Back to the Future

Kent Cubs started the celebrations of 95 years of Cub Scouting in real style with a two day event held at the County Showground, Detling over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd October 2010.  Cub Scouting celebrates 95 years officially from 1916 to 2011 and this was our chance to start celebrating!

The day started with a parade of totem poles - a traditional element of Cub Scouting in days gone by.  Some Pack had found their original pole and brought it out of a dark cupboard and others had made a brand new one reflecting their Pack and the Cubs in it today. 

95 Challenges were available in zones - Cubs could be a Sports Time Traveller and have a go at 10 sports from the last 100 hundred years and see what their potential would be for the Olympics in 2012.  The Future zone had lots of different science experiments for the Cubs to have a go at.  Traditional Cub Scouting zones consisted of Jungle Book, 1st Star, 2nd Star and Proficiency badges.  Cubs were able to have a go at activities that Cubs from over 50 years ago would have done - and they still enjoyed them today.  In the specially constructed museum Cubs "Discovered their Past" and were able to see first had some of the old books and uniforms that we used to have.   "Pack Up and Go" saw many of them try to put up a tent and pack a rucksack (without Mum's help!).  The Funtastic zone was just that - lots of fun with ball pits, football tables, scooter racing and much more!

During the weekend the Cubs brought along their pennies for Kent Kids Miles of Smiles and placed them on the collection table - over £1100 collected in loose change.  Coupled with a donation from everyones entry the total raised for the charity is in excess of £3400.  Liz Baxter, from Kent Kids Miles of Smiles was delighted with the result and suggested that everyone should have a badge for fundraising!

Hullabaloo began and rounded off the day with dancing and the final five challenges which everyone completed!  At the end of the day all the Cubs were presented with their 95 years of Cub Scouting special badge which can be worn on uniforms until the end of 2011. 

Sunday saw a very special visitor - Bear Grylls, the Chief Scout flew in by helicopter to spend some time with Kent Cubs.  He generated a lot of excitement and tried his hand at some of the activities on offer.  He spoke to everyone and thanked all the adults for giving up their time to volunteer.  He high fived as many Cubs as he could and signed everything from event passports to bits of tablecloth! 

A massive thank you to everyone who made it possible - the Zone Captains, Nigel, Clare, Zoe, Jeanette, Jane, Ken, Pat, Linda L, Linda W and over 200 people who helped them run the bases - we couldn't have done it without you.  Thanks to the car parking team, led by Josh - you were great!  Also without Margaret, Stuart and David - we wouldn't have had over 2000 cups of tea made - lifesavers!  Our first aid team of John, Jane, Clive and Lyn.  Tony who managed the totem poles, the reception team led by Kim and of course Hullabaloo who bring it all together.  Also special thanks to Ken and Jim - our long suffering husbands who when we say - "we have an idea!" help us to bring it to fruition.  You were all brilliant - what a team!

A great weekend for Kent Cubs and one we will all remember.  Enjoy the next year!

Beccy Martin and Bunty Ridgway.