Hi everyone,

Hope you are well

A summary of what is in this email:

  • Bushcraft skills session – March & April 2026
  • Awards Day nomination deadline
  • Leadership Summit – Save the date!
  • Oxon Gathering – Save the date!
  • Safeguarding monthly update
  • Search for the next High Sheriff Cadet
  • Minecraft vacancy

Bushcraft skills session – March & April 2026

After the success of our bushcraft skills sessions and your requests to cover different aspects, Mark will be running the following workshop:

  • Tuesday 31 March – safe knife use and whittling. Central venue TBC
  • Wednesday 29 April – Fire lighting and fire management, Central venue TBC

Visit https://bookwhen.com/oxfordshirescouts to book your place

Awards Day nomination deadline

It’s fast approaching! The deadline for nominations for this year’s Awards day is Friday 13th March 2026

Awards Day 2026 is taking place at Youlbury Scout Adventure on Saturday 9th May 2026. More information on the day can be found here: https://oxonscouting.org.uk/youth-resources/youth-awards/awards-day/

Leadership Summit

Our brand-new Leadership Summit is taking place on Sunday 7th June 2026, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel.Open to all Lead Volunteers, Chairs and Team Leaders. We will be holding a day of informative and hands on workshops designed to support you in your role. From learning how to get the most out of the membership system, tackling reviews and becoming the master of your team’s admin we have got you! Pick and choose the workshops you need with our bespoke support day.

Save the date – more information coming soon.

Oxon Gathering

It’s back! Save the date – 18th – 20th September, at Jubilee House, Oxon Gathering is our all adult weekend, packed with informative workshops, networking opportunities, fun and skill building.

Have ideas on what you would like to see there – drop us an email on info@oxonscouting.org.uk

Safeguarding

This month I would like to highlight the importance of including elements of safeguarding in your activity risk assessments. How are you considering safeguarding in your risk assessments for all of your activities? Consider how you are mitigating the risks of allegations against adults and how are you keeping the young people safe from harm. Have you considered the safeguarding implications if you are meeting away from the usual meeting place in the event parents have not remembered and do a ‘drop and run’ leaving young people alone without means of contacting any adult? Whilst some of these things may appear to be common sense, it is key to list them on your risk assessment to demonstrate that such risks have been considered.

Should you want any help with considering safeguarding risks and how to mitigate these on your risk assessments or have any questions linked to safeguarding and your sessions or activities with young people, please do get in touch. I am happy to come to groups to discuss how to consider the risks and how best to document them.

Please get in touch with me at steph.fawdry@oxonscouting.org.uk

Do you know an Explorer who can be the next High Sheriff Cadet?

Emily has done an amazing job representing the Scouts as the High Sheriff’s Cadet, sadly her year in the role is coming to an end and we are looking for our next High Sheriff’s Cadet.

The programme provides an exceptional opportunity for a young person to engage directly in the civic and ceremonial life of the county, while developing leadership, confidence, and a strong sense of public service. It is a prestigious and memorable role that showcases the very best of our young people and the organisations that support them.

We are looking for an individual between the age of 16 and 20 to support the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. More information can be found on the attached. The cadet will need to be available on 9 April 2026 for the declaration ceremony.

Can you please pass on the opportunity to any young person who may be interested and ask them to express an interest in the role using this form

All nominations need to be made by Monday 23rd March 2026.

Minecraft Team Lead

After 6 years of creating, building and maintaining the Minecraft server, Joseph has decided the time has come to pass on the baton. Thank you for all you have done in the role Joseph.

Enjoy Minecraft? Want to know more?

As Minecraft Team Lead, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and development of the Oxfordshire Scouts Minecraft Server. You will work alongside volunteers, Scout leaders and the County Team to deliver memorable experiences for young people in Oxfordshire.

The server was setup in 2020 as an alternative provision during the pandemic however following a review we launched in late 2021 to deliver a platform for Scout Groups in Oxfordshire and wider region to use as a fun alternative on a section night. We also provide weekends where young people may login individually to explore our minigame suite and chat with other young people in the local area.

If this role sounds like your cup of tea, please get it touch we’d love to have a conversation with you!

Main role duties

•              Take ownership of the Minecraft team responsible for maintaining and growing the server looking after both technical and creative aspects

•              Lead the Minecraft team conducting recruitment, role reviews and role provisioning in-line with team needs

•              Take ownership for the compliance needs of the team from both a GDPR and safeguarding risk perspective

•              Support and lead the moderation team making final decisions on moderation actions as needed.

To excel in this role you should

•              Have a deep passion and understanding of the Minecraft Game

•              Have a strong understanding of Minecraft Servers and their technical aspects

•              Be able to manage, lead and motivate a large volunteer team

If feel you tick some or all of the boxes and would like a conversation please use the contact form or email programme@oxonscouting.org.uk for more information.

Have a great month!

Many thanks,

Rhys