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!
In the early hours of Friday morning 5 of the group’s young leaders, AK, Charlie, Lucy, Nick and Martha will be setting off to Japan for the trip of a life time, to take part in the 23rd World Scout Jamboree. For two weeks they will live with more than 30,000 other scouts from 162 different countries, from every continent and corner of the planet.
Jamborees take place every 4 years and are a unique opportunity for young people from around the world to meet others from every other culture, religion and country. One of the two units our scouts are allocated to will be surrounded by units from Lebanon, Denmark, Japan, Brazil and Switzerland. You don’t get much more mixed up than that!
Arriving late on Friday our intrepid 5 will spend 3 days n Tokyo before moving onto the Jamboree itself which kicks off on 28 July with a packed program to include everything from sailing to global development with a central theme of peace, as Japan and the World remember the events of 1945 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
And if that wasn’t enough they will then spend 4 days with a Japanese family as part of the home hospitality program
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)!
Yes, it’s July. It’s HOT! And it’s party time!!!!!
After a busy scouting year, the committee and leaders of 12th Cambridge invite all members, friends and family to our Summer Party 2015 on 20 July, 6pm on.
With catering by our very own professionals and fun & games organised by our scouters, this is the event not to be missed!
It’s been a while since the Cub pack’s Spring Camp in the Peak District: it’s about time I got some photos out to the world! See the bottom of this page for a large number of photos.
The theme of the camp was Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a story with a close connection to where we were camping. Our band of knights encountered many a challenge and accomplished many a feat of derring-do, too many to recount in full, but particular highlights should be recorded.
Perhaps most notable was their descent from a terrifyingly high bridge, lowering themselves through thin air. Then there was the epic journey on foot along the spectacular Roaches ridge in two separate groups, navigating themselves.
Back at camp, our knights were never idle. When they weren’t building our grand fortress gate, they were inventing and building numerous items of camp furniture, making flags and heraldic crests, laying trails of tracking symbols, hunting for treasure, cooking food over a fire and digging around in the undergrowth to discover its hidden inhabitants. And let’s not forget the necessary components of day-to-day life on camp: collecting firewood, helping with cooking, washing up, fetching water, and so on.
The cubs’ enthusiasm, helpfulness and general positive attitude to the activities, as well as the more mundane everyday aspects of camp life, was fantastic and made the camp great fun for all of us! Well done to them all, especially those camping with us for the first time!
So on Thursday a series of school trips left Raptor troop with just 14 scouts compared to our normal 35. There was only one answer….. Two make shift patrols of 7 and a game of Quidditch!
In April this year, we launched a second Scout Troop and meeting night. Up to now, it’s been known – rather boringly! – as the 12th Cambridge (Wednesday) Troop.
Last week, the Scouts at the new Troop got to vote on their choice of name. The clear winner, seeing off Reptiles, Mountains and even Dinosaurs, was Wildcats.
This led onto decisions about patrol names, and we now have the Black Panthers, Jaguars and Pumas. They’re led by our three new Patrol Leaders, who will be appointing their assistants later in the term.
With fifteen Scouts and now a Troop name, things are settling down at Wildcats. We’ve got our first camp in July (joint with Raptors, the Thursday evening Troop), and will be launching a patrol points competition over the summer, as well as designing a Troop badge.
If you’ve got any questions, or would like to get involved (either as a Scout or as an adult helper/leader) do email us at newtroop@12thcambridge.org.uk And yes, we might change that email to wildcats@ soon!
With the summer season well and truly on us it’s the time of year where we can really let our scouts do what we train them to do, take the lead and run their own camps. During the summer each of the 5 patrols that make up Raptor troop plan and run their own camps with no adults going with them! For the patrol leaders, our 13 and 14 year olds it is a big responsibility and one of the highlights of their time in the troop.
Selfie tastic!
Our first patrol, The Hawks, are just back from their trip to Gilwell Park in Epping Forest where they swung from the high ropes, zipped the zip wire and ran their own grand prix. Photos below! Further down are photos of Kingfishers expedition to Thriftwood. Over the next few weekends Kestrels, Eagles and Owls will follow them…..
12th Cambridge Scouts took part in the SWAN65 sailing expedition over Easter. Half a dozen of our fine galley-boys and girls set sail in a group of 28 scouts and 22 leaders in traditional 1930s Broads cruisers.
As is often the case around Easter, the weather provided its challenges. After a couple of days of sailing, a storm blew in and the fleet was confined to home port. This provided the opportunity to engage with some shore-based activities, including archery & crate-stacking (kindly hosted by 50th Norwich) and trips to Norwich cathedral & castle and Yarmouth.
Later in the week, conditions improved and some fine sail-training was had by all. Suncream was deployed. Wroxham and its bridges became the location for mast-lowering practice and a spot of quanting.
Friday evening saw the return of the fleet to the boatyard, fish & chips for everyone and prize-giving, with Ben “can we switch the engine off?” Binks being awarded the Quant Fever prize.
Well done to all our Scouts (& Explorer) for being such enthusiastic crew-mates for the week.
