The Vale District covers the largest geographical area within CATVOG. Its boundary to the south comprising of a large stretch of the Heritage Coast which can be easily accessed at Llantwit Major, Southerndown & Ogmore.

The countryside can literally be reached from all group HQ's in a matter of minutes on foot, giving quick access for evening hikes, Orienteering, camp fire cooking, etc.

Groups in the District

1st Cowbridge	1st Llantwit Major
1st Ogmore Down	1st St. Athan

Explorer Units in the District

Vale

District Commissioner - Simon Miskin
I started my scouting by joining the 4th Billericay Scout Group, Brentwood & Wickford District in Essex back in the '70' s, enjoying the thrill of camping, climbing, potholing, sailing canoeing & gang shows ( I think we did more but the memory is not what it used to be).

A one week Summer Camp to the Isle of White encouraged me to join the newly formed Venture Unit where among other things I became a mobile DJ, fund raising for the Group using a home built Disco, crude but effective, & cashing in on street partys held for the Queens Silver Jubilee ! After gaining the Amory Award for sailing & walking the Pennine Way (no gravel footpaths or board walks over the peat bogs in those days) & many hours of voluntary community service. During my time with the Venture unit I attended an Outward Bound 2 week sailing course on Loch Eil & around the islands of the inner Hebrides. I was presented with the Queens Scout Award & spent a short time as an assistant Venture Scout Leader before my further education took me away from scouting.

Now having taken a 25 year sabbatical I find myself back in Scouting recently being presented with a District Commissioners Warrant. I feel that I would like to put back into Scouting that which I gained from it, & am sure that with the assistance of the highly skilled, experienced & dedicated team of Leaders in the Vale District that this will not only be achievable but exceedable. I also share a birthday with our founder, Baden Powell.



Area Scout Night Hike
The District is host to the annual Area Scout Night Hike and is normally held aroufn February time. The Hike involves approximately 6 miles of walking, on roads and fields in the Rural Vale of Glamorgan and will require map-reading skills and teamwork. Teams comprise of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Scouts.

The Hike is open to teams from any Scout Troop in the Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan Area (including Barry and Penarth).

Scouting About in the Vale

Cubs Scientist Evening at Techniquest
Cubs were posed the questions "Why does a hot air balloon rise, Why is your pulse faster when you run", visited the Planetarium, found out about composting, watched leaf-cutter ants at work & made cardboard models of crystals.



Japanese Lantern Ceremony
Cubs Scouts & their parents took part in a very peaceful Japanese Lantern ceremony, floating paper lanterns which they had made previously at pack or troop nights on the River Ewenny .The sight of 100 candle lit lanterns floating on the river was breathtaking & gave time for personal thought and reflection.