From: chris@scout.demon.co.uk (Christopher T Wilkinson) Subject: Network Russia - UK Publication Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1993 20:18:12 +0000 The following is the text content of UK Scout Headquarters News Sheet Entitled Network Russia. 3 editions each year. Unfortunately some of the references will be to photographs etc. which do not transmit well over the Internet. I hope you enjoy the publiation (Internet version). Chris Wilkinson. Network Russia Launch Issue One June 1993 WEST TALKS TO EAST Soon after the changes in eastern Europe in 1990 UK Scouts have been talking to Russia and now this News Sheet Network Russia is launched to keep interested leaders and scouts informed of the development of Scouting in Russia and how UK Scouts are supporting our colleagues in the East. In November 1992 20 Scouters from throughout the UK visited Russia to study the development of Scouting in Russia in the regions of Moscow and St Petersburg. On their return they were determined to keep in touch and to encourage others to assist the re-birth of Scouting in Russia by keeping them informed through a Newsletter. Other Scouters and Scouts have been to Russia and come home with the same idea. Newly appointed International Commissioner, John May called a meeting in May at BP House of all Leaders interested in helping Russian Scouts and those who wished to be involved in international exchanges and expeditions to Russia. The idea of this News Sheet was launched as a way of providing informed interest. At the request of the Headquarters International Department this publication is edited by Chris Wilkinson from Nottinghamshire and Mo Tweney from Oxfordshire with help from Mike Stanley also from Oxfordshire. The aim is to publish 3 copies each year and to include news from all sections of the Scouting movement in Russia, from Headquarters and the World Organisation, from Counties and Groups and other organisations such as Rotary who are assisting the UK movement in its efforts for Russian Scouts. It is intended to be the organ of the Scouts in the UK who are interested in visiting Russia, to make that possible by encouragement, information and support and to promote friendships, exchanges and twinning with groups in Russia. Your contributions to the publication will be most welcome. Relationships with Russia by David McKee Many readers will be aware that The Scout Association began its relationships in Russia by having exchanges with the Communist Youth Organisations, the Pioneers and Komsomol. These were quickly followed by establishing a working relationship with Dr Alexander Bondar who had been appointed to advise the World Scout Bureau on future developments. The Bureau formulated a plan of development beginning with the identification of interested individuals from many of the Soviet Republics. including members of AVORS. The organisation for the rebirth of Russian Scouting. An information seminar was held in Geneva in May 1991 and was quickly followed by a congress which established the Federation of the Scouts of Russian in November 1991. UK support and relationships have, in the main been with the Federation though there are still some connections with other Scouts including some who came to the Essex Jamboree and to the Staffordshire Friendship Camp in 1992. It is not simply a question of working only with the Federation because there are elements in Russian society that need to be considered for example the Russian Orthodox Church. It is still unclear if the church wishes to establish its own Scout Organisation or if it will simply be supportive of the ideals of Scouting and will lend its support to Scouting in Russia in general. ORUR is a group of Russian Scouting in exile and may have up to 3000 members. It has been working to support the re-establishment of Scouting in Russia. There are also several independent groups who call themselves Scouts. The aim of the UK involvement in Russia is to see Scouting in Russia firmly established and developed from its present relatively small and fragmented base to full members of the World Organisation. How simple it would be if all Scouts joined one organisation in Russia, for example the Federation but life is not like that and it is not for the UK to impose this as the ideal but rather to encourage the Russians to find their own solution. One principle is quite firm though, and that is that one of the conditions of membership of WOSM is that there is only one national organisation for Russia though this can be made up of a number of associations. Headquarters is examining and will continue to assess its relationships with the various Scouting bodies in Russia and is determined to see Scouting in Russia move forward, bringing opportunity to more young people over a wider geographical spread within the World Organisation. Moscow chiefs visit the UK by Chris Wilkinson The Co-Chairmen of the Moscow Scout Union Andrei Chemyr and Vladimir Nesevrya were both in the UK during May visiting a Cub Scout Camp Fire at Sherbrooke in Nottinghamshire organised by the Russian Scout Leaders as a training exercise. 