Launch Pad 2014 - Girlguiding London and South East

las rlas rlas e rlas e rLaunch your adventure today!Girlguiding London and South East England Region has an exciting programme of events for all sections in2014. You’ll find all you need to know here in Launch Pad. So, ask the girls: ‘What adventure do you wantto do?’About the RegionLondon and South East England Region (LaSER) is made up of 19 Counties. The Region operates threecampsites, all offering unique opportunities.laserGirlguidingGirlguidingGirlguidingChigwell RowCudham ShawsPaxmeadOaklands Farm144 Cudham Lane North141 Lambourne Road CudhamChigwell RowSevenoaksEssex IG7 6ENKent TN14 7QTTel: 020 8500 2450 Tel: 01959 573413Email: warden@Email: shawsguidecampschigwellrow.org.uk @btconnect.comWebsite: www.Website: www.chigwellrow.org.uk cudhamguidecampsite.org.uklaserRegion office3 Jaggard WayWandsworth CommonLondon SW12 8SGTel: 020 8675 7572Email: girlguidinglaser.web@girlguidinglaser.org.ukWebsite: www.girlguidinglaser.org.ukDockett Eddy LaneSheppertonMiddlesex TW17 9NTTel: 01932 561435Email: paxmead@hotmail.co.ukWebsite: www.girlguidinglaser.org.uk/paxmead-riversidebase/Support your Region campsites##Book a visit – go for a day or a weekend. Or if you livenearby, why not book for an evening meeting?##Spread the word – tell your friends we are open forbookings midterm and midweek. The sites are open toother groups, schools and businesses.##Join the Friends – each site has a Friends group and someeven have Young Friends groups.Bookings, conditions and general information##To book an event, contact the relevant site directly.##Please contact the site for specific terms and conditionsincluding information on forms, deposits and thecancellation policy.##Prices are correct at time of printing, but please contactthe relevant site for further details and informationabout what is included.2

Photos: Bob ButlerWelcome!Welcome to LaSER’s Launch Pad, showcasing guiding opportunities across GirlguidingLondon and South East England Region. We hope that the second edition of this popularbrochure will inspire you and your girls to visit one, two or even all three of our Regionsites: Chigwell Row, Cudham Shaws and Paxmead Riverside Base.We’re also featuring more of your local County sites, opening up even more possibilitiesfor you. So enjoy browsing Launch Pad together with your girls and launch your unit into newadventures for 2014!Pip McKerrow, Chief CommissionerGirlguidingChigwell RowGirlguidingCudham ShawsGirlguidingPaxmeadArcheryBell boatsBoulderingBouncy castleBuoyancy balloonsClimbingCork gunsCraft hutCrate stackingCrazy golfDragon boatsField gamesGiant gamesGrass sledgesKataKanusKayaksOrienteeringPedal boatsPedal go-kartsPioneeringRowingTeam-buildingTrailsTrampolinesWater-zorbingZip wire3

County sites within the RegionRaspberry RippleFaurefold Holiday House and CampsiteSituated near Dorking, Surrey, Faurefold is ideal for camps and holidays. Set in 11 acres ofwoodland, the site is a lovely place to explore the Surrey Hills, follow trails and build dens.The building has a large dormitory sleeping 24, two Leaders’ rooms sleeping four and two, a large hall,a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower. The outside open space has been levelled and resurfaced,giving plenty of space for camping, and there’s equipment available. Outside toilet.Good access to Dorking and local facilities.las reRaspberry RippleBooking: Jackie AgerEmail: faurefold@hotmail.co.ukWebsite: www.girlguidingsurreyeast.org.uk/faurefold.htmlHeyswood CampsiteSituated near Cobham in Surrey, Heyswood has resident wardens and offers 25 campsites and twopurpose-built residential buildings. The Activity Centre accommodates six adults and 26 young people,while Baden-Powell Lodge accommodates four adults and 24 young people.In addition, the Log Cabin has a small kitchen area, showers and toilets, and is useful for wet-weathershelter – or sleeping if you bring mats or camp beds. The East and West Huts are suitable for small groups ofGuides or members of The Senior Section. Camping equipment and tents are available to hire.Activities include grass sledging, water slide, a playground, kayaking in the pool, orienteering, team gamesand all-weather outdoor tabletennis. The outdoor swimmingpool is open from the end ofMay to the end of September.There is direct access toPainshill landscape gardenand park, with reduced ratesfor those staying atHeyswood.Booking: Sue WallTel: 01372 374773Email: sue_wall@btinternet.comWebsite: www.girlguiding-glw.org.uk4

