It’s 7 weeks today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!

As leaders, there are lots of fun and exciting things involved in planning for the new Troop.  There are also some more routine ones, like the basic admin.  As with any membership organisation, it’s important we hold the right information – things like contact details, medical needs, and so on.  There’s a standard information form which all new members need to complete, and which has been sent to those looking to join the new Troop.  We’re hoping these can be returned sooner rather than later!

One event that requires quite a bit of admin but is definitely worth it is Summer Camp.  This year, we’re hosting Scouts from Canada, as part of our twinning arrangement.  That adds another dimension to what’s already a great event – camping for almost a week means that we can do more activities, have more fun, and still be more relaxed J  There’ll be more information in the coming months, but do mark the dates in your diary now – it’s from 18 to 24 August.

The first three countdown emails have explained about what Scouts do – the programme zones, the badges, and the idea of everyday adventure.  How Scouting works is just as important, though.  The patrol system started on the very first Scout camp, back in 1907, and today it still offers a really important way for Scouts across the 10 to 14 age range to work together in a way that doesn’t happen in schools and many other settings.  There are opportunities to learn and develop leadership skills as (Assistant) Patrol Leaders, and team working is really emphasised.

When the new Troop launches in 7 weeks time, we’ll take the first few weeks to settle in, but then setting up permanent patrols and appointing the Patrol Leaders will be a big milestone at the end of the first half-term.

Events to look forward to…

• Archery competition camp: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May (book by end of February)
• Sun Run (night hike): Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 June
• Troop camp: Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July
• Summer Camp: Tuesday 18 to Monday 24 August
• More to be released in the coming weeks!

It’s 8 weeks today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!

Keeping in touch is with Scouts and parents is going to be important – there’ll be information about events, reminders about weekly programmes, etc.  Email is one of the main ways of doing this, but for facebook fans, 12^th Cambridge now has its own page!  You can check this out – and like / follow it – at www.facebook.com/12thcambridge.  Parents are also invited to join our adults group at www.facebook.com/groups/12thcambridgeadults/ and we look forward to some lively discussions there!

Our summer term programme already includes the National Scout Archery Competition and a Troop camp in July – but if that’s not enough, you can add “Sun Run” to your diary for Saturday 20 / Sunday 21 June.  Timed to be close the longest day of the year, this is a night hike from Ely back to Cambridge.  There’s something special about being out later and hiking in the dark, and it’ll be a chance to show off some of the navigation skills learned during the weekly meetings.

Gaining a new skill is important in its own right, but it’s also nice to see that recognised openly.  There’s a wide range of badges and awards that do just that, and you can read more at www.scouts.org.uk.  The nine Challenge Awards are some of the main badges Scouts can gain – they include the Outdoors Challenge, the Teamwork Challenge, and the World Challenge.  And for older Scouts, there’s the Chief Scout’s Gold Award, which is the top badge available for the Scout age range

It’ll take a little while for the first badges to be gained, but with only 8 weeks til the new Troop launches, we’re already starting to stock up on some of the most popular awards!

Events to look forward to…

• Archery competition camp: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May (book by end of February)
• Sun Run (night hike): Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 June
• Troop camp: Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July
• More to be released in the coming weeks!

It’s 9 weeks today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!  This is the second of our weekly updates, counting down to the first meeting on Wednesday 15 April.

We’ve already had a number of new Scouts join from the original waiting list, and last week we opened things up to friends of existing Scouts and others locally who are interested in joining.  Some members of the current Thursday night Troop have asked if they can switch to Wednesday, and that’s absolutely fine.  We’d suggest having a chat with Graham first – no offence will be taken, and in fact it would help the running of the current Troop if numbers reduced slightly.

Last week we talked about the Troop camp planned for the end of July.  That’s a general camping event, but we also have some specific activities in the diary, including the chance to take part in the National Scout Archery Competition from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May.  This is held at a campsite called Phasels Wood (just north of Watford), and is a great opportunity for anyone who’s interested in archery.  As we do have to book places in advance, please reply in the next week or two to ask for more detailed information, if you might be interested.

Outdoors and adventurous activities are key to Scouting, but the programme is wider than that.  It’s split into zones which include community involvement, creative expression and learning about the wider world.  Our weekly meetings cover a mixture of these themes, and are delivered through games, discussions, team activities and more.  As always, you can find out more at www.scouts.org.uk

And it’s only 9 weeks til we start seeing it all in action!

Events to look forward to…

• Archery competition camp: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May (book by end of February)
• Troop camp: Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July

More to be released in the coming weeks!

It’s 10 weeks today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!  We’re starting a countdown to this exciting moment, with weekly updates from now until 15 April.

We’ve offered places to all of those already on the waiting list, and we’ve got about ten new Scouts signed up.  We’re looking to start the Troop with around double that number, though, so we’re now opening things up to friends of existing Scouts and others locally who are interested in joining.  Anyone who’s wants to find out more is welcome to drop an email through to cambridgescouts12th@yahoo.co.uk

Those Scouts who do join the new Troop have a busy summer to look forward to!  There are lots of events planned, one of which is a weekend camp from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July, joint with the existing Thursday night Troop.  We’re still sorting out all the details, but it’ll be a great chance for new and old Scouts to spend a couple of nights under canvas, learn camping skills, tackle some adventurous activities, and generally have fun outdoors!

That’s one of the basic ideas of Scouting – everyday adventure.  We want to offer young people the chance to try new activities, to learn different skills, and to gain confidence.  By working in small teams and taking on personal challenges, Scouts can benefit experiences quite different from formal education and other leisure activities.  You can find out more about Scouting at www.scouts.org.uk

So, if everyday adventure sounds appealing, getting involved with the new Wednesday night Troop at the 12^th Cambridge could be for you – whether as a Scout or as a leader.  Do get in touch!