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Hi everyone,
Hitchin Scouting celebrated it’s Centenary in 2009, a mere two years after Scouting’s global Centenary. That is quite an achievement in itself and more so because of the success we are seeing around and within our District at this time. A booklet has been created to remember our celebrations and, to share with others some Scouting highlights from a very special year.
In the 1990’s, Scouting was a declining movement, but by careful planning, wide discussion across the organisation and a clear focus on our traditional values, the Association introduced a new, re-branded, re-uniformed and re-programmed “Scouting”. This initiative has been a huge success and, is captured in the current slogan “Everyday Adventure” – something that we are all delivering locally.
Membership numbers have risen since the global Centenary: by 5% nationally and 11% locally. This is represented in and around Hitchin by our 12 “Groups” and 29 “sections” including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts – covering ages 6 -18. We also have an “Active Support Unit” of adults, which organises a range of activities, events and social functions throughout the year. We have around 700 people within Hitchin Scouting, including 550 young people and 150 adult volunteers.
So, we are not only the world’s largest uniformed youth movement, with 28 million members, but clearly the largest in Hitchin as well! Scouting is delivered every weekday evening in and around Hitchin, with weekend activities organised during the year, so as you can see, we are definitely delivering the “Everyday Adventure”.
During 2009, three special events took place, in addition to our regular calendar full of adventures.
The local profile of Hitchin Scouting is very important to us, so we organised an “Activity Day” in the Market Place to tell and show people what 21st century Scouting is all about. The centre-piece was our national Mobile Display Unit, with multimedia entertainment and information. However, the event was brought to life by the imagination and ingenuity of our adults and young people, who organised a plethora of activities, in which members of the public could take part.
No Centenary Year is complete without a Centenary Camp and 2009 was no exception! Based at Well End Activity Centre, one of Hertfordshire Scouting’s seven centres, 500 people from our District camped together for the weekend, taking part in over 30 activities and two massive campfires. It was a very special event and one which everyone who attended will remember for years to come.
Scouting isn’t just fun for our young people, the adults are allowed to enjoy themselves as well! Our Centenary Dinner Dance, held in a marquee (a large tent, of course) at the Priory was a marvellous evening of fine food, conversation and dancing. A great time was enjoyed by all, in a relaxed atmosphere with friends and partners. Judging by the feedback received, we shall be running occasional social events in the future!
All the opportunities offered to our young people do not happen by themselves. We are blessed with an incredible team of uniformed and supporting adult volunteers.
The generosity of time and attention that every volunteer brings to Hitchin Scouting is nothing short of outstanding. I use every opportunity that I can to thank them for their efforts on behalf of our young people.
Thank you all, for what you have done, and continue to do, for Hitchin Scouting – you are all amazing, as you actually deliver the everyday adventure!
We all enjoyed our Centenary in 2009 and look forward to even more fun and adventure in 2010 and beyond.
Graham Woolley
District Commissioner
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