Chigwell Row Events 2014World Thinking Day22–23 February 2014Who for: Brownies and GuidesActivities: Come and celebrateWorld Thinking Day with us. Trylots of activities and gain yourBrownie or Guide Communicatorbadge.Licence: NoneCost: £10 per person, Leaders freeVolunteer Day15 March 2014Who for: Adult Leaders and their friends andfamiliesActivities: Come and give us a day of yourtime. Put your skills and energy to work andmake a visible contribution to the life ofChigwell Row. There’s lots to do and jobs forpeople of all abilities.Licence: NoneCost: FreeEggstravaganza5–6 April 2014Who for: All sectionsActivities: An eggciting day full of eggtasticactivities! Get stuck in for an early Eastertreat. Chocolate, chickens and lots more.Licence: NoneCost: £10 per person, Leaders freeBaden-Powell Adventure25–26 and 26–27 April 2014Who for: Guides (without Leaders) who havecompleted eight or more clauses from theBaden-Powell Challenge AwardActivities: Up in the Sky – an overnightadventure with an aerial theme. Maximum ofthree girls per unit per night.Licence: NoneCost: £75 per person6

Guide and Senior SectionActivity Day5 July 2014Who for: Guides and members ofThe Senior SectionActivities: A day to try all theonsite activities – plus some extras.Licence: NoneCost: £10 per person, Leaders freeBrownie and Rainbow Day20 September 2014Who for: Brownies and RainbowsActivities: Happy BirthdayBrownies! A day of activities – withlots to do including climbing, archery,water zorbing, pedal karts andbouncy castles. Bring a packed lunchand stay all day!Licence: NoneCost: £10 per person, Leaders freeEvening Woodland Walks20–24 October; 3–7 and10–14 November 2014Who for: All sectionsActivities: Come after dark for a spookywalk in Hainault Forest led by members ofthe site team. Hot chocolate will warmyou up around the campfire afterwards.Licence: NoneCost: £40 per unit (max 30 people per walk)Baden-Powell Adventure5–6 and 6–7 December 2014Who for: Guides (without Leaders) whohave completed eight or more clausesfrom the Baden-Powell Challenge AwardActivities: Winter Wonderland – anovernight adventure with a wintertheme. Maximum of three girls per unitper night.Licence: NoneCost: £75 per person7

