Scout surprise

As the committee felt that they needed some help with ideas about how to sort the numbers in the red, and also, on a happier note, at the same time inform everybody about the regional camps in the summer, all parents were called to a meeting. To hopefully make all parents come, all Cubs and Scouts also had a meeting. The Scouts had organised the whole thing, and were manning the control points, and Cubs, cub leaders, helpers and visiting Rover scouts had no idea what was on the cards.

As the parents were "enjoying" themselves in the warmth inside the hut, we certainly enjoyed another lovely, crisp, starry winter's evening outside. Still no snow, but -1. We are over all very lucky with the weather!

A short quiz walk was laid out around the hut, testing our knowledge of scouting, spelling and woodcrafting among other things. The path was lit with parafin lanterns, and it was just about adventurous enough for everyone; far enough from the hut to be completely in the dark, except for the light of the lanterns, but close enough for the littlest ones to see the cosy lights from the hut where mum or dad is.
The younger and older Cubs, who usually meet on seperate days, were mixed in new sixes for the evening to get to know eachother. They will meet again at the group camp in May, and then the nine-year-olds get invited on a cannoeing hike at the beginning of summer with the older ones to make the crossover in the autumn smoother. It was fun to see how the more experienced members of the group very naturally took command, and even the rowdiest of the boys quieted down and listened to their just slightly older peers.

The quiz walk finnished with a short "blind" (i.e. very dark) obstical course, and then everyone ended up around the fire where we practised campfire songs until the parents were let out of the hall to join us. (Unfortunately, the dark evenings don't really improve the camera phone's picture quality, but I'm sure you have plenty of memories to draw on for illustration)

Btw, does anyone know any more verses of the PizzaHut song? We just found out about the Ford Escort verse, but love to hear more!

Around the world in 40 minutes

There were loads of people at the meeting on September 25th; Both packs were there, and lots of parents! Unfortunately no pictures.

While the Akelas were dealing with the parents inside, all the sixes went on a trail around the world and answered lots of very tricky questions about continents, countries, flags and languages. The cubs also did lots of practical things like spelling, throwing balls into buckets and throwing an old fashioned life line. And of course some games and songs!

Meanwhile, indoors Marie and Lotta had the parents reading the scout law, explained how the law and the promise makes scouting different from Woodcrafters and football teams, how Falkenberg scout group is a part of a family of millions and millions. They also told the parents of the seven different parts of the scout method: Law and promise, symbols and ceremonies, the six, learning by doing, the outdoors, caring for oneself, the society and the world and supportive and listening leadership. Then the parents were put into sixes and told to plan a meeting for their children, using as many of the seven parts as possible.

When the meeting was over everyone sang the scout song. Next week the cubs will take home a nice course certificate for their parents as proof that they all have passed the first module of the basic scout leader course!