It’s 1 week today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!

So, our very first meeting kicks off at 7:45pm next Wednesday, at the Scout Hut on Gilbert Road.  The entrance is through a fairly narrow set of gates between the Gurney Way and Courtney Way turns; there’s a full map here (under the “The 12th” tab).  The meeting will run to 9:15pm, and parents are welcome to pop in for a chat at the end (or indeed at the start, but the leaders may be a little busier sorting things out then).

We’ve got a couple of games included in the programme, as well as a general introduction to Scouting, a getting-to-know-you activity, and a session on using pen knives safely.  As with most Scout evenings, no specific kit is needed, other than uniform for those Scouts who are already invested (i.e. those transferring from Thursdays).  It’s a good idea to wear old clothes, just in case we have some messier or outdoor activities, and to bring a coat/waterproof that’s suitable for the weather.  We’ll be doing quite a few things outdoors over the summer term in particular.

For those few people who haven’t returned information forms yet, it would be really handy to have them in advance, but otherwise do please bring them in at the start of the meeting.  As you’ll appreciate, we need contact and basic information before any Scout is left for the meeting.

If there are any queries, please do email, or give Toby a call on 07912 494875.

Events to look forward to…

• Archery competition camp: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May
• Go-karting: Sunday 17 May
• 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

It’s 4 weeks today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!

We talked last week about what normally happens during meetings, including games, team activities, learning skills, etc.  As we’ll be a new Troop, however, the first few weeks will include a few special introductory activities, helping Scouts to get ready for their investiture.  This is the short ceremony when they officially join the Troop, and we’d expect to run a big investiture around half term.  We’ll try to find somewhere unusual for it – maybe up a climbing wall, or in a swimming pool! – and Scouts are welcome to suggest ideas for this!

Making the Scout Promise is one of the main parts of getting invested – it’s our commitment to acting in a certain way during Scout activities, and in fact throughout life.  The core Promise is as follows;

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God, and to the Queen, to help other people, and to keep the Scout Law.

There are alternative versions of the Promise for those different faiths and nationalities.  The Scout Law sets out seven values, including trust, loyalty and respect.  You can find out more about both the Promise and Law at www.scouts.org.uk

and one new Cub

Events to look forward to…

• Archery competition camp: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May
• 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

It’s 5 weeks today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!

We said last week that the leaders are beginning to plan out the weekly programmes – but what does a typical Scout meeting look like?  There’s normally a formal start and end to each meeting, when we break or lower the flag.  Each only lasts a couple of minutes, but it’s a chance to present badges, invest new members, and give out notices.  Scouts and leaders will generally be expected to wear uniform – you can find examples of this on the Scout Shops website.

During the middle part of the meeting, there might be a chance to learn new skills – things like first aid, or how to use expedition stoves.  Navigation, pioneering, and the safe use of axes and saws are just some of the others.  As far numbers allow, Scouts will get the chance to try things out in small groups, with leaders supervising.

There are normally also one or two games each evening – cornerball, cat and mouse, and poison ivy are just some of the games that will become familiar to Scouts.  They’re a chance to wear off energy, work together in teams, and just have fun!

It’s not long now til the Scouts joining the new Wednesday Troop will get a chance to experience their first meeting!

Events to look forward to…

• Archery competition camp: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May
• 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 6 weeks today til the 12^th Cambridge launches its second Scout Troop!

In last week’s update, we mentioned some of the admin that we need to do before the new Troop starts.  Thanks very much to those who’ve already returned the information form, and just to confirm that Scouts who are transferring from the Thursday night Troop don’t need to complete another one.

We’re now starting on the fun part of the planning – actually getting the programme sorted out!  The date of our first leaders meeting is being set for mid-March, and that’ll be when we sort out the games, activities, challenges and skills sessions that will be included in each weekly meeting.  Once things are up and running properly, the Scouts will all get the chance to contribute their ideas when we do planning for future terms.

We talked about patrols last week, and one thing that will definitely be on the agenda in the first few weeks is to decide patrol names.  Normally these are themed around animals, birds, etc – although they don’t have to be.  Once we’ve got that sorted, we’ll also need a name for the Troop – something a bit more original than “12^th Cambridge (Wednesdays)”!  Hopefully we’ll have plenty of creative Scouts in the Troop.

There are still a number of spaces available on Wednesdays, so please do pass the information out to friends, or through schools and other groups.  Anyone who’s interested can get in touch with us at newtroop@12thcambridge.org.uk

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!