cub

FUNDAYS

The magazine for Cub Scout LeadersApril/May 2011

Outdoor expertsTransform your Pack

into bushcraft gurus with these easy activites

New leaders

Now you’ve recruited them,

how do you keep them?

IT’S FOR ADULTS TOO

Allow people to volunteer their wayAllow people to volunteer their wayHATS BETTER

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08703 800 242 [email protected] www.pgl.co.uk/scouting

FOR BOOKINGS AND A 2011 BROCHURE CALL 08703 800 242 NOW!

■ Choice of 17 UK activity centres

■ Over 50 activities

■ Free places for leaders (1:8) • Birmingham

•Edinburgh

•Leeds

•Manchester

•London

•Exeter

•Edinburgh

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3scouts.org.uk/pol

Intro

Deputy UK Commissioner for Programme Graeme Hamilton outlines his hopes for the coming

months – and asks for your help in shaping it

There is some further change in the supplement this issue as I find myself

writing for leaders, commissioners and supporters in all five sections for the first

time. This will be the pattern for the foreseeable future as I alternate with the five

Programme and Development Advisers, who will provide a section-specific focus.

Supporting the range of different needs and challenges of five diverse sections

is not something to be taken lightly and certainly not without support. I rely

heavily on you sending in your thoughts, concerns, ideas and, most importantly,

success stories so that we can share these with others across the UK.

Please email [email protected] if you have anything to contribute.

We’re currently building a network of experienced leaders to form a support

team – all of whom will soon be deployed across the UK. In the months ahead

we’ll also look at how sectional support roles can best support frontline leaders.

I’ll be out and about too. Cumbria has already booked me for a joint Cub

and Scout leader session in May. If I cannot be at your event then we’ll aim to

find a willing person from the support team or staff at Gilwell Park.

I’ve recently attended the Development, Advice and Support day events in

Wales and Northern Ireland so I’ll be maintaining strong links all over the UK

as we work together to deliver a strong, effective and fun programme for

every youngster who has chosen to take part in the Scouting adventure.

There will be more in a future article about how we’re checking out what’s

good and what’s not about the programme and how you can give us your

thoughts.

One vision

Contents

Published by: The Programme TeamThe Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW

Contributions to:[email protected]

ADVERTISINGRichard [email protected]: 020 8962 1258

This issue’s contributors:Dave WoodNicola AshbyAustin LillLaura McManusMolly Fassbender

For ease of reading, this supplement refers to all variations of ‘county’ groupings simply as County.

You can read all the section supplements as well as the main magazine online at www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

Cover photo:Chlöe Chapman

4 NewsNew Pack and a new website

5 Fundays - for kids of all ages One leader refl ects on the thrills of

Beaver and Cub Fundays

6 Not risky business Dave Wood looks at activities

outdoors

9 Sow seeds of charityScouting’s partnership with

Bookbridge

10 POP The great outdoors

12 Bushcraft Cubs Outdoor skills and tricks to

amaze and excite your Pack

14 Flexi-time Tips for recruiting adults

in a sustainable way

16 Indoor camper activity Work towards a camping badge

in your meeting place

Join-in-Jamboree activitiesApril – May We hope you’ve been using your

Join-in-Jamboree resources.The themes for the next two months are Make a Change, Make a Difference, and Scouting Skills. Have fun.

Download the PDFs at www.scouts.org.uk/wsj2011

Cubs

Join-in-Jamboree

[email protected]@[email protected]

08703 800 242 [email protected] www.pgl.co.uk/scouting

FOR BOOKINGS AND A 2011 BROCHURE CALL 08703 800 242 NOW!

■ Choice of 17 UK activity centres

■ Over 50 activities

■ Free places for leaders (1:8) • Birmingham

•Edinburgh

•Leeds

•Manchester

•London

•Exeter

•Edinburgh

PGL ADveNtuRe we ekeNDSFROm juSt 49 PP + VAT

2598 Cubs Scouting Magazine advert.indd 1 3/3/11 16:06:49 cubs_040511-amended.indd 3 09/03/2011 17:35

Faith and awareness events June/July 2011

June 2011June LGBT Pride Month

1-7 Volunteers’ Week

2 Ascension Day (Christian)

5 World Environment Day

6 Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese)

8-9 Shavuot (Jewish)

12 Pentecost (Christian)

16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev

(Sikh)

19 Trinity Sunday (Christian)

19 Father’s Day

20-26 World Refugee Week

22 World Interfaith Day

23/26 Corpus Christi (Christian)

28 Lailat al Miraj – The Prophet’s

Night Journey and Ascension

(Islam)

July 20113 Ratha Yatra (Hindu)

5 Birth of Guru Hargobind (Sikh)

5-11 Childhood Obesity Week

9 Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá’í)

11 World Population Day

15 Lailat al Bara’ah – The Night of

Forgiveness (Muslim)

15 Asalha Puja – Dharma Day

(Buddhist)

19 17th Tammuz – fast day

(Jewish)

23 Birth of Guru Har Krishen

(Sikh)

25 Khordad Sal – Birth of

Zoroaster (Zoroastrian)

News News and views in Cub Scouting.

Email your stories, reports and opinions

to [email protected]

It beginsThe New Year brought new adventure to the

Walberton area of West Sussex.

A new Cub Scout Pack opened its doors to ten

thrillseeking young people. The Pack is the second

satellite section of the 1st Barnham Scout Group.

Eight year old Ben, attended the first meeting

and said: ‘It was awesome, we played loads of

games. The traffic light one was my favourite. I

can’t wait to come back next week.’

Jill Gladman from West Sussex Scouts County

Team who attended the launch evening said

‘We’re so pleased to now be able to offer Scouting to more young people

in Walberton and the neighbouring community.’

Have you visited Scouts.org.uk lately?The new website is now live, so be prepared to be surprised. With a

fantastic new design, logical menu, related articles, the most searched-

for items and a one-click ‘email a friend’ option, you will easily find

everything you need to help you in your Scouting role.

Log in to enjoy the full member benefitsWhen you log in to the website you will see information and best practice

relevant to your role, as well as the latest updates and badge information.

Signing in using your membership number means you can also:

• Access the Print Centre, where you can create everything from

personalised posters and photobooks to signage, stationery and

minibus livery. You’ll also find images, quotes and videos.

• Sign up to relevant e-communications including Scouting Plus, our

weekly email containing news, information and good practice relevant

to your role.

• Search thousands of activity and programme ideas on Programmes Online.

• Receive updates and information on the homepage of the website

specific to your Scouting role.

• Access the membership database, where you can update your details

and anyone else’s you are line manager for.

How to log inUse your membership number, printed on the the appointment card sent

with this issue of Scouting magazine.

4 Cubs April/May 2011


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Intro

Over two days in June, Gilwell Park in London

will reverberate to the sound of Beaver and

Cub Scouts having the time of their lives at

the annual Fundays extravaganza. Water

slides, climbing walls, 3G swings, bouncy castles,

rafting – you name it, Fundays has it.

Informative and enjoyableHowever, as Sheila LeForte, leader at 15th Chingford,

explains, the event offers just as much for adults. ‘I’ve seen

a lot of leaders who were there for the first time being

completely blown away by Fundays. They find it

interesting, informative and enjoyable – their only

disappointment is that they can’t take part in the activities.

‘It’s an opportunity for everyone to mix and swap

ideas. You get to know other leaders and benefit from

their experiences.’

Despite being in Scouting for over 30 years, Sheila

still recalls the worry and sense of responsibility from

the first few times she took Cubs away for a camp or

day out. In her opinion, Fundays is a great way for

newer leaders to get their feet wet... sometimes literally.

‘It’s a really good place for someone to go for their first

Pack excursion because it’s an organised environment and

it’s only one day whereas making a weekend camp your

first experience can be a lot more daunting.’

Badge requirementsFundays has also proved to be an ideal place for Cubs to

complete badges and challenges too – giving your Pack

the opportunity to achieve as well as enjoy.

‘Last year we had 5,500 young people across the

Scout and Guide movement partake in over 30

activities,’ says Caroline McLaurin, Event Manager.

‘Most years we have a theme which attracts additional

features such as funfairs and medieval jousting.

Fundays’ success is down to the programme quality and

the volunteers who deliver it. We strive to deliver the

best event possible for the younger sections.’

And if Sheila had one piece of advice for a Fundays

first-timer what would it be? ‘Just come with an open

mind, be as enthusiastic for your Pack as you can, and

get ready to thoroughly enjoy yourself.’

Sounds like fun.

5scouts.org.uk/pol

Fundays – for kids of all ages

If you’ve never been to the Beaver and Cub

Fundays before or are unsure whether

to attend this year, then one Cub leader’s

experiences may make up your mind

The 2011 Beaver and Cub Fundays will take place

on 18 and 19 June at Gilwell Park. To book a

place now visit www.scouts.org.uk/fundays

more info


6 Cubs December 2008/January 20096 Cubs April/May 2011

Bumps, scrapes and scratches are part and parcel

of Scouting but a proper risk assessment is just as

important. Dave Wood explains why and outlines

some fun and exciting outdoor activities

One thing that always made me nervous

about running outdoor activities was the

chance of a Cub getting injured. As a young

leader with no real responsibilities I had seen

a couple of fairly nasty injuries at Cub camps and

worried about what I would do when I became the

leader in charge.

I soon realised that my fears were largely unfounded,

as long as I did one simple thing - a risk assessment. It’s

a term which often produces groans but it stopped my

worries in their tracks. Forget the tabloid, fear-

mongering claims of bureaucratic nonsense. Doing a

simple assessment of what might go wrong in any

activity, and how you can prevent it, is five minutes well

spent in any planning stage.

Simple assessmentAll you need to do is discuss the activity and see what

might go wrong. Then you can identify what you can

do to help prevent it. For example, if running a

backwoods cooking activity the risk assessment might

look like this:

Risk Prevention

Splinters Gloves to be worn; Cubs told not to break large sticks.

Smoke Cubs to stand upwind of the fire; goggles to be worn.

Burns Gloves to be worn; Cubs to use tongs and barbecue tools rather than fingers; all food allowed to cool for five minutes before being eaten; group size no more than six per fire.

Falling from trees

Cubs told to only collect fallen wood.

Food poisoning

Use pre-cooked meats (such as frankfurters); spare food stored in fridge/cool bag; have soap and water at base to wash hands before cooking.

Saying that, you can never stop real accidents from

happening, but by doing a simple risk assessment and

acting on the issues raised, the chances of things going

wrong (and you being blamed) are greatly reduced. You

can then enjoy the activity as much as the Cubs.

Here are a few outdoor activities that have always

gone down well with my Pack.

Not risky business


7scouts.org.uk/pol

Activities

String trailAsk some Explorer Scouts to set up a simple

trail using strong string such as sisal or thin

rope/nylon cord – thin parcel string will snap.

This could be through woodland or around an

open area. Ensure the area is free from real

danger, but include simple obstacles, such as:

• A plank on the floor (tell the blindfolded Cub

that the plank is going over a ditch).

• Items hanging from a washing line above the

string (furry soft toys, strips of plastic and so on).

• A paddling pool with a foot of water in.

• A leader with a water pistol.

• Scramble netting to crawl under.

One of my favourites is a plank very slightly

raised off the ground at one end, with the

string angled down (see right). The Cub is told

they are climbing a steep plank and must put

their free hand on the leader’s shoulder for

support. As the Cub goes along the plank, the

leader slowly drops to their knees, giving the

Cub the feeling they are much higher than they

are. The Cub lets go of the string and, guided

by the leader, is told to do a ‘leap of faith’ to

the ground (in reality, about a foot drop). Great

fun for the Cub and the onlookers.

Tree climbingHow many children are allowed to do this these

days? It’s a simple thrill that is easily done safely.

One adult is needed to supervise two or three

Cubs at a time. Choose a sturdy tree and explain

that the strongest points to climb are where the

branches join the trunk. They can learn

balancing skills and so much more.

Don’t encourage them to climb too high –

three metres will be enough of a thrill for many. If

you have a rock climbing expert in your Group or

District, perhaps they can rig up a safety harness

and belaying system in a sturdy tree at your

campsite to let individuals climb higher.

