trolley derby wrap-up

Hello all,

It was a perfect morning for a trolley derby, and a number of brave and foolhardy souls took to Endeavour Drive to prove their mettle. 

The build quality of the trolleys was as variable as it usually seems - if you squinted just right and tilted your head just right, your brain would trick you into seeing a working brake.  Or functional steering.

The course was surprisingly steep, and a couple of trial runs indicated that shortening the course might prevent Scouts from being launched into low earth orbit.  With Venturers, however, no such concerns.

A number of race heats were run, with excellent driving from everyone and only one minor tip-out.

In the end, Raumati took the Scouts trophy home, with George Stuart declared Scout Driver of the Derby on the strength of his multiple wins for the troop.  Well done, Raumati! 

The Waikanae Venturers snuck in a dark-horse winner with their interpretation of Thomas The Tank Engine.  The adults present figured that if the thing should come apart during the race, the barrel could be used as a safety capsule.  Seems to work occasionally at Niagara Falls, anyway.

And Jareth Logan of Ngati Toa was recognised as Venturer Driver of the Derby on his not-quite-legal-but-fascinating-anyway drift trike.  One of his screaming runs featured not one but two unplanned 360 slides.  The rules did stipulate four wheels, but wasn't explicit about them all being on the ground.  And considering how much time the trike spent on two wheels, it might as well have been in the Bicycle class.

A huge thanks to all the parents, leaders, supporters and family members who came out today.

Randall

10 PIN BOWLING NIGHT - open to the whole Troop!!!!

10 PIN BOWLING NIGHT - open to the whole Troop!!!!
from 6.30pm Wednesday 21 September
cost - only $8 per game
Where - Strike Porirua

Following the huge success of last years bowling night we again invite all members of the Ngati Toa Troop, their families and friends, to a great night of competition and entertainment at Strike Porirua, Kenepuru Drive, from 6.30pm.

This is a huge opportunity to mix with other groups within the troop, and to raise funds to ensure we can continue to provide great activities for you or your child. We have been able to secure game tickets at a discount enabling us to raise some funds while having a great time at a cheap price (normal pricing is $10-$12 per game). When you purchase your game tickets, we will track which section of the troop the sale has come from and the funds raised will be allocated to that section.

The added benefit obtained this time is that tickets will be able to be used anytime up to 3 months away so if for any reason you are unable to make it on the night, you can play at a later date.

Tickets will be available from Ross Pritchard at Scouts each Thursday night or you can pay on the night (Ross will be available from 6.30 at the venue to sell tickets). Anyone wanting to purchase larger quantities of tickets for use at a later date can contact Ross by email (ross [at] whittakers [dot] co [dot] nz)

NTSS MasterChef done for another year

And done well, I have to say.

Thanks to everyone for another great event!  And especially to our 'volunteer' judges and parent assistants.

Photos are up already at
https://picasaweb.google.com/ngatitoa.seascouts/NTSSMasterChef2011Edition

Photo competition categories are up

Hello all,

Tonight was a roaring success - huge thanks to Ross and Rachel for testing the kids' ingenuity while I spent some quality time with Windows.

The photo competition categories are up on our Picasa website.  Please have a browse through each album, there are terrific photos to be seen!

https://picasaweb.google.com/ngatitoa.seascouts/PhotoCompetition2011Landscape
https://picasaweb.google.com/ngatitoa.seascouts/PhotoCompetition2011Sport
https://picasaweb.google.com/ngatitoa.seascouts/PhotoCompetition2011Creative
https://picasaweb.google.com/ngatitoa.seascouts/PhotoCompetition2011PeopleAndAnimals

===

A reminder that next week is the fabled NTSS MasterChef event.  Start time is 6:30pm, not 7, and the menu will be top-secret until then.  We will, however, ask for parents to bring in electric fry pans and mixers.  Another email will go out early next week.

R

Photo competition information

Hi all,

This week we are going to give you a bit more guidance to composing and making photographs, so please bring your cameras.

The categories for next week's competition are as follows:

• People/Animals
• Landscape
• Sports
• Creative

The requirements are as follows:

• Each scout must submit at least one photograph to the competition.  You can enter more than one if you like, but everyone has to contribute at least one.
• This is a photography competition, not a Photoshop competition.  Just the photos, please; excessive digital manipulation will not score extra points.
• We will be viewing the photos on-screen, so I need photos to be provided on a memory stick or USB stick.
  

====
And just to prove that "Be Prepared" can mean "Come Out Alive," here is a link to a story about a 12-year-old Scout in Utah who got separated from his troop and spent the night under a lean-to he built.  The temperature got down to 31 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just a bit below zero.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/13/jared-ropelato-boy-scout-utah_n_926335.html

R

Key dates updated on the website

Hello all,

I have updated the page on our website that describes major events and activities that involve our troop.  Please have a look at it when you get a chance:
http://ngatitoaseascouts.blogspot.com/p/key-dates.html

Cheers,
R

Opening notes and spring cleaning this Sunday

Hello all,

We had a fantastic start to the term last night with the kids going through a number of fun teambuilding activities indoors and out.  The watches have been thoroughly shuffled plus we have six new kids moving up from Cubs which meant that it was the perfect time to help the new watches bond.

Congratulations to Nicky, Jessica and Will for coming up to assistant coxswain roles.
And congratulations to Dain, Liam and Rowan for moving up to become coxswains. 

===

We will be running a Photo Competition in week 4, as part of the work needed for their Photography badge.  We will be giving the kids some basic lessons in colour, composition, lighting and other useful skills over the next couple of weeks leading up to the competition.  So we will be expecting each Scout to submit one or more photos electronically by the closing date.  If you do not own or have access to a digital camera, please let me know so that we can make some arrangements.

Cheers,
Randall

ready for first night of term

Hello all,

I hope everyone's looking forward to tonight - we are going to hit the ground running.

Just a reminder that in Terms 2 and 3 we start at 7pm unless notified otherwise, and we go until 9pm.

Please bring a warm jacket each evening as many of our activities may have an outdoor component. Please do not suffer for the sake of fashion.

Also, please bring a working torch with your name on it.  Again, we will likely spend some time outdoors and a torch will be very handy.

Cheers,
R

Back on board for Term 3

Hello all,

Trusting everyone had a good break (never long enough in my opinion) we are back at it this coming Thursday evening, starting at 7pm.

It's a full-on programme this term, with field trips, new activities, new watches, and a couple of new cutters to play with.

More information will be popping out over the next few days, so check your email and/or the website often.

See you then!

Randall

Sandford update, Orongorongo tramp, and another field trip

Hello all,

There will be an email coming out in the next day or two with important information for those who have registered for the Sandford course running 1 July to 3 July.

What I can tell you right now is that you need to be at Brookfield no later than 7:00pm on Friday night, in full uniform and having had your tea.

Could I please have everyone who sent away the registration form for the course (whether you've received a confirmation or not) contact me so that I know who *should* be on the list.
===

I have one scout who would like a ride out to Wainuiomata for the Orongorongo tramp on Sunday if possible.  Anyone with a spare seat please let me know.  Also, I forgot to mention, but parents and Cub-age siblings are welcome on the tramp as well.
===

A while back we had organised a field trip to visit the NIWA research vessel Tangaroa but had to cancel because of scheduling issues at the wharf.  The good news is that Tangaroa is back in port soon and we can re-schedule our field trip.  The best news is that (unless unforseen problems arise again) we can tour the vessel and meet her crew next Thursday night (30 June).  More detail to follow!

R

No Scouts this Thursday, but get your boots ready for Sunday

Hi all,

Just a quick reminder that Scouts this week is moved in time and space: Instead of Thursday night, we'll meet Sunday morning 9:00am just south of Wainuiomata at the trailhead for the Orongorongo track. 

The track begins at the Catchpool Valley DoC site about 12km south of Wainuiomata on Coast Road.  There is some parking, but ridesharing is always a good idea.  Please email me if you need a seat, or if you can offer a seat.

