April 2015

32nd Pack Chingford"Running the very best pack possible"

April 2015 Newsletter

Statistics 40 cubs 3 visiting beavers 7 leaders 7 core helpers

187 HIKES 295 NIGHTS AWAY

Dear Parents,

Mad March, another busy month for our cubs. Investments; Swimming, Easter egg hunt, blowpipes, pub visits, Bishops hats, Lego, campfire, St. Patrick, transport race night, 10 Bridge walk, Mother’s day craft and moving on ceremonies. Funny thing Mother’s day is really mothering Sunday when Christians are obligated to return to their home parish (mother) church, nothing originally to do with mums, you learn something every day. On the whole our 2015 has been very good to date, a few niggling issues but nothing terrible. We have issues with Leader availability through sickness, work commitments and confirmation obligations, help where you can. All parents should ensure they help at least one meeting each term, inclusion keeps us strong. There are a number of great events heading towards us, I am really looking forward to Hendon; Roman camp and Portsmouth. As always please help where you can.

A couple of important points:

Bullying occurs almost everywhere in life, it is something humans are prone towards and excel at. That doesn’t mean it is acceptable or ignored. Fortunately direct bullying is rare in our pack, if any cub feels they are being bullied parents should, in the very first instance, encouraged their child to speak directly with me or one of my leaders. Victims will have a very sympathetic hearing as will the subject of their concern. I enjoy the challenge of correcting or removing deviant behaviour.

Parents working or moving around the pack are asked to be conscious that other people can and will interpret their actions or words. Children are small, naïve and have great ignorance’s (which if you think about it, is part of what makes them endearing) But they do also have innate intelligence and social awareness. As scouts we believe cubs must always be treated respectfully and that that children shouldn’t be negatively compared against their peers, this can damage their self-esteem and potential. Please be alert to and avoid such behaviour.

The shape of things to come:Cubs will restart Tuesday 21st April

Sainsbury’s Active kid’s vouchers

Please remember to ask for these when shopping at Sainsbury’s and help us collect as many as possible, the free kit we can get helps reduce your costs.

Tuesday 14th April Hendon RAF Museum

This is a chance for Cubs to be awarded their Air activities badge and is an interesting day out for the Easter recess. As always, parents and families are welcome to tag along but we will not take responsibility for non-uniformed members or Beavers. The Cubs will be charged £5 for the day and this will cover a simulator ride. Depart outside the hall at 9.00am returning approx. 5.45pm. Uniform, packed lunch and a few pounds spending money.

County Lego 25th April

Six of our cubs are representing Chingford District at the county Lego competition on this date. Details will follow. Well done to all the 32nd Cubs who attended the District hear and very well done to those who made the team.

St Georges Day parade 26th April

Tradition Scouting activity and all uniformed group members are requested to attend. There is little point having the largest local group should we fail to turn out for such key events. Full details to follow.

Sainsbury’s Bag Packing 16th -17th May

Our group has one fundraising activity each year and all cubs are expected to help for a three hour shift on one of the two days. It’s part of being a supportive group member. Because this event is so valuable for our group it means we don’t have to have monthly or termly appeals for group subsidy money. Please support this important event, parents are welcome to assist.

Portsmouth 23rd May

Coach trip to Royal docks at Portsmouth, this is a great day out. Cubs will visit four great ships and enjoy a boat tour of the harbour. Places are limited and the book is already open. The outing cost £25 and cubs will need a packed lunch and a few pounds spending money.

Our Pack depends on parental help, we need two parent helpers at each meeting, sometimes a few more and lots of help when the pack is out and about. We are the largest and most active local pack with the biggest leadership team, but my leaders are needed to run games and activities not support the pack by tidying up, serving food and drinks and such tasks. We really do need your help for this. Please be aware we have sickness in the leadership team at present which will need additional helpers stepping up and doing their bit. Let’s keep the good work up. We also badly need some additional long term free storage space and could use a second cub pack which would mean a new pack Leader. Let me know if you can help.

In the pipelineItems are subject to change and additional items will be added. Hand-outs will be available for core event.

    • Hendon RAF museum 14th April Half term visit

    • Lego event 25th April Details heat winners only

    • ST Georges day 26th April

    • Group fundraising Bag packing Sainsbury’s Lower Hall 16th -17th May

    • Portsmouth Trip 23rd May book open

  • Gilwell funday 20th June details to follow

  • Romans Summer camp 26th- 28th June Danemead details to follow

  • Lion King November 17th

Full details on our website http://www.32ndchingfordscoutgroup.co.uk/home

Any questions or issues please have a word with a leader.

Generic scouting information is obtainable from: https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources

Keep up the good support and help where you can.

Kr's Akela

CSL 32nd Cub Pack Chingford 0795050