Seed collectingWhen the season is right, take the Cubs out into

the countryside or park and see how many

different seeds they can collect from plants and

trees. They will need lots of plastic food bags to

put their seeds in. Perhaps they can try growing

the seeds in pots at home or at a Pack meeting.


8 Cubs December 2008/January 20098 Cubs April/May 2011

Grow tomatoes in potsInstead of simply planting bulbs or sunflowers in

pots, issue your Pack with pots and potting

compost (the contents of growing bags are

best), plus vegetable seeds. Pumpkins, peppers,

tomatoes, beans are all suitable. Cubs take them

home, keep them on a windowsill and water

them – can any produce edible vegetables?

Game: Wet sponge throwTwo Cubs stand facing each other about four

metres apart. Each has a bowl of water by their

feet. One dips a bath sponge in their bowl and

passes it to the other who must catch it. They

then each take one pace backwards with their

bowl. Player two passes the re-soaked sponge to

the first player. This continues until the sponge is

dropped. Which pair can catch the sponge the

farthest apart? Swap partners and try again.

Scavenger huntsCubs are challenged to find a collection of

items from a list of about 15 objects that can

be found in the campsite, park or wherever you

are. Specific leaves, bugs, 1m length of grass,

round pebbles, and yellow flowers are all

possible objects.

Tree treasure huntsDecide upon a phrase, such as ‘Akela likes fish’

and prepare cards with one letter from the

phrase per card. Attach these to branches of

trees around the playing area. The cards should

be quite well hidden, to provide a real challenge.

Offer clues to find the sheets which are aimed

at getting the Cubs to identify trees (‘find the

oak tree in the south west corner of the field’, or

‘find the ash tree by the car park entrance’). If

your Cubs are not renowned tree identifiers, you

could hand out sheets with a picture of each

type of tree (or actual leaf) taped to it. How

many pairs of Cubs can find each letter? Can any

of them identify the three-word phrase?

Game: HaltTwo Cubs stand back-to-back. One calls ‘go’

and they slowly walk away from each other for

about five steps or so. The second player calls

‘halt’, whereupon they stop, turn around and

face each other. One player starts by

announcing how many paces it will take them

to get to the other person (ten, for example).

The other then either asks them to ‘prove it’

or says a lower number that they think they

can do it in. This continues until one is asked to

prove it. They must then leap, step-by-step (no

run-ups) from where they are to their partner.

If they reach them in the final number or less,

they win. If they fail, the other wins. The

winner then finds another winner to challenge.

Silver foil ash tracksHold a 1m sheet of silver foil over a candle so one

side of it becomes covered in black soot. Place

this on the ground, sooty side up, while at camp.

Secure the edges with sticks, soil or stones. In the

morning, take a look and see if any animals have

left their footprints behind. Can the Cubs identify

the animals by their tracks? You may wish to

deposit a few scraps of bread to ensure some

animals are attracted. Don’t forget to remove the

foil when you’ve finished.

Game: Blind water volleyballoonHang a large sheet or some blankets across a

washing line (or use a minibus) – this is the net,

albeit one you cannot see through. One team

starts by throwing an inflated balloon, which is

half-filled with water, over the net. The other

team tries to catch it and pass it back. Teams

score a point for each balloon caught unburst.

Have lots of balloons ready (and a towel if

you’re kind).


9scouts.org.uk/pol

Partnerships

Sow seeds of charity

The Scout Association is launching

a partnership with Bookbridge. This

small charity was set up by Scouts in

Germany to establish partnerships

with communities in developing

countries to improve young people’s access to English language

education. Molly Fassbender looks

at how you can get involved

The focus of the partnership is a book

collection in June. This will be backed up by

activity ideas on Programmes Online. Here is

an activity to show how you can help Cubs

understand how doing one small easy thing, like

donating books or some undercover gardening, can

make a really big difference.

Undercover gardeningThis is an easy and fun way to make flowers grow in a

place that looks like it needs a bit of tender, loving care.

Materials:Bowls, clay soil (or potter’s powder), potting compost,

water, flower seeds.

Method: 1. Take a bowl and put some clay soil in.

