoom calls, photos and more. Above is my rather unusual picnic setup!
This year we have raised £770 for Murray Parish trust which is amazing!

I've had an update from Murray Parish Trust about the work they have helped fund for the Children’s Emergency and Trauma Department (CETD). This was their aim while we had our last 2 picnics and we contributed around £2000 to the cause. Here is a little snippet:
The Observed Play Area, provides a fun space for children who do not need to be in a bed to be treated and monitored. Staff can gain a better understanding of how they are feeling whilst playing, frequently enabling quicker discharge. The clinical team has reported that the fantastic new space has had a significant benefit, not only for the children and their families, but also for the staff. Visit https://themurrayparishtrust.com/ to find out more about the charity

Exciting news from Ferny Crofts!
After a long lock-down, we are delighted to be opening our gates to Scout Leaders and their families for camping during the Summer Holidays!
Initially we will be open from Thursdays to Mondays, starting from 7th August 2020.
For full details please see our website here:
www.fernycrofts.org.uk/summer-2020

4 Kingdoms and Paultons Park 2020
When the lockdown hit we were in the final planning for 4 Kingdoms and about to launch Paultons park for 2020. Everything had to go on hold while we looked into these events. Unfortunately while we do have more freedoms a trip on the scale of Paultons Park could only happen when the readiness level is green. The event requires a lot of planning both on the Scouting and Paultons Park side and the deadline for bookings would have to be early September. In light of this uncertainty and to avoid the huge financial impact of a last minute cancellation we have taken the difficult decision to not hold the 4 Kingdoms or Paultons Park visits in 2020.
I know this is not the news that anybody wanted even though it may have been expected. We are already busy planning our county events for 2021 and hope to return to 4 Kingdoms and Paultons Park. We will let you know as soon as we have firm news.

County Beaver Camp 2021 - Save the Date!
Another event which has had to go on the back burner for now is County Camp 2021. We were lining up a launch for the Leaders Rally earlier in the year. We are now restarting planning but want to make sure the date is in your diary.
10-11 July 2021
More details soon

Links
Getting everyone back together safely
https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/scouts-at-home/getting-everyone-back-together-safely/

Beavers Socially Distant Programme Ideas
https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/running-a-beaver-colony/beaver-socially-distanced-activities/