Although over 100 years old, Cub Scouts continues to offer almost half a million young people in the UK new opportunities to challenge themselves physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and creatively through a unique programme of activities.
Jenny Brooker who leads an Enfield Cub Scout pack (for ages eight to 10), says a typical evening with her Cubs Scouts could include a physical game followed by learning about Scouts in Mozambique, with a creative activity based around that learning, for example cooking some African food. At the weekend they may camp overnight, take part in activities like abseiling or mountain biking, and work with new friends helping to prepare meals.
Scouting isn’t just about activities for their own sake. The organisation encourages young people to feel the buzz of the challenge and then reflect on what that means. Did they have fun? Do they feel more confident? Would they do it again?
‘I’ll discuss activities with my group at the end of every meeting,’ says Jenny. ‘It’s about getting them to reflect on what they’ve just done and trying to get them to see why we did it. It’s about giving them the opportunity to organise their thoughts and formulate opinions.’
Leaders are encouraged to develop their Scouts’ fitness, creativity, global awareness and give them experience of outdoor adventure. Programmes are rounded so they incorporate balanced activities and instil a sense of unity and friendship within their group and the communities in which they operate.
Through the adventure of Scouting, young people get to take risks in a safe environment, and have their first taste of responsibility and independence. In Cub Scouts many young people gain positive experiences they’ll carry with them through life.
The sort of adventure Scouting offers is the chance to experience something different and the opportunity to be challenged. When a Cub Scout wakes up the morning after a sleepover, or has just got over her fear of heights by completing her first abseil - that’s a real sense of adventure, not to mention achievement!
From football hero David Beckham to business tycoon Richard Branson, Scouting helps to create successful people who talk of the skills, leadership and independence they experienced through their time as a Scout. It’s about offering opportunity to all sections of communities to get involved in worthwhile, skill enhancing activities. At a time when many young people are looking for an alternative to iPods and X-Boxes, or, more worryingly, gangs and crime, Scouting can offer adventure, fun and challenge to satisfy the largest appetite.
Scouting is made possible by the efforts of 100,000 voluntary adult leaders, many of them parents of the young members. With award winning training and one-to-one support, scouting makes sure that each one of its volunteers gets to make the best use of their skills and talents. It’s something different from the norm, and that’s why a lot of people like it. In fact, it’s what’s made scouting the largest co-educational youth organisation in the country.
Find out more about Cub Scouts by visiting scouts.org.uk
