It should be noted that BSO contributed a total of seven IST staff that provided a very significant contribution to the overall running of the Poacher Jamboree itself with our leaders undertaking a multitude of different functions including adult training, Kid’s Club, badge collecting, assisting with activities, security, transport administration and helping in the quiet/reflection zone.

Figure 2 - Pre-bedtime chat and hot chocolate

Planning

Planning for the camp commenced in early 2016 with 67 registrations from across BSO (young people and adults). Registration for the camp was closed in early 2017. Seven leadership planning meetings were conducted using GoToMeeting online conferencing with the main contingent staff and IST teams invited to attend. These proved very useful for overall planning which ensured the overall success of the camp. We also delivered two online parent information meetings which were well attended and also recorded for parents that could not attend.

Equipment

Prior to the camp, authorisation was sought from the BSO Executive for £4,000 financial support to purchase new camping and catering equipment which would allow BSO to camp with 50 persons. Most equipment was purchased with a significant discount from GoOutdoors. The full amount was spent on equipment. The shortfall of expendable items was purchased from Poacher fees paid by attendees which left us with a £205 shortfall. This could have been recovered if we returned our propane gas bottles at the end of camp. BSO was able to cover this amount meaning that gas bottles will not need to be purchased next time. All BSO camping equipment is stored at Berkshire Scout Enterprises Ltd (BSEL) close to Reading. Equipment was transported to/from Poacher by self-drive LWB van based almost adjacent to the campsite. This was cost-effective but meant that the driver had to travel to/from the hire centre by train and travel one direction empty. For the next camp it is recommended that fees are increased to enable a long-term rent covering the entire camp which would prevent exhausting, cost-saving measures like this.

All the purchased equipment was excellent quality but we are in need of a central mess tent which was borrowed from 41stCheltenham. it is recommended that BSO approves expenditure to purchase a second-hand gala tent which has been made available to us at a reduced price.

Adult Training at Poacher

(Report by Rikki Bilverstone, BSO Area Training Manager)

Training at Poacher 2017 event, was made available to our attending Leaders and the opportunities for them to take part was provided by the Poacher training team workshops and also to what I provided at other times and also for extra training and validation sessions

There was a very good take up and all Leaders took advantage of this and have discussed with me about the training scheme and updates.

• 9 modules were provided by the Poacher Scout Training team and Safeguarding sessions.

• 7 modules were provided by myself

• 1 module for Nights Away training and Assessing was provided by myself.

• 5 Leaders attended the micro-knotting base to learn, develop and instruct a new skill as part of module 18 training

• 1 Leader attended the first aid (first response) training provided by the GGUK (Lincs) training team

• 11 x BSO Leaders in attendance took up the Training opportunities