An Introduction
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Cubs is the second section of the Scouting movement, originally started in 1916 for younger brothers who wanted a 'look-in'. In nearly a century, the section has constantly evolved and adapted its programme and methods to meet the changing needs of each generation of young people, and these days admits girls as well as boys.
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Bristol 227th Kestrels Cub Scouts
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Cub Scouts is for boys and girls aged between 8 and 10½, we meet on Tuesdays from 6.30 – 8.00pm. 'Akela' runs the pack with King Louie and our three young leaders Rikki, Grey and Bagheera. Our young leaders are Explorer Scouts or working toward their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Cubs work in small groups called Sixes. A Sixer looks after the Six with the help of a Seconder. In Kestrels there are five Sixes - red, blue, green, yellow and white. We currently have 25 in the pack including 5 girls. At our weekly meetings we earn badges, take part in fun adventurous activities such as Archery, fire-lighting, cooking marshmallows and playing lots of games.
New Cubs are given a welcome pack to Kestrels on their first evening, this tells them everything they need to know about being a Cub Scout. They will spend time with their Six finding out their names and some of the activities we do. New Cubs are usually invested within the first 4 weeks and throughout their time in Cubs they will earn lots of badges working towards their Chief Scout Silver Award, the highest in award in Cubs.
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Uniform and badges
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Cub Scouts wear a uniform once they have been invested. The Cub Scout uniform is a green sweatshirt and navy blue Scout activity trousers.
There are lots of badges for Cubs to work on. If you would like to work towards one once you are invested then ask Akela and she will tell you what you have to do for the badge. The easiest badges are Hobbies and Collectors. The pack will often work together on a badge. There is also a poster on the wall for you to look at.
Some of the badges we have worked towards recently:
Astronomer- Making up our own constellations and trying to spot the moon through a telescope
Chef- cooking a two course meal
Digital Maker- designing our own computer games and acting it out for the rest of the group
Scientist- making our own lava lamps and finding out what happens when you mix vinegar and bicarbonate of soda
Skills challenge- Learning how to change a lightbulbs, iron and taking a beginners course in fencing
...and many, many more!
For badge positioning, please see the downloadable Badge Positioning document, on the Downloads page.
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Activities
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Cubs have fun. As well as meeting each week at our Scout HQ, we will sometimes go somewhere different for special pack activities.
For example:
Cub camps in June and September (most recently a Star Wars camp)
Night hikes – in the autumn, we finish back at our HQ for chips.
Tracking at Blaise Castle
Visits from other people or organisations
Fundraising for others – Bristol Children’s hospital Cots for Tots appeal, Scouts in Nepal, children with disabilities.
We join other packs for pack meetings, district events (swimming gala, craft days) and County events (visit to Longleat Safari Park, Scatterbrain competition).
We also attend joint 227th Beaver, Cub and Scout activities (BBQ, campfires, and most recently a chip shop hike!)
Fire lighting and cooking simple snacks- one of our favourite activities!
See the News and Photo pages to see what we have been up to recently!
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Costs
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Subs are currently £35 per term (payable 3 terms per year at the beginning of each term). On occasion, some events may also incur an additional charge. Cheques for subs and trips should be made out to ‘227th Bristol Cub Scouts’. This goes towards badges, activities and the upkeep of 227th HQ – heating, lighting, repairs, etc.
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Investiture
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At your investiture you will need to know the Cub Scout Promise and Law. When we say our promise we make the Scout sign with our right hand. Hold your little finger down with your thumb, and hold your right hand up by your shoulder.
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The Cub Scout Promise
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I promise that I will do my best,
To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
To help other people
And to keep the Cub Scout Law.
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The Cub Scout Motto
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Be prepared.
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The Cub Scout Law
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Cub Scouts always do their best,
Think of others before themselves
And do a good turn everyday.