The track is a fairly gentle 5km or so one way so we'll be pacing ourselves for distance.  Prepare as you would for any day tramp: cut lunch, snacks, spare clothing layer, water, hat, sturdy shoes.  We'll be carrying in some burners, billies and extra water so that we might all have some hot tea or coffee with our lunch.  Don't forget a camera - there should be some excellent photo opportunities and I'll create a Picasa photo album afterward.

Ideally we'll finish up between 2 and 3 in the afternoon, so it will be a full day, but not the entire day.

===
Congratulations to our kids who completed the Cossgrove course this weekend.  It was wet, muddy, busy and fun; in short, everything a Scout camp should be.  Photos up in a day or two.

R

Cossgrove course invitation

Hi all,

Below is an invite from our Zone leader for the upcoming Cossgrove course.

I will mention it this week during our meeting as well, and will have the application forms.

Numbers are going to be very limited for the course, so get yourself in early!

====

Dear Scouts,

You are invited to join other Scouts from the Kapiti Coastal Zone to take part in the Kapiti Coastal Zone Cossgrove Course being held at Tatum Park June 18 to 19.

The Cossgrove Course is a fun and exciting weekend of skills training and teamwork where you will gain practical skills. 

The course is full of activities that allow you to practice these skills –  it is not about sitting around – it is about getting the OUT into Scouting. Be Prepared to be challenged!! 

Start time: 7.30 am, Saturday 18^th June, 2011 (please be on site by this time)

Cost: $40 (depending on numbers, we may be able to subsidise cost)

Finish time: 3:00 pm, Sunday 19^th June, 2011

Please note that this is a full weekend residential course – you must attend the full course – and that the entire course is based in the outdoors. Accommodation is under canvas.

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING WITH YOU:

• Full Uniform - Your Scout Uniform is to be worn when travelling to and from the Course.

• Sleeping bag and Blanket 

• Groundsheet    

• Toilet Gear

• Touch and spare batteries

• Bed Roll (no stretchers)  

• Pen & Paper

• Waterproof Parka & warm hat

• Personal survival kit

• Activity Gear (3 complete sets of warm clothes)

• Footwear (2 sets)

• Eating Utensils (plates, mug, cutlery, tea towel, etc)

• Personal 1^st Aid Kit  

• You are also asked to bring a tent, gas cookers and/or billy etc. for every 3 scouts per troop attending. Please indicate on the Application Form what you will bring.

DO NOT BRING ANY PORTABLE ELETRIONC DEVICES.

The Application Form and Course Fee are due by 3 June 2011. This course is limited to 36 scouts

Further information about Sandford course

Hi all,

I now have electronic copies of the Sandford course application form for anyone who is interested.

The cost is $70 per Scout, and the payment and application form are due with the regional office no later than 10 June.
It is run out of Brookfield, just out of Wainuiomata, starting at 7pm on Friday 3 July and wraps up at 4pm on Sunday.
It is a residential course, meaning that we will be staying onsite all weekend.

Leaders attend at no cost (but we will be organising and running the show), and there is a separate application form.

Please let me know if you want application forms.

Cheers,
R

Another Swimming Sports Success!

Congratulations to all our swimmers who came out on Saturday night to defend Ngati Toa pride in the pool.  There were some good close races between the troops but in the end we put our name on the trophy again.  Well done!

Photos are up in the gallery.  Thanks to Manfred for picking up the camera duties while I played Official Judge.

National Regatta information

Looks like Scouts NZ have finally committed to National Regatta next Easter in Lyttleton.

Scouts this week (and weekend)

Hi all,

This week at Scouts we will be:

• doing a bit of map work, particularly to introduce the newer Scouts to some of the techniques and details involved with maps and on-the-ground navigation.
• discussing and demonstrating some basic first aid practices
• learning a knot commonly used in rescues
• practicing lashing by completing the "King's Throne" challenge

===

This weekend is Scouts Swimming Sports: Raumati Pool at 6pm on Saturday.  It's always a great evening and a chance to show your speed.  Come on out to show the other troops we are fast in boats and out as well.

See you Thursday night!
R

URGENT - Tangaroa visit delayed

Sorry for the very short notice, but our field trip to the Tangaroa wll have to be postponed to a later date.

The situation is, the wharf where she normally moors is also a major refuelling point, and there will be a large tanker there for the next couple of days. 

Tangaroa has been shifted to another wharf, but the access to it is quite restricted so we will reschedule our field trip to the next time she docks.

Therefore, Scouts is on again for Thursday night, 7pm at the den.

Randall

Early start to Term 2

Hi all,

Scouts was meant to start up for Term 2 next Thursday, but we have a special opportunity for Tuesday that we just shouldn't pass up.

We have been invited aboard the NIWA research vessel Tangaroa for a tour and chat with the crew.

Tangaroa will be moored at Burnham Wharf at Miramar, and they will be expecting us at 7pm.  Parking on the wharf may be somewhat limited, so carpooling would be a great help.  I can take two extra kids.

Please meet at the den (in uniform) no later than 6:15pm on Tuesday 03 May unless you are proceeding directly to the wharf.  Tangaroa is the big blue ship, pretty hard to miss. 

See this map for directions to the wharf: http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=burnham+wharf,+wellington&aq=&sll=-41.244772,172.617188&sspn=49.227587,59.501953&ie=UTF8&hq=burnham+wharf,&hnear=Wellington&ll=-41.299154,174.805956&spn=0.048426,0.084715&z=14

The wharf is at location A on the map, not B.  Silly Google.

So to recap, no Scouts on Thursday, but field trip on Tuesday, leave den at 6:15, back to den by 9pm. 
The following week (10 May) will be Thursday as normal.

Cheers,
Randall

Urgent change of programme for tonight

Hi guys, sorry for the short notice and duplicate mailings.

The programme says we are to be sailing tonight, but the weather is looking not so very good.  That, plus the sun setting near to 7pm means not enough time to rig and get any sailing in.

So what we shall do tonight is a photography challenge.
Please bring a digital camera with a removable memory card.
Your watches will be assigned a series of ideas, tasks or objects to photograph, a bit like a treasure hunt.

Then once everyone is completed around 745pm we will return to the den where we will gather the photos from your watch and have a slideshow.  The other watches will then have to guess what you were required to photograph.  So you would provide the answer (the picture) and everyone else would have to guess the question, a bit like Jeopardy.

See you tonight!

Randall

Our contribution to the Christchurch relief effort

Thank you all for a fantastic evening!

We had great water activities, but more importantly, we really pulled together to help those affected by the earthquake.

I'm not sure exactly how much food and clothing was collected, but Diane's car was pretty much full up, and I am taking $180.70 to the bank in a few minutes.

Thank you!
Randall
--
Ngati Toa Sea Scout Troop
http://ngatitoaseascouts.blogspot.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com/ngatitoa.seascouts

Additional ways we can help

Hi again everyone,

Diane C has just advised me that the Wellington City Mission will be housing people evacuated from Christchurch, housing them in a community hall in Newtown.

In addition to the gold coin donation tomorrow, please bring to the Den anything like spare blankets, spare clothing, tinned or non-perishable food or comfort items that you can donate to the Mission.

Many of the people evacuated are students (some foreign), tourists, families, and pensioners who may have little else but the clothes they are wearing.

Diane will be bringing the donated materials into town on Friday morning, and the BNZ is coordinating a mass transport to the Mission later in the day.  Anything left over will be sent to the Christchurch City Mission to assist those still there.

Thank you again,
Randall

Taking donations this Thursday for earthquake relief

Hi all,

In light of yesterday's earthquake, we are certainly reminded of just how fragile our world can be.  I hope that anyone with friends or family in the Christchurch region has been able to confirm them safe and sound.

Please be prepared to attend Scouts tomorrow night with a gold coin donation - these funds raised will undoubtedly assist some of our fellow Scouts and their families in Canterbury.  I will be delivering our contribution to the Red Cross on Friday.

Thank you,
Randall

many thanks for cleanup efforts

A huge thanks to all the families that turned up last night to give the den a thorough going-over... the kitchen looks simply amazing!  And all the donkey work done in the boatsheds means just a trip to the tip and good sweep-out!  Fantastic!

I did come home with some lonely clothing from the pool on Wednesday night; please let me know if you are missing something otherwise it will go in the lost & found bin.

