Chelmsford and District

Introducing Essex’s new Transformation Lead

As we drive forward our Skills for Life Strategy through to 2025, the Scouts are embarking on a positive and engaging period of change. We want to continue offering high quality, safe and engaging programmes to our 16,000+ young people.

In doing that, we must continue to be a vibrant, forward-thinking movement, adapting to the needs of our ever changing society. We want to reach more young people, be more diverse and make it easier than ever to volunteer for Scouts in Essex.

To achieve our strategy, Team Essex are excited to announce James Hopkins as our new Transformation Lead!

In the new role, James is responsible for leading, planning and implementing the Skills for Life strategy in Essex and will be building a transformation team during Summer 2022 to make this happen. With a professional background in change and project management, and prior experience in Scouting as a leader, GSL and DC, James is looking forward to working with the thousands of adult volunteers we have in Essex to make Scouting locally even better.

Our new transformation team will work alongside our existing structures – so we can continue great Scouting whilst starting to deliver one of our key aims – to improve the volunteer experience – so that we can attract and retain more volunteers.

Within this, there are four identified key areas to focus on as a start:

– A warmer welcome for everyone

– Simplifying how we volunteer together

– Digital transformation: more support to help get everyday things done

– A more engaging learning experience

There is more that can be done to improve things further – like better rewards and recognition – but we can’t change everything at once. This is a three year programme delivered in bitesize chunks.

More information will be shared from Autumn 2022 onwards. If you have any questions at any point about the transformation programme, please email transformation@essexscouts.org.uk

2022-05-19T10:29:07+01:00May 19th, 2022|

Bring on the Virtual Camps!

Many Groups had planned to be going out for weekend camps over Easter but sadly that can’t now happen… booooo. But wait! Why not go virtual camping instead!!

Lots of you have been sharing ideas across social media, and this weekend, Thurrock District will be holding their own event and they’ve invited the whole County to join them this weekend!

They have timetabled activities for everyone to join in with too, so take a look at the downloads below so see if you can be part of the indoor adventure :-)

Thurrock Camp At Home Programme Thurrock Camp At Home Scavenger Hunt

Over in Chelmsford they have a virtual camp running for the WHOLE of April! Scouts can take part for one night or all of them, take a look at their camp page here: CHELMSFORD CAMP AT HOME

Are you running a #campathome ? Have you been inspired by Thurrock or Chelmsford? If so let know over on our Facebook page of tag us on twitter using @essexscouts or #essexscouts

2020-04-02T22:08:16+01:00April 2nd, 2020|

How can you get involved with the High Sheriff’s Litter Pick?

Want to know how you can approach the litter pick? Thinking about why you should include the event in your busy programme? Want to know how to claim your free limited edition badges?

Essex Scouts have the pleasure of bringing to you some simple guidelines and information about the amazing upcoming litter pick.

Download the brochure here Essex Scouts Litter pick Guide

Don’t forget to let us know how you are getting involved.

2020-03-16T21:51:01+00:00March 1st, 2020|

Caving Badge Course Dates for 2018

Essex County Scout Caving Team (ECSCT) have now finalised our badge course dates for 2018.

June badge course 29th, 30th June- 1st July
October badge course 5th- 7th October
November overflow course 9th- 11th November

Visit ecsct.org to see photographs from last year’s trips.

The application pack with full details is available on our website, direct download (pdf) here:

http://ecsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PSP-C01-Application-Pack-BC-2018.pdf

Come on a trip, or ask us about providing the activity as part of your camp (in a caving area), or teaching rope work as part of one of your troop nights!

Book early to avoid disappointment!

2018-01-01T18:35:03+00:00December 14th, 2017|

SAVE THE DATE FOR MEGA CAMP

Essex Scouts looks forward to welcoming 1600 Cub Scouts and their leaders to Mega Camp 2018. Coming to Skreens Park Activity Centre 8th-10th June 2018, with a spectacular Medieval theme, this event is definitely not one to miss!

So, save the date and keep an ear our for more information coming soon!