2. Add some of the potting compost, but not as much

as the clay (the ratio should be about five parts clay to

one part compost).

3. Mix the clay and compost with water until it is sticky.

4. Add your seed mixture and pat into small balls, about

the size of a ping-pong or golf ball.

5. Now let all your flower balls dry for about two days.

6. Once your flower balls are dry, spread them around.

Choose a siteAsk the Cubs to think of places that would look better

with some pretty plants; perhaps near your meeting

place, local campsite or in their back gardens. Make

sure you choose a piece of land you know you are

allowed to plant in. Then let them release their flower

balls in that place and look at the difference it makes.

Because they are a mixture of clay, potting compost,

seeds and water, these ‘seed bombs’ are able to survive by

themselves – the rain will water them. You can make this

part a bit more fun by creating a game out of it; perhaps

make them pretend they are undercover spies and they

have to plant their seed balls without being caught.

After a few weeks check to see if something is growing.

Don’t be too disappointed if some of your seeds don’t

grow, that happens sometimes. Just try it again.

If you would like to find out more about

Bookbridge or to participate in the book collection

this June visit www.bookbridge.org/scouts or see

p68 of your copy of Scouting magazine.

more info


Programmes on a platePOP

This issue’s theme is the great outdoors, compiled byNicola Ashby

Opening ceremony 10 mins Beliefs and Attitudes Themes Discuss the theme for the meeting

Hunt the woggle 5-15 mins Outdoor and Adventure;Creative

Games • Stand the Cubs in a circle facing inwards. Each holds on to a piece of string that stretches all the way around. One Cub is chosen by an adult to stand in the middle of the circle with their eyes closed. The adult then threads a woggle onto the string, without the person in the middle seeing.

• The woggle is then moved around the string from person to person. As each young person is passed the woggle, they hide it under one hand and pass it to the other hand, then to the next young person.

• The Cubs in the middle has to start looking for the woggle.• Those passing the woggle have to try and make it look like they have it by clenching their fists and pretending to

pass it. • When the young person in the middle has guessed correctly, or has guessed enough times, they change places

with the Cub who has the woggle.

Find the dwarves 20-60 mins Outdoor and Adventure;Fitness

Games;Outdoors;Team challenges

Rules for young people; in teams of three or four. Each team has been given a different card.• You must get a signature from each dwarf character on that card in the order shown on the card.• The characters can be found anywhere in the playing area, and they can move around.• The signatures must be obtained in the order on the card. • To find out which adult is which, you have to find them and then you may ask them only once. They will answer

either yes or no and then you must move on.• If they answer yes, they will sign it and you can then go and find the next character.• You must stay in groups of three or four. • Three whistle blasts ends the game.• When you have all five signatures return to base.

Rules for adults: • You will be asked your dwarf identity by a group of young people and you must only answer yes or no. • They may only ask it only once and then must move on to find another character, but they can come back to you

after they have asked someone else. • If you say yes then you can sign their card, but only if you are the next person in order on their card. • Please ensure that the young people stay in their groups. • You are free to move around anywhere within the playing area. • Three whistle blasts ends the game.

The adult/leader is one of five dwarves:Bashful, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy

River crossing 5-15 mins Outdoor and Adventure; Fitness

Team challenges;Games

Before the activity, mark out a ‘river’ for the teams to cross • Split the section into small teams.• Each team is given a number of chairs (depending on how challenging you want the activity to be).• The teams have to cross the river, using the chairs and without touching the river.• The winning team is the first to cross successfully.

Closing ceremony 5 mins Beliefs and Attitudes Prayer, worship and reflection

Activity/Game Time Zone Method Instructions



Opening ceremony 10 mins Beliefs and Attitudes Themes Discuss the theme for the meeting

Hunt the woggle 5-15 mins Outdoor and Adventure;Creative

Games • Stand the Cubs in a circle facing inwards. Each holds on to a piece of string that stretches all the way around. One Cub is chosen by an adult to stand in the middle of the circle with their eyes closed. The adult then threads a woggle onto the string, without the person in the middle seeing.

