Fundraiser for Mark's Challenge


The Explorer's spent the weekend early in October distributing programmes at Kip Marina's annual Boat Show to raise unit funds and to set up a new fund in support of an annual event in tribute to Mark Muir, our friend and young leader who died recently. Ideas for the event are being discussed, but given that Mark was a 'Double Everest' holder - meaning he climbed twice the height of Everest on Scottish mountains within the course of a year - front runners include a hillwalking challenge.
Hillwalking
We've started our programme of hillwalking for the next year with a couple of training walks around the Arrochar Alps. We're aiming towards giving scouts of all ages a taste of winter hillwalking by visiting a lower snow slope during the winter, and a full mountain for older Scouts. This means we need to practise now as the wet and windy weather is a great taster.
New Wemyss Bay Troop
If you've come to find out about the new Wemyss Bay Scout Troop, then welcome!
On this site you will find information about our other sections in Wemyss Bay and Inverkip. We already have Beavers and Cubs in Wemyss Bay, and Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts in Inverkip. Have a browse around the Group History, each sections' own areas, the archives and the various photo galleries. Or visit the New Scouts section within the Scouts area for more detailed detailed info.
If you're interested in our other sections, visit the About Us page where you're find information on the age ranges, or our Contact Us page where your very welcome to contact out leaders with questions.
Dates for the New Session

The new session is nearly on us, so these are the dates each section will start back.
Beavers (Inverkip): Friday 12th Sep 5.45pm - 6.45pm
Beavers (Wemyss Bay): Thursday 18th Sep 6.15pm - 7.15pm
Cubs (Inverkip): Friday 12th Sep 6pm - 7.30pm
Cubs (Wemyss Bay): Thursday 18th Sep 7.15pm - 8.30pm
Scouts (Inverkip): Wednesday 10th Sep 7pm - 9.30pm
Scouts (Wemyss Bay): Friday 19th Sep 7pm - 9pm
Explorers (Inverkip): Wednesday 10th Sep 7pm - 9.30pm
In the meantime, we wish the best of luck to our Scout Patrols who are entering the Hardie Webster competition this year. They've already started training and should have a great experience at the competition the weekend before we all start back.
Great Tower '08

What a week. Well done to all 15 Scouts and 5 Explorers who took part in this year's Summer Camp to Great Tower on Lake Windermere in the Lake District. Not one complained about the rain as they cooked their meals on their own fires for the week and took part in actvities ranging from Caving and Climbing to Mountain Biking and Hillwalking. With an average age of less than 11½, all campers performed fantastically well throughout. Photos are available here for you to download or order prints.
Austria '08
Four of our Explorers have just returned from the Greenock District trip to Austria. Over 50 Scouts and Explorers from around the District travelled by coach to Austria at the start of July to stay in the idillic Alpine village of Stanzach in the Lecht Valley. They enjoyed Hillwalking, White Water Rafting, Canyonning, Castles and much more. Thanks to David Storey, Mark
Sinnamon and team for organising the trip. Check the District website here for a gallery of photos or here for Callum's photos.
ps. 3 of them got dropped off at our own summer camp at Great Tower on the journey back. Now that's dedication!
pps. Good luck to Darren Percival who will complete the Hat Trick by joining the International Jamborette at Blair Atholl next week.
Parachuting - Again?
Here we go again! Not content with jumping out of an aeroplane from 10,000ft strapped to an instructor (March), the explorers have decided to return to try a solo jump or 2. Th enew visit will be on the weekend of 13th/14th September. Any explorer aged 16 or over and under 14st should return their form by end June.
Laser StationScouts and Explorers are ending the session with a zap at Laser Station in Xscape Braehead on 25th June. Boys should return their permission form on Wednesday 18th. The places are limited so they'll be allocated o na first-come first served basis.
Fishing
7th June 2008 - the Unit has spent a great weekend at Portencross beach and Pier near Seamill demonstrating their fishing skills to the local wildlife. At the end of the weekend a total of 4 mackerel had been caught and barbequed. Some photos can be found here using the password fishing.
Caving

We are delighted to announce that Scout Leader Alan Fielding has gained his Caving Instructor certification after an assessment with a national coach in Lancashire last week. Alan and caving and climbing partner Gary were able to apply their day jobs as rope access technicians and their years of experience leading in Britain's toughest caving systems to gain the certification. Caving has always been a big hit with 85th scouts in the past and we look forward to opening the experience to more of today's Scouts and Explorers.
Group Camp Everton

The leaders would like to say thankyou to all 100 campers from the 85th who contributed to such a fantastic Group Camp at Everton for making the weekend such great fun. This was the first ever of what we will make an annual event. Everyone showed great enthusiasm for all the games and activities including the slimy slide, the sumo wresting, the boxing, the earthball, Jacob's Ladder, bivouac building and lots more. We had the biggest and grandest water ballooon fight ever se
en at Everton, and managed to cook all sorts of concoctions in our backwoods cooking. And for once the weather smiled on us all. It really was a great weekend.
There are loads fo photos available - too many to load onto this website, so as an experiment, we are publishing all the photos on a specialist site. You can browse the photos fairly easily here, (when asked for a password give groupcamp) and hopefully find a photo or 2 with your child in it. Try out the slide show as an easy way to run through the photos, but give it some time to get started. You can even order some prints from the site providers.
Parachuting

Three Explorer’s from our Ardgowan Explorer Unit have successfully completed parachute jumps last week. Jordan, Graeme and Mark each jumped tandem from 10’000ft and enjoyed a 30 second free fall before their chutes were deployed. The boys had pitched their tents and camped out on the airfield and waited all weekend for a break in the weather before finally completing their jumps between 5pm and 6pm on Sunday evening. They’re now planning a return trip in August which may even see them earning their Parachutist badges. Anyone who would like to join them (including parents or other family over 16yrs and under 14st) should contact Andy Yarr using the details in Contact Us. More pictures and videos are available in the Explorer Gallery.
Auchengillan
Well done to the 25 Scouts and Explorers who braved the weather in our weekend Orienteering camp at Auchengillan. The camp doubled as a Patrol Training Camp and boys have learned some new camping skills in preparation for Summer Camp in Great Tower as well as completing the 2nd of 3 Orienteering events towards the Orienteers badge. Look out for more camps and orienteering events in the comng weeks. There are a few pictures in the Scout Gallery.
Rather not see your Picture on the Site?
Your privacy is important, so we won't use your full name on this site and won't identify you in any pictures. If you prefer your picture not to appear, tell your leader or use the Contact Us form to let us know.