The Scout Troop is running well under the expertise of our three new leaders. They have definitely “grasped the nettle” and the Troop is slowly but surely growing again. Activities have included first aid, pioneering, map reading, compass work and a “Get Lost” with lots of other stuff in-between including a Christmas Wii night. Howard, Steve and Magnus are all now warranted and their training is going well. They have also been joined by James Cox (an ex-CCD Cub and Scout) who is currently completing the Service part of his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Although there are a few of the older ones that are due to move to Explorers, the Troop has welcomed several new members, some of whom have never “scouted” before, which is very encouraging.
CCD Cub Pack is still full to capacity and our leadership remains unchanged. Our programme has included a Pack Forum night where we all discussed what we wanted to do over the coming year. We took part in the first round of the District Quiz but unfortunately our “Green Team” couldn’t go forward to the next round as there was only one of them free that night! We spent a meeting looking at the Union Flag and discovering facts about the four countries and their patron saints. Most of the Pack completed the Road Safety Badge in October and we then concentrated on the Promise Challenge during the second half of the term. We looked at other faiths, completed a Good Turn Diary over a period of two weeks, had a good long look at our Promise and what it really means and spent a night covering anti-bullying. We made Christmas decorations during a craft night where we borrowed the District badge making machine and the pyrography “pens” (which nicely covered how to treat minor burns and scalds – nothing serious fortunately!!). We ended the term with a Christmas party which got us all in the festive mood for the holiday season. Three boys represented the Pack at the District Mowgli Cup competition which was a definite learning curve but thoroughly enjoyable. We really must do more homework!!
Since the start of 2010 (which had a false start because of the snow!), we have been looking at our Community Challenge which has got us collecting coppers in “buckets” for Water Aid, watching relevant internet films from the WA website (“Splish Splash Flush” and “The Adventures of Super Toilet” – worth a look) and enjoying a talk by Kaa (Sally) about her experiences in Malawi where she spent some time working on a community project for charity. We carried out a risk assessment of our meeting place identifying all fire prevention equipment and then thinking about our homes and how we would escape from them in the event of fire. Always an interesting topic as it is amazing how many have never thought about it! We should just nicely get this badge completed before the half term break.
About 12 boys will be attending the County Camp at the end of May and we are also planning to hold a Pack camp at Chestnut Grove Farm in June all being well. We are all looking forward to the return of the lighter nights which will allow us to get outdoors again and put the OUT back into scOUTing.
And finally CCD Beaver Colony continues to thrive under the watchful care of Lisa, Richard and Clare. We are currently trying to entice some more parents to become leaders but sadly, as yet, no success.
If anybody out there feels they would like to get involved by becoming a leader or helper, please get in contact with Erica Spencer on (01423) 780905. She would love to hear from you!!