1st Farnsfield Scout Group, Central Notts invited leaders from Dubna to visit the UK along with 3 Scouts from the three groups in the town. Dubna is a town known throughout the world for its nuclear research station and its connection with space travel. The purpose of the visit was a good will visit to twin with three Scout Groups in Notts and Derbyshire and to undertake training exercises with Cub Scouts. Whilst in Farnsfield they met each section of the Group, sang songs with the Beavers, played games with the Cubs, barbecued with the Scouts and prepared canoe moulds with the Venture Scouts. They did craft work with Farnsfield Guides and visited Hanson House at Linby to meet the 4th Hucknall British Legion Brownies. The Group Scout Executive entertained them to a buffet, the Chairman of the Parish Council presented them with a competition shield and Rotary and Scout Groups provided them with much needed equipment to take back to Russia. At Retford they even built a fibreglass canoe. They were asked to organise a Cub Scout Camp at Sherbrooke and nearly 70 Cub Scouts from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire got a taste of Camping with Russian activities. This was the first taste of Cub Camping for the Russians - they found it hard to believe that the food was the same that most Cub Scouts would eat at home even down to the Roast Pork, stuffing and apple sauce for Sunday lunch - their Scouts, they said have to live off the forest during their camp. The highlight of the camp was the camp fire. Guests from many Cub Packs in the District came to the fire, several District Commissioners from throughout the country and the International Commissioner for Scouts in Russia -Vladimir Nesevrya. The most important part of the visit was the St George's Day Parade in Southwell at which the Russians were the guests of honour being presented with three new group flags for them to take back to Russia. This part of the ceremony was a complete surprise to them. Although they had designed flags in Russia they had supplied them to us for "Publicity Purposes" - the shock came when they saw the flags draped over the alter. This was the first time ever that a foreign flag had been paraded with Central Notts Scouts and the Russian Flag took pride of place in the colour party with the UK flag. They visited Derbyshire, the American Adventure, York and for the last few days of their visit - London as guests of the 1st Hatch End Scout Group. An exciting time tinged with the sadness of going home. They saw the Queen in an open carriage travelling along the MALL with the rest of the Royal Family, went on an open top bus tour of London (and got wet) and met Lord Baden Powell and President Yeltsin - at Madame Tusauds. During their visit they had collected so much equipment and gifts that they arrived at Heathrow Airport with 28 bags of luggage and 120 kilos over the limit - a cost of 500. They had wanted to take the canoe as hand luggage. Aeroflot was asked - "we are the official representatives of the Scouts Association in the UK the Russians carrying gifts of humanitarian aid for the Scouts of Russia - and could they take it with them?" A flat NO was expected but somehow the scout uniforms did the trick and they took all of their luggage home free of charge. Perhaps they could have taken the canoe after all! Amongst their memories of the visit they said were the lights of London as they came into land at Heathrow, the luxury and wide range of food of Newport Pagnall Services, the kindness of all the families they stayed with and strawberries in April! We do take so many things for granted. 24 hours after they returned to Russia we received a simple message. It said thank you - that said it all. Now the Scouts of Farnsfield are looking forward to a return visit in August 1994. BP House Meeting Nearly 40 interested leaders from throughout the United Kingdom gathered at BP House in May for a workshop on Scouting in Russia. Finance by Mike Watling This is one of the key considerations for funding projects to Russia and for exchanges. Sponsorship is the easiest way to fund a project (In recent visits sponsorship has been the key for South London and 1st Farnsfield) Sponsorship was found to provide sufficient funds to build a training centre for Scouts in St Petersburg. The traditional ways of fund raising should not be ignored with the simple slog of jumble sales, raffles etc. being important. Grant aid is available from the Youth Exchange Centre of the British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN. Money may also be available for more