Cambridgeshire Scouts

Cromwell District

What were we up to in 2006?

13 December - Testing times for Beaver Leaders

As any good Beaver Leader will tell you, they would never ask a Beaver to do something that they are not prepared to do themselves. So with the year’s activities for the Beavers at an end the leaders minds turn to searching for new challenges for their Colony winter programmes. Some interesting ideas… keep looking guys!

26 November - Beavers' 20th birthday party

120 Beaver Scouts got together for a giant birthday party in Needingworth Village Hall to celebrate 20 years of Beaver Scouting (although they actually started 21 years ago in Needingworth). Members of the District Fellowship supported the regular Colony Leaders in providing a fun packed afternoon of games. They challenged the Beavers to work as a team without talking, eat chocolate using a knife and fork whilst wearing oversized woollen gloves and untie themselves from human knots, to name just three. A team of Explorer Scouts, learned 'balloon modeling' to entertain the Beavers during a brief break from the traditional games and finally, the Beavers raised the roof with a rousing "Happy Birthday dear Beaver Scouts" before departing with their special 20th Birthday cake in hand.

18 & 19 October - How do you get 200 Beaver Scouts to cook a sausage over a fire?

Answer: Attend the Annual Cromwell Beaver Scout Sausage Sizzle

When the nights start drawing in around the middle of October, word starts to spread from the older Beavers and siblings that the annual sausage sizzle is imminent.. It is still light as the excited Beaver Scouts are dropped off at the Copley Scout Centre in St Ives to meet up with their peers and leaders.

"Excitement grows as we are all ushered inside the building but not before taking a peek at the row of sawn-off oil drums glowing quietly away. After the safety briefing half of us are invited outside to start cooking. Over to the Colony table to collect a sausage, which has been threaded onto a stripped willow stick and carefully into the roped-off cooking area and hold it over the flames. Close by is a large bowl of water and two adults ensuring that the six to eight of us Beaver Scouts surrounding the drum are careful and safe. Twenty minutes of turning and twisting and each sausage is declared done. Back to the table for a roll and ketchup and then tuck in to our own-cooked supper. Now it's our turn inside with the parachute games and the half that stayed inside get a go at cooking a sausage. All cooked and eaten and it's off to the campfire circle. The fire is burning brightly as we sing our hearts out with old favourites like B.I.N.G.O and of course Ging Gang Goolie. Time flies fast and before we know it its Kum Ba Ya and a crocodile back to the carpark to meet the parents and be counted out to go home".

Only 90 tonight. The remaining leaders put out the fires and clear the tables ready for tomorrow. What's happening tomorrow - well another 110 Beaver Scouts are arriving to do the same again.

16 & 17 September - District Beaver Sleepovers

40 more Beaver Scouts enjoyed the opportunity of meeting and working with new friends whilst sharing in some new and stimulating activities at one of two District Sleepovers held in September. Following themes of shipwrecked and conservationists they took up challenges and learned new skills. Congratulations to David Todd of the 1st Houghton Colony on running his first District sleepover and gaining his Nights Away Permit.

But it's not just fun for the young people. Leaders are all the time taking up the challenge, working as part of a friendly and supportive team of adults and providing experiences that they and the young people will never forget. Since the introduction of sleepovers for Beaver Scouts in 1998, here in Cromwell District we have provided a remarkable 25 District sleepovers, offering approximately 500 young people and their leaders a unique experience.

19th Aug - 2nd Sept - CMC trip to Kandersteg

The Scouts, Explorers, Network, Fellowship and Leaders had a great time walking and climbing in the Swiss alps.

1st Fenstanton & Hilton Scout Group have made a fantastic collection of photographs available online for anyone wanting to share in their Kandersteg and CamJam Scouting adventure.

To see the trip diary with links to the activities visit the Kandersteg diary or for more pictures browse through the photo album

Cromwell at CamJam 2006

A wild week of activities at Huntingdon racecourse shared with over a thousand other Scouts from the UK, USA, Denmark and Norway.

You can visit the gallery at www.scubes.co.uk

15 & 16 July - District Beaver Sleepovers

New friends and new challenges for 23 Beaver Scouts and their leaders when they journeyed into space on the third District sleepover of the year. Led by experienced leader Sue Baldock from the 5th St. Ives Colony and her team, an exciting programme of activities saw the young people exploring and searching for rocket parts, being chased by aliens and creating their own 'biospheres'.

Congratulations to Gareth Holyland from 1st Wyton (RAF) Colony, who planned and ran a second District sleepover on the Saturday to gain his Nights Away Permit. With his team, a new and exciting programme was provided bringing together another 21 Beaver Scouts from around the District. Shipwrecked on an island they successfully retrieve the pirates gold, feasted on sausages that they had cooked themselves and rose to the challenge of designing and building their own miniature rafts which were then tested on the river.

