It has been a busy autumn and winter for the Invertrossachs Support Team, following the enforced closure of the site in the late summer and autumn due to forestry operations dealing with Larch Die Back, and winter gales which caused widespread damage.  There are still some areas of work which still need our attention but the site is, by and large, ready to go. The exception to this is the Woodland site, which is still looking a bit forlorn amidst the remnants of the woodland from which it got its name. Work to clear this up, by the Invertrossachs Estate, is imminent, and will involve a large excavator clearing all the branches and brash in preparations for replanting next year. We are also looking at, in conjunction with the Estate,  some other improvements to the site, as this may be the only time a large machine will be available to carry out any major excavation/levelling works.

A bit earlier than usual, the water is now on to the Cabin and Toilets, and the Water treatment system is in operation. The Shower block will be operational from 1st April. 

The first group of the new camping season is in residence this weekend (both nights) and with almost 50 groups already booked in for camps and activities this year, it looks like being a busy time.

Improvements for this year include a much-needed upgrade of the toilet block, and I am pleased to report that the Archery range is now fully operational.  We cannot currently supply permit holders to run an activity for you, so you would have to provide your own. This will be available to book on OSM very soon. More information is available in the Invertrossachs section of this site.

Finally, my thanks to the Support Group for all their hard work. We meet once a month, normally on a Thursday, and are always on the lookout for more members to help spread the load. For many, I appreciate that mid-week is not suitable, but with the site being increasingly busy at weekends, it is more practical. It tends to be retired people who make up the majority of members, but with the increase in flexible working, there may be the opportunity for some more youthful (i.e. under 60's) involvement. If you know of anyone who might be interested in helping, contact Colin Smith - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

How you can get involved

Maintaining and continually building and improving Invertrossachs takes a lot of effort.

There are loads of ways that you can get involved in supporting our site.

Take a look and see how you could get involved: Priority Actions (Jan 2025)

Stirling and Trossachs District AGM 2024

 

Please find below details for our District AGM and the associated documents:

 

When: Sunday 3rd November 

Time: 7.45pm 

Where: Beechwood Scout Centre

 

Please note, parking is limited so it would be advisable to plan to park elsewhere.

 

Documents:

2024 AGM Agenda

Minutes from the 2023 AGM

2023-2024 Accounts

Stirling and Trossachs District Constitution

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Following a site meeting with the Forestry Contractor yesterday, we can report the following:

East Burnside: following discussions and assurances, we can re-open East Burnside for camping. No access is permitted to the west side of the stream; both footbridges are closed.

West Burnside: This will remain closed and out of bounds until further notice as there is felling to be carried out adjacent to the campsite. The area will not be totally cleared of lumber and brashings until mid-to-late October, so will remain closed until then.

Woodland: This site is, as expected, pretty well devastated because of the number of Larch trees in the vicinity. However, with most of the felling now complete, the camping area, the path up to it, the boardwalk and the dining shelter remain largely intact, and we must thank the Contractor and the Estate management for taking such care in protecting these. This site is likely to remain closed until next spring.

The Booking Secretary is ready to process any requests for use of the site. Please note that the whole centre will close from 21st October for 3 weeks to allow essential maintenance to proceed.

 Temporary Closure of campsites due to urgent Forestry Operations

Woodlands Camp Site – Closed from 1st August 2024

East and West Burnside Camp Sites – Closed from 26th August 2024

Re-opening date – To be advised

 

For more information click on INVERTROSSACHS


Transformation Information

 

This page has been created as a single point to find information about the changes to Scouting that are taking place.

All the information can also be found on the Scouts and Scouts Scotland websites:

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/volunteer-experience/

https://www.scouts.scot/transformation

 

If you have any questions regarding transformation please get in touch here


Here is a video to put the changes into context:

A Warmer Welcome

A summary of the changes are:

  • Replacing the Appointments Committee interviews
  • Meeting with Group Lead Volunteer and another volunteer from another group to have a conversation
  • Will take place locally at appropriate location
  • Reduces admin for Team Leaders and District
  • New volunteers will have 60 days to complete the on-boarding process
A one page summary document can be found here
Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions about this topic.

More Engaging Learning

A summary of the changes are:

  • Learning not Training
  • Mandatory learning still exists and will need to be renewed every 3 years
  • Wood badge is optional and is only completed once (not for every role)
  • Learning is self-led and online
  • ANY pre-provisional roles on Compass will NOT be moved to the new system
  • ANY un-validated modules will be lost when learning is moved across
A one page summary document can be found here
Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions about this topic.

Simplifying Volunteering

A summary of the changes are:

  • GSL = Group Lead Volunteer
  • Section Leader = Team Leader
  • Other Leader roles = Team Member
  • You can still call yourself a Scout Leader!
A one page summary document can be found here
More information about the Group structure can be found here
More information about the District structure can be found here
Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions about this topic.

Trustee Boards

A summary of the changes are:

  • New name for the Group/District Executive
  • No longer involved in operational -> Governance only
  • Secretary will no longer be a board member role
  • There should be two 18 – 25 year olds on every board
  • Will come into affect at your AGM in 2024
A one page summary document can be found here
More information can be found here

Further guidance and support will be given to help Trustee Boards manage Risk Registers etc. but for now there is some good advice that can be found here


Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions about this topic.

The "New" Compass

The new system is very much still under development, however at the conference there was a demo of where they are up to and what they are hoping to do was demonstrated.

The recording can be found here


Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions about this topic.

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

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