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…
Last Friday Wildcats Troop celebrated their first anniversary in style with a night hike followed by a sleepover at the hut.
The scouts navigated their way around a 10km route with several challenges along the way. Despite the sub-optimal weather the scouts soldiered on marvelously with nary a grumble or disparaging remark towards the conditions.
Much to the leaders vexation the scouts showed no signs of collapse upon finishing the hike and continued well into the wee hours. Finding entertainment in such varied activies as hair tieing lessons, which Maddie happily volunteered for after some serious cajoling.
To just general manic activity, unfortunately no footage survives of this but here is an artist’s impression of events:
Once all of the groups had returned to the hut it was time to invest our newest member (at the time). Rosie chose to join wildcats on our anniversary and she also had the privilege of blowing out the candle on our anniversary cake. Fortunately this momentous occasion was recorded so that future generations can experience this moment, although the footage is being kept in a locked safe.
Then after a rejuvenating 3-4 hours kip the scouts roused themselves and cooked breakfast on roaring fires, dispensing with both hunger and the chilly morning air splendidly.
With spring having sprung and the weather getting better what better time to do something a bit different and learn to fly? And so 18 intrepid scouts made for Gransden Lodge Airfield where the were introduced to the principles of flight, took to the air and got to take control of a motorised glider.
Some scouts had a few nerves, some looked a little “green around the gills” after landing but all had their first taste of being a pilot with a few making noises about a new career as pilots…..
Back in January Raptor troop waved a sad goodbye to Rebecka, one of our scouts who emigrated with her family to New Zealand. Scouting though is international and very much thriving in New Zealand so it wasn’t long before she was signed up with a new troop “down under”. Her mum (former group treasurer!) wrote to us with an update on their adventures……..
Dear all at 12th Cambridge
I just thought I would give you an update on what Rebekah has been doing Scouting wise since arriving in NZ!
Tonight (15 March) she was invested into the Brooklyn 1909 Scout Troup. She was made an Assistant Patrol Leader (for Patrol Four) and given a new scarf (or necker in UK parlance!). The scarf is green with a gold band at the edge.
In addition she was awarded the ‘Bronze Badge’. This was given to her in recognition of all the things that she has done in the UK and since arriving in NZ. All new scouts work thorough the bronze, silver and gold badges.
Also tonight one of the Scouts was awarded his gold badge which is the highest award in Scouts (last year only 6 were awarded in the Wellington district, so this is quite an achievement). Lots of badges were given out and about 6 other scouts were invested.
The Brooklyn troop is one of the oldest in NZ (with Scouting starting in 1908!).
The Brooklyn Troop is very active and is very busy fundraising as this is a Jamboree year for New Zealand. It is being held near Blenheim at the top of the South Island. The aim is to send 24 Scouts and to raise 80% of the cost for each scout. This means that every scout going has to be involved in fundraising. Each scout has to ‘do’ a minimum of 20 hours; the Scout family also has to contribute 20 hours and together work a total of at least 60 hours.
To this end Rebekah and I ‘worked’ at the Edinburgh Tattoo which was held at the WestPac stadium (known as the Cake Tin! on account of its shape). We saw most of the show (which was a bonus). This is only the 6th time the Tattoo has been held outside Scotland. The Brooklyn scouts were involved in running a bar – this means the adults deal with the money and actually serving customers (the scouts pour the drinks and pass them to the till operators).
Last week she went kayaking on Wellington harbour and this weekend she is on a camp (for about 300 Scouts and Venturers – near Hastings and it is a huge Battle of the Flag). All scouts attending the jamboree have to have 10 nights under canvas – as we know Rebekah has done this already (but it is important that she does this under NZ conditions!).
Please see attached photos.
They are two of the Tattoo (with the Castle built, traditional Maori performers) and two of the investiture.
With the forecast for rain all day (thankfully, a little pessimistic) and a biting northerly wind & hail showers failing to deter our young teams, the scouts embraced all the challenges set for them by the organisers (who themselves had to fend off hypothermia).
In addition to the hike, there were 7 checkpoints with challenges including code-breaking, semaphore, an observation quiz, shepherding (yes, seriously!) and spaghetti-bridge-building.
Well done to all our scouts for completing the challenge safely and with enthusiasm!
A contingent of 19 scouts from Raptors and Wildcats headed to Gilwell Park for the weekend along with 3000 others for a lot of fun and an absolute mud bath. Hat tip to scouts from 11th/9th Cambridge, 14th Cambridge, 16th Cambridge and 18th Cambridge and Shackleton and Avenger Explorer Scout Units who we camped with…..
As well as the Photos below head over to our Youtube page for a few vids of what we got up to….
12th Cambridge Scouts are proud to support the Maggie’s Wallace Christmas Concert, to be held at the Wesley Church, Christ Pieces on Saturday 5th December. The concert, featuring Christmas carols and well-known Barbershop songs, starts at 7.00pm. Our scouts will be helping to serve mince pies and mulled wine to help the audience warm up.
Maggie’s Centres provide emotional, practical and social support to people with cancer and their families & friends. The concert is a fundraiser to help Maggie’s continue with this wonderful work.
To find out more about Maggie’s, click on the logo below!
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)
August saw Raptor troop head to The New Forest for summer camp. We were joined by our friends from 12th Cambridge in Ontario Canada, our twin troop.
As well as trail biking, axe throwing, pioneering, high ropes and climbing it was also just a little bit wet….. many scouts came home having grown gills and webbed feet
All members, friends & family of 12th Cambridge are invited. Everyone will get the chance to mash and press their apples, taste the juice (fresh, mulled & cider). Bring something for the BBQ and enjoy!
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…
