Active Kids 07

Many thanks to all who have given us their Sainsburys Active Kids vouchers. The promotion has now finished but if you still have some vouchers knocking about in your handbag, wallet or purse, please hand them to a Leader as soon as possible.

At latest count we have collected 1886 vouchers - fantastic!

The Leaders are currently perusing the catalogue to see what equipment we can get for the Group. We will keep you posted on this.

It's Carnival Time!

Don't forget Saturday 23rd June is the date for Crofton's 7th Annual Carnival, organised by Crofton Carnival Committee.

Crofton Scout Group will be running the Refreshment Stand and Plate Smashing at the Carnival. In addition to the request for any old crockery (or even ceramic wall tiles etc.), we also need cakes & buns donating for the refreshment stand.

Click on the following link for full details on the Crofton Carnival Online website.

We hope to see you there!

Cubs upcoming events dates

For the upcoming cubs event dates for your diaries, click here

Recycling Appeal

Another gentle reminder....

The Scout Association has joined the Recycling Appeal to bring Scout Groups throughout the UK The Scouts Recycling Appeal, an innovative recycling programme.

The programme leads to the Scout Community badge, which is achieved through an improved understanding of the community. Another benefit is that Scout Groups can raise funds through the programme. All we have to do is collect used printer cartridges and old mobile phones, things that many homes and offices throw in the bin.

Millions of cartridges were thrown away last year alone - perhaps you discarded some yourself. The 2nd Wakefield Crofton Scout Group could benefit enormously if these cartridges, plus unwanted mobiles, came our way instead. The environment would benefit too, because dumped materials cause landfill pollution, and recycling saves raw materials and energy.

Why not ask your employers to support us by registering for the Scouts Recycling Appeal programme on its website www.scoutsappeal.com ? By registering their support, your workplace can pledge their empty cartridges to our group. There is no cost involved in participating, as the Recycling Appeal provide free collection boxes which they uplift free of charge! Interested companies should register online or call 08451 30 20 10, simply mention that you would like to support our group and quote our account number 55209.

The Scouts Recycling Appeal programme will raise awareness in young people that recycling makes money and sense. Your support will provide greatly needed resources for our groups. To offer help and assistance to our group please call Chris Stead on 07814 010231 for further information on how you can help us.

We welcome your questions, support, cartridges and mobile phones. Thank you in advance for your participation.

GiftAid update

Just a gentle reminder for any parent who hasn't yet submitted a Gift Aid Declaration that it's not too late to do so.

We recently received £200.85 in GiftAid from HMRC for our first claim relating to subs going back to 2001.

A year's subscription to Crofton Scout Group is currently £78 (assuming a 39 week year). Gift Aid can potentially turn that amount into £100!

We are currently preparing the necessary data for the 2006-07 Tax Year Gift Aid claim. With the declarations we have already we can claim back approx £240. Please help us to increase this amount if you are able to make a Gift Aid Declaration.

To find out more about Gift Aid, and to download a Declaration form, please visit:
http://www.croftonscouts.org.uk/finances.htm

What do you think.....?

....about scouting in Crofton?

Is there something missing from this website?

Should there be a Parents Only password-protected area?

If you have any thoughts or comments please let us know by clicking on the comments link below.

Centenary Celebrations pictures...

Centenary Celebration

.... are now available in the Gallery.

Money Matters

A few financial updates for you. Firstly, thanks to all those parents who have filled in a Gift Aid Declaration for us. Our first claim, which relates only to subs payments made up until April 2006, has been accepted by HM Revenue & Customs and has resulted in a payment direct to Crofton Scout Group funds of £200.85.

Also, we have received a BuyAt webshop commission cheque for £38.58. This brings our total raised from this shop since last September to £175.74. Please tell your friends, relatives and work colleagues about our shop and encourage them to use it too - the shop is open to all!

Sainsbury's Active Kids vouchers are still being issued until the end of May. If you're not already passing yours in to a local school, please remember that Crofton Scouts are collecting these too. At latest count we have 545 vouchers.

We have also applied for a grant from the UKVillages Community Kitty in the hope that we may be able to purchase a new Burco boiler for use on camps and at events.

LIVE 07

LIVE 07

2nd Wakefield Cubs have been given a once in a life time chance for up to three lucky Cubs to take an active part in Live 07 at the O2 Arena (previously know as the Millennium Dome) in London towards the end of the year.

LIVE 07 is the festival of scouting to be held on Saturday 24th November 2007. It promises to be a fantastic showcase of everything which has made our centenary year special. Part of the programme will see 300 Cub Scouts taking part in special item to celebrate the fun and adventure which Cub Scouting represents. The Cub Scouts will be taken from Central, South and West Yorkshire.

More information can be found at: http://www.scouts.org.uk/2007/events/festival.html

The production team for the event is based here in Yorkshire and they are looking for up to three Cubs from each pack in the three counties to get involved.

What Skills do the Cub Scouts need?
The most important thing is that they are confident youngsters who can listen to and act on instructions. They will be taught to sing a song in the item but they do not need to be strong singers. They are particularly interested in youngsters who can confidently roller blade or do gymnastics. The chosen young people will need to be still in the Cub section in November.

What will taking part in the event involve?
There will be a small number of rehearsals for the event , which the Cubs will need to attend. The first one will be on the 15th May 6.30 – 8.00pm.
The evening will be used to give the Cub an idea of what is involved and also give the parents information about the project.

For the event itself, it is planned to provide coach transport down to the Arena for the cast of 300 along with supporting adult volunteers. The funding for this to happen has to be raised, and therefore a small amount of fundraising might be required.

What happens next?
If you’re Cub (from 2nd Wakefield Crofton) would like the chance to be in the cast, please e-mail your interest to cubleaders@croftonscouts.org.uk or phone your section Leader by the 20th April, and asked they are put forward for consideration. At this date the Cub Leaders will then select three Cubs from the list, and this decision will be final. We wish we could select all of our Cubs, but unfortunately we can’t. Parents wishing to attend or any member who hasn't been selected will be able to purchase tickets very soon, see the above link for details.

Centenary Celebration

Millennium Square, Leeds

A Centenary Celebration will be held to bring together scout members from the whole of the Central Yorkshire County on Sunday 22 April 2007.

We are parading from Woodhouse Moor into Millennium Square, Leeds; where the event will be held. Wakefield District have been asked to lead the parade, this is a great opportunity for us to, yet again, show the other members of Central Yorkshire County how great Wakefield District is. As this is a celebration young people are encouraged to bring along whistles, etc. for the parade.

The District has agreed to pay for the cost of transport to and from the event. Buses/coaches will leave from, and return to a selected location in Wakefield. Please ensure you have contact your section leader to confirm your Childs attendance ASAP, as the coaches have to be booked. More information i.e. meeting arrangements will be released at the section meetings before the event.

It is very likely 2nd Wakefield will be at the front of the parade, so let’s have a good attendance for this 100 year celebration event, and let’s shout about who we are.