permanent links from the Twinning Organisation of the UK run through the Local Government Information Bureau. Some Local Authorities are also keen to promote international exchanges, particularly with Eastern Europe, and it is worthwhile contacting the Chief Executives at County and District Level. Rotary Clubs, as well as pledging themselves to the Scout Starter Box Scheme for Russia also provide money for exchanges. The address of the local club is usually available in the public library or from the local authority. Exchanges by Chris Wilkinson Exchanges are at the high enjoyment end of international scouting. The main attraction being the privilege of to living in someone else's house in a foreign country just as they do. It beats staying in the local hotel. But is it what the Scouts want - they should ask themselves why they want to exchange and what they want to achieve - if it is to keep up with the Group next door or for a freebie holiday - forget it, that's not scouting! Make sure the Scouts actually want what is being proposed. The organisational pitfalls are many even with an international visit or exchange to France or Germany. With Russia these can be multiplied because of the need to obtain official invitations, passports, visas and the difficulty in obtaining something as simple as good communications. The message is to plan carefully and plan early. Contact someone who has done it already. Contact the International Section at Scout Headquarters - they really do help. Chris has some notes available which will serve to concentrate the mind in planning an exchange - contact him on 0623-882634. Travel to Russia by Andy Trill Travel by air is the obvious means of transport to Russia and it costs around 250 on a group travel ticket with British Airways. But if you are carrying heavy gifts and luggage you are likely to incur excess baggage costs which will make the visit out of the question. So try the train. That is what the Ashford (Kent) Group did. It was also Easter Bank Holiday with fully booked flights. The cost is now 215 for an international ticket with a route from Liverpool Street station via the Hook to Warsaw and to Moscow. Expect to depart around 7am Saturday and arrive 1pm Monday. For those expecting complicated interstate passport checks the travel is quite simple. Only two passport stamps between Russia and the UK despite travel through several of the newly formed states. The checks though at borders can be quite time consuming. The quality of Russian trains by UK standards are very poor though substantially built. Each carriage has its own steward who provides hot water for tea. Watch out for the cross border traders in Poland where Russian women invaded the train with goods to sell back in Russia. A near fight occurred in trying to prevent these women joining the Scouts in reserved compartments. Also take care of personal possessions. - there are thieves on Russian Trains just as in the west. Perhaps this is the way to travel with small groups of older scouts on tight budgets but not recommended for children. Contact Andy on 0233 629 262. Sherwood 93 6 Russian Scouts from St Petersburg will attend the Nottinghamshire Scouts Association international camp at Walesby Forest during July. The mixed patrol is from Natasha's group in St Petersburg and at the invitation of Phil Barlow from 4th Carlton, Central Notts. will join the Robin Hood Sub Camp. This week long camp will be followed by a week of home hospitalities.The visit is being financed from fund raising and appeals in the Central Notts District. This will be the second visit sponsored by Central Notts in less than 3 months and is the result of two separate visits to Russia in the preceding 6 months. For more information contact Phil Barlow Tel. 0602 526488 Planned exchanges UK Russia 93/94/95 July 93 FSR National Camp - Perm BSA National Camp - Scotland - 20 places for Russia August 93 *Sherwood 93 *Kolumna - West Mercia, Stourbridge *Berkshire - WINGS *Merseyside Tawd Vale * camps in UK Herts to St Petersburg Essex to Moscow and Crimea 1994 West Mercia, Stourbridge to St Petersburg Hants Scout Expeditions - Dubna Herts, Hitchin to St Petersburg 1st Farnsfield, Notts to Dubna. 