• The woggle is then moved around the string from person to person. As each young person is passed the woggle, they hide it under one hand and pass it to the other hand, then to the next young person.

• The Cubs in the middle has to start looking for the woggle.• Those passing the woggle have to try and make it look like they have it by clenching their fi sts and pretending to

pass it. • When the young person in the middle has guessed correctly, or has guessed enough times, they change places

with the Cub who has the woggle.

Find the dwarves 20-60 mins Outdoor and Adventure;Fitness

Games;Outdoors;Team challenges

Rules for young people; in teams of three or four. Each team has been given a different card.• You must get a signature from each dwarf character on that card in the order shown on the card.• The characters can be found anywhere in the playing area, and they can move around.• The signatures must be obtained in the order on the card. • To fi nd out which adult is which, you have to fi nd them and then you may ask them only once. They will answer

either yes or no and then you must move on.• If they answer yes, they will sign it and you can then go and fi nd the next character.• You must stay in groups of three or four. • Three whistle blasts ends the game.• When you have all fi ve signatures return to base.

Rules for adults: • You will be asked your dwarf identity by a group of young people and you must only answer yes or no. • They may only ask it only once and then must move on to fi nd another character, but they can come back to you

after they have asked someone else. • If you say yes then you can sign their card, but only if you are the next person in order on their card. • Please ensure that the young people stay in their groups. • You are free to move around anywhere within the playing area. • Three whistle blasts ends the game.

The adult/leader is one of fi ve dwarves:Bashful, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy

River crossing 5-15 mins Outdoor and Adventure; Fitness

Team challenges;Games

Before the activity, mark out a ‘river’ for the teams to cross • Split the section into small teams.• Each team is given a number of chairs (depending on how challenging you want the activity to be).• The teams have to cross the river, using the chairs and without touching the river.• The winning team is the fi rst to cross successfully.

Closing ceremony 5 mins Beliefs and Attitudes Prayer, worship and reflection

Activity/Game Time Zone Method Instructions

11scouts.org.uk/pol

Send us your programme ideas, thoughts and photos too.

Some of the best may feature in future issues.

If your Pack would like to participate in a future programme,

please let us know at [email protected]

For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol


Nettle cordial recipeCreate a tasty and refreshing drink from nettles? Your

Cubs won’t believe it but it’s easy and you can amaze

them by showing them how.

The ingredients for this cordial are just a version of the

standard elderflower recipe.

200g of chopped nettle tops

1kg caster sugar

50g citric acid

500ml boiling water

1. Mix the sugar into the boiling water until dissolved,

add the citric acid and then the nettles. Cover and

chill when cool.

2. It starts to look like it’s turning after a couple of days,

don’t worry. It needs to be stirred each day too.After

five days strain it through a muslin. It comes out a

surprising colour and due to the differing sugar/water

ratio from usual elderflower recipes you need less

cordial. It kind of reminds me of a ‘green’ tasting

old-fashioned lemonade.

3. This makes about three quarters of a litre.

4. It is possible to reduce the sugar as it is very syrupy

but a little goes a long way and this high sugar level

means it has a long life if kept chilled.

5. If this is made late summer and nettles are a bit

‘leggy’, look for ones in shade, or those growing near

the ground should be OK.

6. This is delicious when mixed with elderflower cordial.

The sugary nettle leaves from the mixture are a bit

chewy but are really quite palatable.

7. Some recipes suggest leaving it a week before

bottling but five days is fine. It will taste all right after

two but with more of a green taste.


Bushcraft Cubs

It’s never too early to turn your Cubs into

bushcraft experts. Austin Lill presents some

perfect springtime tasks to turn each Pack

member into a mini Bear Grylls


How to make a fish trapHelp your Pack get up close to our fishy friends with this

simple device.

1. Take one large bottle (one litre ones can work too).

2. Cut it around the neck and reverse the cut bit in to

make a lobster pot design.

3. Push a hot metal skewer through both the body and

the reversed top and secure with freezer bag ties.

4. Add some string to lower it in and out.

5. Finally, fill with a few stones and bait. Drop the bottle

into a local pond or stream.

I’ve tweaked the colours and circled an American Signal

Crayfish that showed some interest (it would have had a

squeeze to get in).