County sites within the RegionRaspberry RippleNorthernHeightsCampsiteBoasting an award for BestEnvironmental Practice, this 12.5-acremeadow and woodland site inLondon’s Green Belt (Elstree,Hertfordshire) offers archery, anassault course and a range ofenvironmental activities.Modern residential buildings house40, 24 and 12 people. There are alsothree campsites with hot water,modern shower/toilet block and loweractivity field.las reRaspberry RippleBooking: 7 Ladbrooke Drive,Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1QPTel: 01707 649332Email: nhbookings@ggme.co.ukWebsite: www.northernheights.org.uklas reRaspberry RippleBooking: Jackie NeveTel: 020 8325 5902Email: jackie.neve@ntlworld.comHeartseaseIdeal for weekend and overnight stays – orjust a day or evening visit, Heartsease is situated inWoodlands Way, West Wickham, Kent. The cabinstylewooden building is set in beautiful woodlandsand has a large main room which sleeps 24, aLeaders’ room sleeping four and a Young Leaders’room sleeping two – all in bunk beds. There is alarge, fully fitted kitchen, washrooms, toilets andtwo shower cubicles – and outside you’ll find abarbecue area with picnic tables.Those staying a few days can use a public swimmingpool near West Wickham station (about 15 minutes’walk away). From West Wickham you can catch oneof the frequent trains to London for day trips out.Herons Wey Campsiteand WeysideResidential CentreLocated near Farnham in Surrey, our tranquil 50-acresite is surrounded by woodland and bordered by theRiver Wey. The secluded site offers manyopportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. We have sixcampsites with flush toilets, showers, dry sheltersand electricity, plus three basic sites.Recently refurbished, Weyside provides dormitoryaccommodation for 24, plus two Leaders’ rooms.The Cabin is suitable for small groups or members ofThe Senior Section.Activities include the ropes course, kayaking, archery,grass sledging, go-karting and a boulder wall.Booking: office@girlguidingsurreywest.org.ukTel: 01483 454788Website: www.heronswey.org.uk8

Girlguiding Cudham ShawsOnly 16 miles from central London lies Girlguiding Cudham Shaws – 92acres of unspoiled countryside in the heart of Kent. It is one of the largestareas of chalk grassland and ancient woodlands in Greater London, andpart of it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.Among the facilities available are a resourcecentre for environmental activities, anadventure area, a campfire circle, archery,grass sledging, trim trail, orienteering,trails and woodland activities, camp shopand activities such as kites to hire, tabletennis, netball, quick cricket andmini tennis.Indoor accommodationThere are three lodges, all suppliedwith mains water, gas, electricity,central heating and fully equippedkitchens. All are wheelchair accessible and have facilities for people with disabilities.Silver Birches, which opened in 1997, has a large, attractive activity room and a wide outside veranda thatallows for sheltered activities. It can accommodate 32 residents, with a dormitory sleeping 24 in bunk bedsand three rooms providing accommodation for four in single beds, two in bunk beds and two inextra-wide bunks.Badgers has a large activity room and an outdoor sitting area at the rear of the building. It can accommodate31, with a dormitory sleeping 24 and three rooms accommodating seven.Copps Cottage is on the lower site. Itsleeps 21 and has a large activityroom, kitchen and washroom, anda useful outside paved area.CampingCampers can choose from amongour 24 equipped and sevenunequipped sites, some in large,open, flat areas and others in smallglades. All sites have access to mainswater, flush toilets and hot showers,and wooding is easy.The Resource Centre has just beenenlarged to accommodate a widerrange of craft and skills activities.There is a selection of superb trailsaround the site as well as environmentaland woodland crafts and activities.9

Cudham Shaws Events 2014Adventure Afternoon23 February 2014,3pm to 7pmWho for: Guides andmembers of The SeniorSection, and their LeadersActivities: Complete theWinter Cudham FourSeasons Adventure Badge.Join us for an afternoon ofactivities around the sitefollowed by a campfire.Licence: NoneCost: £5 per Guide/memberof The Senior Section,Leaders freeFamily Camp WeekendSummer 2014Date to be confirmedBluebell Walk and Cream Tea11 May 2014, 2pm to 4pmWho for: Open to allActivities: Come and walk through the woodland atCudham at one of the most beautiful times of the yearand enjoy the lovely English bluebells.Cream teas are available after the walk.Cost: Walk – £2.50 per person/£6 per familyCream tea – £3.50 per personSorry, no dogs.Heartbreak ProductionsSummer production 2014Date and production to be confirmedGuide Activity Camp Weekend28–29 June 2014Who for: Guides, Scouts and members ofThe Senior SectionActivities: Camp with your unit and take part inorganised activities with others on site.Licence: Opportunity for non-licence holders tocamp with licence holdersCost: £16 per young member, Leaders free10

Midsummer Madness5-6 July 2014Who for: Guides andmembers of The SeniorSection aged 13 to 18, inteams of four to six. NoLeaders required. 90places availableActivities: An overnightchallenge, testing yourskills and resourcefulness.Licence: NoneCost: £10 per Guide/member ofThe Senior SectionRainbow Afternoon13 September 2014, 2pm to 5.30pmWho for: Rainbows with their LeadersActivities: Join the fun with our friendlybug-themed afternoon.Licence: NoneCost: £7 per Rainbow, Leaders freeAdventure Afternoon11 October 2014, 3pm to 6pmWho for: Rainbows with their LeadersActivities: Complete the AutumnCudham Four Seasons AdventureBadge. Autumnal activities are allorganised, so come and join the fun!Licence: NoneCost: £5 per Rainbow, Leaders freeAdventure Afternoon8 November 2014, 3pm to 7pmWho for: Brownies with their LeadersActivities: Complete the Autumn Cudham FourSeasons Adventure Badge with games, trailsand a campfire.Licence: NoneCost: £5 per Brownie, Leaders freeCarols at Cudham Shaws7 December 2014, 2.30pm to 5.30pmWho for: Open to allActivities: Do come along and join withfriends for an informal afternoon ofcarol-singing with mince pies andmulled wine.Cost: Donation towards the refreshments11

Girlguiding PaxmeadPaxmead Riverside Base is the Region’sboating centre and is situated on adelightful stretch of the River Thames atShepperton, Middlesex, within easyreach of Windsor and London. The siteis open all year and boating is possibleall year round, depending onparticipants’ skills and river conditions.Our Boathouse is fully equipped withkayaks, open canoes, rowing dinghies,KataKanus, a bell boat and a dragonboat. We also have a supply of raftandcoracle-making materials.Paddles, buoyancy aids, spray decks and helmets are also supplied, and a hoist for participants withdisabilities is available for use on request. Paxmead boating rules and regulations must be adhered to.If you have any queries regarding boating at Paxmead, please contact the Paxmead Boating Adviser(triciaburt@hotmail.com).Indoor accommodationThere is ramped access to the centre, which comprises a fully equipped kitchen, a pantry, a large hall andtwo Leaders’ rooms – one four-bedded (two sets of bunks) and en suite with shower, and one containingtwo single beds, washroom and showers. A modern bunkhouse sleeps 24.Camping and outdoor facilitiesOur camping field takes a maximum of 60 campers. A campfire circle, living willow tunnel, picnic area andbarbecue all add to the enjoyment of your stay. The site is securely fenced all round with an access gateto the river. Limited parking is available on site. For large events please speak to the warden to arrangeextra parking.Nearby attractionsPaxmead is close to Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland at Windsor, and London.Historic Chertsey with its child-friendly museum(bookings recommended) is within easy walkingdistance. Swimming is available at nearbyStaines Leisure Centre, and river cruise tripscan be booked from Walton Bridge.BookingFrom 1 October Bookings involving boatingtaken for the following yearFrom 1 January Bookings open to all forcurrent yearAny time Large events, eg CountyweekendsAny time Out-of-season bookings(October-March)12

Paxmead Events 2014Paddlepower10 and 11 May 2014, 9.30am to4.30pmWho for: Over-12s (Guides, Scouts,members of The Senior Section,Explorers and adults)Activities: BCU Award Training.Candidates for this event mustalready hold their BCU 1 Star Award.The weekend consists of two2/3 Star ‘journeys’ and a‘whitewater’ session.Licence: NoneCost: £20 per day (to be confirmed in2014), including lunch and hot drinksEvening Boating 2014Two four-week courses for those over 11, one starting inthe third week in May, the other in the third week ofJune, 6.30pm to 9pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday orThursday evenings. One-off evening sessions alsoavailable during this period (no age limit)Who for: Guides/Senior Section units with theirLeaders for course; all sections for one-off sessionsActivities: Work towards a Paddlepower/BCUaward, improve skills and have fun.Licence: NoneCost: £6 per person per eveningBrownies Splashabout22 June 2014Who for: Brownies – maximum tenper unit plus LeadersActivities: A day of fun activitiesand lots of water, including a boatride on the Thames.Licence: NoneCost: £12.50 per personWater Fun Day20 September 2014, 10am to 4pmWho for: Guides aged 10 to 15 who can swim 50 metres andkeep afloat for five minutes.Activities: Fun activities on and off the water. Half-day landbasedactivities and half-day water-based activities and try yourluck with the cardboard canoe competition! Places limited to 12participants per unit.Licence: NoneCost: £12.50per personKeep an eye on Raspberry Ripple during2014 for any additional events/activitiesand any price changes.13

