Masked Ball - 26th June 2009

We had a wonderful end of the term pack meeting today - naming the winner of the Inter-Six competition as well as enjoying a party. We have managed to collect the full amount to sponsor another guide-dog.

Thank you to all the cubs who brought along their pocket money each week and a special thank you to all the parents who supported us!

The winner of the Inter-Six competition was WHITE SIX ... well done!

As part of one of the Advancements, the cubs had to plant a seed. During one of the meetings a few weeks back, Kreolin planted a bean - and he brought it back to show us how well it was doing!

Our theme today as "masked ball"
We had the cubs run around in search of a jungle name.
This then would be the mask they were to make inside.

Kreolin was the monkey (bandalog)

Lara was a beautiful owl

busily cutting out a wolf - pehaps Akela

and here we have a jungle full of animals!

another beautiful owl

Shere-Khan the tiger

ooh! another money

the fox and the wolf

.... and then it was party time!

A fun way to end the term.

I am sure you can guess what our theme is for next term!

The Jungle Book of course!

A new scout being invested into the Troop.

Welcome -we know you will have a great time!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Cub Night Hike - 19th June 2009

Our Friday meeting was awesome!

It was our Cub Night Hike to raise funds for the guide dog we will be sponsoring.

Cubs and families arrived at 6pm where they were put into their 'sixes', and given an STA (spare time activity) to complete.

Each Six had to design their own flag and come up with a suitable name.

The 'all womens' team hard at work!

White Six - or should I say "The Springboks"

Blue Six were the Grrrrrizzly Bears

The Butterflies

The Deadly Night Owls

Whilst everyone was busy designing their flags, leaders were selling raffle tickets trying to raise money for the sponsoring of the guide dog.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Parents and cubs went from base to base (which were organised by the scouts) and had to complete each activity. Scores were awarded to each Six.

At this base, cubs had to race up in relay formation, stack a fire correctly, light it - hopefully with only 1 match otherwise they were penalised - and wait for the string to burn through. Points were awarded to the Six who took the shortest time.

At the next base, cubs (and even leaders!) had to do some apple bobbing, ........

then move on to collect some sweets out of a flour bowl!!!!!!

and finally collect a strip of toast covered in syrup!!!!

..... and this is what they looked like afterwards.

At the next base, all the cubs had to cook their own pancake. Points were awarded to the Six who cooked the most pancakes in the allocated 15 minutes.

Stalking was the order of the evening at the next base. This should have taken place in an area with some long grass but due to rain earlier in the evening, we had to make alternative arrangements and hence this activity took place outside in Arrowe Park. Cubs had to creep up and collect a bunch of keys under the cub sitting on the chair.

If heard, the torch is shone onto the stalker and he is then out.

At the next base, the cubs had to select and paint one of the members.

.... and points were awarded.....

A parachute from a rubbish bin bag???

Yes! Our Group Scouter and Troop Scouter show how it is possible.

.... it was slightly too windy outside ... ...

... and worked far better inside the hall.

It was now 20:30 and time to move onto the campfire.

A few instructions....

... and then onto a most enjoyable campfire with leaders, scouts, parents and cubs.

.... and then it was time for the winner of the night hike to be announced.

It was Blue Six - or should I say, the Grrrrrrizzly Bears!

Well done!

A most enjoyable night was had by all.

Thank you to everyone who joined us.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Guide Dog Visit - 12th June 2009

Today we were very lucky to have a special visitor and his owner!

O'Reilly is his name and here he is having great fun with the cubs!

Just look at that smile on his face...

Matthew, one of our cubs, did a special presentation on the South African Guide Dog Association which was followed by a short movie that Matthew had organised.

Matthew then organised a game for the cubs to play.

The cubs were divided into 2 teams and the first time round the selected cub had to negotiate all the obstacles by themselves. Thereafter, they had a friend to help and guide them - just like a guide-dog and so much easier!

Here is Pieter telling all the cubs how he got O'Reilly as well as what happens with all the guide dogs - right from when they are born to when they are given out!

Just a reminder that the cubs are saving to sponsor their very own guide dog - so if you would like to contribute, please contact me for the banking details - my email address is joyhutch@mweb.co.za

It is soon Father's Day so we made a special Father's Day gift for the cubs to take home.

Into each little glass bottle we placed a couple of nuts - this was closed with a piece of coloured cloth. On it we placed a tag that read "I am nuts about you"

We also had another visitor today - Bandit and Rebecca!

We had a few Long Service Award presentations this evening at Scouts and unbeknown to me, I was presented with my 10 Long Service Award!

I actually think all the leaders of 9th Benoni received an award this evening.

Veronique our Girl Troop Scouter

Shane Gardiner our Group Scouter

Peter le Roux our Troop Scouter

Andrew Hall our Assistant Troop Scouter for 28 years loyal service!

Well done everyone!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Survival of the fittest - 5th June

Last week Friday, Raksha, Rikka and Baloo had a fabulous 'fitness' programme

(whilst I was away!)

Special little booklet with campfire songs were handed out so that all the cubs (and parents!) could learn a few songs before our joint campfire which will be held on the 19th June.

"Alice the camel has two humps"

Making a fun 'hairy head'

Decorating the hair head

Each Six was given a different colour material onto which they could put 'paw prints' made with their fingers.

Looks like fun!

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Bambanani TV

Today, we learnt about the invention of TV!

The children of today cannot understand what it was like to be without TV's

Let me apologise upfront for the poor quality photographs, but I have 2 teenage sons! .... need I say any more? when I got to cubs today and hauled out my camera - the memory card was not there - it was sitting in the laptop at home!

Just like when you can't find the TV station, we gave each Six a 'buzzer game' whereby they had to feed a loop along a wire. If the loop touched the wire, a bright light came on.

