Annual Report 2004

This is our second year as a Pack and I am pleased to say I think we have all now settled into our roles. We have continued with three Sixes, with 5 to 7 Cubs in each Six. Our numbers have fluctuated a little during the year but average around 18.

Since last AGM the cubs experienced camp for the first time. At Island Camp 9 Cubs enjoyed two full days of activities and earned their Outdoor Challenge Award, Campers badge and the first Nights Away badge. They were not the highest scoring Pack but hopefully have learned some valuable lessons for this year, most notably (1) still talking in your tent at midnight loses points and (2) being caught up, dressed and playing football at 3.30am loses lots more points. I have to say that Leaders finally gave up at 4.30am and football was played for 4 hours until breakfast, mostly to the cries of “Aussie - over here!” as all the Cubs from around the Island picked up on Austen’s football prowess. On Saturday night, after a day full of activities, several Cubs were pleading to go to bed!

We also had our first King Orry camp at Dhoon Glen in July. Following the lesson learnt at Island Camp we decided that one night was more than enough! After setting up camp during our Thursday meeting we returned the next night to slay. That evening we explored Dhoon Glen and had a campfire. The next day we visited the Ayres Nature Reserve, guided round by the Warden and Kath Smith of Manx Wildlife Trust. The cubs started out dragging their feet but by the end they were full of excitement and questions thanks to the fabulous enthusiasm of the staff there. We returned to site for lunch and some games before striking camp and going home.

In the autumn, we settled down to some serious badge work, attaining the Local Knowledge Navigator and Scientist badges. Making Rockets out of lemonade bottles, milk cartons and cardboard was a lengthy process with 20 cubs but we proved the result could be spectacular. AlexB’s rocket shot up and over the school roof and is still there today! It just shows the power of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar!

In January we embarked on the Fitness Challenge, with a ‘Superstars’ style event, following on with ‘taster’ sessions of Karate and Hockey. We all went swimming at the NSC one evening and had a great time. The Scout Super Splash Competition appropriately fell in the middle of all this and we finished a respectable 4th especially as our team was a good mix of 8, 9 and 10 year olds. Towards the end of term, one cub, AlexQ, took us for a tour of Ramsey Police Station. Alex’s dad, Kevin, is a member of the Ramsey Constabulary and accompanied us while Alex explained all the facilities of the Station. The Cubs experienced life in the cells and each got a ‘turn’ in the Traffic Car. Amongst all of these activities, we made sure we had an evening of games each term and a Hike to balance our programme. We regularly refresh map reading and knotting skills.

Finally, I would like to make my thank you’s. Firstly to the Cubs, for their achievements: No Cub in King Orry Pack has been a Cub for more than 15 months. One has already achieved his Chief Scout Silver Challenge award. A further six are working towards it and many of those should successfully complete it by the end of the Summer Term. I shall be very sad to say goodbye to Alex, Matthew, William and Austen at the end of this term. I hope very sincerely they will move on to Scouts should we be able to get our Troop up and running. I know they will be an asset and that they will enjoy the challenges of being a Scout. Secondly I would like to thank Huw (Bagheera) and Mez (Chil), the two Assistant Cub Leaders. Without them King Orry Cubs could not operate. I think we make a good team and I hope that they and the Cubs agree. Last and most importantly I would like to thank the Parents who, by supporting their sons and daughters, make Cubs happen. They are always willing to help out at Pack meetings in their Rota and provide extra transport and assistance when needed.

Thank you everyone.

Nicola Bowker
Cub Scout Leader