1995 Derbyshire Peak 95 Leicestershire Charnwood 95 Please help the editor keep this list up to date and expand on the information available. Aussies help Russia Australian Scouts meeting in Canberra have pledged themselves to help Russian Scouts by adopting an equipment based equivalent of the Rotary Starter Box Scheme. Murray Hollis who camped near Dubna in 1992 is all set to lead a group of Scouts from the Canberra District back to Eastern Europe including Russia in 1994. The boxes of camping equipment will be for Scouts in Eastern Europe who are in such coutries as Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania as well as helping Russians during a 5 day return visit to Dubna. ANOTHER NOTTS LINK by Phil Barlow The thoughts of visiting Moscow had never entered our heads. For us Russia had always been the enemy behind the iron curtain but when we heard about a visit by Lincolnshire Scout Leaders planned for early 1993 Elaine and I decided that we would explore the unknown. Unlike the study visit this was primarily a visit to the country rather than to visit Scouts. Knowing that another Central Notts. Group already had links with Dubna the leaders at 4th Carlton decided that we should establish a link with Scouts in St Petersburg. By British Airways from Heathrow our 7 day visit took us to Moscow for 4 days and then 3 days in St Petersburg. We had been well prepared for the culture shock but the vastness of the country and its many and varied problems soon became apparent within hours of arriving. The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty. The dejection and the happiness of the Scouts we met, and the overall depressed feeling as our eyes met with people in the street. Scouting, however, we found to be flourishing and our meetings in Moscow and St Petersburg were a joy and a privilege. In particular we enjoyed our visit to Natasha and her Girl Scout Group in St Petersburg and the Boy Scout Group which meets at the nearby Metro Station. Somehow we never learnt the names of the Groups. I had been able to obtain money to buy goods to take to the Russians and the other leaders from Lincolnshire were also taking Scout equipment. All told we had 7 suitcases of "humanitarian aid" and we seemed to have chosen correctly as it was all well received. We came back determined to bring Russian Scouts over to Sherwood 93 but we had to plan to raise the money 1600 and to find an efficient way of contacting the Russians. Letters and FAXes just brought no response. Eventually a friend with electronic mail got a letter right into St Petersburg within a few minutes of trying. This brought a speedy response and now that we have a telephone number and Fax number our arrangements have been much easier to make. BADGE IDEAS FOR GROUPS AND IN PARTICULAR SCOUTS International Friendship Award This is the award for everyone in the Group from Beaver to Ventrue Scouts and also Leaders. The Group should meet to decide upon a project in which each section can be involved. Then for each section plan the part of the project they will aim for. Beaver Scouts could make handicrafts or produce a book of information about the Colony and the area in which they live. Cub Scouts could produce a tape of Scout Songs and write letters to Cub Scouts in another country. Scouts might produce a book of programme ideas or be involved in exchange visits organised by the Venture Scouts. A leaflet is available from your Assistant County Commissioner International or from Scout Headquarters. Air Spotter This badge can be worked for by Scouts taking part in an international exchange by air and then en route take the recognisiton part of the badge at Heathrow Airport. Communicator International contacts can be fun and also very useful in keeping in touch with groups in foreign countries. Contact your local Amateur Radio Club to ask if Scouts can undertake this badge. Most Clubs will be more than happy to have interested young people around. Also Russia can be contacted on short wave during the annual Jamboree of the Air (JOTA). Computer Russian Scouts are keenly interested in computers and their use in the Group can provide a great interest in any exchange visit. The more computer litererate can consider using electronic mail to communicate with Russian Scouts. If your local school or college has access to JANET or the Internet communiations with some groups in Russia can be quite simple. Guide A local guide will be very important when receiving Russian Scouts. Encourage the Scouts to take this badge so that they can show your guests around the District. Local places of interest and leisure areas will be all important in the success of the visit. Interpreter Although Russian is a very difficult language for UK Scouts to learn there are just a few schools taking Russian and French is a second language often found in Russia. A few words in Russian will help to get visitors to relax. Remember many Russian Scouts speak good English. Map Maker Scouts can make a map of the area, camp site etc to provide local interest and information to the Russian Scouts. Naturalist When it comes to the environment there is little that the Russians can teach us about the forest - after all they have quite a lot of forests around. They will be interested in our wildlife and nature so get the Scouts to learn about the area in which they live and the natural areas through this badge. Photographer To introduce your group and your town to foreign scouts get the Scouts to take photographs and compile