Thursday10th May 2018
Join us for another evening of celebration and fun!
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Our Annual Gala Evening 2025 is for young people, adults and Groups/Units - just fun and celebration! We will celebrate all the good things Scouting has achieved in 2024 as one big Scout family in the District. It will be a relaxed Gala with smart uniform.
All Scouts, Explorers and Networkers in the District are invited, and all adult volunteers in whatever Sectional Team. We want to see lots of young people so to encourage their attendance why not make this your meeting for that week?
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We will be at a the same venue this year - The Herts and Essex High School, Warwick Road, Bishop's Stortford CM23 5NJ. There will be plenty of parking on the street with some limited spaces on site. It is an all ticket event so please BOOK your tickets now:
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How to make your nominations
We are celebrating the period from January to December 2024. Nominations can only be submitted via the nominations form by using button next to each of the categories below.
You can nominate anyone from 4 to 104 – there is a category for all and anyone can nominate – young people, adult volunteers, and trustees. Everyone who gets nominated will receive recognition, provided they meet the nomination criteria below and category winners will receive a unique District polished chrome and enamelled badge plus a trophy to keep. There is no limit to the number of people you nominate.
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Please nominate people that YOU feel should receive recognition. A small panel will judge the nominations and publish the results.
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Don’t delay - Nominate today!
The Closing date for Nominations is
Sunday 20th July 2025
IMPORTANT
Remember these award categories only apply to the calendar year of 2024 ​​
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Award categories
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Most Squirrel Badges of the Year
For the Squirrel who has gained the most badges in 2024 (IMPORTANT leaders please supply list and dates)
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Example: Simon has gained 2 Challenge Badges, and 2 other badges in 2024
Beaver Scout of the Year
For the Beaver who has done their best and been a great member of the Colony.
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Example: Becky has been a Beaver for 2 years. She is always polite and helps others without being asked. Her kindness shines through and she is brilliant at each meeting - a star Beaver!
Squirrel Scout of the Year
For the Squirrel who has done their best and been a great member of the Drey.
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Example: Ian has been a Squirrel for a year. He is keen and hungry to take part in things and he is always polite and friendly and loves working on his acorn award which he has nearly finished. He does all this despite the fact his mum has been very unwell which he has found upsetting.
Most Beaver Badges of the Year
For the Beaver who has gained the most badges in 2024( IMPORTANT leaders please supply list and dates)
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Example: Becky has gained 3 Challenge Badges, 1 Staged badge and 7 other Activity badges in 2024
Cub Scout of the Year
For the Cub who has done their best and been a great member of the Pack.
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Example: Bruno is a delight and unassuming. He turns up for everything, helps other Cubs and is always helpful, kind and has the respect from peers.
Most Cub Badges of the Year
For the Cub who has gained the most badges in 2024 ( IMPORTANT leaders please supply list and dates)
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Example: Bruno has gained four Challenge badges, 3 Staged Badges and 7 other Activity badges and his Silver CSA in 2024.
Scout of the Year
For the Scout who has done their best and been a great member of the Troop.
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Example: Aiden became an APL, PL and now SPL. He has helped many Scouts settle into the Troop. He has gained in confidence and ability when leading games. He is committed to helping others and to do his very best. Without him the Troop's Annual fundraiser may not have happened.
Most Scout Badges of the Year
For the Scout who has gained the most badges in 2024 ( IMPORTANT leaders please supply list and dates)
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Example: Aiden has gained four Challenge badges, 4 Staged Badges and 7 other Activity badges in 2024
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Explorer Scout of the Year
For the Explorer who has done their best and been a great member of the Unit.
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Example: Chris attends almost every event and he is the first to help at Meetings. He has done excellent work with the Unit and run one of the meetings. He is supportive to other Explorers and sensitive to their differing needs. Chris is also a Young Leader with a Cub Pack.
Best progress on Explorer Awards of the year
For the Explorer who has made the most progress on awards and badges in 2024. ( IMPORTANT leaders please supply list and dates)
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Example: Chris has gained his Platinum CSA, 3 other Activity badges plus the Bronze DofE Award.
Young Leader of the Year (14 – 18 year olds)*
For the Young Leader who displays true commitment and inspires younger members.
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Example: Holly works hard and gets on with it. She is proactive, dependable and always has a smile. She takes on any job given, and comes up with ideas of her own. She readily runs games and activities for the Cubs and is popular with the Pack. *Nominees should have completed or started Module A of the YLS.
Scout Networker of the Year
For the Networker who has contributed the most to the refresh of the our “Intrepid” Network
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Example: Bob helped organised two weekend events involving a lot of Unit activities. He was a reluctant volunteer when he first joined but has grown in stature, confidence and now leads events.
Youth Team of the year
For a Lodge, Six, Patrol, Hike Team etc that has worked well together.
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Example: The Eagle Patrol ran several fundraising events in the spring and raised £77.00 for Help the Aged OR the Hamster Lodge made Steve very welcome to the Colony. Steve has limited vision and they helped him with lots of games and activities.
Most interesting programme activity
For the Section that has run an unusual programme (for an overnight event use Exciting Nights Away category)
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Example: We made wood burning stoves out of baked bean tins and coat hangers. Having made them, the following week, we cooked bacon & eggs on them OR Very unexpected for the Troop, they were lively, creative and engaging. Getting 36 boys to dance in public and enjoy it is tough work. But they loved it!
Youth Community Involvement
Awarded to Sections/Groups where young people engage with others in the wider community to make a difference.
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Example: Our Unit helped some old folks who did not understand how to use Skype calls. We did this over several weeks and loads of people are skyping grandchildren across the UK! OR The Pack cleared a rough patch of land with members of a care home. The patch has loads of flowers and is appreciated by lots of people.
Exciting Nights Away Event
For the Section that has had the most exciting and special nights away.
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Example: The troop spent a night in a WW2 aircraft hangar under a B52 Bomber OR The Colony had its first nights away and 24 Beavers had a really exciting time. The theme was Space and they made moon landers.
Non-uniformed Adult of the Year
For those adults who don’t wear uniform and have done something beyond the normal call of duty.
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Example: As a parent, Mrs Miggins comes down to the meetings each week and makes sure the badges are available when required. Taking this headache away from us is a great support. She then goes to the Badge Secretary and gets the stock as and when needed.
Unsung Hero
Awarded to someone who works quietly in the background, never seeks thanks but is fantastic.
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Example: Boris works tirelessly for us – has no children left in the Group. He cuts the grass, mends windows and even cleans the toilets!
Adult Volunteer Team Member of the Year - five categories below
(a) For a volunteer who has done something beyond the normal call of duty for Scouting and inspired others or (b) Helped young people enjoy a notable Scouting experience.
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Example: Despite work pressure, Liz has not only been part of a very successful and dynamic Cub team but has also given up numerous weekends to camp in wet and cold conditions to support other leaders delivering camps and expeditions throughout the year. She is not a natural camper but gives her time freely to support others in the Scout section, so they can provide challenging and inspiring activities for young people.
Squirrel Leadership Team Member of the Year
Based on the above criteria
Beaver Leadership Team member of the Year
Based on the above criteria
Cub Leadership Team Member of the Year
Based on the above criteria
Scout Leadership Team Member of the Year
Based on the above criteria
Explorer Leadership Team Member of the Year
Based on the above criteria