1st Pontygwaith Scout Group

Please note the following the arrangements for the sections over the Easter School holidays.

Beavers Scouts.

The last night for Beaver Scouts is Wednesday 1^st April and there will be no Beaver Scouts over the holidays. We will restart on Wednesday 22^nd April and if the weather is good we will be visiting a local farm in Ynysbwl to see the new born lambs.

Your child will need a waterproof coat, warm cloths and a pair of wellies and if you require any further information please contact John on 07976623950

Cub Scouts.

There will no Cub Scouts on Good Friday (10^th April ) but there will be Cubs Scouts the following week ( 17^th April ) As the light nights are approaching can you please make sure that your son/daughter has a coat with them on a Friday evening as we like to make the most of the light nights and go out rather than stay in the hall.

Scouts.

There will no Scouts on Good Friday ( 10^th April ) but there will be Cubs Scouts the following week ( 17^th April ). As the light nights are approaching can you please make sure that your son/daughter has a coat with them on a Friday evening as we like to make the most of the light nights and go out rather than stay in the hall. 

St Georges Day Fnday – April 26^th

This year for the first time the District will be holding a fun day prior to the service where all members of the movement will come together for the renewing their promises. This event is being held at the Rhondda Sports Centre in Ystrad and we would like every member of the Group to attend. Further details of the time will be provided nearer the time.

GOOD performances in the National Scout Shooting Championships have won Kristian Jones a place in the National Scout Shooting Squad and the G.B junior squad. Target shooting is one of the fastest growing Scouting activities and members of 1^st Pontygwaith Scouts have only been target shooting for the last two years. The Scout Squad comprises target shooters solely within Scouting from right across the UK and is served by Instructors and Coaches up to International level.

Kristian Jones

The Scout Squad meets roughly monthly at various locations around the UK, including the National Shooting Centre at Bisley. The Squad provides a training ground for young Scout shooters in 10m Precision Air Rifle, 10m Sporter Air Rifle, 3-Position Air Rifle, 10m and 20yd Air Pistol and also prone and 3-position 25yd and 50m .22 rimfire target shooting.

Members of the Squad receive regular coaching, enter various UK Open competitions and also feed the Great Britain Junior Rifle and Pistol Squads. Several previous members of the Scout Squad have gone on to shoot at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Currently, some Scout Squad shooters are members of the official GB Squads training for the 2012 Olympic Games!

Target shooting is recognised as an Olympic sport and brings many benefits such as self discipline, concentration, patience and self control. Scouts at 1^st Pontygwaith Scout Group are taught important lessons within target shooting such as responsibility, gun safety, gun care, respect for the sport, the dangers if used incorrectly, the appropriate places to shoot, minimising risk etc, all of which should help to cut down on the misuse of guns. On top of this there are strict controls within Scouting as to where guns can be kept and who can instruct their use. Target shooting is the only activity that we require an external qualification to instruct (that is not required by law), and target shooting is the only activity where we specifically require written parental permission before a young person can take part.