The primary aim of our SAS Unit is to assist different sections of 1st Hinchley Wood Scout Group and Esher District with the various activities that they put on throughout the year. The key activities that we assist with are the various camps but also helping with kayaking and weekly meetings when an extra pair of hands are needed.
As well as assisting in various Scouting activities we also enjoy getting together for activities of of a more social nature as well as fundraising and helping out at local community events.
Of these one of the most adventurous activities that is undertaken each Spring is The 4-Inns Walk, a 40 mile competitive hike across the Peak District. For us the challenge is to complete within the 24 hours allowed, way off the winning teams times of just over seven hours.
An Active Support Unit can be made up of men and women of all ages, interests and backgrounds, whether or not they have been involved with Scouting or Guiding before. They can operate at local, national and international levels, but are most often connected to a District or County. All members of Active Support are there because they wish to give some of their time to Scouting – this can be as much or as little as they like, in a wide variety of activities. Each Active Support also has their own social and activity programme.
The aim of Active Support is to “Provide Active Support”, with the emphasis being very much on practical support of the youth programme at all levels of the Association, from the local Scout Group to National level. These may be specialist groups, for example campsite service crews, skilled activity teams, first aid teams or radio operators, or they may be a more general group of individuals with a variety of interests and skills who are ready to help out at all sorts of different events.
Active Support around the country regularly gets involved in event organisation and support, adventurous activity provision, fundraising, supporting Section Leaders, providing social activities for Districts and Counties, skills based sessions and training. In fact ‘active support’ can be just about anything, the list is endless.
Active Support is a large part of the ‘backbone’ of the Scout Movement – supporting the young people and voluntary leaders wherever help is required. The key to our success is our flexibility – we’re here to help.