Minnows are very greedy. If you have these in the

water then you’ve pretty much guaranteed success.

Try researching different baits; I’ve had success with

everything from eels to perch in these traps.

These are also fantastic for catching crabs by the

seaside. Just wind a little string round the entrance to

help the crabs in.

13scouts.org.uk/pol

Scouting skills

13scouts.org.uk/pol



Flexi-timeYou’ve probably heard about flexible volunteering but

how do you make it work in your Pack?

Laura McManus offers some handy ideas


L eaders are often trying to find more adults to

help them. But with busy lifestyles and so

many demands on people’s time (theirs and

yours), how can you encourage parents to

support Scouting?

Research has identified that the largest barrier to

volunteer recruitment is the time pressure on adults

coupled with anxiety over the demands placed on new

recruits. Nearly 60 per cent of non-volunteers cite lack of

time as the main reason why they do not volunteer.

Scouting therefore must approach volunteering in a

flexible way to get around these concerns.

Getting craftyIs doing a craft activity something you dread? Don’t

worry, you’re not alone. However there may be an adult

that you could ask to organise and run a couple of craft

activities each term. Remember that craft doesn’t have

to mean glitter and glue, it could be photography,

dancing or acting.

Getting outdoorsIs there a parent of a Cub Scout in your Pack who is a

keen hiker or cyclist? Could they run an evening

outdoors taking the Cub Scouts on a short hike? Taking

the Pack on a short hike requires a lot of organisation,

so asking another person means that it’s something else

you don’t have to do.

Simple tasksAre you holding a residential experience soon? Are

there things that you could ask parents to help to

organise? Maybe you could you ask a small team to

manage the catering – taking one meal each, for

example. This is a simple task, and something that

parents will probably be more than happy to do. Again,

it is now also one less thing for you to worry about.

It’s a recordIs there someone who could manage the badge records

and administration for you? If you give them a copy of the

programme and attendance records, they can work out

which challenges/badges have been completed. You’d be

surprised by just how many people enjoy the paperwork-

based tasks that you are constantly putting off.

Parent or adult rotasOver 40 per cent of new volunteers to section roles

come from the parents of youth members (or

prospective youth members), so parent or adult rotas

are a particularly effective method of getting new

people involved in Scouting.

One of the tasks in your to-do list could be co-

ordinating a parent’s rota. Why not ask a parent who

you know has younger children as they would not

necessarily be able to attend a Pack meeting?

A parent or adult rota is another great way for sections

to benefit from the increased adult support that parents

can bring, without requiring them to make a weekly

commitment. The rota could ask parents or other adults

linked to the child to make a commitment to attending

one Pack meeting a term.

Flexi-timeVolunteering

15scouts.org.uk/pol

Think about what you would like an adult to do

If there was one thing you could have help with,

what would it be? Draw up a list of tasks that

you would like another adult to do, so you can

concentrate on running the Pack. Maybe it’s one

of these:

• Run craft activities

• Run outdoor activities

• Organise a sleepover

• Manage the badge records

• Co-ordinate a parent rota.

These tasks do not necessarily have to be done

by the same person. They can be done

effectively as part of a team. If you ask an adult

to do one task for a set period of time then they

are more likely to say yes.

There are a number of resources to help you with encouraging adults to support your section in a flexible way.

Tools to help


Indoor camper activity

A lthough many of the badge requirements

are things that are easily achieved at camp,

lots of them can also be practised in your

normal meeting place on dismal and

still-slightly-chilly evenings.

InspectionsMock inspections can easily be set up inside. To

encourage participation, allow Sixers to inspect the

leader’s kit afterwards. This usually causes quite a stir.

PackingHelp your Cubs learn how to pack a rucksack using a

simple relay race. Set out the items to be packed for

each team member. Once each has finished packing

their rucksack, the next person on their team starts,

and so on.

It may not be the neatest packing you’ve ever seen,

but it will help them think about the order in which to

pack things.

CookingA few weeks ago we ran a cooking competition Pack.

Each Cub had to bring in one ingredient and then, in

their Sixes, cook a meal using the equipment we take to

camp. They had access to a ‘store cupboard’ and a

leader/Young Leader for advice (and safety guidance).

