OUSGG stands for the Oxford University Scout and Guide Group. We're affliliated to SSAGO, the Student Scout and Guide Organisation, which has members and clubs at most universities in the UK. SSAGO has links with both the Scout and Guide Associations in the UK.
We are a group of students who meet every Monday evening to do...well, whatever we want really. If there is something we want to do, then all we have to do is organise it. We do have to follow certain rules, but these are mostly boring and due to insurance. Monday evening activities have included:
To find out what is lined up for this term, have a look at our termcard. To have a look at past OUSGG termcards visit the termcard archive.
No, we also have weekend trips away each term, and longer trips in each vacation. Every term there is a SSAGO rally, where all the Scout and Guide Clubs around the country meet up for a weekend camp, as well as our own weekend walking trip. There's Winter Walking at New Year (see below), an Easter Trip, and the longer Summer Expedition.
NnN is the name given to our Thursday lunchtime meetings. These happen at 1.00pm every Thursday (please see the termcard to find out where they are this term). Drinks and biscuits are provided, and people bring their own sandwiches/Mcdonalds/pasties/whatever. Please come along!
No! Joining OUSGG is not about becoming a Scout or Guide leader - it is about having fun. On the other hand, if you do want to become more involved in local Scouting and Guiding, OUSGG has links with the local troops/companies and we can put you in touch. Several current members are leaders at local troops/companies.
The activities we do are probably very similar to those an active Explorer Unit/Scout Network Group might do. However, we have no leaders, no uniform, no training scheme, and no age limit.
Yes and no.
Scouts:
Traditionally, you have had to be a member of a Explorer Scout Unit/Network Group to
gain the Queen's Scout Award (QSA). With the changing of the section at
this level of Scouting, this may well change to allow for those moving
around the country. We are in touch with the local commissioners and
will find out how this will affect SSAGO members as soon as they know.
Whatever happens, we have the support of the local commissioners and
they will help as much they can with whatever you need for the QSA.
Contact the Scout and Guide liaison
Officer for more details and contacts.
Guides:
Any member of the Senior Section can work on their Queen's Guide Award
(QGA), you do not have to belong to a unit. You do have to register
with the County and you will need support. Oxfordshire has a Senior
Section advisor who is very willing to help and advise any OUSGG member
wishing to do her QGA, whether she is registered at home or in
Oxfordshire. Contact the Scout and Guide
liaison Officer for more details and contacts.
Both:
Some activities you do with OUSGG, especially if you decide to get
involved in running the society, may well be able to be counted towards
your QSA/QGA (or Look Wider or DoE etc). It's well worth joining OUSGG
to do all these fun things, however we can't really give you the support
you need for QSA/QGA and if you are in a Network Group or Guides
Senior Section Group at home, you'd be well advised to remain a member
there and join OUSGG for the term time fun and activities!
Winter Walking is, as the name suggests, a walking trip held in the Winter. It is the first major trip of the OUSGG calender, and is normally held from just after Christmas until just after New Year. The walking experience of the group is varied, so we usually do at least two different walks simultaneously each day, one harder and one easier. This means that those who are in training for climbing Everest are just as happy as those who only want to find the nearest tea shop. But Winter Walking is not just about walking, it is also a chance to get to know everyone in the group and to generally have a good time. And then there's the New Year's Eve Banquet to look forward too...
Eri>| is the OUSGG Macot. He is a stuffed Panda, dressed in Sub-Fusc, and can often be seen at OUSGG events or on OUSGG Trips.
If you have any more questions, please contact ousgg@ousgg.org.uk or a member of the Committee.