Kaleidoscope 2005

This was the fifth Kaleidoscope for Kent County Beaver Scouts an event that has been extremely successes with the young people and their Leaders and generally takes place every three years. The venue this year was The Wildernesse School, Seal Sevenoaks during the weekend 2nd/3rd July 05. Half of the County were invited on Saturday and the other half on Sunday alternating the Districts each time to make it fair to Leaders that may work at weekends.

With the invaluable help of Rebecca Martin an out line budget was drawn up and a programme was decided in May 2004.The theme chosen was International which coincided with Euro Jam for the older section. Each District provided a base to depict a Country which enhanced the event no end. A commemorative badge was agreed by Kelvin Holford CC to be worn by members from May until September 2005.The badge was in the same format at in bright multi colours.

Activities were bought in such as large inflatable, clowns, punch and Judy, New age curling, Mini Rugby, and KCC Scrap stores did junk modelling. Volunteers from all over Kent provided excellent bases such as Archery, the Climbing tower, Prussicking, Rope bridge, Human football game, Quidich, Tennis, String making panning for gold, Spin art, Bubbles, Catapults, Line dancing, with as much Candy floss and Pop corn as you could manage.

The ‘Hullabaloo Road Show' opened the event each day with a super bang ! They entertained the young people during the day with Clowning around activities and officially closed the event.

The catering was taken on by Lyne Davis and her able team, who feed 80 + staff each day as well as lunch for around 160 no mean task! Steve Ford and his team manned the gate during the event and organised the car parking. Neil Emberley and Coxheath Scouts

Provided refreshments for the Leaders and the coach drivers.

County team members, Fellowship, Network, Explorers, Scouts, and some non scouting people manned bases, ran errands and did a huge amount of hard work with a smile and good attitude.

St John’s did First aid cover each day and Stuart Lewis attended with his First response car. There was a couple of minor accidents fortunately non requiring hospital treatment. Rebecca drew up a risk assessment which was approved by Paul Randall.

At the closing date in May our estimated numbers were lower than anticipated. Rebecca reduced the original budget, which in the end because of late and extra bookings we ended up with a surplus amount of money in hand. Other factor being that Michael Turner one of our Beaver team members donated items of food and cleaning produces which saved us a reasonable sum of money. The budget for this event should be finalised by the middle of September.

We did have concerns at one point when it was discovered that the Kent County Scout hike was also planned for the same weekend. It was felt that help on both fronts may by jeopardised, but due to good practice all went well. T he Chief Scout Peter Duncan was invited to both events but declined the invitation due to work commitments.

The county review took place at a lunch during the Saturday after which the guests where invited to experience Kent Beaver Scouting first hand. One or two of them had a go at the Climbing tower and African drumming!

In all well over 1600 Beaver Scouts and their Leaders had a marvellous day out, trying new activities, making friends in the freedom in the safe environment of Scouting, giving each and everyone the opportunity to enjoy what ever activities they choose under the umbrella of scouting. We have received many thank you cards saying that it was the best event so far!

Thanks must go to the Beaver Scout team and the staff at County office for all their help support and encouragement.