Bookings and support for younger attendees

SENT to GSLs, Explorer Leaders, Scouts Leaders and Cubs Leaders

Hi all,

Following the information evening on Tuesday, bookings for the Kandersteg '24 trip are now open. Bookings are rolling in, so we would encourage people to sign up soon to secure a place. More information (including the slides from the information evening) and the link to the registration portal can be found on the Malling Scouts website here: Kandersteg | Malling Scouts

We ask that you do pass this information on to all eligible young people (those born between: 27th July 2006 - 27th January 2014), as we have had some enquiries from people who have asked why they haven't heard about this from their leaders but have via the grapevine/school gate etc.

Support for younger attendees (please do reassure parents and young people on the points below):

We know that this trip may seem scarier for some of the Cubs and Scouts (and their parents) who have never been so far away from home or been on camp for so long before. In the past, camps will have been shorter, closer to home and with friends and leaders from their own Pack or Troop. We know that their concerns will centre around will they know who is attending? who will they share a tent with? what if they have no friends there? what will they eat? will they get homesick?

How we can reduce these concerns:

• These are all normal concerns that we have seen and dealt with before- and we are proactively aiming to reduce these concerns on this journey.
• We will have a leadership team taken from across the Scouting family who are used to working with all ages and have experience in ensuring every young person and leader is included, happy and finds their feet.
• We will engage with parents throughout the journey.
  
• The pre-camps are a major element of this:

• They will be geared towards enabling young people to make those new friendships and connections that will become their peer support network.
• Also allowing the young people and adults to get to know one another.
• We will run activities that promote getting to know each other and encourage teamwork.
• We will also be providing space and time for the young people to share their concerns with us, so that we can address any worries at an early stage.

If you have any questions about the trip, please contact us where the core team will be able to assist. If you have any concerns about support for younger participants, you can also contact Diane and George, who are Scout and Cub leaders themselves, on the email above.

Best wishes