2017-06-24T11:22:22+01:00June 24th, 2017|

Chelmsford’s Scouts Celebrate 60 Years on Stage

Back in 1958, the Boy Scouts of Chelmsford took to the stage of the Hoffman Social Hall to perform their first Gang Show, “A Great Game”. 60 years later, the venue has changed to The Civic Theatre but the ideas behind the show remain the same.

The 2017 Gang Show, “Made of Stars” features a cast of over 80 Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and leaders alongside friends from the local Guiding districts. During their two hour performance, they’ll be entertaining the audiences with singing, dancing and comedy that they’ve been busy rehearsing since November last year.

Some members of the backstage team have been involved in the show for a number of years. Russell Day who runs the Box Office for the show has been involved in every single show since he appeared on stage in 1958. Ella, a Cub Scout joining the Mini Gang for the first time said “I’ve really enjoyed my first year of Gang Show and I can’t wait to do lots more!”.

2017-05-01T20:04:27+01:00May 1st, 2017|

Beaver Funday Registration Reminder!

As you are planning your Summer programme, don’t forget Beaver Funday 2017! Held at Skreens Park Activity Centre on Saturday 10th June, Funday offers a day full of opportunities for Beaver Scouts to try out new and exciting activities and craft. There will be the added bonus of meeting some unusual creatures.

The event costs just;

£15 per Beaver, £10 Cubs / Scouts (Leaders children) & 3 – 6 year olds, under 3’s free with accompanying leader/helper.

A piratetastic day planned by the Counties Beaver Scout team, is certain to offer Beaver Scouts Fun, Adventure and the opportunity to make new friends.

To register your groups interest please complete the online booking form (here) and pay just a £10.00 deposit!

We can’t wait to hear from you soon, and look forward to meeting you all at Beaver Funday 2017.

2017-03-07T19:09:29+00:00March 7th, 2017|

Essex Weekend 2017 Bookings now open!

Essex Weekend is a fun filled weekend for Scouters and their families to attend either as part of their Scout Group or as individual families to take part in a relaxing social weekend and also have the opportunity to take part in various activities as a family which is not normally possible when you organising a camp for your young people.

Although the weekend is a self catered event there is a café running during the weekend. Alongside this you can enjoy a variety of activities, pampering sessions ( why not treat yourself to foot massage), camp fire, social activities in the evening as well as the opportunity to meet some of the County Activity teams and the County Stores team.

Essex Weekend is now in its 7th year and is once again booked at Skreens Park on the 12^th – 14^th May 2017.

The cost is £15 per Adult, £7 per child and under 5’s go free. Bookings are now open HERE (opens new window).

In previous years over 300 participants have attended but we would like to make it more

2017-01-22T21:19:30+00:00January 25th, 2017|

County Backpack calling ALL leaders and SAS members!

County backpack is an exciting weekend for the Scout section, the event is a two day incident hike around the local countryside, where Scouts will need to visit as many bases as possible each day before returning back to Belchamps, each base will have a small activity to complete before moving on to the next base.

The event will be held at Belchamps Campsite on 31st March- 2nd April 2017

The County Scout section needs your help with manning bases and support teams around the course for this years event, if you can offer your help and support for both or either day please contact John Dell, County Scout Leader on john.dell@essexscouts.org.uk for more information.

2017-01-21T23:36:48+00:00January 18th, 2017|

Chelmsford Explorer Scout gains his Explorer Belt.

James Beaumont from Quo Vadis ESU in Chelmsford gained his Explorer Belt by undertaking a 10 day expedition to Transylvania.

The major part of his trip was to investigae what young people like to do in that country and to find out about their schooling.

His favourite mini project was to sleep somewhere interesting. He slept in the grounds of a museum.

Achieving the belt has made James more independant. He was just 18 when he did his trip and it helped him to prepare himeself for university.

During his trip he had to administer first aid when a child impaled his foot playing football. He has also had to use these skills since being at university.

His favourite fundraiser for the trip was a concert that his band did which raised £90.

2017-01-03T11:31:34+00:00January 4th, 2017|

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