The results were surprisingly edible.

So don’t let bad weather stop your Pack from gaining

outdoor badges. With a little imagination and planning

you can have them well prepared for when summer

comes and they do it for real.


Badge page

The April weather might be unreliable, but don’t let that stop you working towards the Camper Activity Badge says Nicola Ashby

To gain this award, Cub Scouts must complete the following:1. With other Cub Scouts, camp under canvas

for at least three nights (not necessarily on the

same occasion).

2. Help pack personal kit for a Cub Scout camp.

3. Help to pitch and strike a tent and know

how to take care of it.

4. At camp, help to prepare, cook, serve and clear

away a simple meal, if possible out-of-doors.

5. Know how to look after yourself and be safe

at camp. Know how to prepare for tent and kit

inspection.

6. Take part in at least three of the following

while at camp:

a. campfire

b. Scouts’ Own

c. wide game

d. joint activity with other Cub Scouts on

site or from a local Group

e. a good turn for the site

f. help to tidy up the campsite before

they leave.


17scouts.org.uk/pol

Animal friendlyPets at Home stores are offering

local Beaver and Cub Scouts free

workshops to help towards their

Animal Carer Badges

I n store, all Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts will receive

advice from trained advisers on how to care for pets

responsibly to achieve part of their set badge criteria.

To obtain their Animal Carer Badge, Cub Scouts will

learn how to care for small animals, fish or insects and the

correct types, varieties and quantities of food to feed them. They

will also find out the right habitats for small animals, where they

sleep and how to ensure they get the appropriate level of

exercise and how to recognise common illnesses.

Suitable animals for the badge include dogs, cats, gerbils,

guinea, fish, birds and rabbits.

Pets at Home offers great products,

tips and advice to keep your pet happy

and healthy. From specialist pet food

to toys and training aids, there is

everything a pet owner could wish for

and more. There are 279 Pets at Home

stores across the UK.

To find your local one visit

www.petsathome.com/storelocator

more info

Animal friendly

Pets at Home offers great products,

more info


Congratulations. After what seems like forever,

it appears that the flyer at the playground,

pestering parents, the website advert and

cajoling Cubs to be on their best behaviour

during prospective leader visits have finally paid off;

your new leader has turned up for their first Pack night.

But the hard work has just begun.

If possible, get together before they come to their

first night. Run through the programme for the term

and talk about what you’d like them to get involved

with. It will help them settle in quicker if they know

what to expect and it’s a chance to ask questions away

from the noise and chaos of a Pack meeting.

Welcome behaviourWhether your new leader is someone who has

experience of Scouting or not, it’s fair to say that having

come through the door they’re now thinking ‘argh –

the Cubs seem to have multiplied since last time and

they’re shouting and running round, I’m not sure I can

do this.’

It’s crucial to act quickly at this point – a welcoming

smile, an introduction to the leader team, a reminder of

the programme and a cup of tea should help them relax.

During the first couple of weeks let them soak up the

atmosphere and get used to how the meetings run. Make

sure that they are getting involved with activities and

learning the Cubs’ names; not standing on the sidelines.

Throw them in at the deep end and you’re in danger

of scaring them off. Breaking them in gently will pay

dividends as confidence grows and soon they’ll be able

to run games and activities on their own.

Show you careDistrict meetings are the perfect opportunity to meet

fellow leaders, swap ideas and realise the whole network

of support available, so invite your new leader along. Talk

about the importance of training and the different

options they have for completing modules within

timescales.

Demonstrate the Group’s commitment to them by

asking your District Commissioner to come to a meeting

and invest them, in recognition of the important role

they’ve undertaken.

And the end of all that, just four little words show

that the time and effort you’ve put in has paid off – ‘see

you next week.’

Tips and advice

Support your new leader


Recruiting new leaders is one thing. Retaining them is a whole

different matter. Katy Sara offers some pointers on how to make

sure the new leader in your Group is made part of the team

There is a lot more tips and guidance available online at our new Member Resources area at www.scouts.org.uk/memberresources

Online advice

kIt’s

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