Scouting is a million times bigger than when it started. Today, there are 28 million Scouts in nearly every country in the world. On 1st August 2007, all 28 million Scouts around the world will join together to celebrate the dawn of a new century of Scouting. At 0800 hours local time, Scouts will gather together to renew their Scout Promise.
A FINAL REMINDER FROM BRUCE - CLICK HERE
BBC Essex are going to phone the Essex Kanderjam Scouts at 6:20am UK time, they should be about three-quarters of the way up a mountain by then. So set your radio alarm and wake up to what's going on in Switzerland before joining us at Oaklands.
Following on from the spirit of Centenary Camp, but hopefully with better weather, the next major Centenary event is Scouting Sunrise. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, 1st August 2007 Scouts across the world will be joining together to mark the exact time, 100 years ago that Baden Powell blew the Kudo horn at a Camp on Brownsea Island and changed history. The event marks the dawn of a new Centenary for Scouting, a celebration for a whole new generation of young people who will be the future of the Movement. In Chelmsford we will be gathering in Oaklands Park, at the top of Moulsham Street, the gates being open from 7:30, for the main event to start just before 8:00 with the aim of finishing the formal bit by 8:20. After that individuals can stay for a bacon roll and enjoy the park while doing some Challenge Sheets or leave, suitably up-lifted, to face another day.
The hope is that all Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders will attend this important event and so we rely on all Leaders to encourage maximum participation.
We would also anticipate parents attending and suggest that, unlike St Georges Day, they remain responsible for their child during the event. It could also be an opportunity to invite past members to attend in recognition of their involvement in the past 100 years while we celebrate the sunrise on the next 100 years.
Should we wear uniform?
This is a uniform event, as we will be waving the flag for Chelmsford Scouting, however if Leaders have to go straight to work from the Ceremony we would rather you attended and participated in your work clothes.
Yes definitely
No, we will say the Scout Promise all together affirming our common commitment to the family of Scouting. Beaver Leaders and, to a lesser extent, Cub Leaders will need to explain the different words to their young people.
This very much depends on individual circumstances. Because of the timing it may not be possible for all Leaders to attend, with commitments to the Jamboree, Summer Camps, holidays, work, etc. We hope that there will be at least one Leader attending from each Group and they will help marshal the Group, with the parents, to their allotted area. If a Group will not have any Leaders attending please let me know, but don’t let that stop your young people attending.
Chelmsford College have kindly given us permission to use both their car parks; one is located at the top end of Moulsham Street the other is along Princes Road. We are still investing the use of other car parks close to Oaklands Park, as soon as we’re given the 'green light' to use them, we'll communicate this new information on to you.
7:30 Gates Open
7:45 Groups assemble on the lawn in front of Oaklands House
7:55 Sunrise Ceremony
8:20 Dismiss
8:20 Bacon Rolls and Challenge Sheets (Optional)
When everyone enters the gates of the Park they will be given a Programme Booklet, which will include a guide to the ceremony, an event certificate and a blank area entitled "Friends I made on 1st August 2007". In addition the young people will be given Challenge Sheets appropriate to their Section. You will then move to the front of the museum where a semi-circle will be marked out with your Group name showing the where to stand.
There will be bacon rolls and a drink available for those who would like it and the young people, with their parent, can spend some time in the Park completing the Challenge Sheets. One of the aims of the event is to demonstrate the bond we have to each other within the family of Scouting. Therefore we are encouraging everyone to ask their friends to sign the Booklet as a memory not only of the event but also the friends, old and new, who were there with them.
Bruce Knight: bruce@chelmsford2007.org.uk
Danyel Horner: danyel@chelmsford2007.org.uk