====
So Scouts proper will resume at 6:30pm next Thursday. 
As a general rule for Terms 4 and 1, the Scouts should bring wet gear every evening unless otherwise advised. 
The minimum gear would consist of:

• beanie
• sunglasses
• splash jacket
• top and bottom polyprops
• wetsuit (instead of or in addition to the polyprops
• boardies (to protect the bum of the wetsuit)
• socks
• beach shoes or other sturdy footwear (please not crocs as they tend to float away at inopportune times)
• towel

We have a couple of local regattas coming up mid-month so I will be asking the kids this Thursday if they plan to attend.

• Harbour Race on Saturday 19 February
• Hickson Regatta on Sunday 20 February, both hosted by Britannia

Please have a chat with your Scouts about these events, as every little bit of experience they can get will benefit them.

====
Finally, there are a few very special boats moored at Queen's Wharf (Ferg's Kayaks) that might be of interest to racers.  These are Eco 60 boats in the middle of the world's longest solo race, the Velux 5 Oceans.  Solo, as in *one* crew member sailing a 60-foot yacht over 30,000 kilometers across some of the world's most unforgiving seas.  The skippers have completed the second leg, from South Africa to Wellington, and will be leaving Wellington on Sunday around midday on their way around Cape Horn to the Atlantic side of South America.  These are gorgeous boats and should be a spectacular sight leaving the harbour.  check out www.velux5oceans.com for photos, video and stories.

Cheers,
Randall

Den cleanup planned

Hello all,

Over the past while, our Den has been suffering under a buildup of... well, everything. 

In order to get it into shape for all the sections (Keas, Cubs, us and Venturers) for the coming year we have organised The Great Summer Cleanup for 6:30pm on Thursday 03 February.  Please do make every effort to come down to the den for an hour or two because many hands will make light work.

We will also be reintroducing the cleaning roster whereby each weekend a couple of families will come down and have a quick go-over of the place just to keep it up.  The roster will start with the Venturers and finish up with Keas at the end of the year.  The cleaning supplies and materials will now be stored at the den in the custodial closet, so the chore of hauling the bin around is done away with.


Cheers,
Randall

Early start to Term 1 2011

Hi guys,

There are a couple of things occurring around the start of the term this year that are causing us to move the first night of Scouts up to Wednesday 2 February.  Don't worry, these are good things...

First, all Scouts that are 14 years and older are invited to attend a Meet-The-Venturers evening that night.  They will be kayaking and rowing from the den up to Plimmerton for fish and chips.  It's a great chance to see some of our former Scouts who have moved up, as well as learn more about the new and improved Venturer programme.  Meet at the den at 7pm, bring your wet gear and a few dollars for the fish!

For the under-14s, we will be running a swimming challenge at the Te Rauparaha pool from 6:30 to 8:30pm.  We will have a number of Cubs coming up to join us this term as new Scouts, plus a few of you haven't yet been signed off for the water activities, so this is where we will get everyone water-ready.  Please bring $2 plus your togs plus a set of clothes to swim in (long pants like trackies) and meet at the pool at 6:25pm.

Remind your parents (to check their email) that all of this awesomeness happens on Wednesday, not Thursday!!

Cheers,
Randall
P.S. I have created a Facebook account for the troop, just search for Ngati Toa Seascouts

Last couple of Jamboree days

Hello all parents,

I should apologise in advance for not posting more often, but they really do keep us running here!

With just a couple days of activities left, we are starting to plan for the camp takedown.  If all goes accordingly, we should be ready to leave the site early on Friday morning. 

Please be on site to pick up your Scout(s) on Friday January 7, no later than 10am.  Please do not arrive on Thursday, as the kids will still be on activities and we will be attending the closing ceremonies.

Although we believe that everyone has been sorted for transport, it is critically important to contact me on 021 049 1101 if you are not clear on the arrangements for your kids.

I should probably add that aside from a couple of injuries, it has been a fantastic event and the Scouts have done us all proud!

Randall
--
Ngati Toa Sea Scout Troop
http://ngatitoaseascouts.blogspot.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com/ngatitoa.seascouts