Adventure in your RegionGrantsThe Region offers various grants to members, sodon’t let a lack of finances stop your girls launchinginto their next activity.The King George VI Fund supports leadership trainingwhich would benefit the whole Region, includingqualifications that can be used on Region sites.The Region Chief Commissioner’s Discretionary Fundis for any purpose and is granted in small amounts of£50 to £100.The Edward Legacy supports Guides and Leadersunder the age of 35 who want to go to Our Chalet,WAGGGS’s centre in Switzerland.LaSER London ChallengeAre you planning to visit London with your unit?Have a look at the LaSER London Challenge andsee how many of the activities you could includein your visit.If you’re not planning to visit London, don’tdespair – there’s plenty of time to plan a trip andyou could do several of the activities in yourmeeting place.There is no time limit on how long you take tocomplete the challenge, so you can fit outingsand activities into your programme. Take yourtime and have fun completing your challenge!Badges are available from the LaSER Office at acost of £1.20 each which includes postage andpacking. Cheques should be made payable to‘Girlguiding LaSER’.You can download full details of the LondonChallenge and Record Cards from www.girlguidinglaser.org.uk > Resources > RegionChallenges > London Challenge.LaSER Walking ChallengeOur Region Walking Challenge is open to allsections, including Leaders and TrefoilGuild members.Take part in at least five activities, one fromeach topic area, to complete the challenge andgain a badge.Badges cost £1 and are available from yourCounty Badge Secretary. Badge Secretaries canorder them in batches of ten from theRegion office.Download thesyllabus fromwww.girlguidinglaser.org.uk >Resources >Region Challenges> WalkingChallenge.Nights Away BadgeSpending a night away from home with guiding friends is one of the highlights of being a member.To celebrate going away with guiding you can gain badges as part of LaSER’s ‘Nights Away’ scheme.There are badges for 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75,100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 nights away. They can be awarded toany member – Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, members of The Senior Section and adults – once they havecompleted the required number of guiding nights away. Girls can wear the badges on their guiding wear ifthey wish.To take part you will need a ‘Nights Away’ record card, which can be obtained through your County, fromyour Outdoors Activity Adviser or as a download from the Region website.Every time you spend a night or more away, record it on your card. Then apply to your County contact for thebadge when you are ready.14

Region Events 2014Look out for the followingevents coming your way in 2014##7–8 June 2014: Tour of Region properties – an opportunityfor Leaders to visit all the Region properties, try outon-site activities and stay overnight##13–15 June 2014: Walking Weekend – Level 1 Training andAssessment Weekend, Slinfold, West Sussex##11–13 July 2014: Guide Boating Weekend at PaxmeadRiverside Base##19–21 September 2014: Peer Educator TrainingsEvents being planned for 2014Look out in Raspberry Ripple for more details!##Chessington – spend two days at Chessington World ofAdventures, camping overnight on site, for Brownies, Guides,The Senior Section and Leaders##The Senior Section Activity Camp##Sleep under the stars15

So, launch youradventure now!Tell us about the fun you had on your adventure –please email youradventure@girlguidinglaser.org.ukLondon & South East England© Girlguiding LaSER 2013Girlguiding LaSER is an operating name of The Guide Association London and South East England.Registered charity number 308268. Incorporated by Royal Charter.las e r16