Group News 2010

I am writing to invite you to our Annual General Meeting, which is being held on 8th July 2010 in the green hall at Laxey School commencing 6.45pm. This gives you the opportunity to hear section reports from the leaders as to the achievements and activities of the Beavers and Cubs during the year, as well as appoint a new Executive Committee to help run the Group for the forthcoming year.

Nick Boon our Chairman is standing down due to work commitments and I am also standing down as Group Secretary. Iain MacMillian, our current Cub Parent Representative, has kindly agreed to be nominated for Group Secretary but this leaves two of the Executive roles vacant - Chairman and Cub Parent Representative. If you think you would like to become involved in 1st Laxey Scout Group then please get in touch.

As I am sure you will all appreciate for 1st Laxey Scout Group to continue to thrive it needs the commitment and enthusiasm of a large number of people. I am hoping to find such enthusiasm within our large parent base. If you are willing to help, please give me a call my mobile number is 480617. Without your help we may not be able to continue in the same way we do now.

We have also decided to change the format a little this year we felt whilst the Cubs and Beavers have behaved impeccably at previous meetings we would run the AGM alongside a joint Beaver / Cub activity night. This will be an outdoor challenge and games evening with trophies and badges being presented after the meeting.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Cubs

In the 2009/2010 financial year, we spent the equivalent of £104 per Cub. This came from your £25 per term subs, £5 profit from camps, £6 from donations and fundraising and £18 of one-off subsidy from Group Funds. The chart below shows how this was spent:



Beavers

In the 2009/2010 financial year, we spent the equivalent of £94 per Beaver. This came from your £25 per term subs, £6 from donations and fundraising and £13 of one-off subsidy from Group Funds. The chart below shows how this was spent:



The above figures are taken from the Group Accounts that will be published at the AGM in July.

Just a reminder that the second payment of £50 for the Centenary Camp is due on Thursday.

We had intended to issue final consent forms and a programme by now but we're just finalising some of the activities so this will follow shortly. Activities booked or being booked include gorge walking, rock climbing, pioneering, and kayaking. We are also considering dry slope skiiing (with an instructor and lessons) - could you let me know if you've been skiing before.

In addition, donations from island based companies towards this camp are now up to £1000!

This weekend ended up being mostly dry and sunny. The cubs arrived at 10:00 and were shown how to put up the tents, while some of the leaders struggled to put up the gazebo! After this, we played a few wide games before sitting down and making our own sandwiches for lunch.

After lunch the beavers arrived, and were shown the tents that the cubs were sleeping in, before departing for the glen gardens, where Kaa and Phil set up an orienteering course for the cubs and beavers to take part in. The nine groups did very well, managing to find six or seven out of the ten markers hidden. After the orienteering, we played a cub game followed by a beaver game, though we all agreed the beaver game was more enjoyable!

From the glen gardens we proceeded to Laxey beach, where we had a BBQ with past leaders and executive members of 1st Laxey Scout Group. Following the BBQ, we played a game of football on the beach while the bonfire was lit. We also scheduled a water fight on the beach, so trenches were dug for this. It took Nick, Ali, Iain and Phil a long time to fill the water balloons up in the toilets, considering the water fight was over within minutes, but we all found it very enjoyable.

After this, we said farewell to the beavers, before walking back up the camp site and getting some sleep, and I emphasise the word 'some'. After a very cold and drizzly night, we travelled to Ballakermeen high school, and learnt how to kayak in the swimming pool. This was enjoyable as we all made sure that Kaa got very wet!

Mang

By now you have probably heard from your child that I am standing down as Akela with immediate effect. I have very much enjoyed the last 8 1/2 years with 1st Laxey but intend to leave the island in the near future so feel it is better to stand aside and help the existing leaders take over. Until I leave I intend to remain actively involved. I am also fully committed to the UK Centenary Camp and will run that camp as a Cub Leader.

Stuart Watson has agreed to take over from me as Cub Scout Leader with the support of the existing team of Ruth, Julie and Phil. However it is vital that new volunteers come forward in the coming months to ensure the Pack keeps going. Please do speak to Stuart or myself if you feel you can contribute.

My sincere thanks go to the whole team and all past leaders. I also thank the Exec for their support, in particular Ali Wilkinson. Thanks also of course for your support of 1st Laxey Scout Group over the years and I hope the children continue to enjoy and benefit from Scouting in Laxey.

Many thanks for the great turnout at St George's Day. Over 75% of our Cub Pack were there along with 55% of the Beavers.

Photos below:

Firstly many thanks for the excellent attendance at St George's Day - it certainly makes a difference.

Could I remind you that cheques and forms for the Island Cub Camp in June were due last Thursday. The camp is now open to all Cubs (not just those not going on the UK trip). Please could you drop a mail asap to Rama if you intend to come and then bring the paperwork on Thursday.

Also a remind for those of us (cubs and leaders) going on the UK Centenary Camp that the first payment of £50 is due this Thursday. This is needed so we can start booking the boat and paying activity deposits.

We are also planning our Group Camp, which is a joint event with the Beaver and involves camping here in the village, for Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 May. Apologies for the extremely late notice - we are waiting for confirmation of some bookings and activities - full details will shortly be available.

Finally, for those who have not yet paid, subs of £25 are due.

The Spring Term is now over. Here's the situation on points and also special mentions to those whose attendance or points were especially high. Well done!

We now have a new Group Badge for both Beavers and Cubs to replace the old green one:

New

Old

We now have a new Group Survey. It only has 10 questions and they will help determine our activities in the near future as well as the level of subs, etc for the next year so please take part. Click on the Survey button to participate.

Well what can I say, but thanks to the weather man for a nice dry sunny weekend. The start of our camp started well with the walk to the Mooragh Park where we all enjoyed playing on the gym equipment.

After lunch it was wide games at Smeale and a scavenger hunt at the Point of Ayre, which proved to be interesting. The Cubs after being well feed all day by our wonderful cook Ali, (thanks Ali) warmed by the camp fire, later retired to bed in our weekend den tired and content with a DVD provided by Jacala.

Sunday lunch was with a view at the Albert tower, which all managed to climb (even Rama made it in the end). We all I hope went home having enjoyed another camp. Roll on the next camp.

Rama

The Spring Camp information on the programme page is now up-to-date. The camp is one night indoors (suitable for the new Cubs) at the Crossags in Ramsey, 20-21 March. Apologies for the confusion and the delay in getting final information to you. We've had multiple problems trying to secure a campsite - many thanks to Ali Wilkinson for sorting it all out for us.

Could you please return your permission form and payment to Stuart by Thursday please?

Well done to our Super 'Super Splash' team of ThomasW, GeorgeR, TomB2, NathanT, ThomasK and WillF. Akela now has to treat them all to chips!

We also had a good letterbox hike around Snaefell today. The weather was perfect and everybody enjoyed surfing down snowy patches.

I understand a rumour has been circulating that the Letterbox Hike on Sunday has been cancelled. This is NOT true and has not come from me or any of the other cub leaders. Any communications would come from us via email/text/website not just word of mouth.

We planned to hold this year's Spring Camp at the Crossags but due to a last minute problem, we're now looking at Eary Cushlin in the west of the Island. Information will be updated on Saturday. Please disregard the programme for now.