Cub Leaders Report June 2009

Where do I start? Cubs returned to the 1st Shelford and East Bridgford Scout Group from September last year, and although the start was slow, it has really picked up since Christmas. We had nine youngsters expressing an interest in September, and now have fifteen enrolled with two more having recently moved from Cubs into Scouts. We have covered a wide range of topics and interests through-out the year, with the aim of trying to get as many badges awarded as we could. Some of these activities have included; map reading, navigation, climbing, first aid, mini pioneering, astrology, home help, hikes away, nights away, swimming, air activities and orienteering. Over 100 badges have been awarded since we started last year, and we still intend to do more.

As well as these badge activities, we have been on several visits (some connected to the badge work, some not), church parades, and camps. In November last year we organised a night hike, finishing at the Scout Hall for hot chocolate with marsh mallows. Also in November we went swimming at Dayncourt baths, where nine Cubs gained swim badges. In December we had loads of fun on our Christmas camp (indoors!), at Robin Hood camp-site. In February we went climbing at Grantham Leisure Centre, where it snowed so badly, that despite us making it 25 miles, the instructor struggled to make 2.5 miles across town! We had a visit to the Sherwood Observatory, on a partly cloudy February night, but still managed to get a glimpse of Venus. In March we had a brilliant night out at Laser Quest in Nottingham and in May we were well represented at the Block-buster Movie Camp, at Walesby for three days of awesome activities. Later in May eleven youngsters went mountain biking around the Forestry Commission site at Sherwood Pines, where six Cubs dared to take on the red route, but all us were disappointed when the kiosk ran out of ice creams before we got there!

Coming up, we have planned a visit to a Mosque, a wide game, sing song and camp-fire at Hollygate camp-site, and a spot of bell ringing, all before the end of term.

How is all of this possible I hear you ask? Well, it's thanks to a brilliant team of leaders around me who have really stepped up to the mark. I need to pay particular thanks to Nick Jackson and Helen Glaves for their invaluable contribution - in truth the lions share of the effort, but I must also mention the three Young Leaders, Matt Grayson, Nikki Crawford and Catherine Meylan, who have been regularly assisting with all aspects of running Cubs, from the planning, putting together activities and delivering them. Finally, I'd like to mention the parents of the Cubs, who go out of their way to help when it is needed, thank-you.

When I took on the role of Akela, it was on the understanding I might have to give it up fairly soon due to work commitments, and I am afraid it has come even sooner than I expected, with my work being greatly affected by the current socio-economical environment. I only feel able to leave so soon because I know I have a successor, as Helen has agreed to take on the job of Akela from the end of term, despite already being a Beaver Leader with Bingham group. So I would like to thank Helen again, for stepping into the breach

I was new to Scouting as a Leader last year, and I just want to tell anybody thinking of helping in whatever way, you really do get more reward out of Scouting, compared to the effort you put in!

I've had a wonderful experience through-out these last ten months and hope I will still be able to contribute in the future, particularly as the Scout Movement is such a worth-while organisation. I would like to finish by wishing everyone connected to 1st Shelford and East Bridgford Scout Group, but particularly those involved in Cubs, all the best for the future.

Akela.
Sarah Stevens