1st Normandy Scout Group

Currently we have 20 in the pack, with 1 linking to Scouts. There are a number of Beavers waiting to start at Cubs, however it is not known exactly how many (at least 3 due and a couple more later in the term), due to Amanda not having been given the records. Due to the fact that I am now the only Cub leader after Barbara resigned and David went to University, I am not in a position to accept any of the Beavers into the Pack, and have also had to turn away (or rather indicate that a position was not immediately available) at least 3 young people from outside the group.

The 2008 District Indoor challenge was an egg race. Each team had to design and build a vehicle to safely transport it's passenger (the egg). The vehicles had to travel under their own momentum having been launched from a ramp. Teams were additionally marked on teamwork and behaviour.

Thank you to all the parents and Scouts that turned up for the Beetle Drive on the 9th of February.

There is not much to report since the last executive meeting, due to the Christmas holidays. We currently have around 19 Cubs in the pack, with 4 moving to Scouts at the end of the month, and another 1-2 at Easter. There are 3 Beavers coming up at the end of the month and around 6 (at the last count) at Easter.

The district handicraft competition this year had the theme of the fair coming to town. The challenge was to design and build a model of a "travelling" fairground.

Carole having taken a break from Scouting in the trinity term, decided that the time was right for her to pass on the leadership of the Cub section. I would like to personally thank her for all her years of running the Cub pack, both recently and when I was a Cub there myself (which is 20 years ago in a month!)

We started the term with 19 Beavers. 3 have moved up to Cubs. Of five new Beavers one has dropped out and so I will be investing 4 new Beavers next week.

ScoutsThe troop at present has 16 scouts. We lost four scouts at the end of the summer term.

The troop had a successful summer camp in August returning to Plymouth. During the week the scouts went hiking, sailing, cycling and sea fishing. We even managed to catch loads of fish to barbecue in the evening. The weather was very good, one of the most enjoyable activities was the water fight and soap slide the scouts made up on the site.

There are 6 Explorers at present and 3 leaders. This is quite a fall in numbers over the last year, with Explorers mainly moving on due to age and other overlapping activities.

We've put on a varied programme of activities over the last year, including: a walk (and a very well fought game of Capture the Flag) on Puttenham common, tracking, pancake making, blindfold trails, tent pitching, fire lighting (and cooking).

To celebrate 100 years of Scouting we've been running a 100 challenge throughout the year, with 10 challenges being given out each month. 15 of the Cubs went to the District Centenary Camp in May at Henley Fort.