Annual Report 2009

Cubs has had a great year. We’ve had a stable and enthusiastic leadership team and have managed to deliver what I can only describe as an excellent programme, including 4 camps and participation in many Island wide Cub events as well an exciting programme of Thursday night meetings.

Numbers have been fairly constant between 20 and 25, and we have not had to turn any children away this year. We’ve also had Beavers swimming up as well as new members from outside the Group. Last summer we lost Mez Merrick, who gave up his warrant after more than 5 years service but luckily we were joined by Stuart Watson or Jacala, who is now an Assistant Cub Scout Leader. Unfortunately Hilary has decided to step down at the end of the summer. Hilary’s been a Cub Leader for 2 years now and we’ve relied on her for all sorts of things, ranging from dealing with the badges to providing Michelin quality food on all the camps. As ever we will be very short on leaders next year and I’d urge you all to think about volunteering. We’re also hoping to get some young adults on board through scheme like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or by getting Explorer Scouts from other scout groups to help at 1st Laxey.

I will now briefly summarise the programme and activities over the last 12 months. As you know we have reports and photos of our most important events on the website. Returning to last Summer – the Summer programme was as usual mainly outdoor based. We had an enjoyable visit to the Fire Station, a couple of Orienteering and outdoor evenings and completed the Fitness Challenge and the Cyclist badge. We had a successful camp at Glen Lough, including a campfire that was far too large – thanks to Hilary’s for providing all the palettes and our resident pyromaniac Mez. We finished the term with the Group BBQ on the Beach.

In the Autumn term we did the Communicators and Home Safety badge before finishing with our annual Christmas craft evening. We also held our Winter Camp at Ardwhallin, where Cubs got to do archery, problem solving and orienteering – we intend to return again this autumn. Last term we did the Map Readers badge and Astronomy, which included a visit to the observatory. We also held an overnight back to basics event for the Sixers and Seconders at Wattertrough Cottage in Foxdale. Unfortunately we couldn’t persuade our female leaders to stay overnight as they already knew the answer to one cubs question later that night – “where are the toilets”.

This term we have had an outdoor based programme, covering the Athletics badge, Physical Recreation and general outdoor skills. We also have two camps coming up shortly as well as a Group BBQ on Laxey Beach.

Finally I’d like to thank Hilary, Stuart, Claire and Debbie Hinks, our Parent Rep, for all their help and support throughout the year and also thank the Executive Committee for supporting us. My thanks also go to Julie Reynolds-Sinclair for volunteering to be our next Parent Representative.

In the coming year I look forward to the Group going from strength to strength with the support of our volunteer leaders and members of the new Executive Committee and hope that all our Cubs will benefit greatly from all that the Scouting movement has to offer. Thank you.

Thank you.

Nick Kinrade
Cub Scout Leader