When the cubs revealed last term that they had a voracious appetite for pioneering, I needed no second bidding. This term, they’ve been developing their skills in knotting and lashing and have become pioneering experts.

Early in the term, we spent an evening refreshing ourselves on some knots and some basic lashings, and put this into practice by building some A-frames.

Camp gave us an opportunity for a more ambitious project: a grand gate for our campsite!

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Then this evening, we took things to another level, literally, with a rope bridge.

I’m pleased to report that all cubs made it safely across the river!

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The Cubs spent a weekend in the Bedfordshire countryside, packed with adventurous activities. A few days after getting back and I’m just beginning to recover from the exhaustion – I’m guessing the same goes for the cubs! Here are the highlights. See below for all the rest of the photos from the camp…

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The Cub pack headed to Thetford Forest this year for their Autumn camp. The whole thing was guided by our founder, Lord Baden-Powell, drawing on his Wolf Cub’s Handbook.

Let’s let him take us through some of the cubs’ activities this weekend in his own words…

Every Scout aims at being a good camper, because you can’t be a backwoodsman or a pioneer unless you can look after yourself in all weathers in the open.

Now that we’ve packed our kit let’s be off, shall we? Before you go, and the whole time you are away, say to yourself, “I am going to make this the jolliest camp there ever was FOR THE OTHER CUBS.”

“Knock the Blob”, a game from the WCH

And when you are in camp remember that as you are there to have a splendid time you must keep in mind the Cubs’ patent dodge for making themselves happy – that of helping other people and particularly Akela.

There are lots of ways in which a tenderfoot suffers in camp. But there is no roughing it for an Old Scout; he knows how to make himself quite comfortable.

In order to be a good Cub a fellow must know how to lay and light a fire.

Every Cub must be able to tie knots properly. What duffers ordinary boys are at tying knots! They make a sort of tangle of string or rope, which probably they can never undo again! That would never do for a sailor or for a bridge builder.Knots are quite easy to learn, and as soon as you know them you can teach other people how to make them.

Young wolves learn to look after themselves in the wild. They learn to watch birds and animals day by day so as to learn their habits, just as a boy Wolf Cub does. But the boy’s object is to know more about them, and to take a friendly interest in their doings.

Practising fox-walking

Now tracking and stalking are fine things to do, but if you are to be a good tracker you want a great deal of practice and training.

Practising fox-walking

Texts and images from The Wolf Cub’s Handbook, Lord Baden-Powell (15th Edition)

More photos of the camp

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As we get our activities lined up for the coming term, it’s time to take a look back at some of what the Cub pack has got up to in the last term. (That is to say, I’ve just got round to going through my photos.)

Archery, maypole dancing, a visit to an old people’s home, a tour of our local fire station, bowling, canoeing, parents’ evening…and that’s just the ones I had time to take photos of!

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Once again, the Cubs had a chance to prove their skill and fearlessness as they tackled the heights of the climbing wall at Kelsey Kerridge.

Completely ignoring the pleas of the instructor to stay at shoulder height, they ascended, without the aid of ropes, helicopters or anti-gravity boots, up all that the wall could offer.

Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to supervise (and endure the rigours of the safety form & training)!

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