an album to send to Russia. Also when you visit Russia it is a great introduction to have a book of photographs of brothers and sisters, family and houses. Your photographs can also show troop activities. Secretary Your Group will need a Secretary for the efficient organisation of any international event. Scouts can write the letters, keep the minutes, plan and organise the events. If there are computer literate scouts they can use their computers to provide a really professional finish to their work. World Conservation Use the programme of this badge to protect the environment, choose a project and get the full group involved. Tell others about what you are planning and why and they encourage others to help you. Tell the Russian Scouts about its progress and look forward to seeing their projects. How to help Russian Scouting Writing letters is the thing that most Scout Groups can do without incurring a lot of expenditure. Either individual Scouts writing or groups writing with each Scout adding a few lines - it makes it easier that way because of ten when it comes to writing Scouts are stuck for what to say. Write about troop or pack night, what the Scouts have been learning at School, their likes in music and films. But you need someone to write to! No it is unnecessary to have someone to write to just send an open letter to the International Commissioner for Scouts for him to pass on to a Scout Group in Russia. His address is: Nesevrya Vladimir Federation of Russian Scouts 141400 Moscow Region Khimky Engels Str 20-118 RUSSIA Sadly post is not very reliable to Russia and the letters which do get delivered take a long time. A more reliable way is by FAX to 01070955735571 Or by Email to Andrei Chemyr he is the Co-Chairman of the Moscow Scout Union with Vladimir. The letter by Email should be sent to Alexandre Ershov at the following Email Address: ershov@lcta10.jinr.dubna.su Rotary Starter Box Scheme This scheme was launched by the Rotary Club to help Scout Groups about to be formed with some initial equipment to get them started. Rotary aims to provide about 1000 of these and they are being sent to the Russian Federation representatives in Moscow and St Petersburg. Many boxes will be put into storage so that they can be used as and when new groups started. These boxes were not realy meant for existing groups who may have other needs. Sponsor a Badge Your group could sponsor this badge - the cost is 35-00 per 100 badges and why not offer to help a group by sponsoring their Group Badge. Proficiency Badges can be sponsored for 14 each badge. Fuller details will be in the next issue. Camping Equipment Every Scout Group needs equipment for pens and papers to tents and sleeping bags. Some of this equipment can be available in Russia if only the Russians had the money to buy it. You can help a group by sponsoring particular items of equipment but please contact a Russian Group and ask them what they need and if they will accept your help. To buy the wrong thing is money wasted. If you have loads of money think of a more ambitious project such as helping establish a camping ground or the provision of a mini bus. They are also very short of basic office equipment which we take for granted. A computer, printer, FAX machine or photocopier are all items of equipment needed by Russian Scouts. If in doubt consult your ACCI, Scout Headquarters or write to the Federation of Russian Scouts. Going to Russia How to get there AIR The easy way is clearly to go by air, direct flight by British Airways from Heathrow or Manchester and Aeroflot from Heathrow to St Petersburg and Moscow. Onward flights within Russia by Aeroflot can be difficult. Price is from 260 for a return visit. Secure and safe but the disadvantage can be the cost of taking extra weight. TRAIN By train from London Liverpool Street Station using a European Rail Card or direct booking - see the article in this issue by Andy Trill. Cost from 200 upwards but remember to include the cost of several extra days in travelling. Weight is only limited by what you can carry or have carried for you. Contact BR International at Victoria Station in London. SEA Perhaps not considered by most but there is at least one direct sea route from the UK to St Petersburg on a cargo ship which takes up to 12 passengers. Gdynia America Shipping Lines also have a route on boats better equipped to take passengers. The route involves changing in Poland at Gdynia. It takes several days 6-8 days each way and the cost is in the region of 1000 return all meals found. There is really no weight restriction on what can be taken and vehicles can be accommodated on these roll on roll off ferries at surprisingly cheap rates. Contact Mr Smith at Gdynia America on 071 251 3389. Don't go without insurance for your party and possessions HAND IN HAND You might be forgiven for thinking that Scouting UK has got Russia sewn up - well you are wrong, because their are others out there doing equally good work and under an almost identical banner. Brownies and Guides. The principles are the same, the programmes are very similar, only the sex of the wearers of the uniforms are different. (Or are they with girls now in Scouting?) I can hear you putting up your hands up in horror! WHAT GIRL GUIDES. Well for a start off this is not a competition and also the Russians need all the help and advice they can get. We are in this for the young people and if that means the Guides doing their bit, and doing it very well, I for one say good luck to them. Hand in Hand is the name of the Guide newsletter which is aimed at providing information to supporters and assistance to Russian Brownies and Guides. Each region is taking on the task of publishing two newsletters but in fact these are more than mere publicity. They are training and information aids for the Russians, each carefully illustrated and translated into Russian to provide information and programmes for Russian Guides and Brownies. The Guide movement is hoping to send equipment to Russia to help new Guide Companies and Brownie Packs and is specifically asking their organisation to raise money so that the organisers can choose to spend the money either in the UK on equipment which is not available in Russia or in Russia on equipment which can be bought their cheaper. It is likely that from the UK they will be sending crayons, paints, craft materials and scissors etc. Their Midlands Regional Organiser tells me that the Russians have little problem getting leaders for the Brownie Age Group but considerable problems for the Guide Age Group. The same applies to Scouts in Russia. The tell tale is in this photograph. Even in Guiding magazine Marina Chupriniuk describes herself as a Brownie Scout. Just look at her face, does it really matter what she calls herself? She could be a UK Brownie or a UK Cub. Home Hospitality Home hospitality can be difficult both for the family receiving and for the guest particularly a guest who cannot speak much English. These brief notes are meant to assist Groups considering organising home hospitality for incoming visitors from almost any non-speaking country. Although parents will initially want to spend quite a lot of time "getting to know" their guest they will soon realise that without much English conversation can stop very quickly. The guest will be apprehensive or even scared of living alone with foreigners miles from home. Small things like dirty washing and having a bath can become very unsettling. The secret is to plan the visit carefully, have a programme, provide a copy to parents and guests. Ensure that the guests are all brought together several times each day so they can talk to each other - it really is hard work for them to speak English all day. Visits should be on a group basis - do not leave anyone out to do their own thing. Resist the many invitations you might have to vary the programme by certain guests being invited to go here or there. Keep control of the visit but listen to what the guests want to do and be seen to be accommodating their wishes. They have come a long way and it would be a pity if all their lives they had wanted to see Madame Tusauds and then were denied the chance because we thought they wouldn't be interested and instead took them to the Tower of London. Within a few days children can quickly become home sick, even quicker if there is nothing for them to do for long periods during the day or evening. You might wish to invite them to telephone home. Remember the cost but nevertheless a phone call home can be important. Evening parties can help but remember to include everyone. Remember money - most Eastern European Scouts will have very little if any. One female scout leader arriving did not even have sufficient money to go to the toilet at Heathrow and was too embarrassed to ask for several hours. Consider giving them some money to spend as part of the overall costs of the visit - you will have already had to pay for their air fair - or some one will. They will naturally want to buy one or two presents. Remember a toy car which might cost 10 here can be a month's wages for a Russian teacher. If you have enjoyed this launch issue please consider receiving future editions and supporting Russian Scouting. The cost is modest at 2-50 for a full year with a minimum of 3 editions. Cut out the form below and send it right now to Mo Tweney at Oxfordshire County Scout Association, 22nd Oxford Scout HQ, Meadow Lane, Donnington, OXFORD. OX4 4BJ This was brought to you by Chris Wilkinson 15 Woodland Close, Farnsfield, Newark, Nottinghamshire. UK. NG22 8DN 1st Farnsfield Scout Group Telephone UK 0623-882634 - home UK 0602-415040 - work +44 623 882634 +44 602 415040 FAX +44 602 484866 G7 LAK