8-9 July - District Cub camp

Cubs from Cromwell District ventured further afield than normal for the 2006 Cromwell District Cub Camp which was held at Boyd Memorial Field, Henlow. They took part in activities such as raft building, fishing, air rifle shooting (many thanks to Rushden & District Scouts for providing NSRA qualified instructors), widegames and even cooking their own meals. The weekend was organised as a set of sub-camps run by the Akelas to allow for assessment for Nights Away Permits and congratulations to those who will be recommended to be given their permit to take their Packs away for their own camps. The immediate reaction from one Akela was "Great, how about we have a camp in September then?" - that's enthusiasm! The same enthusiasm was shared by all the Cubs on camp and they were always cheerful and laughing throughout the weekend.

The weekend was made special by the presentation to Chris Huddleston of his warrant as ADC (Cubs) by the District Commissioner during the Saturday evening Camp fire.

6th July - Beaver treasure hunt

140 Beaver Scouts from 8 Colonies came together to enjoy a perfect summer evening at their annual Treasure Hunt.

Under the watchful eye of over 40 leaders and parent helpers they searched the District HQ for famous explorers including Sir Edmund Hillary, Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong, discovering a little about their conquests. Following a well earned refreshment break they were off again to discover more before returning home with their bags of treasure.

17th June - Beavers at Gilwell

Three Colonies made use of the District run coach to Gilwell Park Fun Day. During an absolutely fun packed day, bathed in glorious sunshine and fuelled with a continuous supply of snacks, ice lollies, Ribena and water they explored an inflatable arena with castles, beat the goalie, a maze and a 10m slide. They experienced simulator rides, a mini funfair, grass sledging, go-Karting, trampolining and a 50m aerial runway. All enjoyed a big top circus show whilst some tested their skills at archery, climbing a 10m tower, making their own rope, and launching water rockets. An amazing and unforgettable way celebrate the 20th Birthday of Beaver Scouting.

17-18 June - CMC trip to Capel Curig

Snowdonia was remarkably quiet for the time of the year and so the twenty Scouts, Explorer Scouts and adults that went on the trip had the hills pretty much to themselves. The weather on Saturday was blistering hot and so plenty of sun cream and water was called for. The team split into three groups, each taking a different all-day route to match their experience and ability.

Sunday brought light rain and low cloud; consequently the shorter morning strolls were a little less adventurous but equally testing, particularly on navigation skills!

4th June - Cub Scout badge day (Science)

Just under 40 Cubs spent the day carrying out a variety of experiments ranging from explosive chemical reactions (vinegar and sodium bicarbonate) to working out why their hearts race, whether their brain had interpreted correctly what their eyes had seen, what is the physics behind the swinging pendulum and so on. They were set some homework as well - nurturing a wormery, growing (or otherwise) grass and beans.

A fun day with great educational value and another badge - if the homework gets completed!

11-13 May - Explorer Scout parascending weekend

Seven Explorer Scouts and three leaders spent the weekend under canvas in more ways than the usual, hosted by the SkyLincs parascending club at North Luffenham in Rutland. Saturday morning saw them all rolling around in long wet grass practicing parachute landing rolls and by the end of the weekend everyone had become proficient at going up (to over 120 metres), self releasing from the towrope and coming down again. This was a thrilling adventure and a great experience for all that took part.

12 May & 13 May - District Beaver Sleepovers

7th May - District Cub Football Competition

On a damp morning Cub packs from Earith, Bluntisham and Colne (EBC), Fenstanton, Hemingford, Needingworth, Somersham and Warboys gathered to battle for the Cromwell District version of the FA Cup.

The final between Hemingford and EBC, who both had previously won the trophy, was a close game with both teams having early opportunities but Hemingford scored first. EBC were finding it hard to break down the Hemingford defence, whilst both goalkeepers keeping their respective teams in the game with some fine saves.

With five minutes to go EBC scored, and with everything to play for end to end football ensued, either team could have won but EBC scored again with only two minutes left, al though Hemingford gave 100% they could not pull back the deficit, EBC running out 2-1 winners.

23 April - St George's day parade and service

It gets better every year!

At least 500 members turned out for this years parade despite the poor weather and were treated to a service with a difference.

The Burgess hall was filled to capacity for our ceremony with the theme 'Working Together to move from Conflict to Peace'. The service featured sketches by each of the sections, including a fine performance by the Explorer Scouts band and full audience participation with the 'human drum kit' led by Mrs Agi Peach.

It was more like a campfire than a church service, but the traditional elements were retained, including the homily led by the Revd Liz Strickland as a 'come and have a go' fun activity followed by the renewal of promises and presentation of awards.

Watch for details of next years service - it will be even bigger and better!

Congratulations to the following adults who received their awards this year:

Ed Sowells, MBE received the Silver Acorn

Tony Rogers and Mike Wenham received the Medal of Merit

The title of Honorary Scouter conferred on Barry Wills

25/26 March - Cromwell Plod

A very successful hillwalking competition over the weekend of 24-26 March - Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members had to navigate across the hills and moors in the area of Hebden Bridge. At the end of a gruelling but (mostly) enjoyable weekend, the winning team were CESU 'A'.

18 March - Beaver Scout handicraft competition

A very well attended event in St Ives Free Church on 18 March. Cllr Jason Ablewhite, the town Mayor, presented certificates to the prizewinners. Congratulations to 1st Hemingfords Beaver Scouts on winning the prize for best Colony entry. This is a newly re-openened Colony with all 15 members being invested three days after the competition.