..... some could do this very easiy.....

.... and others took some time to get it right ....

but most importantly, they loved it and had fun!

We then raced outside, jucked the shoes in the middle of the circle and did the Baloo Dance.

Look at all those proud cubs!

.... and then it was time to scramble for their shoes, put them on and race back inside! ...

The Cheetahs today planted a bean in cottonwool.

We will watch this grow over the next coupld of weeks.

The Leaping Wolves learnt about the flag and sang the National Anthem.

.... and then it was time for the Bambanani Idols....

Each Six had to sing their song and plan their actions.

... and they all did extremely well ...

We invested 3 New Chums

.... and we know that they will have lots of fun with us ....

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Please let us know if there are any ideas you need more information for or any

other tips, crafts, activities that you may need help with.

We are here to share resources.

Just leave me a comment.

District Sixer Council

On Saturday 23rd May, we held a District Sixer Council - and magic was the theme!

It was pure magic! .... and attendace was excellent.

A couple of the cubs having fun before the Sixer Council Meeting started!

A peaceful moment to reflect.

our beautiful Arrowe Park

As an ice-breaker and steam release we took playing cards and cut them in half. These could either be matched up in pairs (King of hearts with the other half of the King of hearts) but we did it in suits. So 6 x Kings got together to form a Six and the 2 of Diamonds all got together to form their Six.
but to start with, these cards were scattered around the playing field!

We opened with approximately 40 cubs from different packs in the district

all looking smart

We needed to explain to the Sixers and Seconds what their duties and responsibilities are - and there is no better way than in a game.

In relay formation, cubs were given a piece of paper with a statement on it.

Examples:

A Sixer must set a good example (true or false)

We must always fib to get our own way (true or false)

Bribery works best (true or false)

Help Akela at all times (true or false)

etc.etc.etc.

These are then put into the correct pile

Akela Jenny going over all the answers with the cubs - just to make sure everyone knows their duties.

At the end of the meeting we received some wonderful ideas for games, hikes, programme themes etc for the new term from the cubs, that hopefully we can implement as some stage.

This is Cameron the Magician.

He is 13 years old and a truly marvellous magician.

He entertained both cubs and leaders alike - a truly stunning show!

Well done!

A magic show would not be complete without balloon animals

What do you call a bunch of leaders?

Thank you Cameron - you wowed us with your wonder!

Sixers and Seconds then tucked into some magical eats and drinks before leaving at 12 noon after a very successful District Sixer Council Meeting.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Adventure with Huckleberry

Today it was time to learn all about Huckleberry and Tom! ... as well, of course, about darling Aunt Polly!

Aunt Polly was a stern 'old duck' who took no nonsense from anyone - especially from Tom and Huck!

The cubs dressed up as "Aunty Polly" and the cub with the wig had to chase and catch another cub who then became Aunty Polly.

The cubs loved this - wearing the wig!

Nobody - especially Tom and Huck - wanted Aunt Polly anywhere near.... and we knew that they had these special signs on their bedroom doors!

So we got to work making our very own.

Our 2 New Chums

Wow!

Keep Out

Tom and Huck had to be very strong to survive the life they led.

So we had to have a special 'pillow fight'

...where we too 3m poles that the cubs had to try and stand on ....

... whilst using their 'pillow' to push the other cub off.

The cubs enjoyed this game and we played it again!

It was time to learn - and here the Cheetahs are learning about the Outdoor Code

We had taken a picture of the Outdoor Code and cut it up into a puzzle.

.... nearly finished ......

..... completed .....

Leopards doing their Instruction

Tom and Huck were regular vistors to the Graveyard.

We read the cubs a wonderful 'graveyard' story (while they were blind-folded) about how they found eyeballs and brains etc. Whilst reading, the leaders passed around items that felt like the real thing!

This is always a hit with the cubs!

If you would like to receive the complete story, please email me.

We had a very special event as well. A 'going-up' for one of our Cubs.

We are going to miss Devin but we know that he will have lots and lots of fun in the Troop.

Good Luck Devin!

I thought I would just add these 2 beautiful pictures that the twins did for Nature Craft. They collected all the items and completed it at home. Thanks Mom for all your dedicated assistance - you have beautiful boys!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Remember to take a look

at

Crafts for Creative Hands

Northern Lights - 15th May 2009

This week at Cubs we took a trip to Alaska to see the Northern Lights!

But first we opened with the Grand Howl and did inspection.

On arriving at the harbour to board ship we noticed that there were millions of people. Luckily we had all been given pictures of flags so that we could easily find our partner!

Cubs ran around and on the blow of the whistle had to quickly look for their partner by shouting out the country they came from.

On embarking we knew we would need our passport.

Cubs were given a preprinted polar bear and a photo of themselves. They pasted this together to form a passport.

One complete passport ready for stamping

Passport Control was happy with all Cubs

The seas were choppy and the waves were high! and we knew the Captain was a very capable sailor but we wondered if he knew how to navigate icebergs!

Here the cubs are helping to navigate!

In relay formation, cubs are blindfolded and the first cubs proceeds with the help of his Six. An obstacle course is set up with items that have to be collected along the way.
So if the cub can hear properly what the rest of his Six is telling him (go left, on the floor etc) he will navigate the icebergs well!

By this this we were all starving!

..... and a bit of fishing was in order.

Cubs were in a circle, each one with a fishing rod.

They caught their fish and ran and put it into the 'bucket'.

The winner was the one with the most fish in the bucket.

At last we arrived in Alaska and we saw the most beautiful sight.

The Northern Lights.

For more details on how to do this go to Crafts for Creative Hands.

Even Akela had beautiful painted hands!

The Northern Lights danced across the skies.

and everyone had a chance to make some for themselves.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy